AP Government duel

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

Straw Poll

Critical elections sharp changes in the existing patterns of party loyalty due to changing social and economic conditions

Margin of error

Filibuster

Delegate

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

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

agreement with another head of state not requiring approval from the Senate

political organizations that use contributions from individuals, corporations, and labor unions to spend unlimited sums independent from the campaigns, yet influencing the outcome of elections

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

seen as a system of many groups pulling government in many directions at the same time, causing gridlock and ineffectiveness

De jure segregation segregation segregation that results from law

Superdelegates

Limited Government

Declaration of Independence drafted in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson declaring America's separation from Great Britain

traditional majority power maintains power based on voters' party loyalty

Bill a draft of a proposed law presented to parliament for discussion.

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

Concurring opinion justice or justices who agree with the majority's ruling but not the reason behind the decision

a political/economic system in which the government plays a major role (usually ownership) in determining the use of productive resources and the allocation of valuable goods and services; may be democratic or authoritarian

Expressed powers

On background

Loose Constructionist

Administrative Discretion the flexibility a federal agency can exercise in implementing legislation through its rules and regulations. the authority delegated to bureaucrats to use their expertise and judgment when determining how to implement public policy.

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

Constitution the document setting forth the laws and principles of the government; a plan for government

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) establishes? Establishes that clothing is symbolic speech, and is protected unless its censorship is in the public interest.

Mandatory spending spending required government spending by permanent laws; entitlements, for example social security or bond payments

Checks and balances

Substantive due process the policies of government or the particular subject matter of the laws determining what the law is about and whether the law is fair or if it violates constitutional protections

the view that justices should base decisions on a narrow interpretation of the Constitution

Socialism a political/economic system in which the government plays a major role (usually ownership) in determining the use of productive resources and the allocation of valuable goods and services; may be democratic or authoritarian

Voter turnout

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

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

Federalist Papers written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to support ratification of the Construction

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

Initiative allows voters to petition to propose legislation and then submit it for a vote by qualified voters; not available at the national level

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

Realigning election

powers enumerated in the Constitution

serves as president of the Senate in the absence of the vice president; chosen by the majority

Fighting words

West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette 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.

the exchange of political favors for support of a bill; an agreement between two or more members of Congress to vote for each other's bills

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

Oversight Congress monitors policies of the executive branch; the process by which the legislative branch checks the executive branch to ensure that the laws Congress has passed are being administered in keeping with legislators' intent

Electoral College

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

Closed convention a party national convention at which the party's presidential nominee has already been determined through the primaries

Mapp v. Ohio (1961) 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).

North American Free Trade Agreement created to allow the free movement of goods between Canada, Mexico, and the US by lowering and eliminating tariffs

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

Implied powers

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

Liberal a person whose views favor more government involvement in business, social welfare, minority rights, and increased government spending

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

Procedural Due Process method of government action, or how the law is carried out according to established rules and procedures

De jure segregation

End this game?