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1373024012democracyA political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them1
1373024013pluralismA theory of government that holds that open, multiple, and competing groups can check the asserted power by any one group.2
1373024014republicA form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting3
1373024015popular sovereigntyA belief that ultimate power resides in the people.4
1375231534Limited government..., A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.5
1379555765Articles of Confederation1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade)6
1379555766shays rebellionA Series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers led by Revolutionary War captain Daniel Shays to block foreclosure proceedings.7
1379555767factionsPolitical groups that agree on objectives and policies; the origins of political parties.8
1379555768new jersey planone-house legislature with one vote for each state, the establishment of the acts of Congress as the "supreme law" of the land, and a supreme judiciary with limited power.9
1379555769virginia plansnational government would have supreme power and a legislative branch would have two houses with representation determined by state population10
1379555770Connecticut compromiseAgreement during the Constitutional Convention that Congress should be composed of a Senate, in which states would be represented equally, and a House, in which representation would be based on a State's population11
1379555771habeas corpusAn order to produce an arrested person before a judge.12
1379555772marbury v. madisonThis case establishes the Supreme Court's power of Judicial Review13
1379555773judicial reviewAllows the court to determine the constitutionality of laws14
1379555774social contractAn agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed15
1379555775federalismA system in which power is divided between the national and state governments16
1379555776unitary governmenta centralized government in which all government powers belong to a single central agency17
1379555777confederationA joining of several groups for a common purpose.18
1379555778supremacy clauseNational law supersedes all other laws passed by states (Art VI), Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.19
137955577910th amendmentAsserts that powers not delegated to the national government or denied to the states are reserved to the states.20
1379555780implied powersPowers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions.21
1379555781elastic clauseArticle I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which allows Congress to make all laws that are "necessary and proper" to carry out the powers of the Constitution.22
1379555782full faith and credit clauseConstitution's requirement that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state23
1379555783extraditionA legal process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one state to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed.24
1379555784privileges and immunities clauseA clause in Article IV, Section 2, of the Constitution according citizens of each state most of the privileges of citizens of other states.25
1379555785interstate commerce clauseGovernment agency organized to oversee railroad commerce26
1379555786cooperative federalismA system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government.27
1379555787creative federalismdeveloped during President Lyndon Johnson's administration, it was characterized by the Great Society programs, which placed a major responsibility on federally funded programs.28
1379555788new federalismturned over powers and responsibilities of some U.S. federal programs to state and local governments and reduced the role of national government in domestic affairs29
1379555789categorical grantsFederal grants for specific purposes, such as building an airport30
1379555790block grantsFederal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services31
1381930334mandatesterms set by the national government that states must meet whether or not they accept federal grants32
1381930335unfunded mandatesactions imposed by the federal or state government on lower levels of government which are not accompanied by the money needed to fund the action required.33
1381930336devolutionAn effort to shift responsibility for a wide range of domestic programs from Washington to the states34
1381930337amendment processstep 1: amendment proposed by 2/3 vote of both houses of congress OR a constitutional convention called by congress on petition of 2/3 out of 50 states. THEN amendment ratified by 3/4 of the 50 state legislatures OR 3/4 of special constitutional conventions called by 50 states THEN the new amendment!35
1381930338demographicsCharacteristics such as age, sex, income, location, education, and religion36
1381930339censusA valuable tool for understanding demographic changes. The Constitution requires that the government conduct an "actual enumeration" of the population every 10 years.37
1381930341public opinionA body of attitudes, beliefs, and views pertaining to specific issues held by a significant proportion of a society.38
1381930344political cultureAn overall set of values widely shared within a society39
1381930347political spectrumLeft: Radicals, Liberals. Center: Moderate. Right: Conservatives, Reactionaries: the range of political views40
1381930355political ideologiesIndividual beliefs about politics and government41
1381930356gender gapA term that refers to the regular pattern by which women are more likely to support Democratic candidates. Women tend to be significantly less conservative than men and are more likely to support spending on social services and to oppose higher levels of military spending.42
1381930357political partiesorganization that tries to influence gov. policy by promoting its ideas and backing candidates for office43
1381930358voter canvassingcalls asking people how they plan to vote or a candidate going door to door44
1381930359gotvA campaign's efforts to "get out the vote" or make sure their supporters vote on Election Day (also known as the ground game).45
1381930360party realignmentDramatic shifts in partisan preferences that drastically alter the political landscape46
1381930361coalitionsAlliances of various parties47
1381930362delegatesA person who is chosen or elected to represent a person or group48
1381930363super delegateparty leaders and elected officials who become delegates to the national convention without having to run in primaries or caucuses49
1381930364third party rolesthe conflict resolver50
1381930365winner take all systemThe winner of the primary or electoral college vote takes all of the state's convention or electoral college delegates.51
1381930366multi member districtsa district in which all voters participate in the election of two or more representatives to a policymaking body, such as a city council or a state legislature52
1381930367single member districtsAn electoral district in which voters choose one representative or official.53
1381930368proportional representationAn election system in which each party running receives the proportion of legislative seats corresponding to its proportion of the vote.54
1381930369patronage(politics) granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support55
1381930370decline of parties...56
1381930371national conventionA national meeting of delegates elected in primaries, caucuses, or state conventions who assemble once every four years to nominate candidates for president and vice president, ratify the party platform, elect officers, and adopt rules.57
1381930372party in governmentThe partisan identifications of elected leaders in local, county, state, and federal government.58
1381930373party in the electoratethe voters who consider themselves allied or associated with the party59
1381930374party identificationAn informal and subjective affiliation with a political party that most people acquire in childhood.60
1381930375primariesElection in which voters choose the candidates from each party who will run in the General Election61
1381930376lobbyingAn attempt by a group to influence the policy process through persuasion of government officials62
1381930377pacsPolitical Action Committees, raise money for candidates &/or parties63
1381930378super pacsMay raise unlimited amounts of money to spend for or against candidates, but they may not coordinate their spending with the candidate's campaigns and their contributors must be disclosed.64
1381930379free ridersPeople who benefit from the group but give little in return65
1381930380amicus curiae briefsLegal briefs submitted by a "friend of the court" for the purpose of raising additional points of view and presenting information not contained in the briefs of the formal parties. These briefs attempt to influence a court's decision.66
1381930381litigationA lawsuit.67
1381930382nominationA political party's official endorsement of a candidate. Generally, success in the primary elections brings momentum, money, and media attention, which ultimately helps a candidate win the nomination from their party.68
1381930383presidential primarieselections in which voters in a state vote for a candidate (or delegates pledged to him or her). Most delegates to the national party conventions are chosen this way.69
1395260685super tuesdayDay when several states hold their presidential primaries (usually the second Tuesday in March)70
1395260686caucusA meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform.71
1395260687midterm electionsThe congressional elections that take place midway through a president's four-year term.72
1395260688federal election campaign actreforming campaign finances. The act created the Federal Election Commission (FEC), provided public financing for presidential primaries and general elections, limited presidential campaign spending, required disclosure, and attempted to limit contributions.73
1395260689soft moneyCampaign contributions unregulated by federal or state law, usually given to parties and party committees to help fund general party activities.74
1395260690buckley v. valeoCandidates can use as much of their own money on their own campaigns.75
1395260691baker v. carrone man one vote76
1395260692shaw v. renoNo racial gerrymandering77
1395260693citizens unitedFirst Amendment prohibits government from censoring political broadcasts in candidate elections when those broadcasts are funded by corporations or unions78
1395260694issue adsads that focus on issues and do not explicitly encourage citizens to vote for a certain candidate79
1395260695coattailstendency of candidates to win more votes in an election because of the presence at the top of the ticket of a better-known candidate, such as the president80
1395260696electoral collegeA group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president81
1395260697retrospective votingBasing voting decisions on reactions to past performance82
1395260698prospective votingVoting based on what a candidate pledges to do in the future about an issue if elected.83
1395260699mandateAn authoritative command84
1395260700initiativeAllows voters to petition to propose legislation and submit it for a vote by qualified voters85
1395260701referenduma legislative act is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate86
1395260702motor voter lawAllows citizens to register to vote at welfare and motor vehicle offices87
1395260703political efficacyThe belief that one's political participation really matters - that one's vote can actually make a difference88
1395260704run off electionsno candidate received a majority89
1395260705redistrictingDrawing new boundaries of congressional districts, usually after the decennial census.90
1395260706franking privilegeBenefit allowing members of Congress to mail letters and other materials postage-freep91
1395260707pork barrelAppropriations made for local projects that are often not needed but that are created so that local representatives can win re-election in their home districts92
1395260708crossover votingVoting by a member of one party for a candidate of another party93
1395260709divided governmentA situation in which one major political party controls the presidency and the other controls the chambers of Congress94
1395260710mass mediaA means of public communication reaching a large audience.95
1395260711yellow journalismJournalism that exploits, distorts, or exaggerates the news to create sensations and attract readers96
1395260712muckrakingexposure of scandal to reform government and business conduct.97
1395260713political bias of mediathe idea that people vote according to only what they hear or see in the media; however media does usually reinforce beliefs rather than change opinion98
1395260714sound bitesshort snippets of information aimed at dramatizing a story rather than explaining its substantive meaning99
1395260715high tech politicsA politics in which the behavior of citizens and policymakers and the political agenda itself are increasingly shaped by technology.100
1395260716press conferencean unrestricted session between an elected official and the press101
1395260717investigative journalismThe use of in depth reporting to unearth scandals, scams and schemes which at times puts the reporters in adversarial relationships with political leaders102
1395260718censorshipDeleting parts of publications or correspondence or theatrical performances103
1395260719presidential debatesallows you to see the differences between candidates, candidates agree on the number and location of debates before hand, candidates have a big impact on the debates104
139526072012th amendmentAdded the seperation of the president and vice president onto two different ballots105
1401830412reapportionmentdistricts are switched according to population shifts, so that each district encompasses approximately the same number of people106
1401830413gerrymanderingredrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.107
1401830414article IExecutive Branch108
1401830415constituency serviceefforts by members of congress to secure federal funding for their districts and to help constituents when they have difficulties with federal agencies109
1401830416caseworkActivities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals; cutting through bureaucratic red tape110
1401830417frankingBenefit allowing members of Congress to mail letters and other materials postage-free111
1401830418logrollingAn agreement by two or more lawmakers to support each other's bills112
1401830419specializationA focus on a particular activity or area of study113
1401830420decentralizationdecision-making authority is given to lower levels114
1401830421committee systemThe division of the legislative workload among several congressional bodies assigned specific issues115
1401830422subcommitteesDivisions of existing committees formed to address specific issues116
1401830423markup sessionA meeting held by a congressional committee or subcommittee to approve, amend, or redraft a bill.117
1401830424joint committeesCommittees on which both senators and representatives serve118
1401830425conference committeeA special joint committee appointed to reconcile differences when bills pass the two chambers of Congress in different forms.119
1401830426standing committeesPermanent committees120
1401830427filibusterA lengthy speech designed to delay or kill the vote on a bill; used only in the Senate121
1401830428clotureA procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate.122
1401830429legislative vetoThe authority of Congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place. The Supreme Court has held that Congress does not have this power123
1401830430appropriationsfunding that must be authorized by Congress for any federal spending124
1401830431reynolds v. simsextended the principle of "one person, one vote" to state legislative disctricts125
1401830432committee chairsThe most important influencers of the congressional agenda. They play dominant roles in scheduling hearings, hiring staff, appointing subcommittees, and managing committee bills when they are brought before the full house.126
1401830433ways and meansHouse committee that handles tax bills127
1401830434fiscal policyA government policy for dealing with the budget (especially with taxation and borrowing)128
1401830435revolving doorEmployment cycle in which individuals who work for government agencies that regulate interests eventually end up working for interest groups or businesses with the same policy concern.129
1401830436litmus testAn examination of the political ideology of a nominated judge130
1402959445executive ordersFormal orders issued by the president to direct action by the federal bureaucracy.131
1402959446executive agreementAn agreement between the president and the leader of another country132
1402959447roles of presidentchief of state, chief executive, chief administrator, chief diplomat, commander in chief, chief legislator, party chief,133
1402959448executive privilegeThe power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.134
1402959449lame duckA person still in office after he or she has lost a bid for reelection135
140295945022nd amendmentAmendment that created a 2 term limit on presidents.136
140295945125th amendmentAmendment that creates a chain of succession for filling in the presidential seat in case of death/incapacitation.137
1402959452impeachmentA formal document charging a public official with misconduct in office138
1402959453cabinetA group of advisers to the president.139
1402959454white house staffPersonnel who run the White House and advise the President. Includes the Chief of Staff and Press Secretary140
1402959455national security councilAn agency in the Executive Office of the President that advises the president on national security141
1402959456office of management and budget-helps the president prepare the annual federal budget142
1402959457council of economic advisorsa three-member body appointed by the president to advise the president on economic policy143
1402959458pocket vetoA veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.144
1402959459us v. nixonExecutive privilege can not be used in a criminal case145
1402959460bureaucracyA large, complex organization composed of appointed officials146
1402959461civil serviceA system of hiring and promotion based on the merit principle and the desire to create a nonpartisan government service.147
1402959462merit principleThe idea that hiring should be based on entrance exams and promotion ratings to produce administration by people with talent and skill.148
1402959463hatch act1939 - Prohibited federal office holders from participating actively in political campaigns or soliciting or accepting contributions.149
1402959464pendleton actCivil Service Commission and stated that federal employees could not be required to contribute to campaign funds nor be fired for political reasons150
1402959465independent agenciesformed by Congress to help enforce laws and regulations not covered by the executive departments151
1402959466monetary policyGovernment policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling the money supply and thus interest rates.152
1402959467discretionary authoritybureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by laws153
1402959468implementationCarrying out the plan154
1402959469bureaucratic inertiasometimes bureaucracies are so large that they lose touch with reality and continue policies though client needs change155
1407126785bureaucratic noncomplianceFailure or refusal to comply with in policy implementation.156
1407126786article IIIJudicial Branch157
1407126787federal court structuredistrict court, court of appeals, US supreme court158
1407126788jurisdiction(law) the right and power to interpret and apply the law,159
1407126789writ of certiorariA formal writ used to bring a case before the Supreme Court.160
1407126790oral argumentA presentation of a case given directly to a court by a lawyer161
1407126791judicial conferenceA closed meeting of the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court to discuss and vote on the cases before them;162
1407126792judicial tenureuntil life unless impeached163
1407126793trial courtsCourts of original jurisdiction where cases begin164
1407126794appellate courtswhere cases go if they are appealed165
1407126795district courtsLowest level of fed. courts, where fed. cases begin & trials are held166
1407126796circuit courtsPart of federal court system-13 federal circuit courts: one for the D.C. and 12 for the rest of the country. Also called "courts of appeal"167
1407126797jury selectiongroup of people are called to serve, must determine facts of the case, also apply the law to those facts168
1430676421civil rightsbasic right to be free form unequal treatment169
1430676422civil libertiesfreedoms guaranteed170
143067642314th amendmentallows for incorporation of bill of rights171
1430676424due processFair application of the law.172
1430676425establishment clausegovernment may not establish an official religion.173
1430676426free exercise clauseprohibits government from interfering with the practice of religion.174
1430676427prior restraintA government can't prevent material from being published.175
1430676428libelA written defamation of a person's character, reputation, business, or property rights.176
1430676429slanderspoken defamation177
1430676430lemon test1)secular legislative purpose; 2)not advancing or inhibiting religion; 3)not result in an "excessive government entanglement" with religion178
1430676431wall between church and stateEstablishment Clause179
1430676432probable clauseReasonable cause for issuing a search warrent or making an arrest; more than a mere suspicion.180
1430676433self incriminationtestifying against oneself181
1430676434eminent domainPower of a government to take private property for public use; the U.S. Constitution gives national and state governments this power and requires them to provide just compensation for property so taken.182
1430676435miranda rightsRights possessed by persons who are arrested by the police. (Remain silent, Attorney, etc.)183
1430676436capital punishmentDeath Penalty184
1430676437bill of attainderA legislative act finding a person guilty of treason or felony without a trial185
1430676438seditionbehavior that promotes rebellion or civil disorder against the state186
143067643924th amendmentAmendment to the U.S. Constitution (1964) eliminated the poll tax as a prerequisite to vote in national elections.187
1440153779voir dire"To Speak the Truth (jury selection188
1440153780jury sequestrationPhysical isolation of the jury from the rest of society189
1440153781senatorial courtesyPresidential custom of submitting the names of prospective appointees for approval to senators from the states in which the appointees are to work.190
1440153782solicitor generalin charge of the appellate court litigation of the federal government.191
1440153783plaintiffA person or party filing a lawsuit192
1440153784prosecutora government official who conducts criminal prosecutions on behalf of the state193
1440153785defendantIn a criminal action, the person or party accused of an offense.194
1440153786civil lawA law that governs relationships between individuals and defines their legal rights.195
1440153787criminal lawA law that defines crimes against the public order.196
1440153788burden of proofEach Element must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. if not, must acquit197
1440153789litigantspeople engaged in a lawsuit198
1440153790class action suitA case brought by someone to help him or her and all others who are similarly situated199
1440153791precedentsStandards or guides based on prior decisions that serve as a rule for settling similar disputes200
1440153792per curium decisionsupreme court decision that are announced without legal explanation or without a majority opinion201
1440153793writ of mandamusCourt order directing an official to perform an official duty202
1440153794seriatim opinions-each justice writes their own opinion203
1440153795roger taneychief justice of the supreme court who wrote an opinion in the 1857 Dred Scott case that declared the Missouri compromise unconstitutional204
1440153796earl warrenChief Justice during the 1950's and 1960's who used a loose interpretation to expand rights for both African-Americans and those accused of crimes.205
1442992287affirmative actionA policy designed to redress past discrimination to improve their economic and educational opportunities206
1442992288equal protections clausePortion of the 14th amendment which states that every citizen in the United States receives equal protection under the law; legislation may not be imposed to disadvantage a particular group.207
1442992289civil rights act of 1964- no discrimination on color, race, religion, sex, or national origin208
1442992290voting rights act of 19651965; invalidated the use of any test or device to deny the vote and authorized federal examiners to register voters in states that had disenfranchised blacks209
1442992291mandatory spendingRequired govt spending by permanent laws210
1442992292entitlementsBenefits to which every eligible person has a legal right and that the government cannot deny.211
1442992293discretionary spendingFederal spending on programs that are controlled through the regular budget process212
1442992294federal reserve1913 - central banking system of the US - created by the Federal Reserve Act - quasi public system213
1442992295inflationA continuous rise in the price of goods and services214
1442992296progressive era1890-1920- period of reform215
1442992297social regulationGovernment regulation of the quality and safety of products as well as the conditions under which goods and services are produced216
1442992298clean air actSet emission standards for cars, and limits for release of air pollutants217
1442992299monroe doctrinean American foreign policy opposing interference in the Western hemisphere from outside powers218
1442992300roosevelt corollaryAddition to the Monroe Doctrine asserting America's right to intervene in Latin American affairs219
1442992301truman doctrine1947 - Stated that the U.S. would support any nation threatened by Communism.220
1442992302marshall planA United States program of economic aid for the reconstruction of Europe (1948-1952)221
1442992303containmentAmerican policy of resisting further expansion of communism around the world222
1442992304surrogate warsWars that are not face to face for 2 other countries at war. For instance: U.S. and Russia fighting in North and South Korea.223
1442992305detenteA policy of reducing Cold War tensions that was adopted by the United States during the presidency of Richard Nixon.224

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