Details Title: AP Government & Politics Description: AP Exam preparation Total Flash Cards: 144 Created: 05/01/2009 16:06:44		New Users: To study from this flashcard set, or to create your own your own study flash cards, REGISTER HERE. Existing Users: CLICK HERE. Additional Political Studies Flashcards
Cards in this set: Term Judicial Review Definition the power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional Term Federalism Definition Government authority shared by national and state governments Term Enumerated Powers Definition powers given to the national government alone Term Reserved Powers Definition powers given to the state government alone Term Federalists Definition Those who favor a stronger national government Term Coalition Definition an alliance of factions Term Bill of Attainder Definition a law that declares a person, without a trial, guilty of a crime Term Ex Post Facto Law Definition a law that makes an act criminal although act was legal when it was committed Term Line-item veto Definition power of the president to block only a particular provision in a bill (declared unconstitutional) Term Devolution Definition the effort to transfer responsibility for many public programs and services from the federal governments to the states Term Block Grants Definition money from the national government that states can spend within i broad guidelines determined by Washington Term Police Power Definition state power to enact laws promoting health, safety, and morals Term Initiative Definition process that permits voters to put legislative measures directly on the ballot Term Referendum Definition procedure enabling voters to reject a measure passed by the legislator Term Grants-in-Aid Definition money given by the national government to the states Term Categorical Grants Definition federal grants for specific purposes, such as building an airport Term Revenue Sharing Definition Federal sharing of a fixed percentage of its revenue with the states Term Conditions of Aid Definition terms set by the national government that states must meet if they are to receive certain federal funds Term Mandates Definition terms set by the national government that states must meet whether or not they accept federal funds Term Political Culture Definition a coherent way of thinking about how politics and government ought to be carried out Term Civic Competence Definition the belief that one has the ability to affect political change Term Internal Efficacy Definition the belief that you can take part in politics Term External Efficacy Definition the belief that the government will respond to the citizenry Term Selective Incorporation Definition court cases that apply to the Bill of Rights to states (14th Amendment) Term Prior Restraint Definition censorship of a publication Term Clear-and-Present-Danger-Test Definition speech can only be censored if it results in clear and present danger Term Free-Exercise Clause Definition First Amendment requirement that law cannot prevent free exercise of religion Term Establishment Clause Definition government cannot adopt an official religion Term Exclusionary Rule Definition improperly gathered evidence may not be introduced in a criminal trial Term Suspect Classifications Definition classifications of people on the basis of their race or ethnicity Term Strict Scrutiny Definition a Supreme Court test to see if a law denies equal protection because it does not serve a compelling state interest and is not narrowly tailored to achieve that goal Term De jure segregation Definition racial segregation that is required by law Term De facto Segregation Definition racial segregation that occurs as a result of patterns of settlement Term Exit Polls Definition polls based on interviews conducted on Election Day with randomly selected voters Term Political Socialization Definition process by which background traits influence political views Term measures used to disenfranchise blacks Definition literacy tests, grandfather clauses, white primaries, poll taxes Term Realignment Period Definition when a major, lasting shift occurs in the popular coalition supporting one or both parties Term Split Ticket Definition voting for candidates of different parties for various offices in the same election Term National Chairman Definition party manager elected by the national committee Term Congressional Campaign Committee Definition a party committee in Congress that provides funds to members and would-be members Term National Committee Definition delegates who manage party affairs between national conventions Term Solidary Incentives Definition social rewards of political participation Term Plurality System Definition winner is the person who gets the most votes, even if (s)he doesn't secure a majority Term Coattails Definition the alleged tendency of candidates to win more votes in an election because of the presence at the top of the ticket of a better known candidate Term Political Action Committee (PAC) Definition a committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations Term Malapportionment Definition drawing the boundaries of legislative districts so that they are unequal in population Term Gerrymandering Definition drawing the boundaries of legislative districts in unusual shapes to favor one party Term Sophomore Surge Definition an increase in the votes congressional candidates usually receive when they first run for reelection Term Purposive Incentive Definition benefit that comes from serving a cause or principle Term Whip Definition senator who helps the minority / majority leader stay informed about the thoughts of party members Term Standing Committees Definition permanently appointed committees that are concerned with a specific legislative area Term Joint Committees Definition committees with both senators and representatives Term Conference Committees Definition appointed to resolve legislative differences between the house and the senate Term Select Committees Definition committees appointed to address a certain issue for a limited period of time Term Blanket Primary Definition a primary election in which each voter may vote for candidates from both parties Term Runoff Primary Definition a second primary elction held when no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first primary Term Closed Primary Definition a primary elction in which voting is limited to already registered party members Term Open Primary Definition a primary election in which voters may choose in which party to vote as they enter the polling place Term Independent Expenditures Definition spending by political action committees, corporations, or labor unions that helps a candidate but is independent of them Term Public-Interest Lobby Definition a political organization whose goals will principally benefit nonmembers Term Background Definition a public official's statement to a reporter that is given on condition that the official not be named Term Public Bill Definition a legislative bill that deals with matters of general concern Term Private Bill Definition a legislative bill that deals only with specific, private, personal, or local matters Term Simple Resolution Definition an expression of opinion either in the House or Senate to settle procedural matters Term Concurrent Resolution Definition an expression of opinion without the force of law that requires the approval of both the House and Senate, but not the president Term Joint Resolution Definition a formal expression of congressional opinion that must be approved by both houses of Congress and by the president Term Multiple Referral Definition a congressional process whereby a bill may be referred to several committees (helps expedite the committee process) Term Cloture Rule Definition requires 16 senators, used to prevent filibusters Term Double-tracking Definition keeps the Senate moving during a filibuster so that other matters can be settled Term Circular Structure Definition several of the presidents aides report directly to him Term Ad Hoc Structure Definition several subordinates, cabinet officers, and committees report directly to the president on different matters Term Pocket Vetos Definition a bill fails to become law because the president did not sign it within ten days before Congress adjourned Term Iron Triangle Definition alliance between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group Term Authorization Legistlation Definition legislative permission to begin or continue a government program or agency Term Appropriation Definition a legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency Term Committee Clearance Definition the ability of a congressional committee to review and approve certain agency decisions in advance and without passing a law Term Trust Funds Definition funds for government programs that are collected and spent outside the regular government budget Term Constitutional Court Definition federal court authorized by Article III of the Constitution that keeps judges in office during good behavior and freezes their salaries (Supreme Court and congressional appellate / district courts) Term District Courts Definition the lowest federal courts and only courts where federal trials can be held Term Legislative Courts Definition courts created by congress for specialized purposes whose judges do not enjoy the protections of Article III Term Federal-Question Cases Definition cases concerning the Constitution, federal laws, or treaties Term Diversity Cases Definition cases involving citizens of different states who can bring suit in federal courts Term In forma pauperis Definition poor people can have their cases heard in federal court without charge Term fee-shifting Definition a rule that allows a plaintiff to recover costs from the defendant if the plaintiff wins Term Sovereign Immunity Definition the rule that a citizen cannot sue the government without the government's consent Term Amicus Curiae Definition a brive submitted by a "friend of the court" Term Per Curiam Opinion Definition a brief, unsigned court opinion Term Stare Decisis Definition allowing prior rulings to influence current cases Term Political Question Definition an issue the Supreme Court will allow the executive and legislative branches to decide Term Remedy Definition a judicial order to correct an issue Term Client Politics Definition everyone pays, a small group benefits Term Policy Entrepreneurs Definition activists in or out of government who pull together a political majority on behalf of unorganized interests Term Process Regulation Definition rules governing commercial activities designed to improve consumer, worker, or environmental conditions Term National Debt Definition total deficit since the Washington Administration Term Monetarism Definition the believe that inflation occurs when too much money is chasing too few goods; government should only regulate amount of money in circulation Term Keynesianism Definition government manages money with spending Term Supply-Side Economics Definition the belief that lower taxes and fewer regulations will stimulate the economy Term Monetary Policy Definition managing the economy by altering the money supply and interest rates Term Fiscal Policy Definition tax and spending laws Term Entitlements Definition claims for government funds that cannot be changed without violating the rights of the claimant Term Sequester Definition automatic spending cuts Term Charitable Choice Definition four federal laws passed in the 1990s specifying the conditions under which nonprofit religious organizations could compete to administer certain social service delivery and welfare programs Term Insurance Program Definition a self-financing government program based on contributions that provide benefits to unemployed or retired persons Term Assistance Program Definition a government program financed by general income taxes that provides benefits to the poor without requiring contributions from them Term Means Test Definition an income qualification program that determines whether one is eligible for benefits under government programs Term Earned Income Tax Credit Definition a provision of a 1975 law that entitles working families with children to receive money from the government if their total income is below a certain level Term Service Strategy Definition provides the poor with education and job training Term Income Strategy Definition gives money to the poor Term Marbury v. Madison Definition establishes judicial review and the power of the Supreme Court Term McCulloch vs. Maryland Definition establishes the supremacy of the national government Term Gibbons v. Ogden Definition Congress has power over commercial activity Term Weeks v. U.S. Definition exclusionary rule: illegal evidence can not be used in court Term Schenk v. U.S. Definition speech is limited when it results in clear and present danger Term Near v. Minnesota Definition 1st Amendment protects newspapers from prior restraint Term Palko v. Connecticut Definition parts of the Bill of Rights which are implicitly or explicitly necesary for liberty Term Korematsu v. U.S. Definition allowed internment of Japanese citizens Term Brown v. Board Definition declared school segregation unconstitutional and ordered schools to be desegregated Term Roth v. United States Definition obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment Term Mapp v. Ohio Definition re-enforces exclusionary rule Term Engle v. Vitale Definition no state sponsored prayer in schools Term Baker v. Carr Definition legislative districts must be as equal as possible in population Term Abbington v. Schemp Definition no devotional Bible reading in schools Term Gideon v. Wainwright Definition states must provide lawyers to those who are unable to afford them Term Wesberry v. Sanders Definition House districts must be as near to population as possible Term NY Times v. Sullivan Definition statements are only libelous if they are made with malice and disregard for the truth Term Griswald v. Connecticut Definition right to privacy, precedent for Roe v. Wade Term Miranda v. Arizona Definition Miranda warnings established, must be read before questioning Term Lemon v. Kurtzman Definition 3-part test to see if establishment clause is broken: nonsecular purpose, advances / inhibits religion, excessive government entanglement Term Miller v. California Definition obscenity= prurient interest, lacking in value, patently offensive Term Roe v. Wade Definition right to abortion Term U.S. v. Nixon Definition President can't pardon himself Term Buckley v. Valeo Definition campaign spending is speech, only contributions can be regulated. PACs can now spend as much as they want as long as they aren't affiliated with the campaign Term Gregg v. Georgia Definition death penalty is constitutional, not cruel and unusual Term U.C. Regents v. Bakke Definition strict racial quotas are unconstitutional Term Texas v. Johnson Definition strikes down a law banning flag burning Term Planned Parenthood v. Casey Definition states can regulate abortion but not prevent women from having access to it Term Shaw v. Reno Definition no racial gerrymandering Term U.S. v Lopez Definition gun free school zones Term Clinton v. NY Definition no line item veto Term Bush v. Gore Definition no Florida recount Term Zelman v. Simmons-Harris Definition public money can be used to send disadvantaged children to religious private schools Term Ashcroft v. ACLU Definition overturns ban on virtual child pornography Term Lawrence v. Texas Definition overturns ban on sodomy Term Gratz v. Bollinger Definition struck down use of "bonus points" based on race (during college admission process), but allows race to be a factor