Enumerated powers
Ex post facto law
Divided government
one party controls the executive (president) and the other party controls one or both houses of Congress
Open primary
a primary election in which an individual does not have to be a registered voter in a particular party to vote for candidates of that party
Casework
services performed by an elected official for constituents
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).
Deficit
government spending exceeds revenue
jurisdiction the power a court has to review the decision of a lower court; the Supreme Court exercises appellate jurisdiction in the overwhelming majority of the cases it hears
Standing committee
a permanent committee of Congress that deals with legislation and oversight in a broad policy area
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
Federal system
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
Caucus (congressional)
a group of members of Congress who may or may not be from the same party but who share
writ of certiorari
Coattail
effect the ability of a strong or popular candidate to get other candidates on the ticket elected; it is a term most
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
federal courts with appellate jurisdiction that review decisions of federal district courts, regulatory commissions, and other federal courts
interest groups compete in the political arena with each promoting its own policy preferences through organized efforts
Politics
method of maintaining, managing, and gaining control of government
Good-faith exception
a rule of evidence that says that if the authorities act "in good faith," evidence that otherwise might have been excluded may be admissible. Modifies Mapp v. Ohio
Bench trial
a trial in which the judge who presides over the trial decides on guilt or liability
a rule that says a person can't be tried twice by the same court under the same charges twice; from the 5th amendment
Bicameral legislature
a two-house legislature
government corporation
all the voters of a state or county elect their representative
Delegate
an elected official who considers it an obligation to vote the way the majority of his or her constituents wants
Administrative Discretion
Discretionary spending
federal spending set by the government through appropriations bills, including operating expenses and salaries of government employees
Electorate
people qualified to vote
Political efficacy
belief that a person can influence politics and public policymaking
