Fsot - Us Government (2)

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Demographics

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Characteristics of a population, including age, sex, and race. Demographics are often used to determine changes in the make-up of a population.

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department

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usually the largest organization in government; also the highest rank in federal hierarchy

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Department of Agriculture

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A department of the federal executive branch that provides services for farmers, including agricultural research, soil conservation, and efforts to regulate and stabilize the farming economy.

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Department of Commerce

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A department of the federal executive branch whose responsibilities include management of the census and the United States Patent Office. Through a variety of bureaus and agencies, such as the Industry and Trade Administration and the Office of Minority Business Enterprise, the Department of Commerce works to promote American business interests at home and abroad.

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Department of Defense

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A department of the federal executive branch entrusted with formulating military policies and maintaining American military forces. Its top official is the civilian secretary of defense. It is headquartered in the Pentagon.

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Department of Education

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A department of the federal executive branch responsible for providing federal aid to educational institutions and financial aid to students, keeping national educational records, and conducting some educational research.

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Department of Energy

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A department of the federal executive branch responsible for developing policies for effective use of the nation’s energy resources. The Department of Energy is involved in energy conservation, regulating oil pipelines, and encouraging research on new sources of energy

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Department of Health and Human Services

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A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the Social Security Administration, the Public Health Service, and other programs designed to promote public welfare. It was originally called the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, until the separate Department of Education was created in 1979.

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Department of Housing and Urban Development

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A department of the federal executive branch responsible for home finance, promoting civil rights in housing, urban renewal, and the development of new communities.

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Department of Justice

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A department of the federal executive branch, headed by the attorney general, which administers the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), prosecutes violations of federal law, and is responsible for enforcing all civil rights legislation.

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Department of Labor

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A department of the federal executive branch concerned with improving working conditions and employment opportunities for laborers. Its programs include job training (especially for the poor), appraising manpower resources and needs, and regulating occupational safety.

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Department of State

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A department of the federal executive branch primarily responsible for making and conducting foreign policy. It is commonly called the State Department and is headed by the secretary of state. Its activities include negotiating treaties, coordinating correspondence and information programs with foreign governments, and administering economic aid to developing nations.

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Department of the Interior

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A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the National Park Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and a variety of programs designed to preserve natural resources in the United States and its territories and possessions in the Pacific Ocean.

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Department of the Treasury

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A department of the federal executive branch; it includes the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Department of the Treasury has general responsibility for setting federal fiscal policy by collecting taxes and customs duties, administering the public debt, keeping all government accounts, minting currency, and licensing ships engaged in international and interstate commerce. The Department of the Treasury administers the Secret Service.

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Department of Transportation

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A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.

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Department of Veterans Affairs

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The second-largest cabinet department, the VA coordinates the distribution of benefits for veterans of the American armed forces and their dependents. The benefits include compensation for disabilities, the management of veterans’ hospitals, and various insurance programs.

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Departments

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Major administrative units with responsibility for a broad area of governmental operations. Departmental status usually indicates a permanent national interest in that particular governmental function, such as defense, commerce, or agriculture.

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Descriptive representation

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A correspondence between the demographic characteristics of representatives and those of their constituents. (Ch. 11)

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devolution revolution

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the effort to slow the growth of the federal government by returning many functions to the states

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Dillon's rule

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A legal principle that holds that the terms of city charters are to be interpreted narrowly. Under this rule (named after a lawyer who wrote a book on the subject in 1911) a municipal corporation can exercise only those powers expressly given it or those powers necessarily implied by, or essential to the accomplishment of, these stated powers. (Ch. 3)

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Direct Incitement

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Holds that advocacy of illegal action is protected by 1st Amendment unless imminent lawless action is intended and likely to occur.

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direct primary

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An election in which voters choose candidates to run on a party’s ticket in a subsequent election for public office.

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Direct tax

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Money paid directly to the government in the form of income taxes.

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discharge petition

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petition that, if signed by a majority of the members of the House, will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration

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Discount rates

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Interest levels established by the Federal Reserve that affect the ability of the consumer to borrow money. Raising and lowering rates is used as a tool to combat inflation.

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Discretionary authority

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The extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by laws. (Ch. 13)

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Discretionary Spending

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Those appropriation items in the budget that are not mandatory. In the federal budget, discretionary spending consists of measures in the 13 appropriation bills that must be passed by Congress by October 1 in such categories as transportation, agriculture, and education.

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Disengagement

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A view that U.S. involvement in Vietnam had led to a military defeat and political disaster and that further similar involvements should be avoided. Also known as "new isolationism." See also Isolationism; Containment (Ch. 20)

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Dissenting opinion

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Judicial written opinion that is contrary to the ruling of the full court.

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Distributive policy

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Results in the government giving benefits directly to people, groups, farmers, and businesses. Typical policies include subsidies, research and development funds for corporations, and direct government aid for highway construction and education.

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district attorney

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An official responsible for representing the government in court cases and for prosecuting criminals.

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District courts

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The lowest federal courts where federal cases begin. They are the only federal courts where trials are held. There are a total of ninety-four district courts in the United States and its territories. See also Courts of appeals; Constitutional court; Federal-question cases (Ch. 14)

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Diversity cases

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Cases involving citizens of different states over which the federal courts have jurisdiction as described in the Constitution. See also Federal-question cases (Ch. 14)

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Division of labor

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Skilled workers each have a specialized function, resulting in increased productivity.

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Division vote

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A congressional voting procedure in which members stand and are counted. See also Voice vote; Teller vote; Roll-call vote (Ch. 11)

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Does the bill of rights apply to the states?

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Yes, thanks to the 14th ammendment and other court decisions ( in 1925 with Gitlow v. New York ).

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Does the presiden't cabinet deal more with foreign or domestic issues?

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Domestic.

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dollar diplomacy

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The use of diplomatic influence, economic pressure, and military power to protect a nation’s economic and business interests abroad. The term was first used to describe the exploitative nature of United States involvement in Latin America.

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Domino theory

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An influential theory first articulated by President Eisenhower holding that if an important nation were to fall into communist hands, other neighboring countries would follow suit. Eisenhower used the metaphor of a row of dominoes falling in sequence to illustrate his point. (Ch. 20)

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donkey

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A symbol of the Democratic party, introduced in a series of political cartoons by Thomas Nast during the congressional elections of 1874. (Compare elephant.)

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Double-tracking

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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 business. See also Filibuster; Cloture rule (Ch. 11)

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Drug Enforcement Administration

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An agency in the United States Department of Justice that enforces federal laws and regulations dealing with narcotics and other dangerous drugs. It cooperates with the FBI and with local law enforcement agencies.

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dual federalism

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Form of US federalism during nation's early history. Federal and state governments remain separate and independent (layer cake analogy)

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Dual primary

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Where presidential candidates are selected and a separate slate of delegates is also voted on. New Hampshire uses this type of primary.

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Dual sovereignty

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A variation of double jeopardy. A person accused of a crime can be tried once in a state court and once in a federal court.

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Dualist Theory

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The theory that there has always been an underlying binary party nature to US politics

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due process

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Established legal procedures for the arrest and trial of an accused criminal

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due process of law

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The principle that an individual cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without appropriate legal procedures and safeguards. The Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution guarantee that any person accused of a crime must be informed of the charges, be provided with legal counsel, be given a speedy and public trial, enjoy equal protection of the laws, and not be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment, unreasonable searches and seizures, double jeopardy, or self-incrimination.

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E pluribus unum

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(EE PLOOR-uh-buhs YOOH-nuhm, OOH-nuhm) A motto of the United States; Latin for “Out of many, one.” It refers to the Union formed by the separate states. E pluribus unum was adopted as a national motto in 1776 and is now found on the Great Seal of the United States and on United States currency.

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Earmarks

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Pet projects added to appropriation bills by congressman, called "wasteful spending" and "pork barrel legislation" by critics.

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Earned Income Tax Credit

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A provision of a 1975 tax law that entitles working families with children to receive money from the government if their total income falls below a certain level. (Ch. 17)

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Eastern Establishment

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The elite universities and financial institutions of major cities in the northeastern United States. These institutions, by virtue of their long-standing economic and social dominance, are often believed to exert an influence out of proportion to their size. In American politics, the Eastern Establishment often takes a liberal Republican stand. (See also Ivy League, Madison Avenue, power elite, and Wall Street.)

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Economic planning

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An economic philosophy that assumes that the government should plan, in varying ways, some part of the country's economic activity. For instance, in times of high inflation, it suggests that the government regulate the maximum prices that can be charged and wages that can be paid, at least in the larger industries. Another form of planning, called industrial policy, would have the government planning or subsidizing investments in industries that need to recover or in new industries that could replace them. (Ch. 16)

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elastic clause

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The section of the Constitution that allows Congress to pass laws "necessary and proper" to the performance of its duties. Allows Congress to stretch its pwers beyond those that are specifically granted to it.

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Electorate

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Citizens eligible to vote

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Electronic Media

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The broadcast media, including television, radio, computerized information services, and the Internet

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elephant

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A symbol of the Republican party, introduced in a series of political cartoons by Thomas Nast during the congressional elections of 1874. (Compare donkey.)

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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. (Ch. 1)

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English Bill of Rights

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1689 document guaranteeing certain basic rights to English subjects. Those rights include the right to a speedy trial; protection against excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment; and the right to petition the government. This document also prevented the king from interfering with elections or from imposing taxes without consent of the Parliament.

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Enlightenment Era

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Period stretching from the late 17th century through the end of the 18th century. Sometimes called the Age of Reason. Science flourished during the this. As it did, many philosophers placed great faith in the powers of reason and human capability. With this increased faith came the belief that individuals were entitled to greater control over their own governments. Associated with writers Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu.

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entitlement programs

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social insurance programs that allocate federal funds to all people who meet the conditions of the program, they are a form of mandatory spending so it is incredibly difficult to cut funds during the budgetary process (Social Security largest and most expensive one)

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Entrepreneurial politics

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Policies benefiting society as a whole or some large part that impose a substantial cost on some small identifiable segment of society. See also Policy entrepreneurs (Ch. 15)

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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 among the states, coin money, and declare war.

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Environmental impact statement

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A report required by federal law that assesses the possible effect of a project on the environment if the project is subsidized in whole or part by federal funds. (Ch. 21)

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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

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Regulates air and water pollution, pesticides, radiation, solid waste, and toxic substances. It is the main environmental regulatory agency.

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environmentalism

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an ideology that is dominated by concern for the environment but also promotes grassroots democracy, social justice, equal opportunity, nonviolence, respect for diversity, and feminism

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Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972

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Title VII of the 1964 civil rights act was extended to cover federal, state and local public employers and educational institutions by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

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Federal Agency created to enforce the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which forbids discrimination on the basis of race, creed, national origin, religion, or sex in hiring, promotion, or firing

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equal opportunity

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The goal of giving all persons an equal chance to an education and employment, and to protect their civil rights, regardless of their race, religious beliefs, or gender. In the United States, various minority groups have been fighting for equal opportunity over the last 150 years. (See affirmative action, civil rights movement, equal protection of the laws, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Organization for Women, segregation, sexism, suffragist, and women’s movement.)

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equal protection of the laws

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A phrase in the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution requiring that states guarantee the same rights, privileges, and protections to all citizens. This doctrine reinforces that of due process of law and prevents states from passing or enforcing laws that arbitrarily discriminate against anyone.

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Equal Rights Amendment

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A twice-proposed but never ratified amendment to the Constitution that would prohibit denial or abridgement of rights on the basis of sex. First proposed in 1923, the amendment was passed by Congress in 1972 but failed ratification by the requisite number of states. It was a major rallying point of the women’s movement.

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Equal Time Rule

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The rule that requires broadcast stations to sell campaign air time equally to all candidates if they choose to sell to any

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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. See also Reverse discrimination (Ch. 19)

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Establishment clause

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Component of the First Amendment to the Constitution that defines the right of the citizens to practice their religions without governmental interference. It also places a restriction on government creating a "wall of separation" between church and state. Section of the Constitution that prohibits the government from designating one faith as the official religion of the US.

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ethnicity

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a social division based on national origin, religion, language, and often race

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ethnocentrisim

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belief in the superiority of one's nation or ethnic group

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ex post facto

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(eks pohst FAK-toh) A descriptive term for an explanation or a law that is made up after an event and then applied to it: “The chairman’s description of his plan sounds like an ex post facto attempt to justify an impulsive action.” Ex post facto is Latin for “from after the deed.”

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exclusionary rule

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Rule that prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence at trial. The Supreme Court has created several exceptions to the exclusionary rule, notably the objective of good faith rule and the inevitable discovery rule.

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Executive agreement

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Agreement made between the president and a leader of a foreign country that does not have to be ratified by the Senate.

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executive branch

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The branch of federal and state government that is broadly responsible for implementing, supporting, and enforcing the laws made by the legislative branch and interpreted by the judicial branch. At the state level, the executive includes governors and their staffs. At the federal level, the executive includes the president, the vice president, staffs of appointed advisers (including the cabinet), and a variety of departments and agencies, such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Postal Service (see postmaster general). The executive branch also proposes a great deal of legislation to Congress and appoints federal judges, including justices of the Supreme Court. Although the executive branch guides the nation’s domestic and foreign policies, the system of checks and balances works to limit its power.

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Executive Office of the President

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the cluster of presidential staff agencies that help the president carry out his responsibilities; currently the office includes the Office fo Management and Budget, the Council of Economic Advisers, and other units

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Executive order

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Order signed by the president that has the effect of law, even though it is not passed by Congress. An example of an executive order includes President Clinton's order legalizing the abortion bill, RU486. All executive orders must be published in the "Federal Register"

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Executive Privilege

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An assertion of presidential power that reasons that the president can withhold information requested by the courts in matters relating to his office

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Export-Import Bank of the United States?

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The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank, Exim Bank or Eximbank) is the official export credit agency of the United States Government. It is an independent agency of the Executive Branch of The United States Governemnt established by the Congress of the United States in 1945 that finances or insures foreign purchases of U.S. goods for customers unable or unwilling to accept credit risk. For instance, in 2004 it insured the purchase by Iraq of fogging machines for insect abatement. There are many other banks around the world called Eximbank, some analogous to the U.S. Ex-Im Bank, and some private commercial banks.

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express powers

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powers sepcifically granted to one of the branches of the national gov by the Constitution

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Expressed power

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Specific power of the president as listed in Article I of the Constitution.

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extradition

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Process by which governments return fugitives to the jurisdiction from which they have fled.

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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. (Ch. 2)

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Fair Labor Standards Act?

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Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, established a national minimum wage, guaranteed time and a half for overtime in certain jobs, and prohibited most employment of minors in "oppressive child labor". The law originally contained a large number of special industry exemptions, many of which were designed to protect traditional pay practices in small, rural businesses. The bulk of these exemptions have been repealed. Currently, the most important issues relate to the so-called "white collar" exemptions applicable to professional, administrative and executive employees.

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Fairness Doctrine

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Rule in effect from 1949-1985 requiring broadcasters to cover events adequately and to present contrasting views on important public issues

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fairness doctrine

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Federal Communications Commission policy that required holders of raido and televiison licenses to ensure that different view points were presented about controversial issues or persons; largely repealed in 1987

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Family Medical Leave Act (1993)

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

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Fannie Mae?

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Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), commonly known as Fannie Mae, created in 1938 to establish a secondary market for mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Fannie Mae buys mortgages on the secondary market, pools them and sells them as mortgage-backed securities to investors on the open market. This secondary mortgage market helps to replenish the supply of lendable money for mortgages and ensures that money continues to be available for new home purchases.

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farm bloc

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A group of both Democratic and Republican members of Congress from the farming states of the Middle West that pressures the federal government to adopt policies favorable to farmers.

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Favorable balance of trade

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Refers to a country exporting more than they import. The United States has had an unfavorable balance of trade since World War II.

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Favorite son

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

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FCC

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The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 as the successor to the Federal Radio Commission and is charged with regulating all non-Federal Government use of the radio spectrum (including radio and television broadcasting), and all interstate telecommunications (wire, satellite and cable) as well as all international communications that originate or terminate in the United States. It is an important actor in US telecommunication policy. The FCC took over wire communication regulation from the Interstate Commerce Commission.

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Feature stories

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Media reports about public events knowable to any reporter who cares to inquire, but involving acts and statements not routinely covered by a group of reporters. Thus a reporter must take the initiative and select a particular event as newsworthy, decide to write about it, and persuade an editor to run it. (Ch. 10)

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Federal Bureau of Investigation

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"An agency of the United States federal government, long headed by J. Edgar Hoover, which investigates violations of federal (rather than state or local) laws, including kidnaping, smuggling narcotics, and espionage. ‡ Established in 1908 under the Department of Justice, the FBI earned its reputation in the 1920s and 1930s by apprehending notorious bank robbers and gangsters"

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Federal Election Campaign Acts (FECA)

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In 1971 it set up restrictions on the amount of advertising used by a candidate, created disclosure of contributions over $100, and limited the amount of personal contributions a candidate could make on his or her behalf. In 1974 it set up a Federal Election Commission and established a system of federal matching funds for presidential candidates.