Hard money
money used directly by a candidate running for office; it is subject to campaign finance laws and Federal
Constitution
Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925)
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 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
De jure segregation
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
Standing committee
a permanent committee of Congress that deals with legislation and oversight in a broad policy area
the process of reducing or completely eliminating federal government oversight of an industry so as to allow it to operate more freely; used to encourage competition and reduce costs to consumers
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
Margin of error
Political agenda
issues that merit action, as determined by the public or those in power
Judicial review
authority given the courts to review the constitutionality of acts by the executive, states, or the
Political party
Voluntary association of people who seek to control the government through common principles, based on peaceful and legal actions such as the winning of elections; an organization that recruits, nominated, and elects party members to control the government
representatives from each state who formally cast ballots for the president and vice president
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
Pardon
a convicted person is exempt from the penalties of a crime; only the president has this power at the national
General election
voters choose office holder from among all the candidates nominated by political parties or running as independents
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"
On deep background
information provided in an interview that a reported can use but cannot make even an indirect reference to the source
Independent regulatory agency
On background
information provided in an interview that a reporter can quote but can't attribute specifically to the interviewee
government corporation
Mass media
all forms of communication that reach a large portion of the population
a majority/minority party leader in Congress who makes sure the party members are present for important votes and vote by party
Maintaining elections
traditional majority power maintains power based on voters' party loyalty
Direct democracy
government spending exceeds revenue
Logrolling
test standard set by the Supreme Court in Lemon v. Kurtzman to measure the constitutionality of state laws. Separate, Secular, and Neutral in effect and intent
