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UH POLS 1337
Vocab from Institutions, Policies, and American Government
38
Political Studies
Undergraduate 1
05/07/2012

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Term
democracy
Definition
government by the people, both directly, indirectly, with free and frequent elections
Term
referendum
Definition
a procedure for submitting to popular vote measures proposed by legislature and amendments to state constitution
Term
bicameralism
Definition
the principle of a two house legislature
Term
natural law
Definition
God's or nature's law that defines right from wrong is higher than human law
Term
judicial review
Definition
the power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or government regulation that in the opinion of the judges conflicts with the US Constitution or state constitution
Term
writ of mandamus
Definition
a court order directing an official to perform an official duty
Term
impoundment
Definition
presidential refusal to allow an agency to spend funds that Congress authorized and appropriated
Term
per diem
Definition
legislators' per day allowance covering room and board expenses while on state business
Term
regular session (Texas)
Definition
biennial 140 day session, begins in January on odd numbered years
Term
special or called session (Texas)
Definition
up to 30 day session called by the governor
Term
quorum
Definition
the minimum number required to conduct business in a legislative body
Term
germane
Definition
related to the topic
Term
enumerated powers
Definition
powers explicitly given to congress in the Constitution
Term
cloture
Definition
the procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters
Term
vesting clause
Definition
the presidents authority to control most executive functions (article II of the Constitution)
Term
executive agreement
Definition
formal agreement between the president and leaders of other nations (does not require senate approval)
Term
treaty
Definition
formal agreement between the president and leaders of other nations (does require senate approval)
Term
congressional-executive agreement
Definition
formal agreement between the president and leaders of other nations (requires approval by both houses of Congress)
Term
pocket veto
Definition
if the congress adjourns during the 10 day period in which a bill must be signed, the president may veto by doing nothing
Term
take care clause
Definition
presidents must take care that laws are faithfully executed, even if they disagree with the purpose of the laws (article II, section 3)
Term
signing statements
Definition
formal document explaining why the president is signing a bill, may contain objections and promises not to implement key sections
Term
line item veto
Definition
presidential power to remove specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the whole bill
Term
mandate
Definition
a president's claim of broad public support
Term
rally point
Definition
rise in presidential approval following a crisis (i.e. 9/11, Katrina)
Term
independent regulatory commission
Definition
agency or commission with regulatory power whose independence is protected by congress
Term
Hatch Act
Definition
federal statute barring government employees from active participation in certain kinds of politics and protecting them from being fired on partisan grounds
Term
justiciable dispute
Definition
a dispute growing out of an actual case or controversy that is capable of settlement by legal methods
Term
writ of habeas corpus
Definition
court order requiring explanation as to why a person is being detained
Term
writ of certiorari
Definition
formal writ used to bring a case before the Supreme Court
Term
in forma pauperis
Definition
petition which allows a party to file "as a pauper" and avoid paying court fees
Term
amicus curiae
Definition
"friend of the court" brief
Term
stare decisis
Definition
the rule of precedent, whereby a rule or law contained in a judicial decision is commonly viewed as binding on judges when the same question is posed
Term
trial de novo
Definition
new trial, as necessary for an appeal from a court which is not a court of record
Term
de jure segregation
Definition
segregation imposed by law
Term
de facto segregation
Definition
segregation resulting from economic or social conditions or personal choice
Term
Keynesian economics
Definition
an economic theory based on the principles of John Maynard Keynes stating that government spending should increase during economic slumps and decrease during booms
Term
Medicare
Definition
health insurance for the elderly and disabled
Term
Medicaid
Definition
health insurance for low-income people
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