Discrimination
unfair treatment of a person based on race or group membership
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"
Republic
a government that derives its authority from the people and in which citizens elect government officials to represent them in the processes by which laws are made; a representative democracy
Supremacy clause
national laws supersedes all other laws passed by states
Libertarianism
governmental powers shared by the federal and state governments
Betts v. Brady (1942)
Floor leaders
direct majority or minority party strategy and decisions in the House and Senate
standards or guides based on prior decisions that serve as a rule for settling similar disputes
Veto
the president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress
Political action committees (PAC$)
Grassroots lobbying
organizing a letter-writing campaign or taking out ads to influence public opinion and persuade public officials to support a particular policy
National debt
amount of money owed by the government
the exercise of government power in doing those things necessary to maintain legitimate authority and control over society
Standing committee
Off the record information
Fiscal policy
a question of law based on interpretation of the US Constitution, federal laws, or treaties
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
the belief that judges should have freedom in interpreting the Constitution
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
Pluralist theory of democracy
interest groups compete in the political arena with each promoting its own policy preferences through organized efforts
Socialism
a political/economic system in which the government plays a major role (usually ownership) in determining the use of productive resources and the allocation of valuable goods and services; may be democratic or authoritarian
Dealignment
when a significant number of voters choose to no longer support a particular political party
Media event
a speech or photo opportunity staged to give a politician's view on an issue; staged to present the candidate in a good light
states may return fugitives to a state from which they have fled to avoid criminal prosecution at the request of the state's governor
Passed by Congress in 1976; excludes abortion from the comprehensive health care services provided to low-income people by the federal government through Medicaid.
North American Free Trade Agreement
created to allow the free movement of goods between Canada, Mexico, and the US by lowering and eliminating tariffs
Select committee
states are prohibited from unreasonably discriminating against residents of other states
