bringing charges of wrongdoing against a government official by the House of Representatives
Gerrymandering
drawing of congressional districts to favor one political party or group over another
SuperPAC
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
Candidate
centered politics politics that focuses on candidates, their particular issues, and character rather than party affiliation
economic policy in which the money supply is controlled through the Federal Reserve
Straight-ticket voting
voting for candidates all of the same party
Revolving
door the practice of government officials becoming lobbyists for the industries or companies they were responsible for regulating while they were public servants
Rider
an addition or amendment added to a bill that often has no relation to the bill but that may not pass on its own
the conduct of international relations, particularly involving the negotiation of treaties and other agreements between nations
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
Free exercise clause
Entitlement
government benefits provided to Americans who qualify because of their age, income, and/or status
an election in which candidates run as independents without party affiliation
weak government
government that has limited control over economy or personal lives
Superdelegates
party officials in the Democratic Party who attend the national convention without having to run in primaries or caucuses
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"
Public policy
the exercise of government power in doing those things necessary to maintain legitimate authority and control over society
small changes in policy over long periods of time; usually in reference to budget making - that the best indicator of this year's budget is last year's budget plus a small increase
Prince v. Massachusetts
Religion does not override child labor laws. Wisconsin v. Yoder
Political socialization
Executive agreement
agreement with another head of state not requiring approval from the Senate
when a minority party wins by building a new coalition of voters that continues over successive election
Cooperative federalism
"marble-cake federalism" a model of the relationship between the federal government and the states that developed during the 1930s; the power of the federal government expands into areas that the states are usually responsible for
On background
information provided in an interview that a reporter can quote but can't attribute specifically to the interviewee
Filibuster
the belief that inflation occurs when too much money is chasing too few goods; the government must manage the economy by spending more money when in a recession and cutting spending when there is inflation
a rule that says that four of the nine Supreme Court justices must agree in conference to hear a case
Grassroots lobbying
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
Coattail
effect the ability of a strong or popular candidate to get other candidates on the ticket elected; it is a term most
