PSC 101 Key Concept Terms Unit 5-7

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution to elect the president and vice president of the United States.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures no branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.

Commander in Chief

The role of the president as the head of the armed forces, directing military actions.

Veto Power

The constitutional authority of the president to reject legislation passed by Congress.

National Popular Vote Interstate Compact

An agreement among some U.S. states to award their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the overall popular vote.

Iron Triangle

A stable, mutually beneficial relationship among a congressional committee, a bureaucratic agency, and an interest group.

Deregulation

The removal or simplification of government rules that restrict or regulate industries.

Pendleton Act

A law that established a merit-based system for federal employment, aiming to reduce corruption.

Faithless Elector

An electoral college member who does not cast their vote for the candidate they pledged to support.

Reform Alternatives

Various proposed changes to the Electoral College system, including ranked-choice voting and proportional allocation.

Impeachment

The process by which a legislative body levels charges against a government official, which can lead to removal from office.

Public Expectation

The general belief about what the president's role and responsibilities entail, influencing informal powers.

Presidential Accountability

The principle that the president is subject to the law and can be held accountable for actions taken while in office.

Merit-Based System

A hiring system that selects employees based on their abilities and qualifications rather than political connections.

Bureaucratic Inertia

A situation where bureaucratic processes become slow and unresponsive, often due to complex regulations.

Executive Orders

Directives issued by the president to manage the operations of the federal government without congressional approval.