Participatory democracy
Electoral College
representatives from each state who formally cast ballots for the president and vice president
Liberal
stare decisis
let the decision stand; court decisions are based on precedent from previous cases
Superdelegates
party officials in the Democratic Party who attend the national convention without having to run in primaries or caucuses
Majority leader
the elected leader of the party with the most seats in the House or Senate
agreement at the constitutional convention that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House of Representatives and for taxation
Gender gap
a situation in which men and women hold different positions on a wide range of political issues
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
1943, forcing students to salute the flag is a violation of 1st amendment free speech, and is therefore unconstitutional. Such gestures = symbolic speech. Tinker v. Des Moines.
Amicus curiae brief
a brief submitted to the court by an interested third party that outlines issues it thinks are important in the case. amicus curiae literally means "friend of the court"
Split-ticket voting
pork-barrel legislation
party members vote to nominate their candidate for the general election
constitutional guarantee that everyone be treated equally
Get-out-the-vote
At-large
all the voters of a state or county elect their representative
Off the record information
information provided in an interview that a reporter cannot directly use
Libertarianism
people who wish to maximize the personal liberty on both economic and social issues; prefer small,
federal funds given to state and local governments for specific programs that usually require the recipient to match the money provided and have other strings attached
Joint committee
DC v. Heller (2008)
Court ruled that a DC law banning hand guns was unconstitutional. McDonald v. Chicago
Congressional oversight
refers to the review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation
Civil liberties
Anti-Federalists
those opposed to the ratification of the Constitution because it gave too much power to the central government at the expense of the states and the lack of a bill of rights
Midterm elections
media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who decide what news to present and how it will be presented
under the 10th Amendment, powers not granted to the federal government or denied to the states reserved for the states or the people
original jurisdiction
the president can reject a portion of a bill while approving the rest; declared unconstitutional
