AP Government duel

a committee made up of members of the House and Senate that is responsible for reconciling the differences when two versions of the same bill pass both houses of Congress

Exclusionary rule that evidence acquired as a result of an illegal act by police cannot be used against the person from whom it was seized

double jeopardy a rule that says a person can't be tried twice by the same court under the same charges twice; from the 5th amendment

Gridlock when opposing parties and interests often block each other's proposals, creating a political stalemate or inaction between the executive and legislative branches of government

constitutional guarantee that everyone be treated equally

Ex post facto law a law that makes an action a crime even though it was legal when it was committed or increases the penalty for a crime after it has been committed

Caucus locally held meeting in a state to select delegates who, in turn, will nominate candidates to political office

Free rider an individual who benefits from the activities of an interest group but does not support the group either financially or through active participation

Dealignment when a significant number of voters choose to no longer support a particular political party

Barnettte v. McColumm Upholds establishment clause and free exercise clause. Engel v. Vitale

Party machine a political organization, typically at the local level, that wielded considerable power through its ability to get out the vote; relied heavily on patronage and providing services to constituents and was often corrupt

franking privilege allows members of Congress to mail letters and other materials to constituents free of charge

false verbal statements about others that harm their reputation

offensive speech against racial or ethnic minorities, women, and homosexuals that creates a hostile environment

Representative democracy citizens choose officials who make decisions about public policy; a republic

Sound bite a very brief excerpt from a political speech aired on television or radio

amount of money owed by the government

Advice and consent the Senate's authority to approve or neglect the president's top appointments and negotiated treaties

Pure speech verbal communication of ideas and opinions

Before police interrogate, suspect must learn of rights like the Fifth Amendment

executive privilege a claim by the president or a member of the executive branch that information or documents requested by Congress or the courts do not have to be turned over because of the separation of powers

Inherent powers

Political action committees (PAC$) extension of an interest group that contributes money to political campaigns

Political ideology a consistent set of beliefs about politics and public policy that sets the framework for evaluating government and public policy

Public policy the exercise of government power in doing those things necessary to maintain legitimate authority and control over society

allows citizens to register to vote at welfare and motor vehicle offices

Amendment a revision or change to a bill, law, or constitution

people qualified to vote

Affirmative action a program intended to give a boost of preference to minority applicants over white applicants in contracting, employment, housing, and college or professional school admissions

weak government government that has limited control over economy or personal lives

Political efficacy belief that a person can influence politics and public policymaking

Extradition states may return fugitives to a state from which they have fled to avoid criminal prosecution at the request of the state's governor

Honeymoon period the time early in a new president's administration characterized by optimistic approval by the public

determines the rules for debate for bills in the House

Interest group a group of private citizens whose goal is to influence and shape public policy

the approval of a policy by legislation

Keynesian economics the belief that inflation occurs when too much money is chasing too few goods; the government must manage the economy by spending more money when in a recession and cutting spending when there is inflation

Authority given the courts to review constitutionality of acts by the executive/state/legislature; est. in Marbury v. Madison

writ of habeas corpus

Devolution an effort to shift responsibility or domestic programs to the states in order to decrease the size and activities of the federal government

effect tendency of those already holding office to win reelection due to advantages because they already hold the office

Motor Voter Law allows citizens to register to vote at welfare and motor vehicle offices

Divided government one party controls the executive (president) and the other party controls one or both houses of Congress

Impoundment

weak government government that has limited control over economy or personal lives

generally refers to the belief that government or people acting on its behalf can be used to address social problems or inequities facing the nation

Earmark a designation within a spending bill that provides for a specific expenditure

Selectively incorporates 4th amendment. Later modified with "inevitable discovery" (good if would be found in a later, lawful search) and "good faith" (good if warrant was issued at all).

Good-faith exception a rule of evidence that says that if the authorities act "in good faith," evidence that otherwise might have been excluded may be admissible. Modifies Mapp v. Ohio

Due process protection against the arbitrary loss of life, liberty, and property provided for under the 5th and 14th Amendments

Judicial restraint holds that the Court should avoid taking the initiative on social and political questions, operating strictly within the limits of the Constitution

Connecticut (Great) Compromise settled disputes between the states over the structure of the legislative branch; a solution to the problem of representation at the Constitutional Convention, in which the number of members that each state would have in the House of Representatives is determined by population, while each state would have equal representation in the Senate

Marble cake means 1930s fed expansion, layer cake means they are supreme in separate areas

Concurring opinion

Block grants grants federal funds given to the states for programs in broad policy areas with few, if any, restrictions

Elastic clause the necessary and proper clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) that allows Congress to pass laws to carry out its expressed powers

Fiscal federalism a type of federalism that deals with the flow of funds through grants and other means from the federal government to the states

practice by which power is divided among three branches of government; each branch has its own powers and duties and is independent of and equal to the other branches

Public policy

offensive speech against racial or ethnic minorities, women, and homosexuals that creates a hostile environment

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