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Government
RG 13-14 (selective)
27
Other
12th Grade
04/27/2009

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Cards

Term
Appellate jurisdiction
Definition
jurisdiction of courts that hear cases brought to them on appeal from lower courts. These courts do not review the factual record, only the legal issues involved
Term
Class action suits
Definition
lawsuits permitting a small number of people to sue on behalf of all other people similarly situated
Term
Courts of appeal
Definition
appellate courts empowered to review all final decisions of district courts, except in rare cases. In addition, they also hear appeals to orders of many federal regulatory agencies
Term
District courts
Definition
the 91 federal courts of original jurisdiction. They are the only federal courts in which no trials are held and in which juries may be empaneled
Term
Judicial activism
Definition
a judicial philosophy in which judges make bold policy decisions, even charting new constitutional ground. Advocates of this approach emphasize that the courts can correct pressing needs, especially those unmet by the majoritarian political process
Term
Judicial restraint
Definition
a judicial philosophy in which judges play minimal policy making roes, leaving that strictly to the legislatures
Term
Judicial review
Definition
power of courts to determine whether acts of Congress, and by implication of the executive, are in accord with the US Constitution. Judicial review was established by John Marshall and his associates in Marbury v Madison
Term
Marbury v Madison
Definition
Asserts the right of the Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the US Constitution
Term
Opinion
Definition
statement of legal reasoning behind a judicial decision. The content of an opinion may be as important as the decision itself
Term
Original intent
Definition
a view that the Constitution should be interpreted according to the original intent of the framers. Many conservatives support this view
Term
Original jurisdiction
Definition
jurisdiction of courts that hear a case first, usually in a trial. These are the courts that determine the facts about a case
Term
Precedent
Definition
how similar cases have been decided in the past
Term
Senatorial courtesy
Definition
supporting a fellow senator by respecting his opinion and following his suit
Term
Stare decisis
Definition
"let the decision stand". Vast majority of cases reaching appellate courts are settled with this principle
Term
US v Nixon
Definition
doctrine of executive privilege was implicit in the Constitution but could not be extended to protect documents relevant to criminal prosecutions
Term
What are two contradictory expectations that Americans have about the presidency?
Definition
Americans want to believe in a powerful president who can do good, but dislike concentration of presidential power
Term
List a few of the president's constitutional power.
Definition
National Security Powers (commander in chief). Legislative Powers (Veto legislation). Administrative Powers (enforce rule). Judicial Powers (nominate federal judges)
Term
Describe two ways which the power of the president has expanded from its constitutional base.
Definition
Technology which revolutionizes aspects such as warfare and transportation. Expansion of the president's responsibilities and political resources
Term
What are two indicators of public support for the president?
Definition
Approval in polls and mandates in presidential elections
Term
In what ways is the institution of the presidency undemocratic?
Definition
the presidency has a large concentration of power, a trait Americans fear
Term
How does presidency increase/decrease the scope of government?
Definition
Increased governmental role increases his power and responsibility which increases the the American's fear, which in turn makes them want to curb this strength
Term
How does the federal government borrow money?
Definition
Treasury Department sells bonds, guaranteeing to pay interest to the bondholder
Term
What are two criticisms of a balanced budget amendment?
Definition
difficult to estimate both expenditures and revenues more than a year ahead, and both Congress and president could circumvent the intent of the amendment by adjusting economic assumptions or even changing the dates of the fiscal year
Term
Name the two conditions associated with governmental growth in America.
Definition
Public sector expands principally in response to the public's preferences and changes in economic and social conditions that affect the public's level of demand for government activity
Term
What is meant by the phrase "military industrial complex"?
Definition
characterize the close relationship between the military hierarchy and the defense industry that supplies its hardware needs a.k relationship of the military and its suppliers
Term
What is meant by "budget resolution"?
Definition
resolution binding Congress to a total expenditure level, which sets the limits on expenditures
Term
What are three possible explanations for the substantial growth in democracies?
Definition
politicians spend money to "buy" votes. Equality of suffrage. Responding to groups and their demands
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