Ap Gov Glossary Terms

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acquisitive bureaucracies

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organizations that are self-perpetuating and demand funding that will result in the continued existence of the agency

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activist court

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court that makes decisions that forge new ground (Roe v. Wade)

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advise and consent

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power of the Senate regarding presidential appointments

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affirmative action

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programs for minorities supported by govt as a means of providing equality under the law

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agenda setting

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policy goals typically set by political parties

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americans with disabilities act (1991)

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requires employers, schools, and public buildings to reasonably accommodate handicapped individuals

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amicus curiae

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"friend of the court"; briefs that may be sent to support the position of one side or the other

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antiballistic missile treaty (1972)

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treaty wherein america and the soviet union agreed to limit antiballistic missle sites and interceptor missiles

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appropriation bill

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congressional legislation that has spending as a basic characteristic. there are 13 appropriation bills that make up the federal budget

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Baker v Carr

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"one man one vote"

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balanced budget

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public policy that advocates that the federal budget spend as much money as it receives. attempt made to pass a constitutional amendment madating this policy failed

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bipartisan

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refers to two political parties working together to reach a common policy goal

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brandeis brief

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friend of the court opinion offered in Muller v Oregon which spoke about inherent differences between men and women in the workplace

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bully pulpit

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the ability to use the office of the presidency to promote a particular program and/or to influence Congress to accept legislative proposals.

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campaign finance reform

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legislation aimed at placing limits on political candidates accepting money and gifts from individuals and special interest groups

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cases of equity

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those cases that cannot be resolved under common law precedent

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civil rights vs. civil liberties

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rights = application of epotl
liberties = rights protected by bill of rights

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Clear and Present Danger Doctrine

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est. in Schenck v US
gave govt right to censor speech due to national security

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cloture

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process in which it takes 60 senators to cut off a filibuster and that is aimed at protecting minority interests

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collective security

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agreement to form through treaties mutual defense arrangements, such as NATO, which guarantee that if one nation is attacked, other nations will come to its defense

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commerce clause

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constitution giving congree that authority to regulate interstate commerce and commerce with foreign countries

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common law

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based on legal concept of stare decisis, or judicial precedent

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competitive federalism

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Nixon - known as the new federalism, this approach stressed the downsizing of the federal govt and more reliance on revenue sharing and grants

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concurrent power

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power shared by the state and federal govt, such as the power to tax

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concurring opinion

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additional opinion in a court decision written by a member of the majority

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conference committee

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a committee consisting of senators and representatives that meets to resolve differences in legislation

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CBO - congressional budget office

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set up by Congress, evaluates the cost of legislative proposals

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congressional oversight

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power used by congress to gather info useful for the formation of legislation, review the operations and budgets of executive depts and independent regulatory agencies, conduct investigations through committee hearings, and bring to the public's attention the need for public policy

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consumer price index (CPI)

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a primary measure of inflation determined by the increase in the cost of products compared to abse year

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continuing resolution

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emergency spending legislation that preents the shutdown of any dept simply because its budget has not been enacted

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convention bump

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an increase reflected in presidential preference polls immediately following a party's nomination convention

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cooperative federalism

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developed during the New Deal, characterized by the federal govts becoming more intrusive in what were traditionally state powers

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council of economic advisors

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white house staff agency created to give the pres advice regarding economic and fiscal policy

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creative federalism

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developed during LBJ's administration, characterized by Great Society programs, which placed a major responsibility on federally funded programs

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8th Amendments

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cruel and unusual punishment

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culture of poverty

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est of an income level by govt that references the point at which an individual is considered to be living in poverty

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dark horse

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candidate running for office who is not well known and considered to be the underdog in the race

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de facto segregation

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segregation of schools and other public facilities through circumstance with no law supporting it

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de jure segregation

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segregation by law, made illegal by Brown v Board

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deficit spending

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govts meeting budgetary expenses by borrowing more money than it can pay back

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demographics

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characteristics of a population, including age sex and race. used to determine changes in the make-up of a population

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devolution

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political theory of returning power to the states

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direct primary

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voters (including corss-over voters) can express a preference for candidates

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discount rates

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interest levels est b the federal reserve that effect the ability of the consumer to borrow money. raising and lowering rates is used as a tool to combat inflation

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dissenting opinion

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judicial opinion written that is contrary to the ruling of the full court

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distributive policy

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results in the govt giving benefits directly to people, groups, farmers, and businesses. typical policies include subsidies, research and development funds and direct govt aid

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divided govt

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characterized by political gridlock as the result of different political parties having control of different branches of the govt

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division of labor

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skilled workers each have a specialized function, resulting in increased productivity

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double jeopardy

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legal concept wherein once a verdict is handed down, you cannot be tried again for the same crime

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dual federalism

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the earliest type of relationship est between the federal govt and the states where the federal govts powers were defined as delegated and states powers were reserved

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dual primary

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where presidential candidtes are selected and a separate slate of delegates is also voted on. new hampshire uses this type of primary

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eisenhower doctrine

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doctrine that stated readiness to use armed forces to aid middle eastern countries threatened by communist aggression

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elastic clause

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gives congress the power to make "all laws necessary and proper" to carry out the other defined laws of Congress

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elite and class theory

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a group theory that revolves around an economic stratum of society controlling the policy agenda

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entitlements

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those benefits guaranteed by law paid to individuals by the federal govt such as social security

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enumerated powers

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delegated powers of congress, including the power to collect taxes, pay debts, provide for the common defense and general welfare, regulate commerce, coin money and declare war

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environmental protection agency (EPA)

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regulates pollution, pesticides, radiation, wastea nd toxic substances. main environmental regulatory agency

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establishmenbt clause

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defines the right of the citizens to practice their religions without govtal interference. also places a restriction on govt creating a "wall of separation" between church and state

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ex post facto laws

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laws that take effect after the act takes place. congress is prohibited from enacting this type of legislation

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exclusionary rule

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resulted from Mapp v Ohio, determines that police may obtain only the evidence that can be had through a legitimate search warrant. other evidence found at the scene of the crime is not admissible or is excluded int eh trial

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executive agreement

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agreement made betweent he president and a leader of a foreign country that does not have to be ratified by the senate

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executive office of the pres

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national security council
council of economic advisors
office of management and budget
office of national drug control policy

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executive order

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order signed by pres that has the effect of law, even though it is not passed by congress. ex: Clinton's legalizing abortion pill

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executive privilege

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ability of the pres to protect personal material

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expressed power

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specific power of the pres as listed in article 1 of the constitution

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faction

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splinter group of a policial party

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fairness doctrine

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scrapped in 1987, provided that the media air oppoising opinions of the same issue

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family medical leave act (1993)

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gave unpaid emergency medical leave for employees with a guarantee that thier job would not be taken away in the interim

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favorable balance of trade

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referes to a country exporting more than they import (US since WWII)

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favorite son

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presidential candidate backed by the home state at the party's nominating convention

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federal election campaign acts (FECA)

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restrictions on amount of advertising used by candidate, created disclosure of contributions of $100, limited amount of personal contributions a candidate could make on his or her own behalf. set up federal election commission and est a system of federal matching funds for presidential candidates

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federal reserve system

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regulates money supply by controlling open-market operations, buying and selling of govt securities, est reserve requirements, legal limitations on money reserves banks must keep...

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10th amendment

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federalism (reserved and delegated powers)

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Federalist papers

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3 branches of govt
separation of power
deal with "tyranny of majority"

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fighting words doctrine

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est by Chaplinsky v New Hampshire (1942) incorporated into state law the concept that the govt can limit free speech if it can be proved that the result of speech will cause physical violence

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filibuster

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tactic used int eh senate whereby a vote on legislation can be delayed through debate.

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fiscal federalism

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concept where funding is appropriated by fed fovt to the states with specific conditions attached. legislation can be in the form of mandates

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Fletcher v Peck

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decision that established the precedent that the Supreme Court could rule a STATE law unconstitutional

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focus group

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technique used by pollsters to determine how a cross section of voters feels about a particular topic

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freedom of information act (1974)

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act that incorporates sunshine laws - opened up the govts meetings of record to the public and the media

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front loading

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refers to the scheduling of the early presidential primaries and its impact on the selection of the majority of presidential delegates

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front runner

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designation given to the candidate who leads in the polls

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full faith and credit

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phrase used to describe the mutual respect and legality of laws, public records, and judicial decisions made by states

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funded mandates

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regulations passed by congress or issued by regulatory ageneciess to the states with federal funds to support them

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general agreement on tariffs and trade (gatt)

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agreement wherein new trade barriers would be avoided by member nations, existing tariffs would be eliminated and protective tariffs would be used only for emergency situations

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gerrymandering

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state legislatures, based on political affiliation, create congressional districts, many of which are oddly shaped and favor the political party in power in the state making the changes

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Gibbon v Ogden

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case est the principle that congress has sole authority over interstate commerce

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Gitlow v NY

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incorporated the first amendment to a state case for the first time

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gridlock

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describes peoples pereception that congress and the pres are in a state of disagreement that results in little legislation passing

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gross domestic product (GDP)

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currently the key economic measure that analyzes an upward or downward economic trend of the monetary value of all the goods and services produced within the nation on a quarterly basis

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gross national product (GNP)

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total of alll goods and services produced in a year

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habeas corpus

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right that safeguards a person from illegal imprisonment. it refers to the writ requiring that a person be brought before a court to determine whether he is being detained legally

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hard money

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federally regulated campain contributions made to politicial candidates and political parties. under current law, hard money contributions cannot exceed $1000 per individual per election cycle

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hatch act (1939)

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law that places restrictions on the kind of political activity a federal employee may participate in

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high-tech campaign

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paid political ads, 30 and 60 sec spots, paid infomercials incorporating charts and graphs, and sophisticated polling techniques

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hyperpluralism

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a group theory characterized by many IGs vying for control resulting in a govt that is tied up in gridlock

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immigration act of 1991

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act that shifted the quota of immigrants to europe and aimed to attract immigrants who were trained workers

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impeachment

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lisiting of accusations against a federal officla of "high crimes and misdemeanors" for the purpose of removing that official from office for such misonduct.
clinton was the only elected pres to be inpeached but not removed

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imperial congress

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describes a congress that succeeds in est itself as dominant in legislative and foreign policy

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imperial presidency

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refers to pres who dominates the political and legislative agenda

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income distribution

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the portion of national income that individuals and groups earn

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incorporation of the 14th amendment

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doctrine that made the bill of rights apply to the states a result of supreme court decisions. even though the 14th amendment was ratified in 1868, incorporation started to take place in the 1920s. it reched a peak during the Warren court in the late 1950s and 60s

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independent executive agency

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such as the general services administration, which handles govt purchasing and has a specific responsiblity that facilitates the day-to-day operation of the govt

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independent expenditures

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non-federally regulated campaign contributions made by specials IGs, labor unions, and corporations to PACs and political parties, also called soft money

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independent regulatory agencies

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agencies that are quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial in nature and operation. ex: food and drug administration and EPA

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indictment

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formal list of charges made by a grand jury and guaranteed in the 5th amendment

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inherent power

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assumed powers of the president not specifically listed in the constitution. inherent powers are derived fromt he presidents role as chief executive

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initiative

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ballot proposal put forth by the public and voted on as a result of the petition process

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IG

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a public or private organization, affiliation, or committee that has as its goal the dissemination of its memberships viewpoint

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International monetary fund (IMF)

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a clearinghouse for member nations to discuss monetary issues and develop international plans and policies to deal with monetary issues. regulating monetary exchange is its primary task

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iron triangle network

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the interrelationship among bureaucracies, the govt, IGs, and the public, which also establishes a pattern of relationships among anagency in the executive branch, congress, and one or more outside clients of that agency

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joint committee

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congressional committee made up of members of both political parties from senate and house

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judicial activism

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a philohophy of judicial review that resultsin decisions that overturn precendent

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judicial federalism

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the extension of the bill of rights to citizens of the states, creating a concept of dual citizenship, wherin a citizen was under the jurisdiction of the national govt as well as state govts

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judicial restraint

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a court that maintains the status quo or mirrors what the other branches of ovt have est as current policy

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judiciary committee

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key senate committee that is responsible for recommending pres judicial appointments to the full senate for approval

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keynote address

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key speech aat the national nominating convention that outlines the themes of the campaign

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layer cake federalism

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federalism characterized by a national govt exericising its power independently from state govts

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legislative veto

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provision granting congress the right to veto regulations made by federal agencies, ruled unconstitutional by supreme court

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limited govt

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derived from the doctrine of natural rights, was adopted by jeffersonand restricts the power of govt especially in the area of protecting the rights on the people