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Judicial Review

Established by Marbury v. Madison (1803); allows courts to strike down unconstitutional laws or actions.

Elastic Clause

Allows Congress to pass laws necessary to execute its enumerated powers.

Federalism

A system dividing power between national and state governments.

Brown v. Board of Education

Declared public school segregation unconstitutional.

8th Amendment

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

Judicial Activism

Philosophy advocating courts should interpret the Constitution to reflect contemporary societal values.

Miranda v. Arizona

Established that suspects must be informed of their rights before police questioning.

Iron Triangle

Relationship between interest groups, congressional committees, and bureaucratic agencies in policy-making.

Roe v. Wade

Legalized abortion nationally within a trimester framework.

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote.

Political Judicial Activism

Courts actively interpret the Constitution according to contemporary social conditions.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Established the 'separate but equal' doctrine allowing segregation.

Closed Primary

A primary election where only registered party members can vote.

Federalist No. 51

Essay emphasizing checks and balances to prevent government abuses.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that federal law overrides conflicting state laws.

Popular Sovereignty

Principle that governmental authority comes from consent of the governed.

Engel v. Vitale

Ruled public school-sponsored prayer unconstitutional under the Establishment Clause.

Griswold v. Connecticut

Established constitutional right to privacy.

Reapportionment

Redistribution of House seats among states every 10 years based on census results.

Commerce Clause

Grants Congress power to regulate interstate and international commerce.

War Powers Act (1973)

Limits presidential deployment of troops without Congressional approval.

Selective Incorporation

Process by which Bill of Rights protections are gradually applied to states via the 14th Amendment.

Tyranny of the Majority

Potential for the majority to oppress minority rights or interests.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Organizations that raise money to support political candidates or issues.

United States v. Nixon

Limited executive privilege, affirming the President is not above the law.

Coattail Effect

Influence a popular presidential candidate has in helping party members win congressional seats.

Judicial Restraint

Belief courts should defer to decisions of elected officials, avoiding active policy-making.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Requires states to honor judicial proceedings, records, and acts from other states.

Categorical Grants

Federal funding with specific guidelines on spending.

Block Grants

Federal grants provided to states allowing flexibility in spending within broad policy areas.

Symbolic Speech

Non-verbal political expression protected by the First Amendment (e.g., flag burning).

Hatch Act (1939)

Limits political activities of federal employees to prevent political bias.

Pocket Veto

Occurs when the president neither signs nor vetoes a bill within 10 days while Congress adjourns.

Amicus Curiae Briefs

Legal documents submitted by non-parties aiming to influence court decisions.

Filibuster

Senate tactic delaying a vote by extending debate; ended by cloture (requires 60 votes).

Revolving Door

Movement of personnel between government jobs and lobbying positions.

Dark Money

Anonymous political funding where donors’ identities are not disclosed.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Established federal supremacy and Congress' implied powers.

UC Regents v. Bakke

Struck down racial quotas but upheld affirmative action in college admissions.

Impeachment Process

House brings charges, Senate conducts a trial to decide removal from office.

Democracy

System where political power is exercised by the people directly or through elected representatives.

Political Sovereignty

The authority of government derives from the consent and power of the people.

Signing Statement

A statement a president makes upon signing legislation into law, often outlining how they interpret the law.

Nuclear Command Authority

The president has sole authority to order the use of nuclear weapons, though procedures involve consultation with military leaders.

Riders

Additional provisions added to bills, often unrelated to the main bill, allowed in the Senate but restricted in the House.

Logrolling

Practice of legislators trading votes to gain mutual benefits for their proposed bills.

Closed Rule

A procedure that prevents amendments from being added to a bill during floor debate, used to streamline legislation.

House Rules Committee

Controls the scheduling and flow of bills for debate and voting in the House of Representatives.

Majority Party Authority in Congress

Includes selecting the Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader but does not require congress members to vote along party lines.

Presidential Cabinet

Includes the leaders of the fifteen executive departments who advise the president on policy matters.

Congressional Debate Limits

The House of Representatives has stricter time limits on debate than the Senate, allowing it to pass legislation faster.

Senate Debate Rules

More flexible than the House, allowing unlimited debate and amendments, including unrelated riders to bills.

Executive Privilege

The president's ability to withhold information from Congress or the courts, often in matters of national security.

Presidential Authority

Includes recognizing foreign governments and negotiating treaties but does not allow indefinite military action without congressional approval.