A brief submitted to the court by an interested third party that outlines their position or issues it thinks are important in the case. It literally means "friend of the court"
agenda setting
Determining which public-policy questions will be debated or considered.
adminstrative discretion
The flexibility a federal agency can exercise in implementing legislation through its rules and regulations. The Authority delegated to bureaucrats
Affirmative Action
A program intended to give a boost to minority applicants over white applicants
Anti-Federalists
Those opposed to the ratification of the constitution because it gave to much power to the federal government at the cost of the states
appelate court
Courts with the authority to review cases heard by other courts to correct errors or uphold rulings
Apportionment
Distribution of representatives among the states based on the population of each state
bench trial
A trial in which the judge alone hears and rules the case
bill of attainder
A law that makes a person guilty of a crime without a trial, it's unconstitutional
Bill of rights
the first ten amendments to the constitution which protect civil liberties
blanket primary
a primary election in which each voter may vote for candidates from both parties
Block grants
Federal funds given to states in broad policy areas with few restrictions
Bureaucracy
A way of organizing a complex administrative structure with responsibility for carrying out the day to day tasks of organizations.
Casework
Services preformed by an elected official for constituents
categorical grants
Federal grants for specific purposes, such as building an airport
Civil liberties
Constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens
Civil rights
acts designed to prevent discrimination and provide equality
Closed primary
Limited to registered voters of a particular party
Coattail effect
Association with a popular candidate to get elected
Conference committee
made up of representatives and senators appointed to resolve differences in the Senate and House versions of the same bill before final passage
Congressional Oversight
Review and supervision of federal agencies and implementations of laws
Congressional review
Congress's authority to review a new federal regulation enacted by a regulatory agency and
Conservative
a person whose political views favor more local, limited government, fewer government regulations,
Constitutional courts
federal courts created by Congress under Article III of the Constitution
Cooperative federalism
All levels of government working together
Dealigning election
party loyalty becomes less important to voters, and they vote for the other party candidate or
De facto segregation
segregation that results from living patterns rather than law
Delegate Representation
an elected official who considers it an obligation to vote the way the majority of his or her constituents
Deviating election
minority party is able to win the support of majority party members, independents, and new voters
Elite theory of democracy
the idea that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule,
Exclusionary rule
rule that evidence acquired as a result of an illegal act by police cannot be used against the person
Executive agreement
agreement with another head of state not requiring approval from the Senate
Executive order
action by the president that does not require the approval of Congress; subject to judicial review
Executive privilege
a claim by the president or a member of the executive branch that information or documents
Federalists
supported a strong central government and ratification of the Constitution
Floor leaders
direct majority or minority party strategy and decisions in the House and Senate
Franking privilege
allows members of Congress to mail letters and other materials to constituents free of charge
Free exercise clause
Congress may not make laws restricting or prohibiting a person's religious practices
Free rider
an individual who benefits from the activities of an interest group but does not support the group either
Front loading
the practice of a state choosing an early date to hold a primary election (They become more influencial)
Full faith and credit clause
says that states are required to recognize the laws and legal documents of other states
Gatekeepers
media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who decide what news to present and how it
Gerrymandering
Gerrymandering drawing of congressional districts to favor one political party or group over another
Good-faith exception
a rule of evidence that says that if the authorities act "in good faith," evidence that otherwise
Government corporation
a corporation that may receive part of its funding from Congress and is managed by a board
Hard money
money used directly by a candidate running for office; it is subject to campaign finance laws and Federal
Honeymoon period
a time early in a new president's administration characterized by optimistic approval by the
Hyperpluralism
democracy seen as a system of many groups pulling government in many directions at the same time,
Ideology
a consistent set of beliefs by groups or individuals
Impeachment
bringing charges of wrongdoing against a government official by the House of Representatives
selective incorporation
application of portions of the Bill of Rights to the states under the 14th Amendment
Incrementalism
small changes in policy over long periods of time; usually in reference to budget making - that the
Incumbency effect
tendency of those already holding office to win reelection due to advantages because they already
Independent executive agency
an agency that is part of the executive branch but not included in any executive
Independent regulatory agency
an agency that is part of the executive branch and responsible for regulating and
Inherent powers
powers, usually claimed by the president, that are implied but not specifically stated in the
Interest group
a group of private citizens whose goal is to influence and shape public policy
Iron triangle
alliances that develop between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or
Issue network
the numerous people who are involved in the formulation of policy, including the president, members
Judicial activism
a judicial philosophy that holds that courts have a more expansive role to play in shaping public
Judicial restraint
holds that the Court should avoid taking the initiative on social and political questions, operating
Judicial review
authority given the courts to review the constitutionality of acts by the executive, states, or the
Keynesian economics
the belief that inflation occurs when too much money is chasing too few goods; the government
Libel
false written statements about others that harm their reputation
Liberal
a person whose views favor more government involvement in business, social welfare, minority rights, and
Libertarianism
people who wish to maximize the personal liberty on both economic and social issues; prefer small,
Limited government
a governing or controlling body whose power exists only within predefined limits that are
Logrolling
The exchange of political favors for support of a bill
Loose constructionist
the belief that judges should have freedom in interpreting the Constitution
Mandates
requirements imposed by the national government on state and local governments to comply with federal
Miranda warning
the warning that an individual must be read at the time of arrest and questioning, letting him know
Open primary
a primary election in which an individual does not have to be a registered voter in a particular party to
Opinion leaders
those individuals held in great respect because of their position, expertise, or personality, who may
Party machine
a political organization, typically at the local level, that wielded considerable power through its ability
Pluralist theory of democracy
interest groups compete in the political arena with each promoting its own policy
Pocket veto
when the president takes no action on a bill within ten days of Congress adjourning, the bill does not
Political action committees (PAC$)
extension of an interest group that contributes money to political campaigns
Political culture
a set of basic values and beliefs about one's country or government that is shared by most citizens
Political ideology
a consistent set of beliefs about politics and public policy that sets the framework for evaluating
Political party
voluntary association of people who seek to control the government through common principles, based
Political socialization
complex process by which people get their sense of political identity, beliefs, and values
A Politico
a member of Congress who acts as a delegate on issues that constituents care about (such as immigration
Popular sovereignty
basic principle of US government which holds that the people are the source of all governmental
Pork barrel legislation
" Bringing home the bacon" legislation giving benefits to constituents through sometimes unnecessary or unwise projects
Precedent
standards or guides based on prior decisions that serve as a rule for settling similar disputes
President pro tempore
serves as president of the Senate in the absence of the vice president; chosen by the majority
Prior restraint
action by the government to prevent the publication of material; censorship
Privileges and immunities clause
states are prohibited from unreasonably discriminating against residents of other
Progressive tax
a tax that is higher for those who make more money; the federal income tax is an example
Prospective voting
a method of evaluating candidates in which voters focus on candidates' positions on issues
Random sampling
a statistical technique that gives everyone in the target group the same opportunity to participate
Realigning election
when a minority party wins by building a new coalition of voters that continues over successive
Recess appointment
a presidential appointment made when Congress is not in session; doesn't require immediate
Redistricting
the process of redrawing congressional and state legislative districts to reflect population changes in the
Referendum
a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct
Regressive tax
a tax that is assessed on everyone at the same rate and, therefore, impacts the poor more than it
Representative democracy
citizens choose officials who make decisions about public policy; a republic
Republic
a government that derives its authority from the people and in which citizens elect government officials to
Reserved powers
under the 10th Amendment, powers not granted to the federal government or denied to the states
Retrospective voting
a method of evaluating candidates in which voters evaluate incumbent candidates and decide
Revolving door
the practice of government officials becoming lobbyists for the industries or companies they were
Rule of four
a rule that says that four of the nine Supreme Court justices must agree in conference to hear a case
Rules committee
determines the rules for debate for bills in the House
Select committee
a temporary committee of Congress set up for a specific purpose that is outside the scope of the
Senatorial courtesy
the practice of allowing senators from the president's party who represent the state where a
Separation of powers
practice by which power is divided among three branches of government; each branch has its
Slander
false verbal statements about others that harm their reputation
Soft money
money used by national, state, or local party organizations that is not regulated by the Federal Election
Sound bite
a very brief excerpt from a political speech aired on television or radio
Standing committee
a permanent committee of Congress that deals with legislation and oversight in a broad policy
Stare decisis
let the decision stand; court decisions are based on precedent from previous cases
Straight-ticket voting
voting for candidates all of the same party
Split-ticket voting
voting for candidates from more than one party in the same election
Strict constructionist
the view that justices should base decisions on a narrow interpretation of the Constitution
Subsidy
Subsidy a sum of money granted by the government or a public body to assist an industry or business so that the
Superdelegates
party officials in the Democratic Party who attend the national convention without having to run in
SuperPAC
political organizations that use contributions from individuals, corporations, and labor unions to spend
Supremacy clause
national laws supersedes all other laws passed by states
Trial balloon
tests the public reaction to policy or appointments by releasing information to the media and gauging
Trustee representatives
after listening to constituents, elected representatives vote based on their own opinions
Unitary system
system a political system in which all power is derived from the central government