Shared Flashcard Set

Details

American government
vocabulary words and important information
155
History
Undergraduate 2
09/12/2012

Additional History Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Full faith and credit clause
Definition
Obligation of one state to respect the official acts of another state
Term
Impeachment
Definition
Process whereby the House of Representatives charges a government official prior to consideration of removal from office by the Senate
Term
enumerated powers
Definition
Those Congressional powers actually listed in article 1 section 8
Term
Confederation
Definition
A form of government giving the primary power to the constitutional government and only limited powers and coordination factors to the central entity
Term
Republic
Definition
A representative form of government
Term
Democracy
Definition
A form of government based on citizen participation and majority rule
Term
Popular sovereignty
Definition
A concept which views the people as having the ultimate power in affairs of government
Term
1763
Definition
French were defeated went to Louisiana arcadia region became Cajuns
Term
Supreme law of the land
Definition
Obligation of state officials and judges to uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States
Term
Initiative
Definition
A procedure by which voters can propose a law or constitutional amendment
Term
Referendum
Definition
The process in which legislature creates a law or constitutional amendment for voters to approve
Term
Federal government
Definition
A form of government in which power is divided between the central government and the constitutional government
Term
Common law
Definition
Judge made law, which originated in England. Following preliminary customs
Term
Capitalism
Definition
An economic system characterized by private ownership of wealth creating assets, free markets, freedom of contract
Term
Socialism
Definition
Political ideology based on strong support for economic and social equality (major businesses taken over by the government)
Term
Equality
Definition
A political belief that all humans are of equal worth
Term
Government
Definition
The predominate institution within a society
Term
Direct democracy
Definition
A system of government where political decisions are decided directly by the people, rather than their elected representatives
Term
Recall
Definition
Procedure allowing the people to vote to dismiss an elected official before their time in office has expired
Term
Extradition
Definition
Officials of one state release an accused person to another state when the person is charged with a crime
Term
Necessary and proper clause
Definition
Constitutional origin of implied powers
Term
Implied powers
Definition
Powers exercised by the federal government even though they are not specifically listed in article 1 section 8
Term
Interstate compact
Definition
An agreement between two or more states requiring the approval of Congress
Term
Privileges and immunities
Definition
Each state must extend the same privileges and immunities to other citizens even if not from that particular state
Term
Jefferson
Definition
Describes these rights
1. Life
2. Liberty
3. Pursuit of happiness
Term
John Locke
Definition
Describes these rights
1. Life
2. Liberty
3. Property
Term
Jamestown
Definition
Representative assembly
Term
Plymouth
Definition
Social contact with consent of the governed milestones in colonial America
Term
Social contract
Definition
A general agreement between the people and the government where people agree to give up some of their libertys
Term
Natural rights
Definition
The idea that individuals hold certain rights because they are human government cannot take away nontransferable
Term
Plurality
Definition
In any election having the most votes among at least three candidates
Term
Majority
Definition
Over 50%
Term
Commerce clause
Definition
Permits the government to broadly regulate business
Term
Inherit powers
Definition
Governmental powers derived from the very nature of a nations existence in the international community
Term
Political socialization
Definition
The way which individuals form their attitudes and opinions about social issues
Term
Aristocracy
Definition
Rule by the best in reality rule by an upper-class
Term
Politics
Definition
The struggle for power within organizations or groups that can give powers or withhold powers/privileges
Term
Separation of powers
Definition
Division of powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary branches
Term
Limited government
Definition
The principle that powers of government are not absolute in a form of government based on the consent of the governed
Term
Checks and balances
Definition
Where each branch of government can limit the other (power)
Term
Institution
Definition
Ongoing organization that perform certain functions for society
Term
Unitary government
Definition
A form of government in which all powers are concentrated in the central government
Term
Declares war
Definition
Congress
Term
States cannot make their own money
Definition
(None)
Term
Who hears cases between two states?
Definition
The US Supreme Court
Term
Who creates inferior courts
Definition
Congress
Term
Appointing ambassadors
Definition
The president
Term
Raising and supporting armies
Definition
Congress
Term
Who may override a presidential veto?
Definition
Legislative branch
Term
Regulate commerce
Definition
Congress
Term
Who has the sole power to impeach
Definition
House of Representatives
Term
Judicial branch
Definition
Interprets laws
Term
Executive branch
Definition
Enforces the laws
Term
Legislative branch
Definition
Writes the laws
Term
Federal judges are appointed by
Definition
The president
Term
Can conduct federal elections?
Definition
the states, of the United States of America
Term
Who has the power to impeach
Definition
1. House of Representatives
2. The Senate
Term
Separation of powers
Definition
The principle of dividing powers among the different types of branches of government
Term
Electoral college
Definition
Persons called electors who are selected by the voters in each state this group officially elects the president and vice president of the US
Term
Habeas corpus
Definition
A habeas corpus requires that a jailer must bring his prisoner before a court or judge and explain why the prisoner is being held
Term
the Declaration of Independence
Definition
states ideas for our country written by Thomas Jefferson
Term
Thomas Paines "common sense" did what?
Definition
Justify people to revolution
Term
federalists wanted what type of government?
Definition
a bigger national government
Term
anti-Federalists wanted what type of government
Definition
wanted a state government
Term
what happened because of the second Continental Congress ?
Definition
Persecuted the Revolutionary war
Term
what did the articles of Confederation (our first Constitution) accomplish
Definition
The articles of Confederation set up the Army and the Navy US post offices ability to sell land no tax or commerce between states
Term
what was the 3/5 compromise
Definition
The Three-Fifths Compromise was a compromise between Southern and Northern states reached during the Philadelphia Convention of 1787 in which three-fifths of the enumerated population of slaves would be counted for representation purposes regarding both the distribution of taxes
Term
bicameral legislature
Definition
two room legislature (the Senate and the Congress)
Term
uncameral
Definition
one room legislature
Term
NorthWest ordinance
Definition
Accomplishment of Congress under the new Constitution it was an agreement between the North and West regarding land
Term
Who is the vice president president of?
Definition
The Senate
Term
dual federalism
Definition
state and government work separately
Term
cooperative federalism
Definition
state and government work together
Term
federal mandate
Definition
states must do what the government says states must come up with their own money
Term
categorical grant
Definition
federal grant to be spent on one category such as building schools police force improvement
Term
Bloc grant
Definition
a type of grant they can be spent on general things like healthcare or anything the state needs
Term
what happens if the government gives you a grant
Definition
the state or city whoever receives the grant has to match that money financially
Term
concurrent powers
Definition
powers that are shared by both levels of government state and federal governments
Term
police powers
Definition
primary power of the states in the area of enforcing law and order
Term
McCulloch versus Maryland
Definition
(1819) established the implied powers of the national government and the idea of national supremacy (from the necessary and proper clause)
Term
Gibbons versus Ogden
Definition
(1824) established the power to regulate interstate commerce was an exclusive national power
Term
First Amendment
Definition
Under the First Amendment – Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise of the freedom of speech (these rights are limited in some ways)
Term
Exclusionary rule
Definition
Something that is seized illegally (it cannot be used against you in court)
Term
Probable cause
Definition
Reason to think something is wrong police may act still have to have a search warrant to search possessions (substantial evidence)
Term
Fifth Amendment
Definition
No person shall be tried for the same offense "double Jeopardy" protection against self-incrimination "I plead the fifth" note the prison can be denied no person can be denied life liberty or property without due process of law
Term
Imminent domain
Definition
Government may take property but must compensate
Term
sixth amendment
Definition
Speedy trial and public trial impartial jury
Term
Eighth amendment
Definition
No excessive bail or crucial or unusual punishment cannot be allowed
Term
Civil liberties
Definition
Are the fundamental rights of a free society that are protected by the Bill of Rights against the power of the government
Term
Separation of church and state (First Amendment)
Definition
1. State aid to church related schools
2. Establishment clause
Term
Issues concerning separation of church and state
Definition
1. School vouchers 2. Prayer in school 3. Teaching evolution 4. Religious speech
Term
Permitted restriction
Definition
"Clear and present danger" speech that can be dangerous/cause unnecessary panic
Term
Protected speech
Definition
(Symbolic speech is a subset of protected speech) example: wearing black armbands
Term
Unprotected speech
Definition
(Voice) slander – saying something that is defamation of character
(paper)libel writing something that is defamation of character
Term
What is a select committee
Definition
A committee whereby when the committee is done with their work they are done
Term
Conference committee
Definition
A type of committee whereby members agree on bills to be passed – House and Senate House to pass "joint committee" one function
Term
Standing committee
Definition
Around forever ("ways and means committee") way to get $
Term
House of Representatives
Definition
Term
Rules committee
Definition
When bills get attention – how long they get to debate a bill
Term
Senate filibuster
Definition
Speak in long and you want and prevent a bill from being passed
Term
Clotcher
Definition
100% of the vote to shut the person up "super majority"
Term
Fiscal year
Definition
October 1 to October 1 once more on the next year
Term
Continuing resolution
Definition
Continuing the budget from previous years
Term
Chief of state
Definition
Ceremonial head of the government "cutting the ribbon)
Term
Chief executive
Definition
Head of the executive branch of government "executing the laws faithfully" (president?)
Term
Executive Order
Definition
FOLLOW IT president issues Executive orders (it's not a law)
Term
Cmdr. and chief
Definition
Supreme commander of the armed forces "civilian control" US has it
Term
Chief diplomat
Definition
Recognizing federal government's own making treaties, and making executive agreements – president appoints ambassadors or "diplomats" has to get approval from Congress
Term
Chief legislature
Definition
Has the power to veto bills
Term
Executive agreements
Definition
Do not require approval from the Senate had to send a copy to Congress and they will let him know if there is something that they do not like (trade agreement short of becoming a treaty)
Term
Executive privilege
Definition
Can refuse to send Congress over to testify gives the president advice that is kept confidential
Term
The 25th amendment
Definition
Cabinet and vice president can declare that the president is disabled
Term
Acting president
Definition
VP takes over while president is disabled example while the president is under aesthetic
Term
State of the union
Definition
The president talks about proposed legislation
Term
pocket veto
Definition
The president does not sign the bill proposed automatically rejected
Term
Impoundment of funds
Definition
President can refuse to spend money he must tell Congress why
Term
joint committee
Definition
committees from both the House and Senate to work out one single bill for Congress to pass
Term
gerrymandering
Definition
drawing imaginary lines for districting example school districts
Term
unanimous opinion
Definition
an opinion where everyone agrees
Term
dissenting opinion
Definition
group that opposes the majority rule
Term
discharge petition
Definition
makes a senator shut up and has to have 100% of votes to do so
Term
Pres. Pro tempor
Definition
stands in for the president
Term
advice and consent
Definition
Senate says that the president must get consent and advice from the Senate
Term
trial court
Definition
you simply go to federal court
Term
appellate court
Definition
you go to the appellate court in Cincinnati
Term
bicam
Definition
two house legislature
Term
diplomatic recognition
Definition
recognize or refuse to recognize rule of other countries
Term
class-action suit
Definition
group of people that sue example smokers
Term
amicus curige
Definition
"meaning friend of the court brief Latin term"
Term
Baker versus carr
Definition
amount of representative decided famous one man one vote
Term
types of court decisions
Definition
concurring – adding something to arguments
affirm – agree
reverse – disagree
remand – send back to the Court of Appeals
Term
staredecisis
Definition
meaning standing on decided cases
Term
The merit system
Definition
The merit system is the process of promoting and hiring government employees based on their ability to perform a job, rather than on their political connections (from Wikipedia)
Term
Reappointment
Definition
an office, position, or the like, to which a person is appointed: He received his appointment as ambassador to Italy
Term
Budget impoundment act of 1974
Definition
The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (Pub.L. 93-344, 88 Stat. 297, 2 U.S.C. §§ 601–688) is a United States federal law that governs the role of the Congress in the United States budget process.
Term
Pigeonholing
Definition
3. To put aside and ignore; shelve
Term
The president's cabinet explained
Definition
They handle issues related specifically to their department ( such as the State Department, Defense Department, etc.), while he concentrates on things that affect the whole country (as opposed to things that affect a sector of it). Each Cabinet member heads a major department of the US government.
They run the 15 Executive Departments (departments of State, Defense, Treasury, etc.) and provide advice to the president from answers.com
Term
War Powers resolution
Definition
The War Powers Resolution requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and forbids armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days, with a further 30 day withdrawal period, without an authorization of the use of military force or a declaration of war. The resolution was passed by two-thirds of Congress, overriding a presidential veto. From Wikipedia
Term
Civil Service Commission
Definition
A civil service commission is a government agency that is constituted by legislature to regulate the employment and working conditions of civil servants, oversee hiring and promotions, and promote the values of the public service
Term
Independent executive agencies
Definition
Independent agencies of the United States federal government are those agencies that exist outside of the federal executive departments
Term
Line-item veto
Definition
the power of the executive to veto particular items of a bill without having to veto the entire bill.
Term
Judicial review
Definition
1.re-examination by judges: a reassessment or re-examination by judges of a decision or proceeding by a lower court or a government department
Term
precedent
Definition
1.example for later action or decision: an action or decision that can be used subsequently as an example for a similar decision or to justify a similar action
Term
Jurisdiction
Definition
1.legal authority: the authority to enforce laws or pronounce legal judgments
Term
Privatization
Definition
to transfer from public or government control or ownership to private enterprise
Term
Judicial appointment power
Definition
Appointments Clause, empowers the President of the United States to appoint certain public officials with the "advice and consent" of the U.S. Senate.
Term
constituency
Definition
2.voters in constituency: the voters or residents in a particular electoral district
3.group with common outlook: a group of people thought to have common objectives
or
1.electoral district: one of the areas into which a country is divided for election purposes, and from which a representative is elected to serve in a legislative body
Term
The spoils system
Definition
1.political practice: a practice in which a winning political party gives government jobs and public appointments to its supporters
Term
Majority Leader
Definition
1.head of majority party: the head of the majority party in a legislature
Term
Freedom of information act
Definition
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal freedom of information law that allows for the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information and documents controlled by the United States government
Term
Speaker of the house
Definition
The presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives
Term
Marbury v. Madison
Definition
First decision by the Supreme Court to declare a law unconstitutional (1803). Formed judicial review
Term
Civil service act of 1883
Definition
The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act (ch. 27, 22 Stat. 403) of United States is a federal law established in 1883 that stipulated that government jobs should be awarded on the basis of merit.
Term
Civil service act of 1978
Definition
The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, (October 13, 1978, Pub.L. 95-454, 92 Stat. 1111) (CSRA), reformed the civil service of the United States federal government.

The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 abolished the U.S. Civil Service Commission and distributes its functions primarily among three agencies: the newly established Office of Personnel Management, Merit Systems Protection Board, and Federal Labor Relations Authority.
Term
Office of personnel management
Definition
The United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is an independent agency of the United States government that manages the civil service of the federal government.
Supporting users have an ad free experience!