AP Government duel

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

Establishment clause prohibits the establishment of a national religion

Straight-ticket voting voting for candidates all of the same party

Joint committee a committee of Congress made up of members of both houses that focuses on issues of general concern but does not propose legislation

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

Political culture a set of basic values and beliefs about one's country or government that is shared by most citizens

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

Elastic clause

Free exercise clause Congress may not make laws restricting or prohibiting a person's religious practices

Majority opinion the majority of justices agree on the decision and the reasons for the decision

Recall

Voter turnout the total number of votes cast for the highest office on the ballot

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

Inherent powers powers powers, usually claimed by the president, that are implied but not specifically stated in the Constitution or are derived from the office

Concurrent powers governmental powers shared by the federal and state governments

President Pro Tempore serves as president of the Senate in the absence of the vice president; chosen by the majority

Appellate courts courts with authority to review cases heard by other courts to correct errors in the interpretation or application of law

constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens. What the government can't do.

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

Subsidy a sum of money granted by the government or a public body to assist an industry or business so that the price of a commodity or service may remain low or competitive

false verbal statements about others that harm their reputation

a shift of voting patterns to form new coalitions of party support

Leak

Discretionary spending federal spending set by the government through appropriations bills, including operating expenses and salaries of government employees

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

Supremacy clause national laws supersedes all other laws passed by states

Party machine a political organization, typically at the local level, that wielded considerable power through its ability to get out the vote; relied heavily on patronage and providing services to constituents and was often corrupt

Recess appointment a presidential appointment made when Congress is not in session; doesn't require immediate confirmation

powers not expressed, but may be considered through the use of the necessary and proper (elastic) clause

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) establishes? Establishes that clothing is symbolic speech, and is protected unless its censorship is in the public interest.

Retrospective

information provided in an interview that a reported can use but cannot make even an indirect reference to the source

Opinion leaders

created to allow the free movement of goods between Canada, Mexico, and the US by lowering and eliminating tariffs

Unfunded mandates mandates require states to enforce legislation without the funding necessary

Creates the "Lemon Test", which has requires separate, secular, and neutral effect and intention in government action.

Cabinet government departments headed by presidential appointees to help establish public policy and operate a specific policy area of governmental activity

Implied powers

organizing a letter-writing campaign or taking out ads to influence public opinion and persuade public officials to support a particular policy

Trustee after listening to constituents, elected representatives vote based on their own opinions

Amicus curiae brief 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"

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

Off year election an election taking place in a year when no presidential elections are occurring; midterm election

responsible for interpreting and applying the laws; in the federal government it consists of the US district

A formal expression of congressional opinion that must be approved by both houses of congress and by the president; constitutional amendments need not be signed by the president

offensive speech against racial or ethnic minorities, women, and homosexuals that creates a hostile environment

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"

an elected official who considers it an obligation to vote the way the majority of his or her constituents wants

Congress's authority to review a new federal regulation enacted by a regulatory agency and overrule it through a joint resolution

Federalism

Procedural due process Constitutional requirement that governments proceed by proper methods; limits how government may exercise power.

Delegated powers

Bicameral legislature

equality of opportunity everyone should have the same chance; what individuals make of that chance depends their abilities and efforts

Congressional oversight

Maintaining elections traditional majority power maintains power based on voters' party loyalty

conformity

Connecticut (Great) Compromise

government corporation corporation a corporation that may receive part of its funding from Congress and is managed by a board appointed by the president; the function it performs could be carried out by private enterprise; an example is the US Postal service

Elastic clause

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