Term
| Closed rule vs. Open rule |
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Definition
| sets strict time limits on debates and forbids amendments from the floor, except those from the presenting committee. Under closed rule, members not on the committee have little choice but to vote for or against the bill as it is. |
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Term
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Definition
| Evidence cannot be introduced into trial if it was not constitutionally obtained. (Mapp v Ohio) |
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Term
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Definition
| The process of allotting congressional seats to each state following the decennial census according to their proportion of the population. |
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Term
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Definition
| The process of apportionment occurs every 10 years and may grant additional seats to those states with growth |
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Term
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Definition
| At least four justices of the Supreme Court must vote to consider a case before it can be heard |
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Definition
James Madison
argued in favor of ratification of the Constitution
argued factions are a natural, yet concerning, product of freedom and asserted there are two ways to control factions: remove the cause or limit the effect
factions could be controlled better by a large republic where there are many competing factions
also argued that elected representatives from larger groups of constituents would be more competent |
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Term
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Definition
James Madison
the key to controlling the government is through sound separation of power and checks and balances within the government
legislative branch (the House and the Senate) should be the strongest branch since it most closely represents the people
federalism is also a form of checks and balances since states could check the power of the federal government |
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Term
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Definition
| Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes or "categories," of state and local spending. They come with strings attached, such as nondiscrimination provisions. Compare to block grants. |
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Term
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Definition
| A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power |
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Term
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Definition
| A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. They may also share costs, administration, and even blame for programs that work poorly. |
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Term
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Definition
the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality. Giving power back to the states
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Term
| Framers creation of the legislature |
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Definition
| Bicameral legislature intended for the creation of consent between the House and Senate |
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Term
| Framers view of the primary function/role of the government |
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Definition
The framers of the Constitution all believed that one of the primary functions of government is
protecting individual property rights |
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Term
| Federal system of government |
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Definition
| a system in which power is shared among state and national authorities |
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Term
| Anti federalists vs. federalists debates |
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Definition
| Federalists were in favor of a strong central government with power over the states whereas anti-federalists preferred strong state governments |
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Term
| What criteria does the president use when choosing his white house staff? |
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Definition
| They choose former congressmen, close personal friends, campaign aides, and/or experts on various policy issues for their cabinet (they choose members from outside of Congress); and have no guaranteed majority in Congress. |
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Term
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Definition
Does not allow it to become law and then it goes back to congress and they can override if they get a 2/3rd vote in both houses, normally doesn't occur.
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Term
| Characteristics of Political Action Committees (PACs) |
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Definition
| a private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns. |
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Term
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Definition
| individuals who organize to influence the government's programs and policies |
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Term
| Federal Election Campaign Act-1974 |
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Definition
is a United States federal law which increased disclosure of contributions for federal campaigns, and to place legal limits on the campaign contributions.
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Term
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Definition
| it held that restrictions on individual contributions to political campaigns and candidates did not violate the First Amendment b/c it served a government interest by guarding against unscrupulous practices |
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Term
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Definition
| Supreme Court first asserted the power of judicial review in finding that the congressional statute extending the Court's original jurisdiction was unconstitutional |
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Term
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Definition
| 3rd party to a lawsuit who files a legal brief in an attempt to raise additional points of view and influence a court's decision |
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Term
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Definition
A request for the Court to order up the records from a lower court to review the case
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Term
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Definition
A philosophy of judicial decision-making that argues judges should use their own power broadly to further justice, especially in the areas of personal liberty and equality
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Term
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Definition
A philosophy of judicial decision-making that argues courts should allow the decisions of other branches of government to stand, even when they offend a judge's own sense of principles
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Term
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Definition
| Power of the courts to review acts of other branches of government and the states |
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Term
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Definition
| Federal grant given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services |
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Term
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Definition
A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government
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Term
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Definition
| A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies. |
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Term
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Definition
| The final paragraph of Article 1, Section 8, of the constitution, which authorizes Congress to pass all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out the enumerated powers. |
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Term
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Definition
| Powers of the federal government that are specifically addressed in the Constitution |
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Term
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Definition
| The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system |
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Term
| Full faith and credit clause |
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Definition
| A clause in Article IV, Section , of the constitution requiring each state to recognize the official documents and civil judgements rendered by the courts of other states |
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Term
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Definition
| A landmark case decided in 1824 in which the Supreme Court interpreted very broadly the clause in Article I, Section 8, of the constitution giving congress the power to regulate interstate commerce, as encompassing virtually every form of commercial activity. |
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Term
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Definition
| Powers of the federal government that go beyond those enumerated in the constitution. The constitution states that congress has the power to "make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution" the powers enumerated in Article I. |
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Term
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Definition
| A 1819 Supreme Court decision that established the supremacy of the national government over state governments |
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Term
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Definition
| Article IV of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits. |
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Term
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Definition
| Oliver Wendell Holmes; clear and present danger test; limits on speech esp. during wartime. |
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Term
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Definition
| Death penalty is not "cruel and unusual punishment" in cases of murder |
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Term
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Definition
| Candidates can use as much of their own money on their own campaigns. Allowed PAC's to spend unlimited amounts for compaigning activities |
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Term
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Definition
One person one vote-state elections (Warren Court's judicial activism.)
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Term
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Definition
Struck down use of "bonus points" for race in undergrad admissions to University of Michigan
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Term
| Brown V Board (1st) (1954) |
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Definition
| Segregation in SCHOOLS is a violation of the 14th amendment |
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Term
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Definition
| Established the exclusionary rule was applicable to the states (evidence seized illegally cannot be used in court) |
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Term
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Definition
Mandatory prayer in schools is a violation of the establishment clause
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Term
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Definition
If a defendant cannot afford an attorney the state must provide one
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Term
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Definition
| Established that there is an implied right to privacy in the U.S. Constitution |
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Term
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Definition
Abortion rights fall within the privacy implied in the 14th amendment
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Term
| Regents of California v. Bakke |
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Definition
| Race can not be the only factor in college admissions, there can be no quotas. |
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Term
| New York Times V. Sullivan |
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Definition
Held that statements about public figures are libelous only if made with malice and reckless regard for the truth
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Term
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Definition
| NO racial gerrymandering; race cannot be the sole or predominant factor in redrawing legislative boundaries; majority-minority districts. |
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Term
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Definition
| Gun Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress' authority to regulate interstate commerce. |
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Term
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Definition
| Est. the Exclusionary rule at federal level; illegally obtained evidence cannot be used in court |
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Term
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Definition
| Held that 1st amendment protects newspapers from prior restraint |
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Term
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Definition
| Est. that "obscenity is not within the area of constitutionally protected speech or press" |
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Term
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Definition
| Est. separate but equal. Gave Supreme Court approval to Jim Crow laws. |
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Term
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Definition
| The accused must be notified of their rights before being questioned by the police |
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Term
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Definition
| Est. 3 part test to determine if establishment clause is violated: nonsecular purpose, advances/inhibits religion, excessive entanglement with government |
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Term
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Definition
| "Executive privilege" is not unlimited "Even president is not above law" |
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Term
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Definition
| Banned presidential use of line item veto |
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Term
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Definition
| Struck down a law banning the burning og the American flag |
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Term
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Definition
| Est. that community standards be used in determining whether material is obscene |
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Term
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Definition
system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public's preferences
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Term
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Definition
| Political parties, elections, news and entertainment media, interest groups |
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Term
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Definition
| a choice that govt makes in response to a political issue |
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Term
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Definition
| holding to traditional attitudes and values (cautious about change and innovation) |
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Term
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Definition
open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values
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Term
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Definition
| groups that seek govt control through winning elections and holding public office |
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Term
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Definition
groups that are so strong that the govt is weakened (groups control policy and preent govt from acting)
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Term
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Definition
| a candidate running for reelection to a position that he or she already holds |
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Term
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Definition
| Another framework, introduced by William Patterson, called for a unicameral legislature, which gave each state one vote. Favored less populous states. |
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Term
| Great Connecticut Compromise |
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Definition
| Created the modern stuffs: bicameral, House of Representatives (based on population), and Senate (equal representation). |
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Term
| Agencies of Socialization |
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Definition
| social institutions that help shape individuals' basic political beliefs and values. The main institutions are family (the initial source of political orientation!), social groups (both ones people belong to involuntarily, such as gender and race, and voluntary ones, such as religion; often people may shape their views to those of their groups), education, and political conditions (how people are recruited into politics, and who recruits them) |
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Term
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Definition
| percentage of eligible individuals who actually vote (~62%) |
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Term
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Definition
| 1962, prayer in public schools was found unconstitutional. |
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Term
| Majority-minority district |
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Definition
| a gerrymandered voting district that improves the chances of minority candidates by making selected minority groups the majority within the district |
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Term
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Definition
| An angry farmer from Massachusetts (Shay) led a mob to rebellion against the state government. It was eventually put down, but it demonstrated the weakness of the national government. |
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Term
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Definition
| 2 year terms, elected directly by the people, have the power to originate revenue bills. |
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Term
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Definition
6 year and staggered terms, elected by state legislatures until 1913, have the power to ratify treaties and approve presidential appointments.
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Term
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Definition
| the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791; they ensure certain rights and liberties to the people. |
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Term
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Definition
| Article I, Section 8. Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, states, and tribes. The Supreme Court interpreted it in favor of national power. |
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Term
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Definition
political activists selected to vote at a party's national convention
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Term
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Definition
| a strategy by which organized interests seek to influence the passage of legislation by exerting direct pressure on members of the legislature |
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Term
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Definition
| The ability to influence government and politics |
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Term
| Articles of Confederation |
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Definition
| Adopted in 1777, limited the powers of the national government, there was no president. Congress had the power to make war, peace, and treaties, borrow money, and regulate trade with Native Americans. |
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Term
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Definition
A framework for the Constitution, proposed by Edmund Randolph, which called for a bicameral legislative, based on population. Favored populous states.
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Term
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Definition
| Slaves counted as 3/5ths of a person for representation. |
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Term
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Definition
| Created in Article VI; says that laws passed by the national government are supreme and must be adopted by states. |
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Term
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Definition
The idea that each branch of government is given some power of the other two branches.
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Term
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Definition
| A centralized government system in which lower levels of government have little power independent of the national government. |
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Term
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Definition
| Powers specifically given to Congress |
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Term
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Definition
| Powers Congress derives from the necessary and proper clause. |
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Term
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Definition
| The final Bill of Rights amendment, gave states powers that were not given to the national government, and not prohibited from the states. The most important power is police power (the power to regulate health, safety and morals). |
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Term
| Full Faith and Credit Clause |
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Definition
Article IV, Section I, made to promote national unity. States that each state must honor the public acts and judicial decisions that take place in another state (marriage, well except for gay marriage). States can only not honor these things if it is against their "strong public policy".
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Term
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Definition
| Idea that states should oppose increasing authority of national government. Connected to devolution (returning powers of the national government to the states). |
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Term
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Definition
| Programs through which Congress provides money to state and local governments on the condition that the money is used for the purposes defined by the federal government. Took power away from the states (but not directly). |
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Term
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Definition
| a written statement made in "reckless disregard of the truth" that is considered damaging to a victim because it is "malicious, scandalous, and defamatory" |
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Term
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Definition
| an effort by a governmental agency to block the publication of material it deems libelous or harmful in some other way; censorship. In the United States, the courts forbid prior restraint except under the most extraordinary circumstances |
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Term
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Definition
| Slander is oral, libel is written |
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Term
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Definition
| government policies or programs that seek to redress past injustices against specified groups by making special efforts to provide members of these groups with access to educational and employment opportunities |
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Term
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Definition
provision of the Fourteenth Amendment guaranteeing citizens "the equal protection of the laws." This clause has been the basis for the civil rights of African Americans, women, and other groups
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Term
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Definition
| one of three Civil War amendments; guaranteed equal protection and due process; citizenship for freed slaves. |
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Term
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Definition
| one of three Civil War amendments; guaranteed voting rights for African American men |
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Term
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Definition
| one of three Civil War amendments; abolished slavery |
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Term
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Definition
| congressional grants given to states and localities on the condition that expenditures be limited to a problem or group specified by the law |
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Term
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Definition
| and independent agency established in 1934 to regulate over-the-air broadcast media (not cable TV, internet, or satellite radio), radio and TV stations must have TCC licenses that must be renewed every five years(prevent broadcasts from interfering with each other) |
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Term
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Definition
| lowered voting age to 18, ratified during Vietnam War (1917) |
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Term
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Definition
| An increase in the votes congressional candidates usually get when they first run for reelection. |
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Term
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Definition
| AN election held to choose which candidate will hold office. |
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Term
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Definition
| An election held to choose candidates for office |
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Term
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Definition
| Drawing the boundaries of legislative districts so that they are unequal in population. |
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Term
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Definition
| a political system in which only two parties have a realistic opportunity to compete effectively for control |
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Term
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Definition
the presidential electors from each state who meet after the popular election to cast ballots for president and vice president
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Term
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Definition
| the process of redrawing election districts and redistributing legislative representatives. This happens every ten years to reflect shifts in population or in response to legal challenges in existing districts |
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Term
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Definition
| the stable, cooperative relationship that often develops among a congressional committee, an administrative agency, and one or more supportive interest groups. Not all of these relationships are triangular, but the iron triangle is the most typical |
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Term
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Definition
| an attempt to defeat a bill in the Senate by talking indefinitely, thus preventing the Senate from taking action on the bill |
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Term
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Definition
| the legislative leader elected by party members holding a majority of seats in the House of the Senate |
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Term
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Definition
| legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hopes of winning their votes in return |
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Term
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Definition
| a rule used by the Senate, providing to end or limit debate |
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Term
| Direct Primaries vs. Convention System |
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Definition
| Direct primaries are when voters choose candidates. The convention system is how a political party picks their representer. |
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Term
| Elite & Pluralist Theories of Politics |
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Definition
| elitist believe one minority group (rich) controls everything, whereas pluralist believe many groups compete and you win some lose some |
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Term
| What are the four factors that help explain the rise of interest groups? |
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Definition
| economy, government policy, social movement, government activity increases |
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Term
| Why do people join interest groups? |
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Definition
| solidary incentives, purposive incentives, and material incentives |
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Term
| What role does the media play in shaping public opinion? |
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Definition
1. Influence political attitudes
2. Aids in the developement of public opinion
3. Intermediary between ppl and govt
4. Questions motives and purpose of govt,
5. Plays important role in public agenda, less clear if they change the public opinion (exception when PO is volatile) but then ppl tend to watch channels that follow their political beliefs. |
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Term
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Definition
| 1964; banned discrimination in public accomodations, prohibited discrimination in any federally assisted program, outlawed discrimination in most employment; enlarged federal powers to protect voting rights and to speed school desegregation; this and the voting rights act helped to give African-Americans equality on paper, and more federally-protected power so that social equality was a more realistic goal |
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Term
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Definition
| Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 |
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Term
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Definition
| a law passed in 1973 in reaction to American fighting in Vietnam and Cambodia that requires presidents to consult with Congress whenever possible prior to using military force and to withdraw forces after 60 days unless Congress declares war or grants an extension. |
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Term
| Article 1 of the Constitution |
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Definition
| the U.S. Congress makes the laws for the United States. Congress has two parts,called "Houses," the House of Representatives and the Senate. |
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Term
| The Role of The President in Foreign Policy Making |
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Definition
1) Commander in chief: he can send troops, without approval of congress, overseas.
2) Negotiate Treaties: president can negotiate treaties with other countries, but congress has to approve/pass the treaty
3) Appoints U.S. ambassadors and heads of executive departments ( wit the consent of the senate) |
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Term
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Definition
| Proposed by Ulysses S. Grant, gives presidents the power to disapprove of individual items within a spending bill. |
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Term
| Republican Agenda in 1994 |
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Definition
| In 1994, the Republican Party won control of both houses of Congress for the first time since the 1950s; they proclaimed their triumph the "Freedom Revolution," and Newt Gingrich, a conservative congressman from Georgia, masterminded their platform, which was called |
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Term
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Definition
| A formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does not require Senate approval. |
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Term
| Office of Management and Budget |
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Definition
| he organization responsible for preparing the federal budget and for central clearance of legislative proposals from federal agencies |
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Term
| Legislative Process: Bill to law Step one- proposal |
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Definition
| Anyone can propose a bill. Most legislation is proposed by members of congress or executive branch. Lobbyists & special intersts groups propose bills as well. All revenue and appropriation bills MUST start in the house. |
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Term
| Legislation Process: Intro of "sponsorship" Step 2 |
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Definition
| A member of Congress has to introduce the bill in either house. On average about 1000 bills become law. This introduction is called the "first reading" but only the title and Bill # are read outloud. |
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Term
| Legislation Process: Step 2A- Intro in the H.O.R |
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Definition
| A bill must be physically given to the clerk of the house, called "dropping it in the hopper" |
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Term
| Legislation process: step 2b- Intro to the Senate |
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Definition
| Bills are introduced during "morning hour". This is between 12 and 2pm. Also the senator must introduce the bill to the senate clerk verbally. |
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Term
| Legislation Process: Step 3- Rule committee who acts as the "traffic cop" |
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Definition
They screen out unspported/inessential bills.This determines how a bill will be elected in the house. They make two decisions:
1) can decide which calender a bill is placed on (can kill it)
2) Decide rules that apply for debate such as either "closed rule" or "open rule"
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Term
| Legislation process: 3b- open vs closed rule |
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Definition
Open rule- anyone can add amendments on the floor
closed rule- only members of sponsoring commitee can edit bill |
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Term
| How to bypass the rules committee |
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Definition
suspension of rules- need 2/3 of those present and needs to be recognized by speaker
Calender weds- Try skip the rules committee
Discharge petition- demands that a bill be released by rules committee (almost never happens) |
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Term
| Legislation Process: step 4- floor debate (house) |
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Definition
| Every measure on union and house calender is seen by the Committee of the Whole (entire house). There is equal time between minority and majority leaders, who pick who will debate for their party. The speaker often designates a senior member who is familiar with the bill to be the presiding officer. This allows for a faster and open debate, which is the purpose of the Committee of the Whole. |
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Term
| Legislation Process: 4b- Senate Debate |
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Definition
| No time limit on debate...allows fora filibuster which means the speaker stalls the vote through endless talking. To invoke the cloture rule and end a filibuster, 3/5 of the senate must agree on it. The number used to be 2/3. |
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Term
| Legislation Process: Step 5- Vote |
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Definition
Three kinds of vote:
Voice vote- all those in favor ay...there's no paper trail
Rising vote- Stand if in favor ... again no paper trail
Recorded Vote- name and vote are recorded |
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Term
| Legislation Process: Step 6- Conference Committee |
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Definition
Irons out any differences between the bill that was approved on one house and the bill approved in the other
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Term
| Legislative Process: Step 7- Presidential Options |
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Definition
1-Can choose to make it law by signing it
2- can do nothing and it will become law in 10 working days
3- can formally veto it and must state why
*2/3 of congress vote needed to override veto (rare)
4- Pocket veto if congress has adjourned before 10 days, he doesnt have to say why he vetoed the bill |
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Term
| Effects of federal system |
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Definition
| decentralizes politics, creates more opportunities to participate in government, more power to the judicial branch, creates bureaucrats (different levels and more safety nets) |
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Term
| Divided party control of Presidency and Congress |
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Definition
| nothing gets accomplished because the president vetoes anything that gets passed and anything the president wants doesn't get passed. |
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Term
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Definition
| favor of one's own political party; identified by one particular party |
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Term
| Committee chair in the house |
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Definition
selected by House leaders in the majority party.
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Term
| Independent Regulatory Agencies |
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Definition
Federal regulatory agencies that are independent, thus not fully under the power of the president.
Example: Federal Trade Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission |
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Term
| Communication betw. congressional representatives and constituents |
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Definition
| Occurs through personal staffs of representatives |
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Term
| Freedom of Information Act |
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Definition
act which declassified government documents for public use
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Term
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Definition
| a permanent committee in Congress that oversees bills that deal with certain kinds of issues |
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Term
| Which branch(es) of the federal government is responsible for establishing lower federal courts? |
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Definition
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Term
| Changes in political culture since 1950 |
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Definition
| Less trusting of government institutions and leaders |
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Term
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Definition
| a member of Congress providing services to voters such as providing help with federal agencies, federal grants, and students who want to attend the US military academies, who live in the district the representative or senator serves. |
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Term
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Definition
| A democracy that based on the majority rule over society; this is a conventional form of democracy in many countries but is subject to "tyranny of the majority", which leads to the oppression of the minority groups within a society. |
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Term
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Definition
| Each is headed by a secretary (except Justice, headed by A.G.). Head must be appointed by president, and approved by the senate. Each department manages specific policy areas, and each has its own budget and staff. |
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Term
| Independent regulatory agencies |
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Definition
| These are not part of the cabinet departments and generally do not have regulatory functions. They usually perform specialized functions. Ex: National Science Foundation (NSF), NASA |
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Term
| Public Opinion and the Supreme Court |
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Definition
public opinion can act as a check on the power of the courts as well as an energizing factor
-Webster v. Reproductive Health Services (1989): court was subjected to unprecedented lobbying as groups and individuals on both sides of the abortion issue marched and sent appeals to the Court
-Roe v. Wade (1973): supporters were urged to contact members of the Court to voice their support
-Korematsu v. US: Court upheld the obvious unconstitutional interment of Japanese Americans |
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