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amicus curiae
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A brief submitted to the court by an interested third party that outlines their position or issues it thinks are important in the case. It literally means "friend of the court"
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agenda setting
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Determining which public-policy questions will be debated or considered.
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adminstrative discretion
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The flexibility a federal agency can exercise in implementing legislation through its rules and regulations. The Authority delegated to bureaucrats
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Affirmative Action
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A program intended to give a boost to minority applicants over white applicants
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Anti-Federalists
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Those opposed to the ratification of the constitution because it gave to much power to the federal government at the cost of the states
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appelate court
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Courts with the authority to review cases heard by other courts to correct errors or uphold rulings
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Apportionment
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Distribution of representatives among the states based on the population of each state
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bench trial
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A trial in which the judge alone hears and rules the case
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bill of attainder
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A law that makes a person guilty of a crime without a trial, it's unconstitutional
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Bill of rights
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the first ten amendments to the constitution which protect civil liberties
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blanket primary
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a primary election in which each voter may vote for candidates from both parties
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Block grants
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Federal funds given to states in broad policy areas with few restrictions
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Bureaucracy
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A way of organizing a complex administrative structure with responsibility for carrying out the day to day tasks of organizations.
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Casework
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Services preformed by an elected official for constituents
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categorical grants
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Federal grants for specific purposes, such as building an airport
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Civil liberties
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Constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens
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Civil rights
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acts designed to prevent discrimination and provide equality
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Closed primary
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Limited to registered voters of a particular party
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Coattail effect
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Association with a popular candidate to get elected
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Conference committee
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made up of representatives and senators appointed to resolve differences in the Senate and House versions of the same bill before final passage
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Congressional Oversight
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Review and supervision of federal agencies and implementations of laws
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Congressional review
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Congress's authority to review a new federal regulation enacted by a regulatory agency and
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Conservative
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a person whose political views favor more local, limited government, fewer government regulations,
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Constitutional courts
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federal courts created by Congress under Article III of the Constitution
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Cooperative federalism
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All levels of government working together
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Dealigning election
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party loyalty becomes less important to voters, and they vote for the other party candidate or
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De facto segregation
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segregation that results from living patterns rather than law
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Delegate Representation
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an elected official who considers it an obligation to vote the way the majority of his or her constituents
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Deviating election
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minority party is able to win the support of majority party members, independents, and new voters
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Elite theory of democracy
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the idea that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule,
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Exclusionary rule
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rule that evidence acquired as a result of an illegal act by police cannot be used against the person
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Executive agreement
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agreement with another head of state not requiring approval from the Senate
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Executive order
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action by the president that does not require the approval of Congress; subject to judicial review
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Executive privilege
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a claim by the president or a member of the executive branch that information or documents
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Federalists
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supported a strong central government and ratification of the Constitution
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Floor leaders
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direct majority or minority party strategy and decisions in the House and Senate
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Franking privilege
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allows members of Congress to mail letters and other materials to constituents free of charge
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Free exercise clause
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Congress may not make laws restricting or prohibiting a person's religious practices
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Free rider
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an individual who benefits from the activities of an interest group but does not support the group either
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Front loading
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the practice of a state choosing an early date to hold a primary election (They become more influencial)
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Full faith and credit clause
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says that states are required to recognize the laws and legal documents of other states
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Gatekeepers
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media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who decide what news to present and how it
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Gerrymandering
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Gerrymandering drawing of congressional districts to favor one political party or group over another
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Good-faith exception
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a rule of evidence that says that if the authorities act "in good faith," evidence that otherwise
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Government corporation
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a corporation that may receive part of its funding from Congress and is managed by a board
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Hard money
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money used directly by a candidate running for office; it is subject to campaign finance laws and Federal
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Honeymoon period
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a time early in a new president's administration characterized by optimistic approval by the
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Hyperpluralism
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democracy seen as a system of many groups pulling government in many directions at the same time,
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Ideology
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a consistent set of beliefs by groups or individuals
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Impeachment
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bringing charges of wrongdoing against a government official by the House of Representatives
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selective incorporation
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application of portions of the Bill of Rights to the states under the 14th Amendment
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Incrementalism
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small changes in policy over long periods of time; usually in reference to budget making - that the
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Incumbency effect
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tendency of those already holding office to win reelection due to advantages because they already
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Independent executive agency
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an agency that is part of the executive branch but not included in any executive
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Independent regulatory agency
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an agency that is part of the executive branch and responsible for regulating and
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Inherent powers
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powers, usually claimed by the president, that are implied but not specifically stated in the
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Interest group
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a group of private citizens whose goal is to influence and shape public policy
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Iron triangle
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alliances that develop between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or
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Issue network
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the numerous people who are involved in the formulation of policy, including the president, members
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Judicial activism
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a judicial philosophy that holds that courts have a more expansive role to play in shaping public
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Judicial restraint
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holds that the Court should avoid taking the initiative on social and political questions, operating
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Judicial review
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authority given the courts to review the constitutionality of acts by the executive, states, or the
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Keynesian economics
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the belief that inflation occurs when too much money is chasing too few goods; the government
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Libel
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false written statements about others that harm their reputation
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Liberal
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a person whose views favor more government involvement in business, social welfare, minority rights, and
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Libertarianism
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people who wish to maximize the personal liberty on both economic and social issues; prefer small,
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Limited government
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a governing or controlling body whose power exists only within predefined limits that are
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Logrolling
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The exchange of political favors for support of a bill
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Loose constructionist
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the belief that judges should have freedom in interpreting the Constitution
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Mandates
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requirements imposed by the national government on state and local governments to comply with federal
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Miranda warning
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the warning that an individual must be read at the time of arrest and questioning, letting him know
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Open primary
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a primary election in which an individual does not have to be a registered voter in a particular party to
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Opinion leaders
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those individuals held in great respect because of their position, expertise, or personality, who may
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Party machine
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a political organization, typically at the local level, that wielded considerable power through its ability
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Pluralist theory of democracy
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interest groups compete in the political arena with each promoting its own policy
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Pocket veto
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when the president takes no action on a bill within ten days of Congress adjourning, the bill does not
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Political action committees (PAC$)
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extension of an interest group that contributes money to political campaigns
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Political culture
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a set of basic values and beliefs about one's country or government that is shared by most citizens
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Political ideology
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a consistent set of beliefs about politics and public policy that sets the framework for evaluating
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Political party
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voluntary association of people who seek to control the government through common principles, based
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Political socialization
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complex process by which people get their sense of political identity, beliefs, and values
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A Politico
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a member of Congress who acts as a delegate on issues that constituents care about (such as immigration
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Popular sovereignty
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basic principle of US government which holds that the people are the source of all governmental
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Pork barrel legislation
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" Bringing home the bacon" legislation giving benefits to constituents through sometimes unnecessary or unwise projects
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Precedent
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standards or guides based on prior decisions that serve as a rule for settling similar disputes
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President pro tempore
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serves as president of the Senate in the absence of the vice president; chosen by the majority
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Prior restraint
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action by the government to prevent the publication of material; censorship
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Privileges and immunities clause
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states are prohibited from unreasonably discriminating against residents of other
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Progressive tax
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a tax that is higher for those who make more money; the federal income tax is an example
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Prospective voting
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a method of evaluating candidates in which voters focus on candidates' positions on issues
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Random sampling
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a statistical technique that gives everyone in the target group the same opportunity to participate
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Realigning election
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when a minority party wins by building a new coalition of voters that continues over successive
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Recess appointment
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a presidential appointment made when Congress is not in session; doesn't require immediate
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Redistricting
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the process of redrawing congressional and state legislative districts to reflect population changes in the
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Referendum
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a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct
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Regressive tax
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a tax that is assessed on everyone at the same rate and, therefore, impacts the poor more than it
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Representative democracy
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citizens choose officials who make decisions about public policy; a republic
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Republic
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a government that derives its authority from the people and in which citizens elect government officials to
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Reserved powers
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under the 10th Amendment, powers not granted to the federal government or denied to the states
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Retrospective voting
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a method of evaluating candidates in which voters evaluate incumbent candidates and decide
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Revolving door
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the practice of government officials becoming lobbyists for the industries or companies they were
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Rule of four
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a rule that says that four of the nine Supreme Court justices must agree in conference to hear a case
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Rules committee
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determines the rules for debate for bills in the House
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Select committee
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a temporary committee of Congress set up for a specific purpose that is outside the scope of the
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Senatorial courtesy
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the practice of allowing senators from the president's party who represent the state where a
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Separation of powers
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practice by which power is divided among three branches of government; each branch has its
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Slander
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false verbal statements about others that harm their reputation
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Soft money
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money used by national, state, or local party organizations that is not regulated by the Federal Election
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Sound bite
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a very brief excerpt from a political speech aired on television or radio
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Standing committee
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a permanent committee of Congress that deals with legislation and oversight in a broad policy
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Stare decisis
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let the decision stand; court decisions are based on precedent from previous cases
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Straight-ticket voting
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voting for candidates all of the same party
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Split-ticket voting
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voting for candidates from more than one party in the same election
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Strict constructionist
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the view that justices should base decisions on a narrow interpretation of the Constitution
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Subsidy
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Subsidy a sum of money granted by the government or a public body to assist an industry or business so that the
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Superdelegates
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party officials in the Democratic Party who attend the national convention without having to run in
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SuperPAC
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political organizations that use contributions from individuals, corporations, and labor unions to spend
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Supremacy clause
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national laws supersedes all other laws passed by states
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Trial balloon
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tests the public reaction to policy or appointments by releasing information to the media and gauging
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Trustee representatives
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after listening to constituents, elected representatives vote based on their own opinions
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Unitary system
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system a political system in which all power is derived from the central government
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