AP Government duel

Entitlement government benefits provided to Americans who qualify because of their age, income, and/or status

method of enacting a constitution or amendment into law

Reserved powers under the 10th Amendment, powers not granted to the federal government or denied to the states reserved for the states or the people

Get-out-the-vote

Bicameral legislature a two-house legislature

a question of law based on interpretation of the US Constitution, federal laws, or treaties

writ of certiorari a formal document issued by the Supreme Court to a lower court indicating that it will hear a case

standards or guides based on prior decisions that serve as a rule for settling similar disputes

Runoff primary when no candidate receives a majority of votes, and election held between the two candidates who recorded the most votes in the primary

Casework services performed by an elected official for constituents

the formal and informal institutions, people, and processes used to create and conduct public policy

Progressive tax a tax that is higher for those who make more money; the federal income tax is an example

Standing committee

a political system in which power is divided between the national government and state government

Whip a majority/minority party leader in Congress who makes sure the party members are present for important votes and vote by party

Prospective voting a method of evaluating candidates in which voters focus on candidates' positions on issues important to them and vote for the candidates who best represent their views

a government that derives its authority from the people and in which citizens elect government officials to represent them in the processes by which laws are made; a representative democracy

Platform a statement of a political party on the issues facing the country, adopted at the national convention; each issue position is known as a plank

Markup

Incrementalism

Delegated powers powers specifically granted to the national government in the Constitution

money used by national, state, or local party organizations that is not regulated by the Federal Election Commission

Rider an addition or amendment added to a bill that often has no relation to the bill but that may not pass on its own

Miranda v. Arizona (1966) Before police interrogate, suspect must learn of rights like the Fifth Amendment

Executive order action by the president that does not require the approval of Congress; subject to judicial review

Candidate centered politics politics that focuses on candidates, their particular issues, and character rather than party affiliation

War Powers Act of 1973 a law that limits presidential use of military forces to sixty days, with an automatic extension of thirty additional days if the president requests such an extension

Fiscal policy how the government uses taxes and spending to impact the economy

Loose Constructionist the belief that judges should have freedom in interpreting the Constitution

opinion justice or justices who voted in the minority, explaining the reasons for opposing the majority opinion

Unanimous consent an agreement by every senator to the terms of debate on a given piece of legislation

Civil rights positive acts of government designed to prevent discrimination and provide equality before the law. What the government should do.

Iron triangle alliances that develop between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommittees

Separation of powers 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

Impeachment

Judicial activism a judicial philosophy that holds that courts have a more expansive role to play in shaping public policy

a permanent committee of Congress that deals with legislation and oversight in a broad policy area

Caucus (congressional)

Exit poll a poll conducted on election day to determine how people voted

Conservative a person whose political views favor more local, limited government, fewer government regulations,

Rule of four a rule that says that four of the nine Supreme Court justices must agree in conference to hear a case

Prospective voting a method of evaluating candidates in which voters focus on candidates' positions on issues important to them and vote for the candidates who best represent their views

Concurrent jurisdiction jurisdiction the authority to hear cases is shared by federal and state courts

Off year election

Floor leaders direct majority or minority party strategy and decisions in the House and Senate

under the 10th Amendment, powers not granted to the federal government or denied to the states reserved for the states or the people

Government the formal and informal institutions, people, and processes used to create and conduct public policy

writ of habeas corpus a court order directing authorities to show cause for why a person under detention should not be released

Grassroots lobbying organizing a letter-writing campaign or taking out ads to influence public opinion and persuade public officials to support a particular policy

Barnettte v. McColumm

Pocket veto

Impoundment refusal of the president to spend money Congress has appropriated; was eliminated by the congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974

New York Times Co. v. Sullivan

Grants-in-aid programs, money, and resources provided by the federal government to state and local governments to be used for specific projects and programs

Great compromise 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 is determined by population, while each state would have equal representation in the Senate (two senators per state)

Bill of Rights the first ten amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, which protect basic civil liberties

nominating election held to choose party candidates who will run in the general election

General election voters choose office holder from among all the candidates nominated by political parties or running as independents

On the record information

Commerce and slave trade compromise resolved differences between northern and southern states at the constitutional convention; Congress could not tax exports nor ban the slave trade for twenty years

End this game?