generally refers to the belief that government or people acting on its behalf can be used to address social problems or inequities facing the nation
Single-member districts
the president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress
Federal system
a political system in which power is divided between the national government and state government
Exclusionary rule
that evidence acquired as a result of an illegal act by police cannot be used against the person from whom it was seized
Prince v. Massachusetts
Religion does not override child labor laws. Wisconsin v. Yoder
Deviating election
Standing committee
a permanent committee of Congress that deals with legislation and oversight in a broad policy area
General election
voters choose office holder from among all the candidates nominated by political parties or running as independents
Realignment
a shift of voting patterns to form new coalitions of party support
Government
the formal and informal institutions, people, and processes used to create and conduct public policy
Party machine
a political organization, typically at the local level, that wielded considerable power through its ability to get out the vote; relied heavily on patronage and providing services to constituents and was often corrupt
Random sampling
a statistical technique that gives everyone in the target group the same opportunity to participate in a poll
Limited Government
Equal Protection Clause
constitutional guarantee that everyone be treated equally
courts with authority to review cases heard by other courts to correct errors in the interpretation or application of law
original jurisdiction
Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
Before police interrogate, suspect must learn of rights like the Fifth Amendment
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
Pocket veto
when the president takes no action on a bill within ten days of Congress adjourning, the bill does not become law
Logrolling
the exchange of political favors for support of a bill; an agreement between two or more members of Congress to vote for each other's bills
Independent executive agency
Straw Poll
a poll conducted in an unscientific manner, used to predict election outcomes
Free rider
an individual who benefits from the activities of an interest group but does not support the group either financially or through active participation
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
Legislative veto
when Congress rejects an action of the president by a majority vote of both houses; declared
National debt
amount of money owed by the government
Rules committee
powers specifically granted to the national government in the Constitution
the numerous people who are involved in the formulation of policy, including the president, members of Congress, the cabinet, lobbyists, interest groups, government agencies, and scholars; a looser relationship than the iron triangles
