AP Gov Chapter 15 and 16 Vocab

bureaucracy

a large, complex organization composed of appointed officials

government by proxy

Washington pays state and local governments and private groups to staff and administer federal programs

laissez-faire

an economic theory that government should not regulate or interfere with commerce

discretionary authority

the extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies not spelled out in advance by laws

competitive service

the government offices to which people are appointed on the basis of merit, as ascertained by a written exam or by applying certain selection criteria

name-request job

a job filled by a person whom an agency has already identified

iron triangle

a close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

issue network

a network of people in Washington D.C. -- based interest groups, on congressional staffs, in universities and think tanks, and in the mass media, who regularly discuss and advocate public policies.

authorization legalization

legislative permission to begin or continue a government program or agency

appropriation

a legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency

trust funds

funds for government programs collected and spent outside the regular government budget.

committee clearance

the ability of a congressional committee to review and approve certain agency decisions in advance and without passing a law

legislative veto

the authority of Congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place. The Supreme Court has held that congress does not have this power.

red tape

Complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done

judicial review

the power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional

judicial restraint approach

the view that judges should decide cases strictly on the basis of the language of the laws and the Constitution

activist approach

the view that judges should discern the general principles underlying laws or the Constitution and apply them to modern circumstances

constitutional court

a federal court authorized by Article III of the Constitution that keeps judges in office during good behavior and prevents their salaries from being reduced. They are the Supreme Court (created by the Constitution) and appellate and district courts created by Congress

district court

the lowest federal courts; federal trials can be held only here

courts of appeals

federal courts that hear appeals from district courts; no trials

legislative courts

Courts created by Congress for specialized purposes whose judges do not enjoy the protections of Article III of the Constitution

federal-question cases

cases concerning the Constitution, federal laws, or treaties

diversity cases

cases involving citizens of different states who can bring suit in federal courts

writ of certiorari

an order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up a case for review

in forma pauperis

a method whereby a poor person can have his or her case heard in federal court without charge

fee shifting

a rule that allows a plaintiff to recover costs from the defendant if the plaintiff wins

plaintiff

the party the initiates a lawsuit

standing

a legal rule stating who is authorized to start a lawsuit

sovereign immunity

the rule that a citizen cannot sue the government without the government's consent

class-action suit

a case brought by someone to help both himself or herself and all others who are similarly situated

brief

a written statement by an attorney that summarizes a case and the laws and rulings that support it

amicus curiae

a brief submitted by a "friend of the court"

per curiam opinion

a brief, unsigned court opinion

opinion of the Court

a signed opinion of a majority of the Supreme Court

concurring opinion

a signed opinion in which one or more members agree with the majority view but for different reasons

dissenting opinion

a signed opinion in which one or more justices disagree with the majority view

stare decisis

"Let the decision stand," or allowing prior rulings to control the current case

political question

an issue the Supreme Court will allow the executive and legislative branches decide

remedy

a judicial order enforcing a right or redressing a wrong