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51 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What does the Alexis de Tocqueville Quotation mean?
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He indicated that Americans rely on courts to resolve political questions
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Most American law is based on...
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the English legal system
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Precedent
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A court rule bearing on subsequent legal decisions in similar cases
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Jurisdiction
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The authority of a court to hear and decide a particular class of cases
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Examples of "Courts of limited jurisdiction"
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Tax Courts and Bankruptcy Courts
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Class-Action Suit
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A lawsuit seeking damages for "all persons similarly situated"
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Strict Construction
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Attempting to follow the "letter of the law"
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Judicial Implementation
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The execution of court decisions into policy
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How does public opinion affect the judiciary?
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The public may pressure elected officials not to enforce an unpopular ruling
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What is the "FISA" court
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A Court to hear requests for warrants for the surveillance of suspected spies.
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"FISA" Duties
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1) Request warrants without having to reveal to the suspect or to the public the information used to justify the warrant.
2) Meet in secret 3) No public access to the court's records or proceedings |
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What did President George W. Bush argue was acceptable treatment of "enemy combatants"?
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The could be held indefinitely and without the normal legal protections available to U.S. citizens. Were not protected under international laws governing the treatment of prisoners of war
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The founders believed that most of the power of the federal government should be held by....
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The Legislature
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Logrolling
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An arrangement in which two or more members of Congress agree in advance to support each other's bills.
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Trustee
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A legislator who acts according to her or his conscience and the broad interests of the entire society.
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Delegate
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A legislator who is an agent of the voters who elected him or her and who votes according to the views of the constituents regardless of personal beliefs.
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Oversight
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The process by which Congress follows up on laws it has enacted to ensure that they are being enforced and administered in the way Congress intended.
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Enumerated Powers
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A power specifically granted to the national government by the Constitution.
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What is the "necessary and proper" clause?
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Also known as the elastic, this gives Congress all the powers it needs to carry out its enumerated powers.
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What are the major differences between the House and the Senate?
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Members chosen from local districts/entire state
Two year term/six year term Originally elected by voters/state legislatures May impeach federal officials/May convict federal officials of impeachable offenses Larger/Smaller More formal rules/fewer rules and restrictions Debate Limited/Extended Less Prestige and less individual notice/More prestige and more media attention Originates bills for raising revenues/Has power to advise the president on, and to consent to, presidential appointments and treaties Local or narrow leadership/National leadership More partisan/Less party loyalty |
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Filibuster
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The use of the Senate's tradition of unlimited debate as a delaying tactic to block a bill.
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Cloture
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Shuts off discussion on a bill. Requires vote.
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How old must someone be in order to become a senator? President?
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30/35
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What kinds of things does the president do as "head of state"?
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Engaging in activities that are largely symbolic or ceremonial in nature.
Decorating War Heroes Throwing the first ball to open the baseball season Dedicating parks and post offices Receiving visiting heads of state at the White House Going on official state visits to other countries Making personal telephone calls to astronauts |
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Executive Agreements
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Agreements between the president and a head of foreign government that do not have to be approved by the Senate.
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How much money did presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush raise for their parties while in office?
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Bill Clinton - More than a half of billion dollars.
George W. Bush - ???? |
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"Going Public"
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Presidents take their case to the public over the heads of the members of Congress.
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Who tried to nationalize the nation's steel mills?
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President Truman
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Executive Order
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A rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect of law.
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Executive Privilege
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The right of executive officials to withhold information from or to refuse to appear before a legislative committee.
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Who decides on whether a President is impeached?
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The House
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How many presidents have been impeached and convicted?
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Zero
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What offices are contained within the Executive office of the President?
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White House Office
Office of Administration Council of Economic Advisers Council on Environmental Quality National Security Council Office of Management and Budget Office of National Drug Control Policy Office of Science and Technology Policy Office of the United States Trade Representative President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. |
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What is the most common reason invoked for the use of "executive privilege"
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To safeguard national security secrets.
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Explain the "Weberian Model of Bureaucracy"
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A model of bureaucracy developed by the German sociologist Max Weber, who viewed bureaucracies as rational, hierarchical organizations in which decisions are based on logical reasoning.
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Acquisitive Model of Bureaucracy
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Leaders of bureaucracies seek expanded budgets and larger staffs.
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Monopolistic Model of Bureaucracy
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Compares bureaucracies to monopolistic business firms. Lack of competition in either circumstance leads to inefficient and costly operations.
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Has the number of federal employees grown or shrank in the past several decades?
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Remained relatively stable for the last several decades.
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What are the four major types of structures within the executive branch?
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Cabinet Departments
Independent executive agencies Independent regulatory agencies Government Corporations |
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The only cabinet department not headed by a secretary is....
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Justice Department
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What are the major cabinet level departments?
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Agriculture
Commerce Defense Education Energy Health and Human Services Homeland Security Justice Labor Treasury |
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Do government corporations perform a particular function in the economy?
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No.
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What is the spoils system?
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The awarding of government jobs to political supporters and friends.
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Patronage
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The practice of rewarding faithful party workers and followers with government employment and contracts
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What did the Hatch Act do?
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Prohibits federal employees from active involvement in political campaigns.
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Describe "Sunset Legislation"
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Laws requiring that existing programs be reviewed regularly for their effectiveness and be terminated unless specifically extended as a result of these reviews.
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What does the concept of privatization refer to?
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The replacement of government services with services provided by private firms.
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What is a Whistleblower?
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Someone who brings to public attention gross governmental inefficiency or an illegal action.
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The federal government spending accounts for what percent of the overall annual output of the United States?
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20 Percent.
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Define "Blowback"
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The backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired
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What is Military-Industrial-Complex?
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A country's military establishment and the industries that produce arms and other military equipment.
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