AP Government duel

Ex post facto law a law that makes an action a crime even though it was legal when it was committed or increases the penalty for a crime after it has been committed

double jeopardy a rule that says a person can't be tried twice by the same court under the same charges twice; from the 5th amendment

Open primary a primary election in which an individual does not have to be a registered voter in a particular party to vote for candidates of that party

Apportionment distribution of congressional representatives among the states, based on the population of each state

Mass media all forms of communication that reach a large portion of the population

Declaration of Independence

Plurality vote electoral process in which the candidate who receives more votes than any other candidate is elected

Single-member districts only one representative is chosen from each legislative district

Libel

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

Margin of error the percentage that a scientific poll is likely to be off; a margin of error of +/- 3 percent is common

when the president takes no action on a bill within ten days of Congress adjourning, the bill does not become law

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

services performed by an elected official for constituents

extension of an interest group that contributes money to political campaigns

Grants-in-aid

Split-ticket voting voting for candidates from more than one party in the same election

Unitary system a political system in which all power is derived from the central government

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

Policy formulation the development of an approach to solving a problem that is on the political agenda

Marble vs. layer cake federalism Marble cake means 1930s fed expansion, layer cake means they are supreme in separate areas

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

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

constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens. What the government can't do.

Government the formal and informal institutions, people, and processes used to create and conduct public policy

Amicus curiae brief 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"

North American Free Trade Agreement

Opinion leaders

Establishes that clothing is symbolic speech, and is protected unless its censorship is in the public interest.

Expressed powers powers enumerated in the Constitution

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

Midterm elections congressional elections held between presidential elections

Rider

Deficit

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

Congressional oversight refers to the review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation

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

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

Keynesian economics

Federalist Papers written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to support ratification of the Construction

The Supreme Court concluded that "actual malice" must be proved to support a finding of libel against a public figure. Principle of "breathing space"

Mass media all forms of communication that reach a large portion of the population

a lengthy speech designed to delay the vote on a bill in the Senate; can be ended by a cloture motion and vote

lowest level of federal courts, where most federal cases begin and trials are held

Incumbent the person currently holding office

Margin of error

an elected official who considers it an obligation to vote the way the majority of his or her constituents wants

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

Inherent powers powers powers, usually claimed by the president, that are implied but not specifically stated in the Constitution or are derived from the office

Media event

Independent regulatory agency an agency that is part of the executive branch and responsible for regulating and oversight of a segment of the economy; it is managed by a board or commission appointed by the president for a fixed term

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

Marble cake means 1930s fed expansion, layer cake means they are supreme in separate areas

Majority opinion the majority of justices agree on the decision and the reasons for the decision

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

Strict constitutionalist the view that justices should base decisions on a narrow interpretation of the Constitution

Impoundment

Casework services performed by an elected official for constituents

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

Liberal a person whose views favor more government involvement in business, social welfare, minority rights, and increased government spending

End this game?