Ap Government - Unit 4 Terms

Front 1

Electoral College

Back 1

Popularly elected representatives (electors) who formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States.

Front 2

Faithless Elector

Back 2

Members of the United States Electoral College who do not cast their electoral votes for the people they have pledged to vote for.

Front 3

Inauguration

Back 3

A formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a leader's term of office.

Front 4

Unwritten Constitution

Back 4

A constitution in which no single, formal document delineates the powers of a government, and the limits thereof. Comprises the body of a country's laws, enacted over time, coupled with an emphasis on political precedent and enshrined parliamentary procedure, to create a framework in which a limited government operates.

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(President's) Cabinet

Back 5

Composed of the most senior appointed officers of the executive branch of the federal government of the United States.

Front 6

Delegated Powers

Back 6

A list of specific responsibilities found in Article 1 Section 8 of the United States Constitution, which iterates the authority granted to the United States Congress. (enumerated)

Front 7

Informal Powers

Back 7

Powers granted to the President that are not defined by the Constitution. (Commander in Chief, Executive Agreements)

Front 8

State of the Union

Back 8

an annual address presented before by the President of the United States to the United States Congress. The address not only reports on the condition of the nation but also allows the president to outline his legislative agenda and national priorities to Congress. (Usually in January)

Front 9

Impound Funds

Back 9

The refusal of a President to spend money that has been appropriated by the United States Congress.

Front 10

Executive Privilege

Back 10

The power claimed by the President of the United States and other members of the executive branch to resist certain subpoenas and other interventions by the legislative and judicial branches of government. (Not written in the Constitution, but included as Separation of Powers by the Supreme court)

Front 11

Executive Agreement

Back 11

An agreement made between the executive branch of the U.S. government and a foreign government without ratification by the Senate.

Front 12

Executive Order

Back 12

An order issued by the President, the head of the executive branch of the federal government. Usually to help direct the operation of executive officers. Some orders do have the force of law when made in pursuance of certain Acts of Congress, when those acts give the President discretionary powers.

Front 13

Fiscal Policy

Back 13

The use of government spending and revenue collection to influence the economy. (Taxation & Spending)

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Monetary Policy

Back 14

The process by which the government, central bank, or monetary authority of a country controls (i) the supply of money, (ii) availability of money, and (iii) cost of money or rate of interest, in order to attain a set of objectives oriented towards the growth and stability of the economy.

Front 15

"The Football"

Back 15

A black briefcase used by the President of the United States of America to authorize nuclear attack while away from fixed command centers, such as the White House Situation Room, it functions as a mobile hub in the strategic defense system of the United States.

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Government Corporation

Back 16

A legal entity created by a government to undertake commercial activities on behalf of an owner government, and are usually considered to be an element or part of the state.

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Civil Service

Back 17

A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations

OR

The body of employees in any government agency other than the military.

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Classified Job (Competitive Job)

Back 18

All positions in state service, except those which are specifically placed in unclassified service

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Unclassified Job

Back 19

Temporary positions are appointed and pay rate changes are approved by the governor.

Front 20

Quasi Executive

Back 20

*Educated Guess*
Having the powers of the executive branch without being the president himself. (Vice President after the death of the President)

Front 21

Quasi Legislative

Back 21

*Educated Guess*
Having the powers of the legislative branch, without being a part of it. (President vetos a bill)

Front 22

Quasi Judicial

Back 22

*Educated Guess*
Having the power of the judicial branch without being a member of the Supreme court.

Front 23

Presidential Succession

Back 23

Who may become or act as President of the United States upon the incapacity, death, resignation, or removal from office (by impeachment and subsequent conviction) of a sitting president or a president-elect.

Front 24

Administration (As it refers to the executive branch)

Back 24

The Cabinet of the United States, under the executive branch, that is responsible for the daily workings of the state bureaucracy. (Vice-Pres, Sec. of State, etc...)

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Reprieves

Back 25

To postpone or cancel the punishment of

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Pardon

Back 26

The forgiveness of a crime and the penalty associated with it.

Front 27

Amnesty

Back 27

a legislative or executive act by which a state restores those who may have been guilty of an offense against it to the positions of innocent persons.
(obliterates all legal remembrance of the offense)

Front 28

Partisan

Back 28

Organized into political parties,

Front 29

Bipartisan

Back 29

Any bill, act, resolution, or any other action of a political body in which both of the major political parties are in agreement.

Front 30

Advice and Consent

Back 30

The executive branch of a government enacts something previously approved of by the legislative branch.

Front 31

Lame Duck

Back 31

An elected official who is approaching the end of his or her tenure, and especially an official whose successor has already been elected.

Front 32

Legislative Veto

Back 32

The repeal by Congress of federal agency or presidential actions.
(The Executive actions stand unless nullified by disapproval resolutions passed by Congress)

Front 33

Red Tape

Back 33

A derisive term for excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents action or decision-making.

Front 34

Spoils System

Back 34

An informal practice where a political party, after winning an election, gives government jobs to its voters as a reward for working toward victory, and as an incentive to keep working for the party—as opposed to a system of awarding offices on the basis of some measure of merit independent of political activity.

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Trust Funds

Back 35

an arrangement whereby property (including real, tangible and intangible) is managed by one person (or persons, or organizations) for the benefit of another.

Front 36

Annual Authorizations

Back 36

A bill or grant of money that doesn't ordinarily become available unless it is appropriated. It can be renewed annually

Front 37

Committee Clearance

Back 37

The ability of a congressional committee to review and approve certain agency decisions in advance and without passing a law.

Front 38

Discretionary Authority

Back 38

The power to make a decision where the choice of whether to make a decision is that of the decision maker. (The power to question the decision maker's power to make any given decision)

Front 39

"Bully Pulpit"

Back 39

A public office or other position of authority of sufficiently high rank that provides the holder with an opportunity to speak out and be listened to on any matter.

Front 40

Partisanship

Back 40

*Educated Guess*
Taking part in a political party.

Front 41

Bureaucracy

Back 41

the collective organizational structure, procedures, protocols, and set of regulations in place to manage a government.

Front 42

"The West Wing"

Back 42

The building housing the official offices of the President of the United States. It is the part of the White House Complex in which the Oval Office, the Cabinet Room, the Situation Room, and the Roosevelt Room are located.