American Government Final

Front 1

The congress relies on the committee system to accomplish the bulk of its work. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the committee system.

Back 1

Advantages: creates a division of labor, members develop expertise in certain areas, controls the workload
Disadvantages: join committees to push along personal interests, sometimes leaders are picked based on senoirity

Front 2

What are the 5 roles of the President?

Back 2

chief of state-symbolic
chief executive--head of executive branch
commander in chief-military
chief legislature--can make laws
chief diplomat--foreign affairs

Front 3

the federal judicial appointment process is highly politicized because of the power of the federal judiciary. explain the four judicial powers.

Back 3

1.judicial decision--ability to decide cases
2. judicial review--ability to declare laws unconstitutional
3.judicial law-making--ability to make rules and set precedent (miranda)
4. Judicial opinion-writing--majority, concurring, dissenting, important in reversing decisions

Front 4

we outlines several of the reaons for low voter turnout..what are they and what are some possible reforms?

Back 4

1. withdrawal--people dont feel involved enough to vote
2. ignorance--there is too much information, it ishard to collect it all so people choose not to inform themselves because their vote wont count
3. campaign effects--negative campaigning drives people away

Front 5

what are the sources of presidential power? what resources are available to the president?

Back 5

1. constitutional-treaties, military
2.statutory-powers written into laws, regulate economy, veto
3.inherent-like implied powers, cabinet
4.personal

sources: media, information, money, access, support, media

Front 6

realignment

Back 6

when a substanial amount of voters switch party alliegiance
significance--the existing dominant party becomes more dominant or the parties instead may become evenly matched

Front 7

soft money

Back 7

unlimited money given to candidates
significane--unregulated money given to campaigns

Front 8

initiatve

Back 8

a way to get somethign on the ballot, the public gets a certain number of signatures on a petition
significance: allows the public to get involved

Front 9

referenda

Back 9

state and local officals put items on the ballot asking for voter appeal
signifiance: allows gov officals to get public opinion on a matter

Front 10

dissenting opinion

Back 10

-the minority opinion

Front 11

gerrymandering

Back 11

legisilative boundary-drawing tactic
signifiance: gerrymandering allows the dominant party to change the shape of a state in order to maximize its electoral strength

Front 12

open primary

Back 12

-voters can vote in either party without disclosing their party affiliation
significane: allows for more voters to voice their opinion despite party affiliation

Front 13

stare decisis

Back 13

the practice of deciding new cases based on prior cases
significance: holds that precedents will most times be upheld

Front 14

bureacracy

Back 14

-a large organization structured heirarchically in order to carry out functions
significance: a large part of Ameircan govenrment they are responsible for the divisions and committees within congress

Front 15

inherent powers

Back 15

similar to implied powers of congress--it is implied that the president can do cabinet reorganization
significance: came from judicial interpretation gives the president added power

Front 16

iron triangles

Back 16

-alliances between legislature, bureacrats and interest groups to preserve policy
signifance: benefits their respective interests

Front 17

executive priviledge

Back 17

-the right of executive officials to withhold information from or refuse to appear before a legislative committee
significance: allows officials to withhold information

Front 18

judicial activism

Back 18

-judiciary should use power to check the other branches of government, constitution is a living document, loose interpretation

Front 19

judicial restrantist

Back 19

-courts should defer decisions to the other branches of government, they shouldnt prevent legislative acts unless they are unconstitutional and they have a strict interpretation

Front 20

standing committee

Back 20

a permenant committee created by public law or house/senate rules

Front 21

subcommittee

Back 21

a subsidaiary organization of larger standing committees

Front 22

pocket veto

Back 22

legislative maneuver that allows the president to indirectly veto a bill

Front 23

influences on presidential voting

Back 23

1. personal values/beliefs
2.political party
3.public opinion
4.spouse
5.advisors

Front 24

presidential has gotten stronger becasue:

Back 24

1.world is more complex and needs quick actions
2. increased use of executive orders
3. congress has gotten weaker w/ respect to the president

Front 25

five road blocks of presidential power

Back 25

1.legisilative powers are weak
2. divided gov--head of party and state
3. weakness of parties
4.some aspects of government are unchangeable
5. can be impeached

Front 26

political action committee

Back 26

set up by and representing a corporation, labor union or special interest group that raises money and provides candidates with contributions to their campaigns

Front 27

the federal regulation of lobbying act 1946

Back 27

-individuals who recieve money for the purpose of influencing national legistlature must register as a lobbyist
-individuals who are lobbyist must reveal their personal financial info related to lobbying
-registered lobbyists must make public quarterly resports about all activity

Front 28

dealignment

Back 28

a decline in attractiveness of both parties

Front 29

tipping

Back 29

occurs when the demographics of a party changes

Front 30

3 reasons why political parties are declining

Back 30

1. campaign technology
2. trends toward independent voting
3. rise in interest group powers