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AP Gov ch 12 and 14 vocab
vocab from wb
59
Political Studies
12th Grade
04/15/2011

Additional Political Studies Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
ad hoc structure
Definition
A method of organizing a president’s staff in which several task forces, committees, and informal groups deal directly with the president
Term
Article II
Definition
a statement that defines the constitutional powers of the president
Term
bully pulpit
Definition
the president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public
Term
cabinet
Definition
A president’s council of advisers
Term
circular structure
Definition
A method of organizing a president’s staff in which several presidential assistants report directly to the president
Term
delegate
Definition
view of presidential decision-making which stresses what the public wants
Term
direct democracy
Definition
A political system in which all or most citizens participate directly by either holding office or making policy
Term
divided government
Definition
A government in which one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress
Term
electoral college
Definition
a legal system by which states select electors who then vote for the president and vice president
Term
Executive Office of the President
Definition
agencies that perform staff services for the president but are not part of the White House
Term
executive privilege
Definition
the presidential assertion of the right to withhold certain information from Congress
Term
gridlock
Definition
Term used to express concern over inefficacy in government which might result from Congress and the Presidency being controlled by members of different parties
Term
honeymoon
Definition
term used to describe the early months of the presidential term when popularity ratings tend to be relatively high
Term
impeachment
Definition
a constitutional procedure by which federal judges and civil officers can be removed from office before their terms expire
Term
impoundment of funds
Definition
a presidential refusal to spend money appropriated by Congress
Term
"in-and-outers"
Definition
people who alternate between jobs in the federal government and employment in the private sector
Term
independent agencies
Definition
agencies headed by appointees who serve for fixed terms and can be removed only "for cause"
Term
lame duck
Definition
A politician who is still in office after having lost a reelection bid
Term
legislative veto
Definition
The rejection of a presidential or administrative action by a vote of one or both houses of Congress without the consent of the president
Term
line-item veto
Definition
the power of some governors (and the president in a limited way between 1996-1998) to veto portions of a bill instead of having to veto the entire bill
Term
Office of Management and Budget
Definition
the organization responsible for preparing the federal budget and for central clearance of legislative proposals from federal agencies
Term
perks
Definition
The fringe benefits of holding an office
Term
pocket veto
Definition
A form of veto in which the president fails to sign a bill passed by both houses within ten days and Congress has adjourned during that time
Term
prime minister
Definition
the chief executive in a parliamentary system who is chosen by the legislature
Term
pyramid structure
Definition
A method of organizing a president’s staff in which most presidential assistants report through a hierarchy to the president’s chief of staff
Term
representative democracy
Definition
a political system in which leaders and representatives acquire political power by means of a competitive struggle for the people's vote
Term
Tribune of the People
Definition
Andrew Jackson's view of his role as president of the United States
Term
trustee
Definition
View of presidential decision making which stresses what the public interest requires
Term
25th Amendment
Definition
legislation that specifies the conditions and order of succession to the presidency and vice presidency when the president leaves office before completion of his term
Term
unified government
Definition
a government in which the same party controls the White House and both houses of Congress
Term
veto message
Definition
a statement sent to Congress by the president giving the reasons for vetoing a bill
Term
White House Office
Definition
presidential staff who oversee the policy interests of the president
Term
activist approach
Definition
The idea that judges should amplify the vague language of the Constitution on the basis of their moral or economic philosophy and apply it to the case before them
Term
amicus curiae
Definition
a means by which one who has an interest in a case but is not directly involved can present arguments in favor of one side
Term
appellate jurisdiction
Definition
The scope of authority by which a higher court reviews a case from a lower court
Term
bloc voting
Definition
a pattern of voting behavior of two or more justices
Term
civil law
Definition
Rules defining relationships among private citizens
Term
class action suit
Definition
a means by which one who has been injured can bring action on behalf of all similarly situated
Term
concurring opinion
Definition
a signed opinion which agrees with the majority view but for different reasons
Term
constitutional court
Definition
A court established under Article III of the Constitution
Term
criminal law
Definition
The body of rules defining offenses that are considered to be offenses against society as a whole
Term
diversity case
Definition
Litigation in which a citizen of one state sues a citizen of another state and the amount of money in dispute is more than $50,000
Term
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Definition
a ruling that declared that Negroes could not be federal citizens
Term
fee shifting
Definition
the practice, authorized by statutes, under which the plantiff is enabled to collect costs from the defendant if the latter loses
Term
Friday conference
Definition
the meeting at which the justices vote on cases that they have recently heard
Term
In forma pauperis
Definition
a method whereby a poor person can have his or her case heard in federal court without charge
Term
judicial review
Definition
the power of the courts to determine the constitutionality of legislative and executive acts
Term
litmus test
Definition
an examination of the political ideology of a nominated judge
Term
per curiam opinion
Definition
an unsigned and typically brief court opinion
Term
plantiff
Definition
the party that initiates a law suit
Term
political question
Definition
An issue the Court refuses to consider, believing the Constitution intends another branch to make the decision
Term
remedy
Definition
a judicial order enforcing a right or redressing a wrong
Term
senatorial courtesy
Definition
A tradition under which the Senate will defer to the judgment of a senator of the president’s party when determining the suitability of candidates for federal judgeships from the senator’s state
Term
solicitor general
Definition
an individual who represents the federal government before the Supreme Court
Term
sovereign immunity
Definition
The rule that a citizen cannot sue the government without the government’s consent
Term
standing
Definition
A requirement that must be satisfied before a plaintiff can have a case heard on its merits
Term
stare decisis
Definition
The rule of precedent
Term
strict-constructionist approach
Definition
The idea that judges should confine themselves to applying those rules stated in or clearly implied by the language of the Constitution
Term
writ of certiorari
Definition
A decision that permits a case to be heard by the Supreme Court when four justices approve
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