Advice and consent
the Senate's authority to approve or neglect the president's top appointments and negotiated treaties
Progressive tax
a tax that is higher for those who make more money; the federal income tax is an example
Marble vs. layer cake federalism
Marble cake means 1930s fed expansion, layer cake means they are supreme in separate areas
allows voters to petition to propose legislation and then submit it for a vote by qualified voters; not available at the national level
Policy evaluation
determines is a policy is achieving its goals; usually carried out with congressional oversight
powers not expressed, but may be considered through the use of the necessary and proper (elastic) clause
Lemon test
test standard set by the Supreme Court in Lemon v. Kurtzman to measure the constitutionality of state laws. Separate, Secular, and Neutral in effect and intent
resolved differences between northern and southern states at the constitutional convention; Congress could not tax exports nor ban the slave trade for twenty years
Extradition
states may return fugitives to a state from which they have fled to avoid criminal prosecution at the request of the state's governor
Dissenting opinion
opinion justice or justices who voted in the minority, explaining the reasons for opposing the majority opinion
The Supreme Court ruled here that the right to counsel was required by law in death penalty trials. Also, capital cases must have counsel when defendant cannot defend because of "ignorance, feeblemindedness, illiteracy, or the like". Selective Incorporation case based on the sixth amendment. Gideon v. Wainwright
election party loyalty becomes less important to voters, and they vote for the other party candidate or
Realignment
powers that the Constitution specifically grants to the federal government
Executive agreement
agreement with another head of state not requiring approval from the Senate
Judicial review
method of enacting a constitution or amendment into law
Prospective voting
a method of evaluating candidates in which voters focus on candidates' positions on issues important to them and vote for the candidates who best represent their views
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
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
Select committee
a temporary committee of Congress set up for a specific purpose that is outside the scope of the standing committees
Exit poll
a poll conducted on election day to determine how people voted
Declaration of Independence
drafted in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson declaring America's separation from Great Britain
the conduct of international relations, particularly involving the negotiation of treaties and other agreements between nations
the president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress
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
Rules committee
determines the rules for debate for bills in the House
a primary election in which candidates from all parties are on the ballot, and a registered voter can vote for the Democratic candidate for one office and the Republican candidate for another
Plurality vote
electoral process in which the candidate who receives more votes than any other candidate is elected
belief that a person can influence politics and public policymaking
