AP Government duel

Public opinion

democracy citizens meet and make decisions about public policy issues; there are no elected officials; also called participatory democracy

a division of governmental powers between the national government and the states

Open primary

Rules committee determines the rules for debate for bills in the House

Federal budget decicit the difference in any year between government spending and government revenue

an association of congressional members who advocate a political ideology, regional, ethnic, or economic interest

National debt

Great compromise

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

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

Moderate

Off year election an election taking place in a year when no presidential elections are occurring; midterm election

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

the idea that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization

Civil liberties constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens. What the government can't do.

Deregulation the process of reducing or completely eliminating federal government oversight of an industry so as to allow it to operate more freely; used to encourage competition and reduce costs to consumers

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

powers enumerated in the Constitution

District courts lowest level of federal courts, where most federal cases begin and trials are held

Closed rule a rule issued by the House Committee on Rules, in which there is a strict time limit for debate and no amendments can be offered

Majority leader the elected leader of the party with the most seats in the House or Senate

Dual Federalism a model of the relationship between the federal government and the states in which each is supreme in its own sphere; "layer cake federalism"

Incorporation application of portions of the Bill of Rights to the states under the 14th Amendment

Markup rewrite of a bill after hearings have been held on it

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

method of maintaining, managing, and gaining control of government

A formal expression of congressional opinion that must be approved by both houses of congress and by the president; constitutional amendments need not be signed by the president

Natural rights basic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights a government cannot deny

Midterm elections congressional elections held between presidential elections

New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) establishes? The government cannot exert prior restraint.

Pardon a convicted person is exempt from the penalties of a crime; only the president has this power at the national

Random sampling a statistical technique that gives everyone in the target group the same opportunity to participate in a poll

Full faith and credit clause says that states are required to recognize the laws and legal documents of other states - Article 4

the process of redrawing congressional and state legislative districts to reflect population changes in the census; responsibility for redistricting usually falls to the state legislatures; follows reapportionment

verbal communication of ideas and opinions

Realigning election when a minority party wins by building a new coalition of voters that continues over successive election

New York Times Co. v. Sullivan

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

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

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

Majority leader the elected leader of the party with the most seats in the House or Senate

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

Trial balloon

Hyde Amendment (1976) Passed by Congress in 1976; excludes abortion from the comprehensive health care services provided to low-income people by the federal government through Medicaid.

Incrementalism small changes in policy over long periods of time; usually in reference to budget making - that the best indicator of this year's budget is last year's budget plus a small increase

Political agenda issues that merit action, as determined by the public or those in power

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

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

after listening to constituents, elected representatives vote based on their own opinions

Direct primary party members vote to nominate their candidate for the general election

Democracy

Mandatory spending

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

Issue networks

Natural rights basic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights a government cannot deny

Maintaining elections

Retrospective voting a method of evaluating candidates in which voters evaluate incumbent candidates and decide whether to vote for them based on their past performances

people who wish to maximize the personal liberty on both economic and social issues; prefer small,

Off year election

End this game?