Praneeth

Executive Order

A directive issued by the President of the United States to manage the operations of the federal government.

Cabinet

A group of the President's top advisors, typically consisting of the heads of the major departments, who help in decision-making and implementing policies.

Signing Statement

A written declaration by the President upon signing a bill into law, often outlining their interpretation of the legislation.

Life Tenure

The practice of allowing federal judges to hold their positions for life, subject to good behavior.

Federalist 70

An essay by Alexander Hamilton arguing for a strong executive leader to ensure effective governance.

22nd Amendment

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that limits the President to two terms in office.

Formal Powers

Official powers granted to a position or office, for example, the powers explicitly outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

Informal Powers

Powers that are not explicitly defined by the Constitution but are understood as essential for leadership and governance.

State of the Union

An annual address delivered by the President to Congress, summarizing the nation's condition and outlining policy goals.

Bully Pulpit

The ability of the President to influence public opinion and advocate for agenda through the media.

Agenda Setting

The process by which the President and government officials define and prioritize the policy issues that need attention.

Article III

The section of the U.S. Constitution that establishes the judicial branch of government.

Federalist 78

An essay by Alexander Hamilton that discusses the power of judicial review and the role of the judiciary.

Marbury v Madison

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review in the United States.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to assess whether a law or executive action is in accordance with the Constitution.

Precedent

A legal principle established in a previous case that guides judges in deciding subsequent cases.

Stare Decisis

The legal doctrine that obligates courts to follow historical cases when making a ruling on a similar case.

Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case and make legal decisions.

Appellate

Relating to the power of a higher court to review and change the decision of a lower court.

Judicial Activism

The philosophy that courts should actively interpret the Constitution and laws to promote social change.

Judicial Restraint

The philosophy that courts should defer to the elected branches of government and avoid making rulings that could be seen as creating new law.

Confirmation

The Senate's constitutional obligation to review and approve presidential appointments to the executive and judicial branches.

Issue Network

A group of individuals and organizations that share a common interest in a specific issue and work together to influence policy.

Iron Triangle

A stable, mutually beneficial relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and interest groups.

Bureaucracy

A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.

Government Corporations

Government agencies that operate like businesses, providing services that are expected to be competitive and self-sustaining.