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we the people
final
36
Political Studies
Undergraduate 1
05/06/2011

Additional Political Studies Flashcards

 


 

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Term
PORK BARREL
Definition
Appropriations made by legislative bodies for local projects that are often not needed but that are created so that local representatives can win re-election in their home districts
Term

Bill

 

Definition
a proposed law that has been sponsored by a member of Congress and submitted to the clerk of the House or Senate.
Term
Conference Committee
Definition
A joint committe created to work out a compromise on House and Senate versions of a piece of legislation.
Term
Pocket Veto
Definition
A presidental veto that is automatically triggered if the president does not act on givin piece of legislation passed during the final ten days of the legislation session.
Term
Executive Agreement
Definition
An Agreement made between the president and another country, that has the force of a treaty but does not require the Senate's advice and consent.
Term
Bicameral
Definition
Having a legislative assembly composed of two chambers or houses
Term
Apportionment 
Definition
The process occurring after every decennial census, that allocates congressional seats among the fifty states. 
Term
Cloture
Definition
A rule allowing a majority of two thirds of three-fifths of the members of a legislative body to set a time limit on debate over a given bill
Term
Incumbency
Definition
Holding a political office for whick one is running
Term
Executibe privillege
Definition
The claim that confidential communications between a president and close advisors should not be revealed without the consent of the president. 
Term
Executive order
Definition
A rule or regulations issued by the president that has the effect and formal status of legislation.
Term
Cabinet
Definition
The secretaries, or chief administrators, of the major department of the federal gorvernment cabinet secretaries are appointed by the president with the consent of the Senate
Term
Mandate
Definition
A claim by a victorious candidate that the electorate has given him or her special authority to carry out promises made during the campaign
Term
Privatization
Definition
removing all or part of program from the public sector to the private sector
Term
Plaintiff
Definition
The individual or organization who brings a complaint in court
Term
Defendant
Definition

the one against whom a complaint is brought in a criminal or civil case

 

Term
Plea Bargain
Definition
A negotiated agreement in a criminal case in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty in return for the state's agreement to reduce the severity of the criminal charge or prison sentence the defendant is facing
Term
Due Process
Definition
The right of every citizen against arbitrary action by nation or state gorvernment
Term
Writ of habeas corpus
Definition
a court order that the individual in custody be brought into court and shown the cause for detention. Habeas corpus is guaranteed by the Constitution and can be suspended only in cases of rebellion or invasion
Term
Senatorial courtesy
Definition
the practice whereby the president before formally nominating a person for a federal judgeship, seekd the indication that senators from the candidate's own state support the nomination
Term
Judicial review
Definition
The power of court to revies and if necessary, declare actions of the legislative and exexcutive branches invalid or unconstitutional. The supreme Court assented this power in Marbury v Madition
Term
standing
Definition
the right of an individual or organization to initiate a court case, on the basis of their having a substantial stake in the outcome
Term
Dissenting opinion
Definition
a decision written by a justice in the minority in a particular case in which the justice wishes to express his or her reasoning in the case
Term
Class action suit
Definition
a legal action by which a group or class of individuals with common interest can file a suit on behalf of everyone who shares that interest
Term
Budget deficit
Definition
amount by whick  goverment spending exceeds gorvernment revenue in a fiscal year
Term
equality of opportunity
Definition
a widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential
Term
isolationism
Definition
desire to avoid involvement in the affair of other nations
Term
Preemption
Definition
willingness to strike first in order to prevent an enemy attack
Term
Constituency
Definition
the resident in the area from which an official is elected
Term
Filibuster
Definition
a tactic used by members of the senate to prevent action on legislation they oppose by continously holding the floor and speaking until the majority backs down. Once given the floor, senators have unlimited time to speak, and it requires a vote of three-fifth of the senate to end filibuster 
Term
Precedents
Definition
Prior case whose principles are used by judges as the basis for their decision in a present case
Term
Public policy
Definition
a law, rule statute, or edict that expresses the gorvernment goal and provides for rewards and punishment to promote their attainment
Term
GDP
Definition
The total value of goods and service produced within a country
Term
Independent agency
Definition
a agency that is not part of Cabinet department
Term
Rule making
Definition
a Quasi- legislative administrative process by which gorvernment agencies produce regulation
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