Executive, Judicial, & Bureaucracy Vocab Quiz

Federal bureaucracy

The departments and agencies within the executive branch that carry out the laws of the nation

Bureaucrat

An official employed within a government bureaucracy

Political patronage

Filling of administrative positions as a reward for support, rather than solely on merit

Federal civil service

The merit-based bureaucracy, excluding the armed forces and political appointments

Merit system

A system of hiring and promotion based on competitive testing results, education, and other qualifications rather than politics and personal connections

Iron triangle

Coordinated and mutually beneficial activities of the bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups to achieve shared policy goals

Issue network

Webs of influence between interest groups, policymakers, and policy advocates

Implementation

The bureaucracy's role in putting into action the laws that Congress has passed

Bureaucratic discretion

The power to decide how a law is implemented and, what Congress meant when it passed the law

Regulation

The process through which the federal bureaucracy makes rules that have the force of law, to carry out the laws passed by Congress

Bureaucratic adjudication

When the federal bureaucracy settles disputes between parties that arise over the implementation of federal laws or determines which individuals or groups are covered under a regulation or program

Judicial Restraint

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

Judicial Activism

The view that judges should apply the principles and provisions of the Constitution to modern circumstances

Constitutional Courts

Federal courts authorized by Article III of the Constitution that keeps judges in office for life during good behavior

District Courts

The lowest federal courts that have original jurisdiction over most federal cases.

Courts of Appeals

Federal courts that hear appeals from district courts. They review each case for possible errors.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States, made up of nine justices

Legislative Courts

Courts created by Congress for specialized purposes, such as US Tax Court

Litmus Test

a consideration of the political ideology of a nominated judge

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Writ of certiorari

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

Marbury V. Madison

Landmark Supreme Court case that established the court’s power of judicial review

Plaintiff

the party that initiates a lawsuit

Standing

a legal rule stating who is authorized to start a lawsuit

Precedent

the principle set by the court in one case that will be used as the basis for deciding future cases

Class-action suit

a case brought by an individual that will impact that person and all others similarly situated

Original Juridiction

the authority of a court to hear a case first

Appellate Jurisdiction

the authority of a court to hear a case brought to them on appeal from a lower court

Brief

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

Amicus curiae brief

a brief submitted by a “friend of the court” to provide the court with additional information on a case

Opinion of the Court/Majority

the judicial opinion agreed upon by more than half of the members of the court that explains the reasoning of the court’s decision

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 that features the perspective of the justices who disagreed with the majority opinion

Stare decisis

“Let the decision stand” or allowing prior rulings to determine the court’s stand on a current case

Senatorial Courtesy

unwritten custom that the senate will not approve a judicial nomination if opposed by a senator from the state in which the nominee is to serve

Rule of Four

In order for a case to be granted certiorari, four justices must agree that the case is worthy to be heard

Amendment

a new addition to the constitution that has been proposed by congress and ratified by the states

Gridlock

the inability of the government to act because opposing parties control different parts of the government and cannot agree on a course of action

Formal Power

authority given to the president that is specifically mentioned in the constitution

Informal Power

authority given to the president that is not specifically mentioned in the constitution

Executive Order

a directive that carries the weight of law that is given by the president without the consent of congress

Executive Agreement

a pact between the president and the head of a foreign nation. Unlike treaties, they do not require Senate consent and may only last for the duration of a president’s term

Treaty

A formal, public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate.

Cabinet

The heads of the fifteen executive branch departments that also serve as advisors to the president.

Bully pulpit

The president’s use of his position and visibility to guide or influence the American public.

State of the Union

An annual address given by the president to Congress in which the president outlines his legislative agenda.

Executive Privilege

the president’s ability to keep certain communications private.  United States v. Nixon clarified its limitations

22nd Amendment

This provision of the Constitution limits presidential terms to two, not to exceed 10 years.

25th Amendment

This provision of the Constitution states the process for presidential succession and disability.

veto

The presidential power to deny a bill passed by Congress

Pocket veto

When a bill fails to become law, because the president did not sign it within 10 days before Congress adjourned

Line-item Veto

The power to cancel specific dollar amounts within a bill. While the Supreme Court has ruled presidents may not use these, state governors still can.

Signing statement

Issued by the president after passing a bill into law; reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced.

impeachment

The constitutional process of bringing charges against a government official.

pardon

Official forgiveness of a crime

lame duck

An official still in office after he or she has lost a bid for re-election or has reached his/her term limit

congressional oversight

The authority of Congress to conduct hearings, investigations, and budget reviews regarding the actions executive branch

bureaucracy

A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials.

Executive Office of the President

The part of the executive branch that supports the president in his responsibilities, from security to trade.

White House Staff

Personnel who run day-to-day operations in the White House and advise the president.

Executive Departments

15 large agencies of the federal government that carry out laws and regulate within their respective areas. Each is headed by a secretary.

Independent Regulatory Commissions

Agencies that are responsible for monitoring large government sectors, such as the Federal Reserve, and are not subject to control by either Congress or the President.

Government Corporations

 A government agency that carries out business-like functions, such as the US Postal Service.

Office of Management and Budget

this part of the bureaucracy helps the president prepare the budget for the fiscal year.

Civil service

The part of the government that fulfills the daily functions of the bureaucracy. These government workers are hired on the basis of merit

Merit system

Procedure of hiring and promoting government employees on the basis of their abilities and competence rather than political favors.

Pendleton Act

The law that created a merit-based system for the hiring of members of the civil service.

Iron triangle

a mutually beneficial relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

Issue Network

A link of policy experts, interest groups, think tanks, congressional staff members, media pundits, etc. who regularly debate an issue.

Appropriation

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

Regulation

The use of government authority to control or change business practices in the private sector.