Ap Government Flashcards

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Power

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The ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person's intentions

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Government

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the institutions and processes through which public policies are made for society

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Public goods

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Goods, such as clean air and clean water, that everyone must share

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Politics

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the process by which we select governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue. Politics produces authoritative decisions about public issue.

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Political participation

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all activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue. Voting is the most common but not the only means of political participation in a democracy. Other means include protest and civil disobedience.

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Majoritarian politics

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The politics of policy-making n whcih almost everybody benefits from a policy and almost everybody pays for it

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Policy agenda

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the ussues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people actually invovled in politics at any given point in time.

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Public policy

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A choice that goverrnment makes in response to a political issue. A policy is a course of action taken with regard to some problem.

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Activists

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Individuals, usually outside of government, who actively promote a political party, philosophy, or issue they care about

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Linkage institutions

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The political channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the policy agenda. In the US, linkage institutions include elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

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Democracy

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A term used to describe a political system in which the people are said to rule, directly or indirectly

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Direct Democracy

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A system of Democracy in which political decisions are made by the people directly, rather than by their elected representitives; probably attained most easily in small political communities.

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Indirect Democracy

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another term for representative democracy, or republic

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Majority rule

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THE fundamental principle of traditional democratic theory. In a democracy, choosing among alternatives requires that the majority's desire be respected.

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minority rights

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A principle theory of traditional democratic theory that guarantees rights to those who do not belong to majorities and allows that they might join majorities through persuasion and reasoned argument.

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representation

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A basic principle of traditional democratic theory that describes the relationship between the few leaders and the many followers.

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Pluralism

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A theory that views politics as a conflict among interest groups. Political decision making is characterized by bargaining and compromise.

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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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Elitism or class theory

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A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization.

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Republic

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A form of democracy in which power is vested in representatives selected by means of popular competitive elections

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Popular sovereignty

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Basic principle of the American system of government that the people are the source of any and all government power. Government must operate with the consent of the governed.

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Bicameral Legislature

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A lawmaking body made up of two chambers or parts. The U.S. Congress is a bicameral legislature composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

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Faction

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According to James Madison, a group of people who seek to influence public policy in ways contrary to the public good

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Elite

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An identifiable group of persons who possess a disproportionate share of some valued resource--such as money or political power

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Constitutional Convention

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A meeting of delegates in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation, which produced a totally new constitution still in use today.

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Divided Government

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A government in which one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress

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Unified government

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A government in which the same party controls both the White House and both houses of Congress

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Sovereignty

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Supreme or ultimate political authority; a sovereign government is one that is legally and politically independent of any other government

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Representative democracy

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A political system in which leaders and representatives acquire political power by means of a competitive struggle for the peoples vote. This is the form of government used by nations that are called democratic

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Legitimacy

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Political authority conferred by law, public opinion, or constitution

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Declaration of Independence

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Document stating freedom from Britain using Locke's basic rights for all people.

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U.S. Constitution

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Document outlining the U.S. government

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Natural rights

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rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments, which include life, liberty, and property. The concept of natural rights was central to English philosopher Locke's theories about government and was widely accepted among America's Founders.

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Consent of the governed

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The idea that government derives its authority by sanction of the people

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Limited government

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The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens

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Articles of Confederation

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The first constitution of the US, adopted by Congress in 1777 and enacted in 1781. The Articles established a national legislature, the Continental Congress, but most authority rested with the state legislature.

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Factions (Federalist # 10)

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Interest groups arising from the unequal distribution of property or wealth that James Madison attacked in Federalist Paper No. 10. Today's parties or interest groups are what Madison had in mind when he warned of the instability in government caused by factions.

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New Jersey Plan

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The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population

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Virginia Plan

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The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for representation of each state in Congress in proportion to that state's share of the US population.

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Connecticut Compromise

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The compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention that established two houses of Congress: the House of Representatives, based on population, and the Senate, with equal vote

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Three-fifths Compromise

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a compromise between Southern and Northern states reached during the Philadelphia Convention of 1787 in which three-fifths of the population of slaves would be counted for the apportionment of the members of the House

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Writ of habeas corpus

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Latin term meaning "you shall have the body." A court order directing that the prisoner be brought before a judge and show sufficient cause for his or her detention. designed to prevent illegal arrests and imprisonment

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Checks and balances

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features if the Constitution that limit government's power by requiring that power be balanced among the different governmental institutions. These institutions continually constrain one another's activities.

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Separation of powers

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a feature of the Constitution that requires each of the three branches of government - executive, legislative, and judicial- to be relatively independent of the others so that once cannot control the others. Power is shared among these three institutions.

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Federalists

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Supporters of a stronger central government who advocated ratification of the Constitution. After ratification they founded a political party supporting a strong executive and Alexander Hamilton's economic policies

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Anti-federalists

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opponents of the US constitution at the time the states were contemplating adoption. They feared that the Constitution would create a tyrannical central government that was too removed from the average person. Influence seen in Bill of Rights

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The Federalist Papers

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a collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name Publius to defend the Constitution in detail.

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Bill of Rights

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list of individual liberties, such as freedom of speech, religion, press. US has ___ in the form of the first 10 amendments to the constitution passed by first US congress in 1789. Reflected political pressure from Anti-Federalists

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Marbury v. Madison

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(1803) case in which Chief Justice Marshall first asserted the right of the Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the US constitution; established the court's power of judicial review over acts of Congress

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Judicial Review

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The power of the courts to determine whether acts of Congress and, by implication, the executive are in accord with the US Constitution. Judicial review was established by John Marshall and his associates in Marbury v. Madison

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Shay's Rebellion

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A rebellion which highlighted the weaknesses of the Confederation and bolstered support for a stronger national government

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Incumbent

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The person currently in office

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Municipal corporation or municipality

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A legal term for a city. It is chartered by the state to exercise certain powers and provide certain services

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Ordinance

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A law passed and enforced by a city government

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Police power

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The power of a state to promote health, safety, and morals

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Perks

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A short form of perquisites, meaning "fringe benefits of office." Among the perks of political office for high-ranking officials are limousines, expense accounts, free air travel, fancy offices, and staff assistants

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Federalism

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A political system in which ultimate authority is shared between a central government and state or regional governments

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Unitary government

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A system in which sovereignty is wholly in the hands of the national government so that subnational political units are dependent on its will

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Confederation government

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A political system in which states or regional governments retain ultimate authority except for those powers that they expressly delegate to a central government.

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Intergovernmental relations

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entire set of interactions among national, state and local government

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Supremacy clause

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Article 6 Section 2; Constitution, Laws passed by the legislative branch, and Supreme Court rulings are above anything else in the land

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10th Amendment

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powers not delegated to national govt nor prohibited by it are reserved for the states.

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McCulloch v. Maryland

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States cannot tax federal government; allowed the establishment of the national Bank of US.

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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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Implied powers

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powers of the federal government that go beyond those enumerated in the Constitution.

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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 laws of Congress (Article 1, Section 8).

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Gibbons v. Ogden

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Declared that Congress could control all interstate commerce.

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Full faith and credit clause

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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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Extradition

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criminal is returned to state where crime was committed.

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Privileges and immunities

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Amendment XIV, Section 1, Clause 2 of the Constitution is known as the __________ Clause. Originally intended to incorporate the first eight amendments of the U.S. Bill of Rights against the state governments.

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Dual federalism

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A constitutional theory that the national government and the state governments each have areas of authority, especially over commerce

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Cooperative federalism

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National/state/local govt cooperate to solve common problems; developed during the New Deal, characterized by the federal govts becoming more intrusive in what were traditionally state powers

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Fiscal federalism

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pattern of spending, taxing and providing grants in the federal system; concept where funding is appropriated by fed govt to the states with specific conditions attached. legislation can be in the form of mandates

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Categorical grants

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Federal grants to state or local governments for specific purposes by federal law: EX: build airport, welfare payments to low-income mothers. Such grants usually require that the state matching funds (not much usually)

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Project grants

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Grant given for specific purpose or awarded on the basis of the merits of applications

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Formula grants

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grants distributed according to a formula specified in legislation or in administrative regulations

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Block grants

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Grants of money from the federal government to states for programs in certain general areas (NOT for specific programs); grants more or less given automatically to states or communities to support broad programs.

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Revenue sharing

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The sharing of taxes between the Federal Government and the States. It was in place between 1972 and 1987. Distribution was intended to send more money to poorer, heavily taxed states and less to richer, lightly taxed ones

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Interstate Commerce Clause

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Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution, known as the ________, states that Congress has the exclusive authority to manage commerce between the states, with foreign nations, and Indian tribes

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Amendment Process

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changing Constitution - Proposing = 2/3 vote of both houses or by convention; ratifying = 3/4 pf state legislature or state conventions

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Mandates

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Rules imposed by the federal government on the states as conditions for obtaining federal grants or requirements that the states pay the costs of certain nationally programs

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Funded Mandates

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

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Unfunded Mandates

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When Congress passes laws that require expenses from states, but do not provide funds to meet them.

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Devolution

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The current effort to scale back the size and activities of the national government and to shift responsibility for a wide range of domestic programs from DC to the states. In recent years, these areas have included welfare, health care, job training

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Conditions of Aid

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Federal rules attached to the grants that states receive. States must agree to abide by these rules in order to receive the grants

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Grants-in-aid

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Federal funds provided to states and localities. Grants-in-aid are typically provided for airports, highways, education, and major welfare services

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Second-order devolution

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The flow of power and responsibility from states to local governments

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Third-order devolution

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The use of nongovernmental organizations to implement public policy

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Nullification

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The doctrine that states have the right to declare null a void a federal law that, in the states' opinion, violated the Constitution. EX: Virginia and Kentucky resolutions declared Alien and Sedition Acts unconstitutional. Made obsolete by Civil War

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Civil Liberties

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protection from the govt; codified in the Bill of Rights amendments

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Civil Rights

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The rights of citizens to vote, to receive equal treatment before the law, and to share equally with other citizens the benefits of public facilities (such as schools).

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freedom of religion (FREE EXERCISE CLAUSE and ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE), freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of petition.

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First Amendment Provisions

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Establishment clause

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A clause in the First Amendment to the Constitution stating that Congress shall make no law "respecting an establishment of religion."

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Free exercise clause

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A clause in the First Amendment to the Constitution stating that Congress shall make no law prohibiting the "free exercise" of religion.

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Prior restraint

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The press is guaranteed freedom from censorship (rules telling it in advance what it can publish). After publication the government can punish the press for material that is judged libelous or obscene

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Libel

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A written statement that falsely injures the reputation of another person

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Symbolic speech

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An act that conveys a political message, such as burning a draft card to protest the draft; NOT always a form of speech protected by 1st Amendment (EX: wearing black arm bands ok to protest, but not burning draft cards)

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Commercial speech

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speech done on behalf of a company or individual for the intent of making a profit. It is economic in nature and usually has the intent of convincing the audience to purchase a specific product. More restraints than other forms of speech (EX: no false ads)

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Shield laws

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legislation designed to provide a news reporter with the right to refuse to testify as to information and/or sources of information obtained during the newsgathering and dissemination process.

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Probable cause

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if there is a reasonable belief that crime has or is being committed, it is the basis for all lawful searches and arrests

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Search warrant

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a court order issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement to conduct an investigation of a person or location for evidence of a criminal offense and seize such items.

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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 in the trial

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Fifth Amendment provisions

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"rights of accused": no trial for a major crime except after indictment by a grand jury; no double jeopardy; no punishment without due process of law; no self-incrimination ('plead the 5th!"); can't take property w/out "just compensation"

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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; contained in the 5th amendment

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Eminent Domain

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The right of a government to appropriate private property for public use, usually with compensation to the owner. EX: seizing private property that is needed for interstate highway

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Self-incrimination

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Incrimination of oneself, especially by one's own testimony in a criminal prosecution. Protected by the 5th amendment, intended to prevent forced confessions (torture)

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Fourteenth Amendment

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one of "Civil War" amendments intended to give citizenship to former slaves; contains DUE PROCESS CLAUSE and EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE; (used to give businesses "corporate personhood" long before African-Americans got rights)

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Equal Protection Clause

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Clause set out in the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution that dictates that state governments cannot pass or enforce any laws based solely on a specific classification of person by race, gender, religion, ethnicity, or age.

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Due-process clause

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Protection against arbitrary deprivation of life, liberty, or property as guaranteed in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. Must have legal proceedings that determine that such deprivation is lawful. EX: prison for crime

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Incorporation Doctrine

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the legal doctrine by which portions of the U.S. Bill of Rights are applied to the states through the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment

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Sixth Amendment

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guarantees a speedy public trial for criminal offenses. It requires trial by a jury, right to legal counsel for the accused, must produce witnesses before accused. It also guarantees the accused a right to know the charges against him.

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Plea bargaining

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To make an agreement in which a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge and the prosecutor in return drops more serious charges.

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Eighth Amendment

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forbids excessive bail or fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.

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Bill of Attainder

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A law that declares a person, without a trial, to be guilty of a crime. The state legislatures and Congress are forbidden to pass such acts by Article I of the Constitution.

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Ex post facto law

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

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Sedition

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Conduct or language inciting rebellion against the authority of a state.

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Pure speech

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Written and spoken words that fall within the scope of protection provided by the First Amendment to the Constitution.

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Right to a fair trial

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protected by 6th Amendment, must include an independent judge; the absence of any intimidation of witnesses and ideally, a level playing field in terms of legal representation, such as a right to counsel for criminal defendants.

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Obscenity

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NOT protected by 1st Amendment. Such materials, because they have no redeeming social value and are calculated to chiefly appeal to one’s sexual rather than political or literary interests, can be regulated by the state

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Miranda rights

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You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to have an attorney present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.

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Right to counsel

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a constituent of the right to a fair trial, allowing for the defendant to be assisted by lawyers, and if he cannot afford his own lawyer, requiring that the government should appoint one for him, or pay his legal expenses.

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Affirmative action

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The requirement, imposed by law or administrative regulation, that an organization ( biz, govt, union, school) take steps to increase the number or proportion of women, African Americans, or other minorities in its membership

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Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)

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Chief Justice Roger Taney ruled that since Dred Scott was a slave, and under the fourth amendment, Sanford was protected from seizure of "property" if he went into free states - Scott remained a slave.

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Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

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Supreme Court ruled that public places could be segregated if facilities were "separate but equal"; officially established de jure segregation system in US known as Jim Crow after popular minstrelsy character. Lasted until Brown v. Board

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Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

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Huge case. Held that separate but equal principle is unconstitutional, overturned Plessy v. Ferguson, marked beginning of official end of de jure segregation in America

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Civil rights movement

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(1955–1968) refers to the reform movements in the United States aimed at abolishing racial discrimination against African Americans and restoring suffrage in Southern states.

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Civil Rights Act of 1964

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a landmark legislation in the United States that outlawed segregation in the US schools and public places.

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Suffrage

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The right to vote, granted to African Americans by the 15th Amendment, to women by the 19th Amendment, and to 18 year olds by the 26th Amendment.

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Fifteenth Amendment

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one of three Civil War Amendments; Forbids the federal government and the states from using a citizen's race, color, or previous status as a slave as a qualification for voting.

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Poll tax

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A requirement that citizens pay a tax in order to register to vote. It was adopted by many states to prevent former slaves from voting

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Grandfather clause

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A clause added to registration laws allowing people who did not meet registration requirements to vote if they or their ancestors had voted before 1867. Meant to allow poor illiterate whites suffrage while denying blacks

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White primary

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The practice of keeping blacks from voting in the southern states' primaries through arbitrary use of registration requirements and intimidation.

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Twenty-fourth Amendment

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Prohibits the federal government and the states from requiring the payment of a tax as a qualification for voting for federal officials.

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Voting Rights Act of 1965

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outlawed the requirement that would-be voters in the United States take literacy tests to qualify to register to vote, and it provided for federal registration of voters in areas that had less than 50% of eligible minority voters registered.

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Korematsu v. United States

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In a 6-3 decision, the Court sided with the government, ruling that the Japanese internment during WWII was constitutional. The opinion held that the need to protect against espionage outweighed Fred Korematsu's individual rights

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Nineteenth Amendment

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Prohibits the federal government and the states from forbidding any citizen to vote due to their sex.

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Equal Rights Amendment

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a constitutional amendment passed by Congress in 1972 stating that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the US or by any state on account of sex. The amendment failed to get 3/4 of states and did not pass

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Comparable worth

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A theory holding that pay for job classifications filled chiefly by women should be the same as for those classifications filled chiefly by men if the jobs, albeit dissimilar, are regarded as having equal value.

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Regents of Univ. of Calif. v. Bakke

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In a close 4/4/1 decision, the Court upheld affirmative action; but ruled QUOTAS ILLEGAL

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National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

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founded in 1909; oldest and most influential civil rights group in the US

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De facto segregation

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Racial segregation in schools that occurs not because of laws or administrative decisions, but as a result of patterns of residential settlement. neighborhood schools, churches often are segregated de facto.

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De jure segregation

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Racial segregation that occurs because of laws or administrative decisions by public agencies. When state laws, for example, required blacks and whites to attend separate schools or sit in separate sections of a bus, de jure segregation resulted.

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The case upheld Oregon state restrictions on the working hours of women as justified by the special state interest in protecting women's health; inherent differences between men and women in the workplace

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Muller v Oregon (1908)

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Schenck, convicted of violating Espionage Act because he had mailed circulars to men eligible for the draft, urging them to resist. Court unanimously announced new test of "clear and present danger"

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Schenk v. U.S. (1919)

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Gitlow was convicted of violating New York’s sedition law by passing out some leaflets. Court upheld conviction but added a statement that freedom of speech and press protected by 14th Amendment; state govt can't violate

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Gitlow v. U.S. (1925)

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made "fighting words" or insulting speech in public against people illegal if harmful to public peace. Subsequent decisions have eroded this broad interpretation significantly

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Chaplinksy v New Hampshire (1942)

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Decision is that fourth and fourteenth amendment protect people from unlawful searches and seizures. Created "exclusionary rule" that evidence obtained in unconstitutional manner is not admissible in court

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Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

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Ruled that people don't have to do a prayer in school and that states cannot force them to. Even nondenominational prayers promoted by public institutions is a violation of the "establishment clause"

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Engle v. Vitale (1962)

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Gave the guaranteed right to counsel.

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Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

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Allowed federal courts to hear challenges to demarcation of voting districts and to require them to have more nearly equal populations. The decision broke the rural lock on political power and gave urban voters more nearly equivalent representation.

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Baker v Carr (1962)

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Supreme Court unanimously ruled that state courts are required under the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution to provide counsel in criminal cases for defendants unable to afford their own attorneys

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Gideon v Wainright (1963)

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ruled that a Penn state law that allowed a Bible passage to be read at the start of the school day was unconstitutional

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Abington school district v schempp (1963)

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holding that criminal suspects have a right to counsel during police interrogations.

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Escobedo v Illinois (1964)

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case which established the actual malice standard before press reports could be considered to be defamation and libel

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NY Times v Sullivan (1964)

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requires that the plaintiff in a defamation or libel case prove that the publisher of the statement in question knew that the statement was false or acted in reckless disregard of its truth or falsity.

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What is the "actual malice" standard?

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struck down conn law that prohibited use of contraceptives; landmark case in which the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Constitution protected a right to privacy.

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Griswold v Connecticut (1965)

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Protected defendants from self-incrimination and gave them the right to silence when being arrested.

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Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

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struck down Arkansas law forbidding teaching the theory of evolution

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Epperson v Arkansas (1968)

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Basically like Brown v. Board of Education but implemented it more, because desegregation wasn't working.

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Alexander v. Holmes (1969)

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Students were punished for wearing armbands to school in protest, but courts ruled against school and upheld freedom of expression.

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Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

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ruling made it possible for the New York Times and Washington Post newspapers to publish the then-classified Pentagon Papers without risk of government censure. Papers showed proof govt was lying about Vietnam War

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NY Times v US (1971)

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Changing attendance zones and busing students to various schools to create racial balance within the schools is allowed.

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Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (1971)

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Declared that freedom of religion was required and that no law can promote or inhibit religion or excessively entangle with religion. Set up Lemon Test regarding constitutionality of religion and govt

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Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971)

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1. The govt's action must have a secular legislative purpose; 2. The govt's action must not have the primary effect of either advancing or inhibiting religion; 3. The govt's action must not result in an "excessive government entanglement" with religion.

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3 provisions of Lemon Test

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Abortion is legal on basis of 4th and 14th amendment.

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Roe v. Wade (1973)

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Presidential power is not above law, Nixon was denied being above submitting evidence to Supreme Court.

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U.S. v. Nixon (1974)

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The Court upheld federal limits on campaign contributions and ruled that spending money to influence elections is a form of constitutionally protected free speech.

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Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

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School officials need "reasonable suspicion" only to search a student if they suspect something wrong going on, this ruling was made to keep the discipline in schools.

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New Jersey v. T.L.O (1985)

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School (hazel) did not violate student rights by censoring stuff in newspaper therefore establishing that schools can censor things if they fund it.

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Hazelwood v. Kuhleimer (1988)

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a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that invalidated prohibitions on desecrating the American flag in force in 48 of the 50 states. Flag burning protected free speech

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Texas v. Johnson (1989)

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Redistricting based on race must be held to a standard of strict scrutiny under the equal protection clause while bodies doing redistricting must be conscious of race to the extent that they must insure compliance with the Voting Rights Act.

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Shaw v. Reno (1993)

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school officials should not invite clergy to recite prayers at graduation ceremonies

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Lee v Weisman (1992)

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Possession of a gun near a school is not an economic activity that has a substantial effect on interstate commerce. A law prohibiting guns near schools is a criminal statute that does not relate to commerce or any sort of economic activity.

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U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

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The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act's interim provision commanding the "chief law enforcement officer" (CLEO) of each local jurisdiction to conduct background checks, ...is unconstitutional.

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Printz v. U.S.(1997)

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Supreme Court of the United States ruled 6-3, that executing the mentally retarded violates the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishments.

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Atkins v Virginia (2002)

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Good-faith exception

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Admission at a trial of evidence that is gathered in violation of the Constitution if the violation results from a technical or minor error

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Equality of opportunity

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A view that it is wrong to use race or sex either to discriminate against or give preferential treatment to minorities or women

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Freedom of expression

Back 179

The constitutional rights of Americans to "freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government of a redress of grievances" as outlined in the First Amendment to the Constitution

Front 180

Freedom of religion

Back 180

The religious rights of Americans outline in the First Amendment to the Constitution. the amendment states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion; or abridging the free exercise thereof."

Front 181

Gender gap

Back 181

Differences in the political views and voting behavior of men and women

Front 182

Wall-of-separation principle

Back 182

A Supreme Court interpretation of the establishment clause in the First Amendment that prevents government involvement with religion, even on the non-preferential basis

Front 183

McCarthyism

Back 183

Charges that unfairly or dishonestly tarnish the motives, attack the patriotism, or violate the rights of individuals, especially of political opponents. Refers to the numerous unsubstantiated accusations of communism made against individuals.

Front 184

Marxists

Back 184

political ideology that argues that the economic system is the most important element in the social structure; that the political system is largely a reflection of the economic structure

Front 185

Conservative

Back 185

In general a person who favors more limited and local government, less government regulation of markets, more social conformity to traditional norms and values, and tougher policies toward criminals.

Front 186

External efficacy

Back 186

A belief that the system will respond to a citizen's demands

Front 187

Demography

Back 187

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

Front 188

Census

Back 188

the process of obtaining information about every member of a population. Happens every 10 years in the US; important in the allocation of representation in the House.

Front 189

Political socialization (agents)

Back 189

The process through which individuals learn a set of political attitudes and form opinions about social issues. The family and the educational system are two of the most important forces in the political socialization process.

Front 190

Political culture

Back 190

A broadly shared way of thinking about political and economic life that reflects fundamental assumptions about how government should operate

Front 191

Poll

Back 191

A survey of public opinion

Front 192

Exit polls

Back 192

Polls based on interviews conducted on Election Day with randomly selected voters as they exit the polls. Used to project winners and to gather demographic data regarding voters and their opinions

Front 193

Civil disobedience

Back 193

A form of political participation that reflects a conscious decision to break a law believed to be immoral and to suffer the consequences.

Front 194

Political ideology

Back 194

A more or less consistent set of views as to the policies government ought to pursue

Front 195

Critical or realigning periods

Back 195

Periods during which a sharp, lasting shift occurs in the popular coalition supporting one or both parties. The issues that separate the two parties change, and so the kinds of voters supporting each party change

Front 196

Civic Competence

Back 196

A belief that one can affect government policies

Front 197

Civic Law

Back 197

The body of rules defining relationships among private citizens. It consists of both statutes and the accumulated customary law embodied in judicial decisions (the "common law")

Front 198

Client Politics

Back 198

The politics of policy-making in which some small group receives the benefits of the policy and the public at large bears the costs. Only those who benefit have an incentive to organize and press their case.

Front 199

Political Subculture

Back 199

Fundamental assumptions about how the political process should operate that distinguish citizens by region, religion, or other characteristics

Front 200

Sampling error

Back 200

The difference between the results of two surveys or samples. For example, if one random sample shows that 60% of all Americans like cats and another random sample taken at the same time shows that 65 percent do, the sampling error is 5%

Front 201

Populists

Back 201

People who hold liberal views on economic matters and conservative ones on social matters. They prefer a strong government that will reduce economic inequality, regulate businesses, and impose stricter social and criminal sanctions

Front 202

Registered voters

Back 202

People who are registered to vote. While almost all adult American citizens are theoretically eligible to vote, only those who have completed a registration form by the required date may do so

Front 203

Position Issue

Back 203

An issue dividing the electorate on which rival parties adapt different policy positions to attract voters

Front 204

Middle America

Back 204

A phrase referring to Americans who have moved out of poverty but are not yet affluent and who cherish traditional middle-class values

Front 205

Plurality system

Back 205

An electoral system, used it almost all American elections, in which the winner is the person who gets the most votes, even if he or she does not receive a majority of the votes

Front 206

Political party

Back 206

A group that seeks to elect candidates to public office by supplying them with a label by which they are known to the electorate

Front 207

Party realignment

Back 207

Periods when a major, lasting shift occurs in the popular coalition supporting one or both parties; typically happens due to major crisis, EX: Civil War, Great Depression

Front 208

Coalition

Back 208

An alliance among different interest groups (factions) or parties to achieve some political goal. An example is the coalition sometimes formed between Republicans and conservative Democrats

Front 209

Delegates

Back 209

a member of a group representing an organization. such as political party delegates, selecting the president.

Front 210

Superdelegates

Back 210

Party leaders and elected officials who become delegates to the Democratic national convention with the power to help select presidential nominee; can act completely independently, since they are not selected by vote in primaries or caucuses

Front 211

Third parties

Back 211

Electoral contenders other than the two major parties. Quite common in US history, but they rarely win national elections. May have greater success on local level. Often bring issues neglected by major parties into debate

Front 212

Winner-take-all system

Back 212

An element of the electoral system used in the United States which requires that only one member of the House of Representatives can be elected from each congressional district, and that person is one with a plurality, not necessarily majority

Front 213

Proportional representation

Back 213

a category of electoral formula aiming at a close match between the percentage of votes that groups of candidates (grouped by a certain measure) obtain in elections and the percentage of seats they receive (usually in legislative assemblies).

Front 214

Ticket-splitting

Back 214

An election result in which a congressional district (or voter) votes for the presidential candidate of one party and the congressional candidate of the other party

Front 215

Independents

Back 215

Politicians or voters who are not affiliated with a political party.

Front 216

Party machines

Back 216

A party organization that recruits its members by dispensing patronage

Front 217

Patronage (AKA "spoils system")

Back 217

Bureaucratic appointments made on the basis of political considerations. Federal legislation significantly limits such appointments today.

Front 218

National Chairman

Back 218

A paid, full-time manager of a party's day-to-day work who is elected by the national committee

Front 219

National Committee

Back 219

A committee of delegates from each state and territory that runs party affairs between national conventions

Front 220

National convention

Back 220

A meeting of party delegates elected in state primaries, caucuses, or conventions that is held every four years. Its primary purpose is to nominate presidential and vice-presidential candidates and to ratify a campaign platform

Front 221

Caucus

Back 221

A meeting of party members to select delegates backing one or another primary candidate.

Front 222

Two-party system

Back 222

An electoral system with two dominant parties that compete in state or national elections. Third parties have little chance of winning

Front 223

general election

Back 223

An election held to choose which candidate will hold office.

Front 224

primary election

Back 224

An election held to choose candidates for office.

Front 225

closed primary

Back 225

A primary election in which voting is limited to already registered party members.

Front 226

open primary

Back 226

A primary election in which voters may choose in which party to vote as they enter the polling place.

Front 227

blanket primary

Back 227

A primary election in which each voter may vote for a candidate from both parties.

Front 228

runoff primary

Back 228

A second primary election held when no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first primary.

Front 229

ideological party

Back 229

A party that values principled stands on issues above all else.

Front 230

solidary incentives

Back 230

The social rewards (sense of pleasure, status, or companionship) that lead people to join political organizations.

Front 231

sponsored party

Back 231

A local or state political party that is largely supported by another organization in the community.

Front 232

personal following

Back 232

The political support provided to a candidate on the basis of personal popularity and networks.

Front 233

Office-bloc ballot

Back 233

A ballot listing all candidates for a given office under the name of that office. Also called a "Massachusetts" ballot

Front 234

Spoils system

Back 234

Another phrase for political patronage--that is the practice of giving the fruits of a party's victory, such as jobs and contracts, to the loyal members of that party

Front 235

Mugwumps or progressives

Back 235

The faction in the Republican party composed of reformers who opposed the use of patronage and party bosses and favored the leadership of experts

Front 236

Solidary incentives

Back 236

The social rewards that lead people to join local or state political organizations. People who find politics fun and want to meet others who share their interests are said to respond to these

Front 237

Party-column ballot

Back 237

A ballot listing all candidates of a given party together under the name of that party. Also called an "Indiana" ballot

Front 238

Party polarization

Back 238

A vote in which a majority of Democratic legislators oppose a majority of Republican legislators

Front 239

Interest group

Back 239

An organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy

Front 240

Lobbying

Back 240

A communication by someone other that a citizen acting on his own behalf directed to a governmental decision maker with the hope of influencing his decision.

Front 241

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Back 241

A committee set up by and representing a corporation, labor union, or special-interest group that raises and spends campaign contributions on behalf of one or more candidates or causes

Front 242

Independent Expenditure

Back 242

Spending by political action committees on political matters that is done directly and not by giving money to a candidate or party

Front 243

Iron triangle / Issue network (AKA "subgovernments")

Back 243

A close relationship between and agency, a congressional committee, and interest group that often becomes a mutually advantageous alliance

Front 244

pluralist theory

Back 244

A theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies.

Front 245

Hyperpluralism

Back 245

A theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government in weakened. Hyperpluralism is an extreme, exaggerated, or perverted form of pluralism.

Front 246

interest group liberalism

Back 246

refers to the government's excessive deference to groups; holds that virtually all pressure group demands are legitimate and that the job of the government is to advance them all

Front 247

policy gridlock

Back 247

A condition that occurs when no coalition is strong enough to form a majority and establish policy. The result is that nothing may get done.

Front 248

Australian Ballot

Back 248

A government-printed ballot of uniform size and shape to be cast in secret that was adopted by many states around 1890 in order to reduce the voting fraud associated with party-printed ballots cast in public

Front 249

Amicus curiae

Back 249

A Latin term meaning "a friend of the court." Refers to interested groups or individuals, not directly involved in a suit, who may file legal briefs or make oral arguments in support of one side.

Front 250

Grassroots Lobbying (AKA "indirect lobbying" or "mass mobilization")

Back 250

enlist the help of the community to influence politicians by writing, calling, or demonstrating on the organization’s behalf. This means long hours spent on the phone and writing letters, trying to rouse the community to get involved.

Front 251

incumbent

Back 251

The person already holding an elected office.

Front 252

coattails

Back 252

The alleged tendency 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 president

Front 253

political action committee (PAC)

Back 253

A committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations

Front 254

malapportionment

Back 254

Drawing the boundaries of legislative districts so that they are unequal in population.

Front 255

gerrymandering

Back 255

Drawing the boundaries of legislative districts in bizarre or unusual shapes to favor one party.

Front 256

sophomore surge

Back 256

An increase in the votes congressional candidates usually get when they first run for reelection.

Front 257

position issues

Back 257

An issue about which the public is divided and rival candidates or political parties adopt different policy positions.

Front 258

valence issues

Back 258

An issue about which the public is united and rival candidates or political parties adopt similar positions in hopes that each will be thought to best represent those widely shared beliefs.

Front 259

independent expenditures

Back 259

Spending by political action committees, corporations, or labor unions that is done to help a party or candidate but is done independently of them.

Front 260

soft money

Back 260

Funds obtained by political parties that are spent on party activities, such as get-out-the-vote drives, but not behalf of a specific candidate.

Front 261

527 organizations

Back 261

Organizations that, under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, raise and spend money to advance political causes.

Front 262

prospective voting

Back 262

Voting for a candidate because you favor his or her ideas for handling issues.

Front 263

retrospective voting

Back 263

Voting for a candidate because you like his or her past actions in office.

Front 264

501(c)(3) organization

Back 264

Nonprofit group that may legally address political matters but may not lobby or campaign; donations to it are tax deductible.

Front 265

501(c)(4) organization

Back 265

Nonprofit that is permitted to lobby and campaign; donations are not tax deductible.

Front 266

interest group

Back 266

An organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy.

Front 267

incentive

Back 267

Something of value one cannot get without joining an organization.

Front 268

solidary incentives

Back 268

The social rewards (sense of pleasure, status, or companionship) that lead people to join political organizations.

Front 269

material incentives

Back 269

Money or things valued in monetary terms.

Front 270

purposive incentive

Back 270

A benefit that comes from serving a cause or principle.

Front 271

ideological interest groups

Back 271

Political organizations that attract members by appealing to their political convictions or principles.

Front 272

public-interest lobby

Back 272

A political organization whose goals will principally benefit nonmembers.

Front 273

social movement

Back 273

A widely shared demand for change in some aspect of the social or political order.

Front 274

Lobby

Back 274

An interest group organized to influence government decisions, especially legislation. To lobby is to attempt to influence such decisions.

Front 275

Lobbyist

Back 275

A person attempting to influence government decisions on behalf of the group

Front 276

Nomination

Back 276

The act or an instance of appointing a person to office; The act or an instance of submitting a name for candidacy or appointment by a political party

Front 277

Super Tuesday

Back 277

refers to a Tuesday in early March of a presidential election year. It is the day when the most states simultaneously hold their primary elections, and the single day when the most nominating delegates can be won.

Front 278

Iowa Caucus

Back 278

Since 1972, the first major electoral event of the nominating process for President of the United States.

Front 279

Federal Election Campaign Act

Back 279

passed in 1971, Congress attempted to establish comprehensive regulations on the way American political campaigns for Congress and the presidency raise money and disclose the amount and sources of contributions.

Front 280

Soft money

Back 280

Funds solicited from individuals, corporations, and unions that are spent on party activities, such as voter-registration campaigns and voting drives, rather than on behalf of a specific candidate. These funds need not be reported to the FCC

Front 281

Recall

Back 281

A procedure, in effect in over twenty states, whereby the voters can vote to remove an elected official from office

Front 282

Random Sample

Back 282

A sample selected in such a way that any nonmember of the population being surveyed has an equal chance of being interviewed

Front 283

Progressive

Back 283

A person who believes that moral rules are derived in part from an individual's beliefs and the circumstances of modern life. Progressives are likely to favor government tolerance and protection of individual choice

Front 284

Electoral College

Back 284

the group of persons chosen in every state and the District of Columbia every 4 years who make a formal selection of the president and vice president

Front 285

Faithless elector

Back 285

a member of the United States Electoral College who casts an electoral vote for someone other than the person whom they have pledged to elect. Very, very rare

Front 286

Retrospective voting

Back 286

Voting for or against the candidate or party in office because one likes or dislikes how things have gone in the recent past

Front 287

Prospective voting

Back 287

Voting for a candidate because one favors his/hers ideas for addressing issues after the election

Front 288

Mandate

Back 288

when the president orders a group to do something; in this case there is no way around it. For example if the president issues a mandate for Louisiana to build a larger fort, Louisiana must do so (sometimes at its own expense)

Front 289

Initiative petition

Back 289

A procedure allowing voters to submit a proposed law to a popular vote by obtaining a required number of signatures

Front 290

Referendum

Back 290

The practice of submitting a law to a popular vote at election time. The law may be proposed by a voter's initiative or by the legislature

Front 291

Motor-voter law

Back 291

A bill passed by Congress in 1993 to make it easier for Americans to register to vote. The law requires states to allow voter registration by mail, when one applies for a driver's license, and at state offices that serve the disabled or poor

Front 292

Political efficacy

Back 292

A citizen's belief that he or she can understand and influence political affairs

Front 293

Civic duty

Back 293

A belief that one has an obligation to participate in civic and political affairs.

Front 294

Internal efficacy

Back 294

Confidence in a citizen's own abilities to understand and take part in political affairs

Front 295

John Q. Public

Back 295

Colloquial term for average citizens and what they want or believe

Front 296

Liberal

Back 296

In general, a person who favors a more active federal government for regulating business, supporting social welfare, and protecting minority rights, but who prefers less regulation of private social conduct

Front 297

Libertarians

Back 297

People who wish to maximize personal liberty on both economic and social issues. The prefer a small, weak government that has little control over either the economy or the personal lives of citizens

Front 298

Literacy test

Back 298

A requirement that citizens pass a literacy test in order to register to vote. it was established by many states to prevent former slaves from voting. Illiterate whites were allowed to vote by a "grandfather clause."

Front 299

Litmus test

Back 299

A test of ideological purity, a way of finding out whether a person is a dyed-in-the-wool liberal or conservative or what his or her views are on a controversial question

Front 300

Loaded language

Back 300

Words that reflect a value judgment, used to persuade the listener without making an argument.

Front 301

Selective perception

Back 301

the phenomenon that people often pay the most attention to things they already agree with and interpret them according to their own predispositions

Front 302

Mass media

Back 302

TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, and other means of popular communication; key part of high-tech politics

Front 303

Muckraking

Back 303

A journalist who searches through the activities of public officials and organizations seeking to expose conduct contrary to the public interest.

Front 304

Yellow journalism

Back 304

reference to journalism that features scandal-mongering, sensationalism, or other unethical or unprofessional practices by news media organizations or journalists. It has been loosely defined as "not quite libel".

Front 305

Leaks

Back 305

a carefully placed bit of inside info given to a friendly reporter for political purposes

Front 306

Scoops

Back 306

a news story, particularly connotating a new or developing story with aspects of importance and excitement, normally an exclusive for the journalist involve

Front 307

Sound bites

Back 307

A brief statement no longer than a few seconds used on a radio or television news broadcast

Front 308

High-tech politics

Back 308

a politics in which the behavior of citizens and policymakers and the political agenda itself are increasingly shaped by technology

Front 309

Press conference

Back 309

meetings of public officials with reporters

Front 310

Investigative journalism

Back 310

the use of detective-like reporting to unearth scandals, scams, and schemes, putting reporters in adversarial relationships with political leaders

Front 311

Censorship

Back 311

governmental regulation of media content

Front 312

Trial balloons

Back 312

Information intentionally leaked to the media to test public reaction to a possible policy.

Front 313

Background Story (News)

Back 313

A public official's explanation of current policy provided to the press on the condition that the source remain anonymous

Front 314

Adversarial Press

Back 314

A national press that is suspicious of officialdom and eager to break an embarrassing story about a public official

Front 315

Equal time rule

Back 315

A rule of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) stating that if a broadcaster sells time to one candidate for office, he or she must be willing to sell equal time to opposing candidates.

Front 316

Fairness doctrine

Back 316

A former rule of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that required broadcasters to give time to opposing views if they broadcast a program giving one side of a controversial issue

Front 317

Political editorializing rule

Back 317

A rule of the FCC that if a broadcaster endorses a candidate, the opposing candidate has a right to reply

Front 318

Market (television)

Back 318

An area easily reached by a television signal. There are about two hundred such markets in the country

Front 319

Right-of-Reply rule

Back 319

A rule of the FCC that if a person is attacked on a broadcast that person has the right to reply over that same station

Front 320

Routine stories

Back 320

Media reports about public events that are regularly covered by reporters and that involve simple, easily described acts or statements. For example, the president takes a trip or Congress passes a bill

Front 321

Selective attention

Back 321

Paying attention only to those parts of a newspaper or broadcast story with which one agrees. Studies suggest that his is how people view political ads on television

Front 322

Cue (political)

Back 322

A signal telling a congressional representative what values (e.g., liberal or conservative) are at stake in a vote-who is for, who against a proposal-and how that issue fits into his or her own set of political beliefs or party agenda

Front 323

Delegate model

Back 323

The view that an elected representative should represent the opinions of his or her constituents.

Front 324

Descriptive representation

Back 324

A correspondence between the demographic characteristics of representatives and those of their constituents

Front 325

Division vote

Back 325

A congressional voting procedure in which members stand and are counted

Front 326

Double-tracking

Back 326

A procedure to keep the Senate going during a filibuster in which the disputed bill is shelved temporarily so that the Senate can get on with other businesses

Front 327

Reapportionment

Back 327

redistribution of Congressional seats after the census determines changes in population distribution among states. One census every 10 years

Front 328

Gerrymandering

Back 328

Drawing the boundaries of political districts in bizarre or unusual shapes to make it easy for candidates of the party in power to win elections in those districts

Front 329

gatekeeper (AKA "agenda setting")

Back 329

The role played by the media in influencing what subjects become national political issues and for how long

Front 330

prior restraint

Back 330

Government censorship by forbidding publication of the information.

Front 331

attitudinal view of representation

Back 331

The theory of congressional voting behavior which assumes that members vote on the basis of their own beliefs because the array of conflicting pressures on members cancel out one another.

Front 332

bicameral legislature

Back 332

A legislative assembly composed of two separate houses, such as the U.S. Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Front 333

caucus (congressional)

Back 333

An association of members of Congress created to advocate a political ideology, a constituency, or regional or economic interests. Almost a hundred of these groups now exist, and they rival political parties as a source of policy leadership.

Front 334

Christmas tree bill

Back 334

A bill that has lots of riders.

Front 335

Committee of the Whole

Back 335

A device used in the House to expedite the passage of legislation. The quorum is reduced from 218 members to 100, but committee cannot itself pass legislation but may debate and propose amendments.

Front 336

closed rule

Back 336

Limitation imposed by the Rules Committee of the House of Representatives on the amount of debate time allotted to a bill and on the introduction of amendments from the floor (or of any amendments other than those from the sponsoring committee).

Front 337

cloture rule

Back 337

Rule 22 of the Senate, providing for the end of debate on a bill if three fifths of the members agree. A cloture motion is brought to the floor if sixteen senators sign a petition. The purpose is typically to terminate a filibuster and to force a vote on a bill.

Front 338

concurrent resolution

Back 338

A resolution used to settle housekeeping and procedural matters that affect both houses. Such resolutions are not signed by the president and do not have the force of law.

Front 339

conference committee

Back 339

A special type of joint committee appointed to resolve differences in House and Senate versions of a piece of legislation.

Front 340

Congress

Back 340

A meeting place of representatives of local constituencies who can initiate, modify, approve, or reject laws. It also shares supervision of government agencies with the executive.

Front 341

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

Back 341

Created in 1974 to advise Congress on the economic effects of spending programs and to provide information on the cost of proposed policies.

Front 342

Congressional Research Service (CRS)

Back 342

Created in 1914 to respond to congressional requests for information. It also keeps track of every major bill and produces summaries of legislation for members of Congress.

Front 343

descriptive representation

Back 343

A term coined by Hannah Pit kin to refer to the statistical correspondence of the demographic characteristics of representatives with those of their constituents.

Front 344

discharge petition

Back 344

A procedure for removing legislation from the control of a committee and bringing it to the floor for immediate consideration. In the House, the petition must contain the names of 218 members to succeed.

Front 345

division vote

Back 345

A method of voting used in both houses in which members stand and are counted.

Front 346

double-tracking

Back 346

A method to keep the Senate going during a filibuster, whereby a disputed bill is temporarily shelved so that the Senate can go on with other business.

Front 347

fast tracking

Back 347

When the President gets a bill right onto the floor, either bypassing the committee or getting a quick approval without a hearing. He is hoping to avoid getting amendments tacked on to the bill and is moving for a quick passage. Essentially he is trying to sneak one in the back door.

Front 348

filibuster

Back 348

A prolonged speech or series of speeches made to delay action on legislation in the Senate. The purpose is to kill the measure by talking it to death.

Front 349

franking privilege

Back 349

The ability of members of Congress to mail letters to their constituents free of charge by substituting their facsimile signature (frank) for postage.

Front 350

General Accounting Office (GAO)

Back 350

Created in 1921 to perform routine audits of the money spent by executive departments. It also investigates agencies and makes recommendations on every aspect of government.

Front 351

gerrymandering

Back 351

Drawing congressional district lines in a bizarre or unusual shape to make it easy for a candidate of one party to win elections in that district.

Front 352

honoraria

Back 352

Speaking fees accepted by members of Congress. In 1991, the House forbade members to accept honoraria, while the Senate limited such income.

Front 353

joint committee

Back 353

Committee on which both representatives and senators serve.

Front 354

joint resolution

Back 354

A resolution requiring approval of both houses and the signature of the president and having the same legal status as a law.

Front 355

majority leader

Back 355

The legislative leader elected by party members holding the majority of seats in the House of Representatives or the Senate.

Front 356

majority-minority districts

Back 356

Congressional districts designed to make it easier for minority citizens to elect minority representatives. These districts are drawn so that the majority of their voters are minorities.

Front 357

malapportionment

Back 357

The creation of congressional districts in a state which are of unequal size. The Supreme Court in 1964 eliminated the practice by requiring that all districts in a state contain about the same number of people.

Front 358

marginal districts

Back 358

A congressional district in which the winner of the general election gets less than 55 percent of the vote. Such districts could easily switch to the other party in the next election.

Front 359

mark-up

Back 359

Revisions and additions to legislation made by committees and subcommittees. These changes are not part of a bill unless approved by the house of which the committee is a part.

Front 360

minority leader

Back 360

The head of the minority party in each house of Congress chosen by the caucus of the minority party. This person formulates the minority party's strategy and program.

Front 361

multiple referral

Back 361

The practice of referring a bill to several committees. Following 1995 reforms, these can only be done sequentially (one committee acting after another's deliberations have finished) or by assigning distinct portions of the bill to different committees

Front 362

open rule

Back 362

Consent from the Rules Committee of the House of Representatives which permits amendments from the floor on a particular piece of legislation.

Front 363

organizational view of representation

Back 363

The theory of congressional voting behavior which assumes that members make voting decisions to please fellow members and obtain their goodwill. Such behavior is possible since constituents seldom know how their representatives vote.

Front 364

parliament

Back 364

An assembly of party representatives which chooses a government and discusses major national issues. Tight party discipline usually regulates the voting behavior of members.

Front 365

party vote

Back 365

The extent to which members of a party vote together in the House and Senate. By any measure, the extent of such voting has fluctuated and is lower now than at the turn of the century, although a slow but steady increase has developed since 1972.

Front 366

pork-barrel legislation

Back 366

A bill introduced by a member of Congress that gives tangible benefits, like a highway or bridge, to constituents in the hopes of winning votes in return.

Front 367

president pro tempore

Back 367

A position created in the Constitution to serve as presiding officer of the Senate in the absence of the vice president.

Front 368

private bill

Back 368

Legislation that pertains to a particular individual, such as a person pressing a financial claim against the government or seeking special permission to become a naturalized citizen.

Front 369

public bill

Back 369

Legislation that pertains to affairs generally.

Front 370

quorum call

Back 370

A calling of the roll in either house of Congress to see whether the number of representatives in attendance meets the minimum number required to conduct official business.

Front 371

representational view of representation

Back 371

The theory of congressional voting behavior that assumes that members make voting decisions based on their perception of constituents' wishes to ensure their own reelection.

Front 372

restrictive rule

Back 372

Consent from the Rules Committee of the House of Representatives which permits certain amendments to a piece of legislation but not others.

Front 373

rider

Back 373

A nongermane amendment to an important bill. It is added so the measure will "ride" to passage through the Congress. When a bill has lots of riders, it is called a Christmas tree bill.

Front 374

roll-call vote

Back 374

A method of voting used in both houses in which members answer yea or nay when their names are called. These votes are recorded and occur in the House at the request of 20 percent of its members.

Front 375

Rules Committee

Back 375

In the House, the committee that decides which bills come up for a vote, in what order, and under what restrictions on length of debate and on the right to offer amendments. The Senate Rules and Administration Committee, has few powers

Front 376

select committee

Back 376

Congressional committee appointed for a limited time period and purpose.

Front 377

senatorial courtesy

Back 377

The tradition observed in the Senate in which that body refuses to confirm an appointment to a federal office when the candidate is personally obnoxious to either senator from the candidate's state.

Front 378

Seventeenth Amendment

Back 378

A constitutional amendment ratified in 1913 requiring the popular election of U.S. senators. Senators were previously chosen by state legislatures.

Front 379

simple resolution

Back 379

resolution passed by either house to establish internal chamber rules. It is not signed by the president and has no legal force.

Front 380

Speaker of the House

Back 380

The constitutionally mandated presiding officer of the House. The Speaker is chosen in the caucus of the majority party and can recognize members to speak on the floor, to rule whether a motion is germane, to assign bills to committee, etc.

Front 381

standing committees

Back 381

The permanent committees of each house with the power to report bills.

Front 382

substantive representation

Back 382

A term coined by Hannah Pitkin to refer to the correspondence between representatives' opinions and those of their constituents.

Front 383

teller vote

Back 383

A method of voting used only in the House. Members' votes are counted by having them pass between two tellers, first the yeas and then the nays. Since 1971, teller votes are recorded at the request of twenty members.

Front 384

voice vote

Back 384

A method of voting used in both houses in which members vote by shouting yea or nay. Votes are not recorded.

Front 385

whip

Back 385

A member of the party leadership in each house who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking, rounds up members when important votes are to be taken, and nose count before votes

Front 386

Redistricting

Back 386

To divide again into districts, especially to give new boundaries to administrative or election districts. Happens ever 10 years for the House of Representatives based on census data

Front 387

Casework

Back 387

activities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals; cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get people what they think they have a right to get

Front 388

Pork barrel

Back 388

An attempt to provide funds and projects for a member's home district and state; doing visible stuff for re-election.

Front 389

Logrolling

Back 389

Mutual aid among politicians whereby one legislator supports another's pet project in return for the latter's support of his. the expression dates from the days when American pioneers needed help from neighbors in moving logs off of land to be farmed

Front 390

War Powers Resolution

Back 390

limits the power of the President to wage war without approval of congress ("police actions")

Front 391

Oversight

Back 391

Congressional supervision of the bureaucracy.

Front 392

Legislative veto

Back 392

The rejection of a presidential or administrative agency action by a vote of one or both houses of Congress without the consent of the president. In 1983 the Supreme Court declared the legislative veto to be unconstitutional

Front 393

Appropriations

Back 393

Money set aside for a specific use; appropriations are issued by the House Appropriations Committee.

Front 394

Lame duck

Back 394

A politician who is still in office after having lost a reelection bid

Front 395

Legislative court

Back 395

A court that is created by Congress for some specialized purposed and staffed with judges who do not enjoy the protection of Article III of the Constitution. Legislative courts include the Court of Military Appeals and the territorial courts

Front 396

Straight ticket

Back 396

Voting for candidates who are all of the same party

Front 397

Ways and Means

Back 397

the chief tax-writing committee of the House; The Committee has jurisdiction over all taxation, tariffs and other revenue-raising measures, as well as a number of other programs including: Social Security, unemployment, Medicare, welfare, etc.

Front 398

Fiscal Policy

Back 398

economic policy as passed by Congress and enforced by the president. EX: taxing and spending

Front 399

Monetary Policy

Back 399

Economic policy as controlled by the Federal Reserve, NOT Congress/Prez Fed controls the money supply through open market operations (buying and selling government bonds), setting interest rates, and setting the reserve ratio

Front 400

Conference Committee

Back 400

Made up of representatives and senators appointed to resolve differences in the Senate and House versions of the same piece of legislation before final passage

Front 401

Congressional Campaign Committee

Back 401

A party committee in Congress that provides funds to members who are running for reelection or to would-be members running for an open seat or challenging a candidate from the opposition party.

Front 402

Committee Clearance

Back 402

The ability of a congressional committee to review and approve certain agency decisions in advance and without passing a law. Such approval is not legally binding on the agency, but few agency head will ignore the expressed wishes of committees

Front 403

Malapportionment

Back 403

drawing the boundaries of political districts so that districts are very unequal in population

Front 404

Joint committees

Back 404

Committees on which both representatives and senators serve. An especially important kind of joint committee is the Conference Committee

Front 405

Trustee approach

Back 405

The view that an elected representative should act on his or her own best judgment of what public policy requires

Front 406

Multiple referral

Back 406

A congressional process whereby a bill may be referred to several committees that consider it simultaneously in whole or in part

Front 407

Safe districts

Back 407

Districts in which incumbents win by margins of 55 percent or more

Front 408

Budget Reform Act of 1974

Back 408

A congressional effort to control presidential impoundments.

Front 409

executive agencies

Back 409

Federal agencies that are part of the executive branch but outside the structure of cabinet departments. Their heads typically serve at the pleasure of the president and can be removed at the president's discretion.

Front 410

Executive Office of the President

Back 410

Executive agencies that report directly to the president and whose purpose is to perform staff services for the president. Top positions are filled by presidential nomination with Senate confirmation.

Front 411

impoundment

Back 411

The refusal of the president to spend money appropriated by Congress. The Constitution is silent on this power, but the Budget Reform Act of 1974 limits the president's ability to impound funds.

Front 412

independent agencies

Back 412

Federal agencies that are part of the executive branch but outside the structure of cabinet departments. Their heads typically serve fixed terms of office and can be removed only for cause.

Front 413

inherent powers

Back 413

Powers not specified in the Constitution which the president claims. These powers are asserted by virtue of office.

Front 414

legislative veto

Back 414

A method by which Congress in a law allows either one or both houses to block a proposed executive action. It is frequently used for presidential reorganization plans of the executive branch. These vetoes were declared unconstitutional in 1981.

Front 415

Office of Management & Budget (OMB)

Back 415

a branch of Executive Office of the President (which overseas the bureaucracy) and deals with the financial aspects of managing the bureaucratic agencies as well as giving economic advice/updates to presidential advisors.

Front 416

pocket veto

Back 416

One of two ways for a president to disapprove a bill sent to him by Congress. If the president does not sign the bill within ten days of receiving it, and Congress has adjourned within that time, the bill does not become law.

Front 417

prime minister

Back 417

The head of government in a parliamentary system. Chosen by the legislature, this official selects the other ministers of government from among the members of parliament and remains in power as long as his or her party has a majority of seats

Front 418

rescissions

Back 418

Presidential recommendations to cut parts of appropriations bills; a 1996 law allows the president's rescissions to go into effect unless they are overridden by a two thirds vote in Congress.

Front 419

Twenty fifth Amendment

Back 419

A constitutional amendment ratified in 1967 which deals with presidential disability and presidential succession.

Front 420

Twenty second Amendment

Back 420

A constitutional amendment ratified in 1951 which limits presidents to two terms of office.

Front 421

unified government

Back 421

A government in which the same party controls the presidency and both houses of Congress.

Front 422

veto message

Back 422

A statement the president sends to Congress accompanying a refusal to sign a bill passed by both houses. It indicates the president's reasons for the veto. A two thirds vote of both houses overrides the veto.

Front 423

White House Office

Back 423

Personal assistants to the president with offices in the White House. These aides oversee the political and policy interests of the president and do not require Senate confirmation for appointment. They can be removed at the discretion of the president.

Front 424

Senatorial courtesy

Back 424

The tradition by which the Senate will not confirm a district court judge if the senator who is from that state and of the president's party objects.

Front 425

Executive orders

Back 425

a rule the president issues that has the effect of law without Congressional involvement. Supposedly related to duties as president. EX: FDR's order creating internment camps for Japanese-Americans during WWII

Front 426

chief of state, chief executive, chief diplomat, commander in chief (of military), chief legislator, chief of party, chief guardian of economy,

Back 426

Roles of president

Front 427

Executive privilege

Back 427

the executive branch may resist search warrants from the other two branches. In other words, the executive branch can not be forced to disclose its confidential communications when such disclosure would harm the regular functioning of the executive branch.

Front 428

Impeachment

Back 428

vote to hold trial to determine if public official should be removed from office (NOT the same as removal, only a vote to consider removal). Requires majority of House, trial takes place in Senate. Only presidents Andrew Johnson, Clinton impeached

Front 429

National Security Council

Back 429

the principal forum used by the President for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and Cabinet officials and is part of the President's Executive Office.

Front 430

Line-item veto

Back 430

The power of an executive to veto some provisions in an appropriations bill while approving others. The president does not have the right to exercise a line-item veto and must approve or reject an entire appropriations bill

Front 431

Imperial Presidency argument

Back 431

the president's power has increased to such a degree that he can now perform duties akin to that of kingship

Front 432

Council of Economic Advisors

Back 432

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

Front 433

Cabinet

Back 433

By custom, the cabinet includes the heads of the fourteen major executive departments.

Front 434

Circular structure

Back 434

A method of organizing a president's staff in which several presidential assistants report directly to the president

Front 435

Pyramid Structure

Back 435

A method of organizing a president's staff in which most presidential assistants report through a hierarchy to the president's chief of staff

Front 436

Ad Hoc Structure

Back 436

A method of organizing a president's staff in which se vereal task forces, committees, and informal groups of friends and advisors deal directly with the president

Front 437

Administrative Procedure Act

Back 437

A law passed in 1946 requiring federal agencies to give notice, solicit comments, and (sometimes) hold public hearings before adopting any new rules.

Front 438

annual authorization

Back 438

The practice of a legislative committee determining the amount an agency can spend on a yearly basis. This practice is a recent one and curtails the power of the appropriations committees.

Front 439

appropriation

Back 439

Money formally set aside for a specific use; issued by the House Appropriations Committee.

Front 440

authorization legislation

Back 440

Legislation that originates in a legislative committee stating the maximum amount of money that an agency may spend on a given program.

Front 441

buddy system

Back 441

A job description by an agency which is tailor made for a specific person. These appointments occur in middle and upper level positions in the bureaucracy.

Front 442

bureaucracy

Back 442

A large organization composed of appointed officers in which authority is divided among several managers.

Front 443

bureaucratic culture

Back 443

An informal understanding among fellow employees of an agency as to how they are supposed to act.

Front 444

committee clearance

Back 444

A request made by congressional committees to pass on certain agency decisions. Although usually not binding, it is seldom ignored by agencies.

Front 445

competitive service

Back 445

The set of civil servants appointed on the basis of a written exam administered by the Office of Personnel Management or by meeting certain selection criteria.

Front 446

conflict

Back 446

A bureaucratic pathology in which some agencies seem to be working at cross purposes to other agencies.

Front 447

discretionary authority

Back 447

The ability of a bureaucracy to choose courses of action and make policies not spelled out in advance by laws.

Front 448

duplication

Back 448

A bureaucratic pathology in which two government agencies seem to be doing the same thing.

Front 449

Freedom of Information Act

Back 449

A law passed in 1966 giving citizens the right to inspect all government records except those containing military, intelligence, or trade secrets or material revealing private personnel actions.

Front 450

imperialism

Back 450

A bureaucratic pathology in which agencies tend to grow without regard to the benefits their programs confer or the costs they entail.

Front 451

issue network

Back 451

Members of Washington based interest groups, congressional staffers, university faculty, experts participating in think tanks, and representatives of the mass media who regularly debate government policy on a certain subject.

Front 452

laissez faire

Back 452

A belief in a freely competitive economy that was widely held in the late nineteenth century.

Front 453

name request job

Back 453

A job in the federal bureaucracy that is filled by a person whom an agency has already identified.

Front 454

National Environmental Policy Act

Back 454

A law passed in 1969 requiring agencies to issue an environmental impact statement before undertaking any major action affecting the environment.

Front 455

non career executive assignments

Back 455

A form of patronage under the excepted service given to high ranking members of the regular competitive service, or to persons brought into the civil service at a high level who are advocates of presidential programs.

Front 456

Open Meeting Law

Back 456

A law passed in 1976 requiring agency meetings to be open to the public unless certain specified matters are being discussed.

Front 457

Bureaucrats

Back 457

The appointed officials who operate government agencies forum day to day

Front 458

patronage

Back 458

Bureaucratic appointments made on the basis of political considerations. Federal legislation significantly limits such appointments today.

Front 459

Pendleton Act

Back 459

A law passed in 1883 which began the process of transferring federal jobs from patronage to the merit system.

Front 460

Privacy Act

Back 460

A law passed in 1974 requiring government files about individuals to be kept confidential.

Front 461

red tape

Back 461

A bureaucratic pathology in which complex rules and procedures must be followed to get things done.

Front 462

Schedule C job

Back 462

A form of patronage under the excepted service for a position of confidential or policy determining" character below the level of the cabinet and sub cabinet.

Front 463

Senior Executive Service

Back 463

A special classification for high level civil servants created by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. Members of this service can be hired, fired, and transferred more easily than ordinary civil servants.

Front 464

spoils system

Back 464

Another phrase for political patronage, that is, the practice of giving the fruits of a party's victory, such as jobs and contracts, to loyal members of that party.

Front 465

trust fund

Back 465

Money outside the regular government budget. These funds are beyond the control of congressional appropriations committees.

Front 466

waste

Back 466

bureaucratic pathology in which an agency spends more than is necessary to buy some product or service.

Front 467

Whistleblower Protection Act

Back 467

A law passed in 1989 which created an Office of Special Counsel to investigate complaints from bureaucrats claiming they were punished after reporting to Congress about waste, fraud, or abuse in their agencies.

Front 468

Merit principle

Back 468

the idea that those who are most qualified should get the job as opposed to those who "know the right people" (patronage).

Front 469

Hatch Act (1939)

Back 469

Made it illegal for federal civil service employees (bureaucrats) to take an active part in political management or political campaigns

Front 470

amicus curiae

Back 470

A Latin term meaning "friend of the court." Refers to interested groups or individuals, not directly involved in a suit, who may file legal briefs or oral arguments in support of one side.

Front 471

brief

Back 471

A legal document submitted by lawyers to courts. It sets forth the facts of a case, summarizes any lower court decisions on the case, gives the arguments for the side represented by the lawyer filing the brief, etc.

Front 472

civil law

Back 472

Rules defining relationships among private citizens.

Front 473

class action suit

Back 473

A case brought into court by a person on behalf of not only himself or herself but all other persons in similar circumstances.

Front 474

concurring opinion

Back 474

An opinion by one or more justices who agree with the majority's conclusion but for different reasons that they wish to express.

Front 475

conservative/strict constructionist bloc

Back 475

One of three groups of justices in the 1970s and 1980s, including Chief justice Warren Burger, who took a consistently conservative position on issues.

Front 476

constitutional court

Back 476

Lower federal courts created by Congress which exercise the judicial powers delineated in Article III of the Constitution. Its judges, therefore, enjoy two constitutional protections they serve "during good behavior" and their salaries may not be reduced while in office.

Front 477

courts of appeals

Back 477

The federal courts that have the authority to review decisions by federal district courts, regulatory commissions, and certain other federal courts. Such courts have no original jurisdiction; they can hear only appeals.

Front 478

criminal law

Back 478

A body of rules defining offenses that are considered to be offenses against society as a whole and for which conviction could result in a prison term.

Front 479

dissenting opinion

Back 479

The opinion of the justices on the losing side.

Front 480

district courts

Back 480

The lowest federal courts where federal cases begin. They are the only federal courts where trials are held.

Front 481

diversity cases

Back 481

Jurisdiction conferred by the Constitution on federal courts to hear cases involving citizens of different states. The matter, however, must involve more than $50,000, and even then the parties have the option of commencing the suit in state court.

Front 482

dual sovereignty

Back 482

A doctrine holding that state and federal authorities can prosecute the same person for the same conduct, each authority prosecuting under its own law.

Front 483

federal question cases

Back 483

Jurisdiction conferred by the Constitution on federal courts to hear all cases "arising under the Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties."

Front 484

fee shifting

Back 484

A practice that enables plaintiffs to collect their costs from a defendant if the defendant loses. The Supreme Court has limited fee shifting to cases in which it is authorized by statute.

Front 485

in forma pauperis

Back 485

A petition filed with the U.S. Supreme Court by an indigent person. The normal $300 filing fee is waived for such petitions.

Front 486

judicial review

Back 486

The right of federal courts to declare laws of Congress and acts of the executive branch void and unenforceable if they are judged to be in conflict with the Constitution.

Front 487

legislative court

Back 487

A lower federal court created by Congress for specialized purposes. These justices have fixed terms of office, can be removed from office, and may have their salaries reduced while in office.

Front 488

liberal/activist bloc

Back 488

One of three groups of justices in the 1970s and 1980s, led by Justice William Brennan, who took a consistently liberal position on issues. It was usually in the minority.

Front 489

litmus test

Back 489

A test of ideological purity used by recent presidents in selecting and senators in confirming judges to nominate to federal courts.

Front 490

Opinion of the Court

Back 490

A Supreme Court opinion written by one or more justices in the majority to explain the decision in a case

Front 491

per curiam opinion

Back 491

A brief and unsigned opinion by the Supreme Court.

Front 492

plaintiff

Back 492

The party that initiates a suit in law.

Front 493

political question

Back 493

An issue that the Court refuses to consider because it believes the Constitution has left it entirely to another branch to decide. Its view of such issues may change over time, however.

Front 494

remedy

Back 494

A judicial order setting forth what must be done to correct a situation a judge believes to be wrong.

Front 495

Section 1983 case

Back 495

A provision in the U.S. Code which allows a citizen to sue state and local government officials who have deprived the citizen of some constitutional right or withheld some benefit to which the citizen is entitled.

Front 496

senatorial courtesy

Back 496

The tradition by which the Senate will not confirm a district court judge if the senator who is from that state and of the president's party objects.

Front 497

solicitor general

Back 497

the third ranking officer in the Justice Department, who decides what cases the federal government will appeal from lower courts and personally approves every case the government presents to the Supreme Court.

Front 498

sovereign immunity

Back 498

A legal concept that forbids a person from suing the government without its consent. Congress has given its consent for the government to be sued in many cases involving disputes over contracts or damage done as a result of negligence.

Front 499

standing

Back 499

refers to who is entitled to bring a case. 1) there must be an actual controversy between real adversaries. 2) the person bringing suit must show that he or she has been harmed 3) can't challenge constitution or officials just as taxpayer

Front 500

stare decisis

Back 500

An informal rule of judicial decision making in which judges try to follow precedent in deciding cases. That is, a court case today should be settled in accordance with prior decisions on similar cases.

Front 501

strict constructionist approach

Back 501

An approach to judicial review which holds that judges should confine themselves to applying those rules that are stated in or clearly implied by the language of the Constitution.

Front 502

Supreme Court of the United States

Back 502

The highest court in the federal judiciary specifically created by the Constitution. It is composed of nine justices and has appellate jurisdiction over lower federal courts and the highest state courts. It also possesses a limited original jurisdiction.

Front 503

swing bloc

Back 503

One of three groups of justices in the 1970s and 1980s that vacillated between liberal and conservative voting positions.

Front 504

writ of certiorari

Back 504

An order issued by the Supreme Court granting a hearing to an appeal. A vote of four justices is needed to issue the writ. Only about 3 or 4 percent of all appeals are accepted.

Front 505

judicial activism

Back 505

a philosophy of judicial review that results in decisions that overturn precedent

Front 506

judicial restraint

Back 506

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

Front 507

Circuit Court

Back 507

A state court that holds sessions at several different places within a judicial district.

Front 508

Precedents

Back 508

A judicial decision that may be used as a standard in subsequent similar cases: a landmark decision that set a legal _______

Front 509

Writ of mandamus

Back 509

A writ issued by a superior court ordering a public official or body or a lower court to perform a specified duty.

Front 510

Courts of appeals

Back 510

The federal courts with authority to review decisions by federal district courts, regulatory commissions, and certain other federal courts. Such courts have no original jurisdiction: they can hear only appeals. 12 total in US

Front 511

Dissenting opinion

Back 511

A Supreme Court opinion by one or more justices in the minority to explain the minority's disagreement with the Court's ruling

Front 512

Federal-question cases

Back 512

Cases concerning the Constitution, federal law, or treaties over which the federal courts have jurisdiction as described in the Constitution

Front 513

Strict scrutiny

Back 513

The standard by which the Supreme Court judges classifications based on race. To be accepted such a classification must be closely related to a "compelling" public purpose

Front 514

Suspect Classifications

Back 514

Classifications of people on the basis of their race and ethnicity. The courts have ruled that laws classifying people on these ground will be subject to "strict scrutiny"

Front 515

Laissez-faire

Back 515

An economic theory that government should not regulate or interfere with commerce

Front 516

refers to spending enacted by law, but not dependent on an annual or periodic appropriation bill. Most "mandatory" spending consists of entitlement programs such as Social Security benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Back 516

Mandatory spending (examples)

Front 517

requires an annual appropriation bill, which is a piece of legislation. Discretionary spending is typically set by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and their various subcommittees. EX: defense spending

Back 517

Discretionary spending (examples)

Front 518

Distributive policy

Back 518

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

Front 519

Assistance Program

Back 519

A government program financed by general income taxes that provides benefits to poor citizens without requiring contributions from them

Front 520

Budget

Back 520

A document that announces how much the government will collect in taxes and spend in revenues and how those expenditures will be allocated among various programs

Front 521

Budget deficit

Back 521

A situation in which the government spends more money than it takes in from taxes and fees

Front 522

Budget surplus

Back 522

A situation in which the government takes in more money than it spends

Front 523

Benefit

Back 523

Any satisfaction, monetary, or nonmonetary, that people believe they will enjoy if a policy is adopted

Front 524

Command-and-Control Strategy

Back 524

A strategy to improve air and water quality, involving the setting of detailed pollution standards and rules

Front 525

Cold War

Back 525

Refers to the nonmilitary struggle between the United States (and its allies) and the former Soviet Union (and its allies) following World War II

Front 526

Class Consciousness

Back 526

An awareness of belonging to a particular socioeconomic class whose interests are different forum those of others. Usually used in reference to workers who view their interests as distinct from those of managers and business owners.

Front 527

Compensatory Action

Back 527

An action designed to help members of disadvantages groups, especially minorities and women, catch up, usually by giving them extra education, training, or services

Front 528

Containment (or antiappeasment)

Back 528

The view that the United States should contain aggressive nations (such as the former Soviet Union)

Front 529

budget resolution

Back 529

A total budget ceiling and a ceiling for each of several spending areas submitted by the Budget Committees in the House and Senate to their respective chambers.

Front 530

monetarism

Back 530

conservative economic theory that argues that government should regulate the money supply and control inflation but beyond that should leave matters alone and let the free market operate.

Front 531

monetary policy

Back 531

An attempt by the Federal Reserve (Fed) to use the amount of money and bank deposits and the price of money (interest rate) to affect the economy.

Front 532

tariff

Back 532

tax on goods imported into a country.

Front 533

Federal Reserve Board

Back 533

A federal agency created in 1913 composed of seven "governors" who control the Federal Reserve System. The "Fed" is independent of both the president and Congress. Its most important function is to regulate the supply of money and therefore its value.

Front 534

fiscal year

Back 534

October 1 to September 30, the period of time for which federal government appropriations are made and federal books are kept.

Front 535

supply side theory

Back 535

A conservative economic theory that maintains that sharp tax cuts increase the incentive for people to work, save, and invest. Generally follows "Say's Law" - supply creates its own demand

Front 536

Reaganomics

Back 536

The economic program instituted by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 which combined the theories of monetarism, supply side tax cuts, and domestic budget cutting.

Front 537

Keynesianism

Back 537

A liberal economic theory economic that argues that the government's task is to create the right level of demand. When demand is low, govt should use taxing cutting and spending to increase demand, and vice versa

Front 538

loophole politics

Back 538

A form of client politics involving deductions, exemptions, and exclusions by which people shelter some of their income from taxation.