Critical elections
Brief
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
Betts v. Brady (1942)
Sixth amendment does not selectively incorporate to providing poor people in not-capital state cases a lawyer
Anti-Federalists
action by the president that does not require the approval of Congress; subject to judicial review
Senatorial courtesy
Elite Theory of Democracy
the idea that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization
Standing committee
a permanent committee of Congress that deals with legislation and oversight in a broad policy area
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.
the belief that individuals should be left on their own by the government
Natural rights
basic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights a government cannot deny
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
Fighting words
speech that is likely to bring about public disorder or chaos; may be banned in public places to ensure the preservation of public order
Hate speech
offensive speech against racial or ethnic minorities, women, and homosexuals that creates a hostile environment
Barnettte v. McColumm
Politics
method of maintaining, managing, and gaining control of government
Declaration of Independence
drafted in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson declaring America's separation from Great Britain
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
Majority-minority districts
drawing district boundaries to give a minority group a majority
Single-member districts
only one representative is chosen from each legislative district
Retrospective
voting a method of evaluating candidates in which voters evaluate incumbent candidates and decide whether to vote for them based on their past performances
Establishment clause
Earmark
a designation within a spending bill that provides for a specific expenditure
DC v. Heller (2008)
Court ruled that a DC law banning hand guns was unconstitutional. McDonald v. Chicago
people who wish to maximize the personal liberty on both economic and social issues; prefer small,
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"
the exercise of government power in doing those things necessary to maintain legitimate authority and control over society
Procedural due process
Constitutional requirement that governments proceed by proper methods; limits how government may exercise power.
Primary election
