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Pork barrel

Government spending for localized projects secured primarily to bring money to a representative's district.

Logrolling

Practice of exchanging political favors in legislative contexts, where lawmakers vote for each other's proposals.

Partisanship

Strong commitment to a political party that can influence decision-making and policy agendas.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing district boundaries, often after a census to reflect population changes.

Reapportionment

The process of redistributing seats in the House of Representatives based on population changes determined by the census.

Baker v. Carr

Landmark Supreme Court case ruling that federal courts can intervene in state redistricting, establishing 'one person, one vote.'

One person, one vote

Constitutional principle ensuring equal voting power among citizens, where each vote holds the same weight.

Shaw v. Reno

Supreme Court case ruling against racial gerrymandering, emphasizing race cannot be the predominant factor in districting.

Divided government

A situation where the presidency is held by one party and one or both houses of Congress by another.

Lame duck

An elected official or group holding office during the period between the election and the inauguration of a successor.

Trustee representative

Model of representation where an elected official makes decisions based on their own judgment rather than constituents' preferences.

Delegate representative

Model of representation where an elected official acts directly in accordance with the wishes of their constituents.

Politico representative

Model combining elements of both trustee and delegate models, where representatives act as delegates on issues constituents care about and as trustees on others.

Policy agenda

A set of issues that policymakers prioritize for discussion and action.

Veto

The power of one branch of government to reject legislation proposed by another branch.

Pocket veto

A special type of veto occurring when the president does not sign a bill within ten days while Congress is adjourned.

Line item veto

The power of an executive to nullify specific provisions of a bill without rejecting the entire package.

Commander in chief

The president's role as the head of the armed forces.

Executive agreement

An international agreement made by the president without Senate ratification.

Treaty

A formal agreement between countries that requires Senate ratification.