AP Government duel

allows citizens to register to vote at welfare and motor vehicle offices

Veto the president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress

holds that the Court should avoid taking the initiative on social and political questions, operating strictly within the limits of the Constitution

authority given the courts to review the constitutionality of acts by the executive, states, or the

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

National debt

Representative democracy

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

a poll conducted on election day to determine how people voted

Majority opinion

Political socialization complex process by which people get their sense of political identity, beliefs, and values

sharp changes in the existing patterns of party loyalty due to changing social and economic conditions

North American Free Trade Agreement

Executive order

franking privilege allows members of Congress to mail letters and other materials to constituents free of charge

Line item veto the president can reject a portion of a bill while approving the rest; declared unconstitutional

Sixth amendment applies to federal criminal cases with possible imprisonment and too poor defendant. Gideon v. Wainwright

Political efficacy

Natural rights basic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights a government cannot deny

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

an agency that is part of the executive branch but not included in any executive department; the head of the agency (NASA, CIA for example) is appointed by the president and serves at the pleasure of the president

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

Candidate centered politics politics that focuses on candidates, their particular issues, and character rather than party affiliation

Constituency service casework; assistance to constituents by congressional members

Block grants grants federal funds given to the states for programs in broad policy areas with few, if any, restrictions

when no candidate receives a majority of votes, and election held between the two candidates who recorded the most votes in the primary

Unanimous consent an agreement by every senator to the terms of debate on a given piece of legislation

Keynesian economics

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

settled disputes between the states over the structure of the legislative branch; a solution to the problem of representation at the Constitutional Convention, in which the number of members that each state would have in the House of Representatives is determined by population, while each state would have equal representation in the Senate

Fiscal policy how the government uses taxes and spending to impact the economy

Independent executive agency

Good-faith exception a rule of evidence that says that if the authorities act "in good faith," evidence that otherwise might have been excluded may be admissible. Modifies Mapp v. Ohio

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

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

Judicial Review Authority given the courts to review constitutionality of acts by the executive/state/legislature; est. in Marbury v. Madison

independents people who have no party affiliation

Runoff primary when no candidate receives a majority of votes, and election held between the two candidates who recorded the most votes in the primary

Three-fifths compromise agreement at the constitutional convention that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House of Representatives and for taxation

Congressional oversight

original jurisdiction

services performed by an elected official for constituents

Earmark a designation within a spending bill that provides for a specific expenditure

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

Elastic clause

Mapp v. Ohio (1961) Selectively incorporates 4th amendment. Later modified with "inevitable discovery" (good if would be found in a later, lawful search) and "good faith" (good if warrant was issued at all).

Impoundment refusal of the president to spend money Congress has appropriated; was eliminated by the congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974

political organizations that use contributions from individuals, corporations, and labor unions to spend unlimited sums independent from the campaigns, yet influencing the outcome of elections

Straw Poll

Blanket primary 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

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

Procedural due process

mandates require states to enforce legislation without the funding necessary

money used directly by a candidate running for office; it is subject to campaign finance laws and Federal

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

Pluralist theory of democracy interest groups compete in the political arena with each promoting its own policy preferences through organized efforts

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"

Trial balloon tests the public reaction to policy or appointments by releasing information to the media and gauging public reaction

Regressive tax

franking privilege allows members of Congress to mail letters and other materials to constituents free of charge

End this game?