AP Government duel

original jurisdiction the first court to hear and decide a case; US district courts and the US Supreme Court have original jurisdiction in cases involving foreign affairs, states or the national government

Dealignment

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

Independent executive agency an agency that is part of the executive branch but not included in any executive department; the head of the agency (NASA, CIA for example) is appointed by the president and serves at the pleasure of the president

Congressional oversight

Rule of four

Enumerated powers powers that the Constitution specifically grants to the federal government

Fighting words speech that is likely to bring about public disorder or chaos; may be banned in public places to ensure the preservation of public order

Midterm elections

Limited Government a governing or controlling body whose power exists only within predefined limits that are established by a Constitution or other source of authority

Deviating election minority party is able to win the support of majority party members, independents, and new voters

authority given the courts to review the constitutionality of acts by the executive, states, or the

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

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

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

Popular Socereignty basic principle of US government which holds that the people are the source of all governmental power

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

a lengthy speech designed to delay the vote on a bill in the Senate; can be ended by a cloture motion and vote

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.

Blanket primary a primary election in which candidates from all parties are on the ballot, and a registered voter can vote for the Democratic candidate for one office and the Republican candidate for another

unfair treatment of a person based on race or group membership

Electoral College representatives from each state who formally cast ballots for the president and vice president

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"

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

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

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

government corporation

Agenda setting identification of the problems and/or issues that require the attention of the government to resolve

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

Electorate people qualified to vote

courts courts created by Congress for a specialized purpose with a narrow range of authority; judges serve a fixed term

Progressive 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

States cannot ban private schools to prevent religious courses. Wisconsin v. Yoder

tests the public reaction to policy or appointments by releasing information to the media and gauging public reaction

Plurality vote electoral process in which the candidate who receives more votes than any other candidate is elected

Ideology a consistent set of beliefs by groups or individuals

Issue networks the numerous people who are involved in the formulation of policy, including the president, members of Congress, the cabinet, lobbyists, interest groups, government agencies, and scholars; a looser relationship than the iron triangles

Federal budget decicit

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

Lemon test

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

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

Redistricting 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

Interest group

Deficit government spending exceeds revenue

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

provided in an interview that a reported can quote and attribute to the source, referring to the source by name

Party dealignment

drawing of congressional districts to favor one political party or group over another

Privileges and Immunities Clause

a lengthy speech designed to delay the vote on a bill in the Senate; can be ended by a cloture motion and vote

Equal Protection Clause constitutional guarantee that everyone be treated equally

Unitary system a political system in which all power is derived from the central government

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

Mass media all forms of communication that reach a large portion of the population

action by the government to prevent the publication of material; censorship

Federalist

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

Federal budget

Legislative veto when Congress rejects an action of the president by a majority vote of both houses; declared

End this game?