Bureaucracy and the Judicial Branch

These flashcards cover important concepts related to bureaucracy and the judicial branch in preparation for the exam.

Delegated Discretionary Authority

Power given from the federal government to the agency to make their own decisions and implement policy.

Cabinet

A group of officials that acts as advisors to the head of government in the executive branch.

Iron Triangle

The relationship among Congress, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups in policy-making.

Congressional Oversight

The review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation.

Power of the Purse

The constitutional power of Congress to raise and spend money.

Federalist #78

An essay by Alexander Hamilton that discusses the role of the judiciary in the framework of government.

Marbury vs. Madison

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

Judicial Review

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the constitution.

Certing

The process by which the Supreme Court decides to hear an appeal.

Judicial Activism

Judicial philosophy that promotes the idea that courts can and should go beyond the applicable law to consider broader societal implications.

Judicial Restraint

Judicial philosophy that encourages judges to limit the exercise of their own power, upholding laws whenever possible.

Lifetime Tenure and Good Behavior

Judges hold office for life, contingent on good behavior, unless they resign, retire, or are removed.

Stare Decisis

The legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent.

Precedents

Legal decisions or forms of case law that serve as an example or rule for similar cases in the future.