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Checks and balances
Key parts of the Constitution that require each branch of the federal government to acquire the consent of the other two branches in order to act
Electoral college
A body of representatives from each of the states in the U.S. who formally cast votes to elect the next president of the U.S.
Enumerated powers
Powers held by the federal government that are mentioned by name in the U.S. Constitution
Faction
A group that tries to influence the government for the benefit (or interest) of its own members
Federalism
A political system that organizes a government into two or more levels (i.e. federal, state, local) that hold independent powers
Inherent powers
Powers held by the President that aren't explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, but which are sometimes necessary in order for the President to fulfill the duties of the office
Limited government
A type of system of government in which the powers of the government are limited by or kept in check by laws or a written Constitution
Social contract
An agreement between a government and the people, in which the people consent to be governed so long as the government protects the natural rights of the people
Concurrent powers
Powers given by the U.S. Constitution to both national and state governments. An example of a concurrent power is the power to levy taxes.
Congressional oversight
Authority held by Congress to review, monitor, and supervise federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation. This authority is implied in the Constitution, public laws, and House and Senate rules.
Divided Government
An instance in which one political party controls the executive branch, and another political party controls one or both houses of Congress.
Executive order
A power enacted by the U.S. president allowing that office to pass a rule or regulation as law.
Gridlock
A situation when there is difficulty in passing laws that satisfy the needs of the people, often due to a divided government. A government is considered gridlocked when the ratio between bills passed and the agenda of the legislature decreases. This is sometimes also referred to as a "deadlock" or "stalemate."
Judicial review
A right held by the federal courts to make rulings on the constitutionality of laws and executive actions. Judicial review is one of the judicial branch's key checks and balances on the other two branches of government.
Reserved powers
Powers given exclusively to the states or the people by the 10th amendment of the Constitution. These powers are not shared with the federal government. The purpose of reserved powers is to protect the rights of the states and the people.
14th Amendment
This amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects various aspects of citizenship and citizens' rights and has been invoked in several well-known cases. The most familiar phrase in the 14th amendment is "equal protection of the laws"; this phrase played a key role in cases like Brown v. Board of Education (racial discrimination), Roe v. Wade (reproductive rights), and Reed v. Reed (gender discrimination).
Affirmative action
The practice or policy of allocating resources or employment to individuals belonging to groups that have a history of being discriminated against.
Amendments
Additions to the Constitution that further protect the rights and liberties of the people from government interference. The first ten amendments added to the Constitution are called the Bill of Rights. There are 27 constitutional amendments total.
Due process
A citizen's entitlement to fair treatment through the judicial system. Due process requires the state to respect the legal rights owed to an individual or group.
Free exercise clause
A section of the First Amendment that reserves the right of citizens to accept any religious belief and freely engage in religious rituals. This clause protects violation of certain laws, as long as these violations are made for religious reasons.
Writ of habeas corpus
Latin for "that you have the body." The federal courts in the U.S. system may use the writ of habeas corpus to determine whether a state's detention of a prisoner is legally valid. Such a writ can be used to bring a prisoner or other detainee before the court to determine if that person's imprisonment or detainment is lawful.
Liberal
Refers to a person who adopts the political ideology of liberalism, which favors more government regulation of business and support for social welfare, but less regulation of private social conduct. The definition of "liberal" has changed over time, but contemporary liberals are said to fall on the "left-wing" of the spectrum of political beliefs.
Pluralism
A political philosophy and essential element of democracy that promotes and encourages a diversity of political stance and participation. Pluralism also assumes that those with different political affiliations and beliefs will both coexist and negotiate solutions for the benefit of society.
Public policy
A system of laws, regulations, and funding priorities concerning a topic that is of interest to a governmental entity or its representatives. Public policy is made on behalf of the public in order to solve a problem or achieve a goal that is in the best interest of society.
Bully pulpit
A term first used by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, used to refer to his office as president as an ideal position from which to advocate his political agenda. In general, the term refers to a position that provides an opportunity to speak out and be heard by many. While the word "bully" might hold negative connotations, President Roosevelt applied the term as a synonym for "terrific" or "superb."
Caucus
A gathering of local party members to choose candidates for public office or delegates to the national party convention and to decide the party platform. Caucuses are often held in schools, churches, auditoriums, or other locations that can host large numbers of a party's base.
Gerrymandering
The act of setting boundaries for electoral districts so as to favor political interests within legislative bodies or hurt the political interests of an opposing group. Gerrymandering often creates districts that have convoluted boundaries, rather than consolidating districts into compact areas.
Lobbying
The act of attempting to influence the actions, policies, or decisions of government officials. Legislators and members of regulatory agencies are most often subject to lobbying, and lobbyists may be anyone from a legislator's constituents, to nonprofits, to corporations. Lobbying can result in conflicts of interest when a representative shapes the law in favor of a private group for personal or political gain.
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