Congress and the Supreme Court Flashcards

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to Congress, the Supreme Court, civil liberties, civil rights, and the presidency.

Reapportionment

Redistribution of House seats based on population, occurring every 10 years after the U.S. Census.

Redistricting

Redrawing district lines within states, typically carried out by state legislatures.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Supreme Court case that established 'one person, one vote' and made redistricting a justiciable issue.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district lines to favor a particular group or political party.

Filibuster

A tactic in the Senate used to delay or block votes through unlimited debate.

Cloture

A procedure to end a filibuster, requiring 60 votes.

Asymmetric Intensity

A situation where one side cares more deeply and is more mobilized than the majority.

Single-Minded Seekers of Reelection

Members of Congress who prioritize staying in office above all else.

Mayhew’s Tools: Advertising

A method by which politicians create a favorable image.

Pork/Particularized Benefits

Government spending for localized projects intended to please constituents.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review, allowing SCOTUS to declare laws unconstitutional.

Judicial Review Limits

Courts rely on other branches to enforce rulings and cannot initiate cases without a lawsuit.

Court Independence

Refers to life tenure and protected salaries for justices, ensuring they are free from political pressure.

Negative Freedoms

Freedoms from government interference, such as freedom of speech and religion.

First Amendment Cases & Doctrines

Legal precedents that establish the scope of First Amendment protections.

Palko v. Connecticut (1937)

Established selective incorporation, allowing some rights to apply to states through the 14th Amendment.

Establishment Clause

Prohibits the government from favoring or establishing a religion.

Lemon Test

A test to determine if a law violates the Establishment Clause; it requires a secular purpose, neither advancing nor inhibiting religion, and no excessive entanglement.

Gitlow v. New York (1925)

Incorporated the First Amendment to the states via the 14th Amendment.

Clear and Present Danger

A doctrine stating that speech can be restricted if it poses an immediate danger.

Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969)

Speech can only be restricted if it incites imminent lawless action.

Texas v. Johnson (1989)

Supreme Court case that ruled flag burning is protected symbolic speech.

14th Amendment

Contains the Equal Protection Clause, forming the basis for many civil rights decisions.

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

Declared that African Americans were not citizens, a decision later invalidated by the 14th Amendment.

Civil Rights Act (1964)

Banned discrimination in public spaces and employment.

Voting Rights Act (1965)

Banned discriminatory voting practices and empowered federal oversight.

De Facto vs. De Jure Segregation

De Jure: segregation by law; De Facto: segregation in practice.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Court case that upheld the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson, ruling that segregation is inherently unequal.

Little Rock 9 / Freedom Riders

Groups that challenged segregation in schools and interstate travel.

Presidency Eligibility

Requirements to be president: natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and 14 years of residency.

Formal Powers of the President

Include vetoing legislation, granting pardons, appointing officials, and commanding the military.

Vesting Clause

The clause that asserts 'Executive power shall be vested…' allowing for broad interpretation of presidential power.

Inherent Powers

Powers implied but not explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Constructionist Views of Power

Strict and limited interpretation of the Constitution regarding presidential powers.

Stewardship View of Power

The belief that the president can act unless explicitly forbidden by the Constitution.

Going Public

Using media and public support to influence Congress.

Electoral College

The system by which electors are allocated to each state, totaling 538 electors, with a majority of 270 needed to win.

Faithless Elector

An elector who votes contrary to their pledge.

Battleground States

States where electoral outcomes are uncertain; candidates focus campaigns here.

Wasted Votes

Votes that do not contribute to a candidate’s successful outcome in winner-take-all electoral systems.