AP Government duel

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Block grants grants federal funds given to the states for programs in broad policy areas with few, if any, restrictions

citizens choose officials who make decisions about public policy; a republic

government corporation

War Powers Act of 1973 a law that limits presidential use of military forces to sixty days, with an automatic extension of thirty additional days if the president requests such an extension

National debt amount of money owed by the government

mandates require states to enforce legislation without the funding necessary

voting a method of evaluating candidates in which voters evaluate incumbent candidates and decide whether to vote for them based on their past performances

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

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

service casework; assistance to constituents by congressional members

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

direct majority or minority party strategy and decisions in the House and Senate

a person whose political views favor more local, limited government, fewer government regulations,

Substantive due process

Executive order action by the president that does not require the approval of Congress; subject to judicial review

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

information provided in an interview that a reporter can quote but can't attribute specifically to the interviewee

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

Line item veto the president can reject a portion of a bill while approving the rest; declared unconstitutional

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

Unanimous consent an agreement by every senator to the terms of debate on a given piece of legislation

At-large all the voters of a state or county elect their representative

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

Party realignment

Expressed powers powers enumerated in the Constitution

Ratification method of enacting a constitution or amendment into law

Symbolic speech using actions and symbols rather than words to convey an idea

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

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

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

positive acts of government designed to prevent discrimination and provide equality before the law. What the government should do.

the belief that judges should have freedom in interpreting the Constitution

when the president takes no action on a bill within ten days of Congress adjourning, the bill does not become law

election commission

Brief a written document submitted to a court that presents the facts and legal reasoning of a party to the lawsuit

Individualism

Politics method of maintaining, managing, and gaining control of government

Revolving door the practice of government officials becoming lobbyists for the industries or companies they were responsible for regulating while they were public servants

Cloture a method for cutting off a filibuster in the Senate; sixteen votes are needed to call for cloture and sixty are needed to end a filibuster

Platform a statement of a political party on the issues facing the country, adopted at the national convention; each issue position is known as a plank

The Supreme Court concluded that "actual malice" must be proved to support a finding of libel against a public figure. Principle of "breathing space"

an unauthorized release of information to the press from someone in the government

Soft money

Ex post facto law a law that makes an action a crime even though it was legal when it was committed or increases the penalty for a crime after it has been committed

Elastic clause the necessary and proper clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) that allows Congress to pass laws to carry out its expressed powers

Hard money money used directly by a candidate running for office; it is subject to campaign finance laws and Federal

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

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

Straight-ticket voting

Dual Federalism a model of the relationship between the federal government and the states in which each is supreme in its own sphere; "layer cake federalism"

On background information provided in an interview that a reporter can quote but can't attribute specifically to the interviewee

Party dealignment weakening of ties between the voters and the two major parties

Gridlock

weak government government that has limited control over economy or personal lives

Constituent all residents of the state for senators, all residents of a district for House members

Free rider

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

Recall special election initiated by petition to allow citizens to remove an official from office before his or her term

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