Landmark Court Cases and Foundational Documents

Amicus curiae

Brief presented to court by non-involved party for additional information

Categorical grants

Federal funds designated for specific purposes with strict guidelines

Caucus

Meeting of political party members to discuss issues or select candidates

Closed primary

Primary election where only registered party members can participate

Cooperative federalism

Federal and state governments working together in policy areas

Critical elections

Elections resulting in lasting shift in political landscape and party alignments

Dealignment

Weakening of party affiliations and trend towards independent voter behavior

Demographics

Statistical characteristics of population used for understanding trends

Devolution

Transfer of powers from federal government to state or local governments

Divided government

Different political parties controlling different branches or levels of government

Executive order

Directive issued by President to implement federal laws without congressional approval

Expressed powers

Powers explicitly granted to federal government by U.S. Constitution

Filibuster

Tactic used in Senate to delay or block legislation

Fiscal policy

Government's use of taxing and spending to influence the economy

Franking privilege

Ability of members of Congress to send mail to constituents at government expense

Gender gap

Difference in political attitudes and voting behavior between men and women

General election

Election where voters choose elected officials, including President

Gerrymandering

Manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a political party

Grassroots lobbying

Efforts to influence public policy at local or community level

Horse race journalism

Media coverage of political campaigns focusing on polling data and candidates' standings

Block grants

Federal funds given to states for broadly defined purposes

Bully pulpit

Platform and influence of public office to promote political agenda

Casework

Assistance provided by elected officials to constituents

Entitlements

Government programs providing guaranteed benefits to eligible individuals

Federalism

Division of power between central and regional governments

Fiscal federalism

Financial relations between federal, state, and local governments

Implied powers

Powers not explicitly mentioned in U.S. Constitution but within federal government's authority

Incumbent

Current officeholder running for re-election

Independent expenditures

Money spent by individuals or groups to support/oppose political candidates without direct coordination

Inherent powers

Powers believed to be possessed by all sovereign states

Interest group

Organization seeking to influence public policy on specific issues

Issue network (iron triangle)

Relationship between interest groups, government agencies, and congressional committees in shaping policies

Judicial activism

Judicial philosophy interpreting Constitution to address contemporary issues

Judicial review

Power of courts to declare laws and actions unconstitutional

Lame duck period

Period between election and inauguration when outgoing officials have limited power

Litigation

Process of taking a dispute to court for resolution

Lobbying

Efforts to influence government decisions by individuals, interest groups, or corporations

Logrolling

Practice of exchanging favors or support for mutual benefit

Mandatory spending

Government expenditures required by law, not subject to annual budget decisions

Midterm election

Election occurring in middle of president's term, for congressional seats

Monetary policy

Government's management of money supply and interest rates to influence economy

Motion for cloture

Procedure in Senate to end filibuster and force vote on bill or nomination

Open primary

Primary election where voters can choose party's ballot regardless of affiliation

Original intent

Judicial philosophy interpreting Constitution based on framers' intentions

Oversight

Congress' responsibility to monitor and review actions of executive branch

PAC

Political Action Committee raising/spending money to support/oppose candidates

Party polarization

Increasing ideological distance and division between political parties

Pluralism

Theory of democracy emphasizing influence of multiple interest groups

Pocket veto

President's passive veto of a bill by not signing it while Congress is adjourned

Policy agenda

Issues and priorities considered important by government officials and public

Political culture

Shared beliefs, values, and attitudes influencing political behavior

Political efficacy

Belief that political participation can influence government actions

Political party

Organized group with similar political goals and interests

Political socialization

Process through which individuals acquire political beliefs and values

Pork barrel spending

Government funds allocated for local projects benefiting specific districts or states

Realignment

Shift in party coalitions and voter loyalties, often after critical election

Redistricting

Process of redrawing electoral district boundaries to reflect population changes

Selective incorporation

Process of applying certain provisions of Bill of Rights to state governments

Single-member districts

Electoral districts where only one candidate is elected to represent the area

Stare decisis

Legal principle of following precedent and adhering to previous court decisions

Suffrage

Right to vote in political elections

Super PAC

Political Action Committee raising/spending unlimited money independently to support/oppose candidates

Uncontrollable spending

Government expenses, such as entitlement programs, not easily reduced by legislation

Unfunded mandate

Federal requirements imposed on state/local governments without necessary funds

White House staff

Group of advisors and assistants working directly with the President

Writ of certiorari

Request for Supreme Court to review lower court's decision and consider hearing a case

Amendment Process

Procedure for making changes or additions to the Constitution

1st Amendment

Guarantees freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and right to petition

2nd Amendment

Protects right to bear arms and maintain well-regulated militia

3rd Amendment

Prohibits quartering of soldiers in private homes during peacetime without consent

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, requires warrant

5th Amendment

Ensures rights in criminal cases, protection against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and due process

6th Amendment

Provides right to fair and speedy trial, and right to legal counsel

7th Amendment

Ensures right to jury trial in civil cases involving property or money disputes

8th Amendment

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, excessive bail or fines

9th Amendment

States that rights not listed in Constitution are retained by the people

10th Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to federal government to states and people

11th Amendment

Limits federal courts' jurisdiction in cases involving a state as a party

12th Amendment

Modifies electoral college process for selection of President and Vice President

13th Amendment

Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude

14th Amendment

Grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, guarantees equal protection

15th Amendment

Prohibits denial of right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude

16th Amendment

Authorizes federal government to levy an income tax

17th Amendment

Establishes direct election of U.S. Senators by the people of each state

18th Amendment

Prohibited manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages (Prohibition)

19th Amendment

Grants women the right to vote

20th Amendment

Changes start and end dates of presidential and congressional terms

21st Amendment

Repeals 18th Amendment, ending Prohibition

22nd Amendment

Limits President to two terms in office

23rd Amendment

Grants residents of District of Columbia the right to vote in presidential elections

24th Amendment

Prohibits use of poll taxes in federal elections

25th Amendment

Clarifies presidential line of succession and procedures for presidential disability

26th Amendment

Lowers voting age to 18

27th Amendment

Delays congressional pay raises until after next election

Article 1 of Cons.

Powers and responsibilities of legislative branch (Congress)

Article 2 of Cons.

Powers and responsibilities of executive branch (President)

Article 3 of Cons.

Powers and responsibilities of judicial branch (federal courts)

Article 4 of Cons.

Relationship between states and federal government, recognition of state laws and court decisions

Article 5 of Cons.

Process for amending the Constitution

Article 6 of Cons.

Supremacy clause, federal law and Constitution are supreme law of the land