AP Government duel

Procedural Due Process

Free exercise clause

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 is determined by population, while each state would have equal representation in the Senate (two senators per state)

method of enacting a constitution or amendment into law

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

Supremacy clause national laws supersedes all other laws passed by states

Primary election nominating election held to choose party candidates who will run in the general election

Party realignment a shift in voter loyalty in response to critical events; 1932 election of FD Roosevelt

Hyde Amendment (1976) Passed by Congress in 1976; excludes abortion from the comprehensive health care services provided to low-income people by the federal government through Medicaid.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause) gives Congress the powers to pass all laws necessary and proper to carry out their constitutional duties, found in Article I, Section 8, Clause 18; also called the elastic clause

Loose Constructionist

West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette 1943, forcing students to salute the flag is a violation of 1st amendment free speech, and is therefore unconstitutional. Such gestures = symbolic speech. Tinker v. Des Moines.

Devolution an effort to shift responsibility or domestic programs to the states in order to decrease the size and activities of the federal government

Get-out-the-vote

Constitution the document setting forth the laws and principles of the government; a plan for government

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

Barnettte v. McColumm

the exercise of government power in doing those things necessary to maintain legitimate authority and control over society

Incumbent the person currently holding office

Due process

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

Articles of Confederation

Bill of attainder a law that makes a person guilty of a crime without a trial; neither Congress nor the states can enact such a law Constitutionally

Students have less privacy at schools; their stuff is subject to a search because of suspicion. This is necessary for discipline.

Midterm elections congressional elections held between presidential elections

Participatory democracy citizens meet and make decisions about public policy issues; there are no elected officials;

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

a party national convention at which the party's presidential nominee has already been determined through the primaries

allows voters to petition to propose legislation and then submit it for a vote by qualified voters; not available at the national level

Liberal

traditional majority power maintains power based on voters' party loyalty

Caucus locally held meeting in a state to select delegates who, in turn, will nominate candidates to political office

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

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

Deviating election minority party is able to win the support of majority party members, independents, and new voters

National debt

drafted in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson declaring America's separation from Great Britain

Hyperpluralist Theory of Democracy

Bicameral legislature a two-house legislature

General election

representatives from each state who formally cast ballots for the president and vice president

jurisdiction the power a court has to review the decision of a lower court; the Supreme Court exercises appellate jurisdiction in the overwhelming majority of the cases it hears

Recall special election initiated by petition to allow citizens to remove an official from office before his or her term

Divided government

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

Honeymoon period the time early in a new president's administration characterized by optimistic approval by the public

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

Bench trial a trial in which the judge who presides over the trial decides on guilt or liability

the belief that individuals should be left on their own by the government

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

spending required government spending by permanent laws; entitlements, for example social security or bond payments

Unfunded mandates

Congress monitors policies of the executive branch; the process by which the legislative branch checks the executive branch to ensure that the laws Congress has passed are being administered in keeping with legislators' intent

stare decisis let the decision stand; court decisions are based on precedent from previous cases

Discretionary spending

New Jersey v. TLO (1985) Students have less privacy at schools; their stuff is subject to a search because of suspicion. This is necessary for discipline.

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

election party loyalty becomes less important to voters, and they vote for the other party candidate or

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

Joint committee a committee of Congress made up of members of both houses that focuses on issues of general concern but does not propose legislation

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