AP Gov

Bully Pulpit

The president's use of prestige and visibility to push an agenda or influence public opinion

Veto

A formal decision by the president to reject a bill passed by Congress

White House Office

Presidential staff led by the Chief of Staff that advises the president and does not require Senate confirmation

EOP (Executive Office of the President)

A group of agencies that assist the president in carrying out responsibilities

Platform

A political party's statement of goals and policy positions

Electoral College

A system in which electors from each state formally elect the president and vice president

Party Machine

A group that controls a political party through organization, loyalty, and rewards

State of the Union

The president's annual address to Congress and the nation

Divided Government

When different political parties control the presidency and Congress

Conference Committee

A temporary committee formed to resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a bill

Delegated Powers

Powers specifically granted to the national government by the Constitution

Big Tent

A political party that includes a wide range of ideological views

Red Tape

Excessive bureaucratic rules and procedures

Turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot

Exit Poll

A survey of voters taken immediately after voting

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review decisions of lower courts

Political Efficacy

A citizen's belief that they can understand and influence government

Litmus Test

An evaluation of a judge's ideology before confirmation

Selective Incorporation

The process of applying the Bill of Rights to the states through the 14th Amendment

Majority Opinion

The official Supreme Court opinion agreed upon by most justices

Political Culture

Shared values and beliefs about government held by most citizens

Amicus Curiae Brief

A friend of the court brief filed by outside groups or individuals

14th Amendment

Guarantees equal protection and due process under the law

Political Socialization

The process by which people develop political beliefs and values

Rule of Law

The principle that all individuals are treated equally under the law

Spin

Presenting information in a way that influences public opinion

Separation of Powers

Division of government authority among three branches

Federalist Papers

Essays written to support ratification of the U.S. Constitution

Pluralism

A system where many interest groups compete for influence

Bicameralism

A legislature with two chambers

Reserved Powers

Powers not given to the national government that belong to the states

Mandate

A federal order requiring states to take a specific action

Marble Cake Federalism

Shared powers and cooperation between state and national governments

Devolution

Transferring power from the federal government to state and local governments

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that power comes from the people

Referendum

A direct vote by citizens on a policy issue

Checks and Balances

A system allowing each branch to limit the power of the others

Grassroots

Political action that begins with ordinary citizens

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments

Power to Persuade

The president's ability to influence Congress and the public

Block Grants

Federal funding given to states with broad discretion

Judicial Review

The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Elastic Clause

Grants Congress the power to make laws necessary and proper

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that federal law overrides state law

Legitimacy

The public's acceptance of the government's authority

Connecticut Compromise

Created a bicameral legislature with population based and equal representation

Direct Primary

An election where voters choose party nominees

Executive Order

A directive issued by the president with the force of law

Cleavages

Divisions within society

Motor Voter Law

Allows voter registration at motor vehicle offices

Honeymoon Period

The early months of a presidency marked by high approval

Realigning Election

An election that creates a lasting shift in party coalitions

Hard Money

Regulated and disclosed political donations

Soft Money

Unregulated funds raised by parties for general purposes

Super PACs

Organizations that raise unlimited funds but cannot coordinate with candidates

Coattail Effect

When popular candidates help others on the same ballot win

501(c)(4)

Nonprofit groups that can engage in political activity without disclosure

Horse Race Journalism

Media focus on who is winning rather than issues

Free Rider

Someone who benefits from group efforts without participating

Lobbying

Efforts to influence government decision making

Revolving Door

Movement of individuals between government and private sector jobs

Iron Triangle

Alliance among Congress, bureaucracy, and interest groups

Litigation

Using the courts to influence policy

Issue Network

Loose alliances focused on specific policy issues

Delegates

Individuals who represent voters at party conventions

Incumbent

The current officeholder

Gerrymandering

Drawing district lines to benefit a political party or group

Earmarks

Spending provisions directed to specific districts

Cloture

A Senate procedure to end debate

Standing Committee

A permanent legislative committee

Logrolling

Exchanging support for legislative favors

Closed Rule

House procedure limiting debate and amendments

Franking Privilege

Free mailing services for members of Congress

Electoral Mandate

Belief that election results support a policy agenda

Pyramid Structure

Hierarchical advisory system for the president

Circular Structure

Advisory system where aides report directly to the president

Lame Duck Period

Time when an official is finishing a term with reduced influence

Entitlements

Benefits guaranteed by law

Oversight

Congressional supervision of executive agencies

Judicial Restraint

Belief that courts should avoid overturning laws

Writ of Certiorari

An order to review a lower court case

Stare Decisis

The practice of following legal precedent

Prior Restraint

Censorship before publication

Due Process Clause

Constitutional protection of legal rights

Exclusionary Rule

Prevents illegally obtained evidence from being used in court

De Facto Segregation

Segregation resulting from social conditions rather than law

Strict Scrutiny

Highest level of judicial review for discrimination cases

Majoritarian Politics

Policies that reflect the will of the majority

Monetary Policy

Managing the economy through money supply and interest rates

Fiscal Policy

Managing the economy through taxation and spending

Expressed Powers

Powers explicitly stated in the Constitution

Implied Powers

Powers inferred from the Constitution

Inherent Powers

Powers derived from national sovereignty

Polarization

Extreme ideological division

Frontloading

States holding early primaries for influence

Merit System

Hiring based on qualifications rather than patronage

Precedent

Legal rules established by previous court decisions

Judicial Activism

Belief that courts should shape public policy

Senatorial Courtesy

Tradition allowing senators to approve appointments from their state

Apportionment

Distribution of House seats among states based on population