Gov Final Exam

Anti-Federalists

believed that a national government would be too powerful; opposed the Constitution

Judicial Review

gives the courts the power to declare an act of Congress unconstitutional

Inherent Powers

powers that are not written into the Constitution but exist because the US is a sovereign state

Force Theory

the idea that the state was born when one person or a small group claimed control over an area and its people

Confederate Government

states cooperate in matters of common concern but still retain their separate identities

Democracy

political system in which supreme authority resides with the people

Federalists

favored ratification of the Constitution

Connecticut Compromise

created a bicameral legislature

5th Amendment

declares that no person can be forced to be a witness against himself in a criminal case

Checks and Balances

keeps one branch from having more power than the others

Single-Issue Party

a political party who focuses on one issue such as the environment; they fade away when their issue loses relevance

Watchdog Function

the party out of power criticizes the policies and behaviors of the party in power

Political Party

a group of people with shared ideas who seek to control government

Party Identification

the single most significant and lasting predictor of how a person will vote

Franchise

the right to vote

Suffrage

the right to vote

26th Amendment

says that no state can deny any person the right to vote if they are at least 18 years old

Cannot-Voter

people who cannot vote because they are aliens, mentally or physically handicapped, prisoners, or because of their religious beliefs

Political Efficacy

the belief that one's political participation makes a difference

24th Amendment

eliminated poll taxes

Direct Primary

the principal nominating method in most States today

Open Primary

allows all registered voters to cast the ballot for the party of their choosing, including Independent voters

Party-Column Ballot

a ballot that organizes the candidates by political party; encourages straight ticket voting

Strict Constructionist

a person who wants Congress to exercise only the expressed powers in the Constitution

Necessary and Proper Clause

allows Congress to make all the laws necessary to carry out its duties; the Constitutional basis for the existence of implied powers

Senate

equal representation; confirms presidential appointments; approves treaties; 6 year terms

House of Representatives

proportional representation; power to tax; 2 year terms

Speaker of the House

leader of the House of Representatives

Vice President

leader of the Senate

Delegate

a person who is chosen or elected to represent a person or group

Deficit Financing

the Federal Government's practice of spending more than it takes in each year and then borrowing to make up the difference

Liberal Constructionist

a person who interprets the Constitution to include implied powers for the government

12th Amendment

says that the House of Representatives can decide the Presidency if no one person receives a majority of electoral votes

Standing Committees

permanently established legislative committees that consider and are responsible for legislation within a certain subject area; where most bills receive a thorough consideration

Filibuster

a stalling tactic by which a minority of senators seeks to delay or prevent Senate action on a measure

22nd Amendment

establishes a two-term limit for the presidency

Proportional Plan

electoral college reform plan that would use popular votes to decide how many electoral votes a candidate would get

Commander in Chief

the President's role as the head of the United States' armed forces

Executive Office of the President

several White House agencies that are staffed by the President's closest advisors

4th Amendment

says that it is illegal for the government to search a home without good reason

District Courts

have original jurisdiction over most federal cases

8th Amendment

prohibits cruel and unusual punishment

Supreme Court

the court with the final authority on the meaning of the Constitution

Exclusionary Rule

prevents evidence gained as a result of an illegal act by police from being used at trial

Federal Appellate Courts

hears appeals from lower courts

Marbury v Madison

established the Supreme Court's right to declare an act of Congress unconstitutional

Civil Rights

protections by the government

Civil Liberties

protections from the government

9th Amendment

declares that rights exist beyond those listed in the Constitution

Establishment Clause

prohibits state-establishment of religion; sets up a "wall of separation" between church and state

Clear and Present Danger Rule

outlaws speech that is likely to lead to criminal acts

Miranda Rule

states that the police must read a suspect his or her rights before questioning

Treason

giving aid and comfort to the nation's enemies in times of war

2nd Amendment

establishes a citizen's right to keep and bear arms

6th Amendment

establishes a citizen's right to a speedy and fair trial