Judicial branch
responsible for interpreting and applying the laws; in the federal government it consists of the US district
the warning that an individual must be read at the time of arrest and questioning, letting him know his 5th and 6th amendment rights
Cabinet
government departments headed by presidential appointees to help establish public policy and operate a specific policy area of governmental activity
Full faith and credit
clause says that states are required to recognize the laws and legal documents of other states - Article 4
Open convention
a party national convention at which no candidate has won a majority of the delegates in the primaries; the candidate is chosen by the convention
Rules committee
determines the rules for debate for bills in the House
Unitary system
a political system in which all power is derived from the central government
Individualism
the belief that individuals should be left on their own by the government
Constituent
all residents of the state for senators, all residents of a district for House members
New York Times Co. v. Sullivan
The Supreme Court concluded that "actual malice" must be proved to support a finding of libel against a public figure. Principle of "breathing space"
the president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress
Policy evaluation
Procedural due process
Constitutional requirement that governments proceed by proper methods; limits how government may exercise power.
Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)
Primary election
nominating election held to choose party candidates who will run in the general election
Politics
Dealigning
Impeachment
Incumbent
the person currently holding office
Runoff primary
Policy implementation
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
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
Regressive tax
a tax that is assessed on everyone at the same rate and, therefore, impacts the poor more than it impacted wealthy; sales tax is regressive
Mandates
Checks and balances
a system in which each branch of the government has the power to limit the other branches of government so that one is not dominant; each branch of government is subject to restraints by the other two branches
Mandatory spending
spending required government spending by permanent laws; entitlements, for example social security or bond payments
Policy formulation
the development of an approach to solving a problem that is on the political agenda
the total number of votes cast for the highest office on the ballot
Direct primary
party members vote to nominate their candidate for the general election
