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
locally held meeting in a state to select delegates who, in turn, will nominate candidates to political office
alliances that develop between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommittees
Concurrent powers
governmental powers shared by the federal and state governments
New Jersey v. TLO (1985)
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
Federal budget
amount of money the federal government expects to receive and authorizes government to spend for a fiscal year
Discharge petition
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.
extension of an interest group that contributes money to political campaigns
Realigning election
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
pork-barrel legislation
legislation giving benefits to constituents through sometimes unnecessary or unwise projects within a state or district, to enhance a member's chance of reelection
Articles of Confederation
the first written constitution of the United States, which went into effect in 1781; it created a unicameral legislature, in which each state had one vote but no executive or judicial authority; the power of the central government was extremely limited
Mandatory spending
spending required government spending by permanent laws; entitlements, for example social security or bond payments
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.
Divided government
one party controls the executive (president) and the other party controls one or both houses of Congress
Straight-ticket voting
Federal question
a question of law based on interpretation of the US Constitution, federal laws, or treaties
Individualism
the belief that individuals should be left on their own by the government
allows the government to take private property for public use, as long as just compensation is paid
offensive speech against racial or ethnic minorities, women, and homosexuals that creates a hostile environment
when the president takes no action on a bill within ten days of Congress adjourning, the bill does not become law
verbal communication of ideas and opinions
determines the rules for debate for bills in the House
Front loading
the practice of a state choosing an early date to hold a primary election
a campaign near the end of an election to get voters out to the polls
media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who decide what news to present and how it will be presented
On deep background
information provided in an interview that a reported can use but cannot make even an indirect reference to the source
