American Government & Politics Final

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Anti-Federalist

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those who opposed the adoption of the Constitution.

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Conservative

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a person expressing political views that generally favor traditional values, teh status quo, and teh idea that government should stay out of the affairs of private citizens.

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Closed Primary

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type of direct primary in which only registered party members may vote.

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Elastic Clause

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allows congress to pass laws as necessary to carry out its authorized powers , AKA Necessary and proper clause

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Extradition

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legal process in which an alleged criminal is returned to the state or country where the crime was committed.

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Franking

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free postal service for letters sent by members of congress to their constituents.

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Federalist

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Supporters of strong federal government, as described in the Constitution.

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Implied Powers

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Those delegated powers of the national government that are not specifically stated in the Constitution, but are implied by the interpretation of the Elastic Clause.

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Jurisdiction

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the right to interpret and apply the law, the courts range of authority.

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Suffrage

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right or privilege of voting

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Mandate

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rule issued by the federal government to the states.

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Pardon

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The exemption of a convicted person from the penalties of a crime or offense.

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Platform

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the formal written statement of the principles and beliefs of a political party.

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Reserved Powers

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the powers that the constitution sets aside for the state governments.

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Single-Issue-Party

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Political party focused on one issue.

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Speaker of the House

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the presiding officer of the House of Representatives, selected from the membership. The Speaker is always a leader of the majority party.

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Apportionment

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the distribution of the number of members of the House of Representatives based on hte population of each state.

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Amnesty

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the governments general pardon given to people who have broken the law

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Criminal Law

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the type of law dealing with crimes and providing their punishment

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Concurrent Powers

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Powers that both the national and state governments have.

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Checks and Balances

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a system in whcih political power is divided among the three branches of government, with each having some control over the others.

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Dissenting Opinion

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a Supreme Court opinion by one or more justices in the minority who oppose the majority ruling

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Executive Order

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a presidential directive to an agency that defines new policies or carries out existing laws.

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Filibuster

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a tactic, often a lengthy speech or debate, designed to delay the Senate's vote on a bill.

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Executive Agreement

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A presidential agreement, not requiring the Senate's approval, with another head of state.

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Germane

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Having significant relevance to the point at hand.

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Ideology

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a body of ideas or views of the world that reflects the social needs, values, and ideas of an individual or group

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Impeachment

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the formal procedure by which a President or any federal official is removed for misconduct in office.

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Judicial Restraint

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the belief that Supreme COurt justices should not actively try to shape social and political issues nor redefine the Constitution

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Lobbying

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and organized process in which an individual or group tries to influence legislation or policy

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Liberal

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a person expressing political vies or policies that favor the use of governmental power to promote individual liberties and social progress.

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Moderate

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a person opposed to extreme views, one whose political attitudes are between those of conservative and liberal

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Open Primary

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a type of direct primary in which voters may choose on election day the party primary they want to vote in.

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Plaintiff

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a person who files suit in a civil case

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Patronage

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the practice of rewarding political allies and supporters with jobs

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Reactionary

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a person with extremely conservative political views who favors the widespread chances necessary to return to an earlier government or society.

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Political Action Committee (PAC)

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a political arm of an interest group set up to contribute to political campaigns

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Sample Poll

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a small number of poeple drawn from and analyzed as representative of the total population to be surveyed.

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Separation of Powers

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the division of a governments executive, legislative, and judicial powers into three separate branches.

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Blanket Primary

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type of open primary in which voters may vote for candidates of more than one party on an office to office basis.

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Appropriation

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A grant of money by congress to be used for specific purpose.

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Amendment

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a formal statement of change to a law or constitution.

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Cabinet

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the group of persons, heading 14 executive departments, appointed by by the president to act as official advisers and help establish policy.

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Censure

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an official expression of blame or disapproval.

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Caucus

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a meeting of leaders of a political party to select candidates. IN a congressional caucus, legislature meet to decide party strategies.

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Delegated Power

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The powers, also called enumerated powers or expressed powers, that are specifically granted to the federal govn. by the constitution.

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Defendant

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one against whom a legal charge has been made.

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Authorization

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a legislatures approval to implement or continue a governmental program or agency

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Equal Time Doctrine

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the Federal Communications commission requirement that equal radio or television airtime must be made available to opposing candidates running for public office.

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Federalism

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the division of governmental power, as expressed in the Constitution, between the national government and the 50 states

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Gridlock

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conflict between the legislative and executive branches that commonly results in inaction

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Interest Groups

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a private organization of like-minded people whose goal is to influence and shape public policy

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Incumbent

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a person currently holding a political office or position.

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Judicial Review

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the power of the courts to establish the constitutionality of national, state, or local acts of government

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Literacy Test

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an examination of reading and writing skills, now unconstitutional, that citizens had to pass before they were allowed to vote.

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Mass Media

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those sources of information and means of communication such as radio, television, magazines, and the Internet, that reach large numbers of people.

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Naturalization

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the process by which a person becomes a citizen

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Political Efficacy

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influence in political activities, the sense that one can make a difference through political participation

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Poll Tax

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a fee, now unconstitutional required of voters in many southern states, designed to discourage African-American voters.

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Precinct

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an election district of a city or town, often the smallest voting district.

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Prior Restraint

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the governmental censorship of information before it is published or broadcasted.

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Reprieve

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the postponement of or setting aside of punishment

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Radical

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a person with extremely liberal political views who favors rapid and widespread changes to the current political and social order.

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Split Ticket

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a vote for a candidate of more than one party in the same election

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Bill

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a proposed law presented to a legislative body

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Bill of Rights

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the first ten amendments to the Constitution.

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Cloture

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the decision made by 3/5 of senate to limit or end debate on an issue and call for a vote.

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Class-Action Suit

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a lawsuit brought by a person or group both on their behalf and on behalf of many others in similar circumstances

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Amicus Curiae

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literally, a friend of the court, legal arguments or advice in a case offered voluntarily.

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Electioneering

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process of actively and publicly supporting a candidate or political party

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Free Enterprise

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the freedom of private businesses to compete for profit with little government regulation

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Grandfather Clause

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a now unconstitutional law that permitted persons to vote without meeting other requirements if they or one of their ancestors had been entitled to vote in 1866

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Gerrymandering

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the process of dividing voting districts to give an unfair advantage to one candidate, party, or group.

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Iron Triangle

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a mutually advantageous relationship among congressional committees, interest groups, and governmental agencies in an effort to influence legislation and policy.

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Judicial Activism

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the belief that supreme court justices should actively make policy and sometimes redefine the constitution.

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Pocket Veto

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a means by which a president kills a bill that congress has sent by refusing to act on it until congress has adjourned.

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Electoral College

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people selected in each state who gather to formally cast their ballots for the President and Vice President.

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Majority Leader

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the legislative of the party holding the majority of seats in the House or Senate. IN the House, the majority leader is second to the Speaker of the House.

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Precedent

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a judicial decision that is used as a standard later similar cases

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Nomination

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the process of selecting and naming candidates for office.

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president pro tempore

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the member of the Senate chosen as a leader in the absence of the Vice President.

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Petit Jury

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a jury that decides an individual's innocence or guilt, a "perk"

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Pork Barrel

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a government project that benefits a specific location or lawmakers home district and constituents

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Quorum

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the minimum number of members of a group who must be present for the valid transaction of business.

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Social Contract

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the concept that the governed and those governing have obligations to each other, that the people being governed will support the government, and the government will protect the basic rights of the people.

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Constitutional Courts

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a federal court with constitutionally based powers and whose judges serve for life. The most important of these is the Supreme Court, courts of appeals, and district courts.

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Legislative Courts

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Specialized court established to hear cases about and execute the legislative powers of Congress.

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Shield Law

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a law that protects journalists from being compelled to reveal confidential sources of information against their will.

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Public Opinion

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the attitudes expressed by citizens of a country about government and politics

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Political Socialization

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the process by which people develop their political identity and their attitudes toward government, leaders, and issues.