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171 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
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A federal law designed to end discrimination against persons with disabilities and eliminate barriers to their full participation in American society
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Gross Domestic Product
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The total value of goods and services produced by a nation's economy in a year, excluding transactions with foreign countries
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Government
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The institution with authority to set policy for society
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Politics
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The way in which decisions for a society are made and considered binding most of the time by most of the people
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Public Policy
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The response, or lack of response, of government decision-makers to an issue
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Public Policy Approach
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A comprehensive method for studying the process through which issues come to the attention of government decision-makers, and through which policies are formulated, adopted, implemented, and evaluated
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Policymaking Environment
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The complex of factors outside of government that has an impact, either directly or indirectly, on the policymaking process
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Agenda Building
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The process through which problems become matters of public concern and government action
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Framing
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The process by which a communication source, such as a news organization, defines and constucts a political issue or public controversy
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Policy Formulation
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The development of strategies for dealing with the problems on the policy agenda
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Issue Network
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A group of political actors that is actively involved with policymaking in a particular issue area
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Policy Adoption
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The official decision of a government body to accept a particular policy and put it into effect
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Policy Implementation
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The stae of the policy process in which policies are carried out
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Policy Evaluation
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The assessment of policy
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Normative Analysis
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A method of study that is based on certain values
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Empirical Analysis
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A method of study that relies on experience and scientific observation rather than values
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Bilingual Education
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The teaching of academic subjects in both English and a student's native lanuage, usually Spanish
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Political Culture
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The widely held, deeply rooted political values of a society
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Democracy
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A system of government in which ultimate political authority is vested in the people
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Capitalism
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An economic system characterized by individual and corporate ownership of the means of production and a market economy based on the supply and demand of goods and services
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Liberalism
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The political philosophy that favors the use of government power to foster the development of the idividual and promote the welfare of society
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Conservatism
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The political philosophy that government power undermines the development of the individual and diminishes society as a whole
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Baby-Boom Generation
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The exceptionally large number of Americans born during the late 1940s, 1950s, and early 1960s
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Multicultural Education
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An approach to education that emphasizes the ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity of the nation's people
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English-Only Laws
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Measures that require that all public business be conducted exclusively in the English language
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Sunbelt
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The South and West
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Frostbelt
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The Northeast and Midwest
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Standard of Living
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A term that refers to the goods and services affordable by and available to the residents of a nation
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Global Economy
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The integration of national economies into a world economic system in which companies compete worldwide for suppliers and markets
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Morth American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
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An international accord among the United States, Mexico, and Canada to lower trade barriers among the three nations
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Poverty Threshold
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The amount of money an individual or family needs to purchase basic necessitites, such as food, clothing, health care, shelter, and transportation
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Conference Committee
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A special, joint congressional committee created to negotiate differences on similar pieces of legislation passed by the House and Senate
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Constitution
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Afundamental law by which a state or nation is organized and governed, and to which ordinary legislation must conform
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Bicameral
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A two-house legislature
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Doctine of Natural Rights
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The belief that individual rights transcent the power of government
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Bill of Rights
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A constitutional document guaranteeing individual rights and liberties. In the United States national government, the Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the Constitution
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Direct Democracy
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A political system in which the citizens vote directly on matters of public concern
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Tyranny of the Majority
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The abuse of the minority by the majority
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Representative Democracy
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A plitical system in which citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions on their behalf
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Supermajority
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A voting margin that is greater than a simple majority
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Rule of Law
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The constituional principle that holds that the discretion of public officials in dealing with individuals is limited by the law
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Writ of Habeas Corpus
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A court order requiring that government authorities either release a person held in custody or demonstrate that the person is detained in accordance with law
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Bill of Attainder
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A law declaring a person or a group of persons guilty of a crime and providing for punishment without benefit of a judicial proceeding
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Ex Post Facto Law
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A retroactive criminal statue that operates to the disadvantage of accused persons
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Due Process of Law
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The constituational principle holding that governmentmust follow fair and regualr procedures in actions that could lead to an individual's suffering loss of life, liberty, or property
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Limited Government
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The constitutional principle that government does not have unrestricted authority over individuals
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Antifederalists
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Americans opposed to the ratification of the new Constituation because they thought it gave too much power to the national government
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Federalists
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American who supported the ratification of the Constitution
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Selective Incorporation of the Bill of Rights Against the States
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The process through which the U.S. Supreme Court has interpreted the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Costitution to apply most of the provisions of the natioal Bill of Rights to the states.
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Legislative Power
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The power to make laws
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Executive Power
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The power to enforce laws
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Judicial Power
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The power to interpret laws
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Separation of Powers
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The divison of political power among executive, legislative, and judicial brances of government
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Checks and Balances
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The overlapping of the powers of the branches of government designed to ensure that public officials limit the authority of one another
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Federalist Papers
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A series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, written to advocate the ratification of the Constitution
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Factions
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Special interests who seeks their own good at the expenxe of the common good
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Unitary Government
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A governmental system in which political authority is concentrated in a single national government
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Confederation
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Aleague of nearly independent states
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Federal System
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A plitical system that divides power between a central government, with authority over the whole nation, and a series of state governments
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Sovereignty
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The authority of a state to exercise its legitimate powers within its boundaries, free from external interference
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Constituational Amendment
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A formal, written change or addition to the nation's governing document
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Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
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A proposed amentment guaranteeing equality before the law, regardless of sex
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Judicial Review
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The power of courts to declare unconstitutional the actions of the other branches and units of government
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Writ of Mandamus
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A court order directing a public official to perform a specific act or duty
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Jurisdiction
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The authority of a court ot hear and decide a case
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Equal Protection Clause
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The proviion found in the Foutheenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that declares that "No State shall... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
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Parliamentary System
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A system of government in which political power is concentrated in a legislative body and a cabinet headed by a Prime Minister
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Parliament
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The legislature in a parliamentary system
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School Lunch Program
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A federal program that provides free or reduced-cost lunches to children from poor families
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Delegated Powers
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The powers explicitly granted to the national government by the Costitution
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Power of the Purse
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The control of the finances of government
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Tariff
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A tax levied on imported goods
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Excise Taxes
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Levies assessed on the manufacture, transportation, sale, or consumption of a particular item or set of related items
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Elastic Clause
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The constitutional provision found in Article 1, Section 8 granting Congress the power to make all laws "necessary and proper" for carrying out the delegated powers.
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Implied Powers
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Those powers of Congress not explicitly mentionin the Constitution, but derived by implitcation from the delegated powers
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Due Process Clause
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The contitutional provision that declates that no state shall "deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law."
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Equal Protection Clause
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The provision found in the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that declares that "No State shall ... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
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National Supremacy Clause
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The contitutional provision that declares that the Constitution and laws of the United States take precedence over the constitutions and laws of the states
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Full Faith and Credit Clause
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A constitutional provision requiring that states recognize the official acts of other states
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Defense of Marriage Act
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A federal law stipulating that each state may choose either to recognize or not recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states
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Privileges and Immunities Clause
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A constitutional provision prohibiting state governments from discriminating against the citizens of other states
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Extradition
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The return from one state (or nation) to another of a person accused of a crime
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Republic
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A representative democracy in which citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions on their behalf
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Reserved Powers
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The powers of government left to the states (anything not delegated)
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Concurrent Powers
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Those powers of government that are jointly exercised by the national government and state governments
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States' Rights
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An interpretation of the Constitution that favors limiting the authority of the federal government while expanding the powers of the states
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New Deal
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A legislative package of reform measures proposed by president Franklin Roosevelt
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Commerce Clause
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The constitutional provision giving Congress authority to "regulate commerce ... among the several states."
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Brady Act
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A federal gun control law that requires a background check on an unlicensed purchaser of a firearm in order to determine whether thie individual can legally own a weapon
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Federal Grand Program
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A program through which the national government gives money to state and local governmnets to spend in accordance with set standards and conditions
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Authorization Process
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The procedure through which Congress legislatively establishes a program, defines its general purpose, devises procedures for its operation, specifies an agency to implement the program, and indicates an approximate level of funding for the program but does not actually provide money
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Approprations Process
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The procedure through which Congress legislatively allocates money for a particular purpose
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Categorical Grant Program
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A federal grant program that provides funds to state and local governments for a fairly narrow, specific purpose, such as removing asbestos from school building or acquiring land for outdoor recreation
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Block Grant Program
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A federal grant program that provides money for a program in a broad, general policy area, such as childcare or job training
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Project Grant Program
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A grant program that requires state and local governments to compete for available federal money
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Formula Grant Program
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A grant program that awards funding on the basis of a formula established by Congress
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Community Development Program
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A federal grant program that awards annual grants to metropolitan cities and urban counties to implement a wide variety of community and economic development activities directed toward neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and the provision of improved community facilities and services
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Matching Funds Requirement
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A legislative provision that the national government will provide grant money for a particular activity only on condition that the state or local government involved supply a certain percentage of the total money required for the project or program
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Food Stamp Program
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A federal program that provides vouchers to low-income familites and individuals that can be used to purchase food
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Medicaid
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A federal program designed to provide health insurance coverage to porr people, the disabled, and elderly Americans who are impoverished
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States' Rights
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An interpretation of the Constitution that favors limiting the authority of the federal government while expanding the powers of the states
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New Deal
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A legislative package of reform measures proposed by president Franklin Roosevelt
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Commerce Clause
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The constitutional provision giving Congress authority to "regulate commerce ... among the several states."
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Brady Act
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A federal gun control law that requires a background check on an unlicensed purchaser of a firearm in order to determine whether thie individual can legally own a weapon
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Federal Grand Program
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A program through which the national government gives money to state and local governmnets to spend in accordance with set standards and conditions
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Federal Mandate
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A legal requirement placed on a state or local government by the national government requiring certain policy actions
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Capital Punishment
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The death penalty
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Federal Preemption of State Authority
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An act of Congress adopting regulatory policies that overrule state policies in a particular regulatory area
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Political Socialization
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The process where by individuals acquire political knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs
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Agents of Socialization
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These factors that contribute to political socialization by shaping formal and informal learning
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Framing
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The process by which a communication source, such as a news organization, defines and constructs a political issue or public controversy
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Opinion Leaders
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Individuals whose views shape the political attitudes of the general public
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Incumbent
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A current officeholder
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Attack Jornalism
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An approach to news reporting in which journalists take an adversarial attitude toward candidates and elected officials
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Survey Research
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The measurement of public opinion
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Univers
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In survey research, the population researchers wish to study
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Sample
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In survey research, a subset or part of a universe
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Margin of Error
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Statistical term that refers to the accuracy of a survey
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Biased Samle
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An unrepresentative sample
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Random Sample
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A sample in which each member of a univers have an equal likelihood of being included; it is unbiased
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Biased Question
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A survey question that produces results tilted to one side or another
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Initiative
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A procedure available in some states and cities whereby citizens can propose the adoption of a policy measure by gathering a prerequisite muber of signatures. Voters must then approve the measure before it can take effect
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Civil Liberties
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The protection of the individual from the unrestricted power of government
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Political Elites
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Persons who exercise a major influence on the policymaking process
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Political Legitimacy
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The popular acceptance of a government and its officals as rightful authorites in the exercise of power
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Term Limitation
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The movement to restrict the number of terms public officials my serve
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Watergate
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An abuse of the powers of the presidency by President Richard Nixon and members of his administration that led to his resignation in 1974
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Political Efficacy
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The extent to which individuals believe they can influence the policymaking process
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Internal Political Efficacy
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The assessment by an idividual of his or her personal ability to influence the policymaking process
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External Political Efficacy
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The assessment of an individual of the responsiveness of government to his or her concerns
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Political Right
Right Wing |
Term that refers to conservatives and conservatism
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Political Left
Left Wing |
Term that refers to liberals and liberalism
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Isolationism
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The view that the United States should stay out of the affairs of other nations
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Affirmative Action
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Steps taken by colleges, universities, and private emplyers to remedy the effects of past discrimination in admissions, employment, and promotions
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Religious Left
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Individuals who hold liberal views because of their religious beliefs
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Reliegious Right
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Individuals who hold conservative views because of their religious beliefs
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Genger Gap
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Differences in political opinion and behavior between men and women
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Latent Opinion
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What public opinion whould be at election time if a political opponent made a public official's position on the issue the target of a campaign attack
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Aone of Acquiescence
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The range of policy options acceptable to the public on a particular issue
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Constituency
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The district from which an officeholder is elected
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Constituents
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The people an officeholder represents
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Political Participation
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An activity that has the intent or effect of influencing government action
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Voter MObilization
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The process of motivating citizens to vote
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Voting Age Population (VAP)
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The muber of U.S. residents who are 18 years of age or older
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Compulsory Voting
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The legal requirement that citizens participate in national elections
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Voter Activation
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The process of inducing particular, finely targeted portions of the electorate to participate in politics
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National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)
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A federal law designed to make it easier for citizens to register to vote by requiring states to allow mail registration and provide an opportunity for people to register when appying for or renewing driver's licenses or when visiting federal, state, or local agencies, such as welfare offices
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Contract with America
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A series of campaign promises offered by Republican candidates during the 1994 congressional elections
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Representative Democracy
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A political system in which citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions on their behalf
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Interest Group
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An organization of people who join togetrher voluntarily on the basis of some interest they share for the purpose of influencing policy
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National Rifle Association(NRA)
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An interest group organized to defent the rights of gun owners and defeat efforts at gun control
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Trade Associations
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Organizations representing the interests of firms and professionals in the same general field
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American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
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Labor union federation
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American Medical Association (AMA)
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An interest group representing the concerns of physicians
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American Bar Association (ABA)
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An interest group representing the concerns of attorneys
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National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
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An interest group organized to represent the concers of African Americans
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League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
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A Latino interest group
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American Indian Movement (AIM)
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A group representing the views of Native Americans
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Budget Deficit
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The amount of money by which annual budget expenditures exceed annual budget receipts
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Voting Rights Act (VRA)
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A federal law designed to protect the voting rights of racial and ethnic minorities
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Citizen Groups
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Organizations created to support government policies that they believe will benefit the public at large
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Common Cause
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A group organized to work for campaign finance reform and other good-government causes
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Sierra Club
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An environmental organization
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American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
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A group organized to protect the rights of indiciduals as outlined in the U.S. Constitution
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Advocacy Groups
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Organizations created to seek benefits on behalf of groups of persons who are in some way incapacitated or otherwise unable to represent their own interests
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Cause Groups
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Organization whose members care intensely about a single issue or small group of related issues
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Political Action Committee (PAC)
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An organization created to raise and distribute money in election campaigns
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Access
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The opportunity to communicate directly with legislators and other government officials in hopes of influencing the details of policy
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Friendly Incumbent Rule
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A plicy whereby an interest group will financially back any incumbent who is generally supporitve of the group's policy preferences, without regard for the political party or policy views of the challenger
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Bundling
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A procedure in which an interest group gathers checks from individual supporters made out to the campaigns of targeted candidates. The group then passes the checks along to the candidates
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Lobbying
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The communication of information by a representative of an interest group to a government official for the purpose of influencing a policy decison
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