American Democracy Now – Key Vocabulary Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering digital politics, Congress, the presidency, bureaucracy, judiciary, economic policy, environmental and foreign affairs, and local governance, aligned with the lecture notes for exam preparation.

Digital Divide

Unequal access to digital technology and high-speed internet among individuals and communities.

E-Campaigning

Use of email, social media, websites, and other online tools for political organizing, fundraising, messaging, and mobilization.

E-Participation

Citizens’ engagement in governance or public-policy processes through internet tools; also called e-mobilization.

Macro-Protesting

Large-scale demonstrations coordinated through digital platforms, often spanning national or global audiences.

Hacktivism

Political or social activism carried out by hacking, data leaks, or other forms of cyber disruption.

Microtargeting

Tailoring political messages to narrowly defined voter groups using data analytics and online profiles.

Internet Revolution

Transformation of communication and civic life driven by widespread adoption of digital technologies and the internet.

Constitutional Duties of the Senate

Ratifies treaties, confirms presidential appointments, and conducts impeachment trials.

Congressional Electoral Terms

House members serve 2-year terms; Senators serve 6-year staggered terms.

Reapportionment

Redistribution of U.S. House seats among the states after each census.

Redistricting

Redrawing of electoral district boundaries, usually by state legislatures.

Majority-Minority District

Electoral district in which racial or ethnic minorities constitute a majority of the population.

Minority-Majority District

Alternate term for majority-minority district.

Gerrymandering

Manipulation of district lines to favor a political party or incumbent.

Powers of Congress

Law-making, appropriations, commerce regulation, war declaration, oversight, and impeachment authority.

Trustee Model

Legislator votes based on personal judgment rather than constituents’ direct wishes.

Delegate Model

Legislator votes in accordance with constituents’ preferences.

Politico Model

Legislator alternates between trustee and delegate roles depending on the issue.

Public Bill

Legislation affecting the general public or national policy.

Private Bill

Legislation that applies to specific individuals or groups.

Pork / Earmark

Funding provisions directing money to local projects to benefit specific districts or legislators.

Casework

Assistance lawmakers provide to constituents in dealings with federal agencies.

Logrolling

Reciprocal agreement to support another legislator’s bill in exchange for support on one’s own.

Bill Passage Process

Nine-step route: introduction, committee work, markup, report, floor debate/vote, other chamber, conference committee, final votes, presidential action.

Standing Committee

Permanent committee specializing in specific policy areas.

Select (Special) Committee

Temporary committee formed for focused investigations or tasks.

Joint Committee

Committee with members from both House and Senate.

Conference Committee

Bicameral committee that reconciles House and Senate versions of a bill.

Filibuster

Extended Senate debate used to delay or block legislation.

Cloture

Senate vote (three-fifths, normally 60) to end a filibuster and proceed to a vote.

Consent Agreement

Unanimous Senate agreement that sets terms for debate and amendment on a bill.

Discharge Petition

House motion to bring a bill from committee to the floor without a committee report.

Powers of the President

Vetoes, commander-in-chief duties, appointments, treaty negotiation, executive orders/agreements, national leadership.

Executive Order

Presidential directive with the force of law that does not require congressional approval.

Executive Agreement

International accord negotiated by the president that bypasses Senate ratification.

Executive Privilege

President’s right to withhold certain communications from the other branches.

Impeachment

House accusation and Senate trial process for removing federal officials for high crimes and misdemeanors.

Weber’s Ideal Bureaucracy

Hierarchical organization governed by formal rules, specialization, and merit-based hiring.

Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)

Law that replaced the spoils system with merit-based federal employment.

Civil Service Reform Act (1978)

Reorganized federal civil service, created OPM, and strengthened merit protections.

Original Court

Trial court where a case is first heard and facts are established.

Appellate Court

Court that reviews decisions of lower courts for legal error.

Common Law

Legal system based on judicial precedents rather than statutes alone.

Civil Law

Legal system based on comprehensive, codified statutes.

Stare Decisis

Doctrine requiring courts to follow established precedent.

Amicus Curiae

‘Friend of the court’ brief submitted by third parties to offer information or arguments.

Writ of Certiorari

Supreme Court order agreeing to review a lower-court decision.

Judicial Federalism

Coexistence of federal and state court systems in the United States.

Supreme Court Organization

Nine justices, including a Chief Justice, constituting the nation’s highest court.

Rule of Four

At least four Supreme Court justices must vote to grant certiorari.

Concurring Opinion

Separate opinion agreeing with the court’s decision but stating different reasoning.

Dissenting Opinion

Opinion written by justices who disagree with the majority ruling.

Symbolic Representation

Concept that diverse courts enhance legitimacy by reflecting societal demographics.

Originalism

Judicial philosophy interpreting the Constitution by original meaning or intent.

Judicial Restraint

Belief that courts should avoid overturning laws unless clearly unconstitutional.

Judicial Activism

Support for assertive judicial review to shape policy and protect rights.

U.S. Economy (Regulated Capitalism)

Market-based system with government regulations and interventions.

Keynesian Economics

Economic theory advocating government spending to stimulate demand during downturns.

Pure Capitalism

Economic model with minimal government interference in markets.

Regulated Capitalism

Capitalist system supplemented by rules to correct market failures and protect consumers.

Fiscal Policy

Government taxation and spending decisions aimed at influencing economic activity.

Monetarism

Economic theory emphasizing control of the money supply to manage inflation and growth.

Mandatory Spending Obligations

Government expenditures required by law, such as Social Security and Medicare.

Social Regulatory Policy

Rules aimed at protecting public welfare, labor standards, health, and safety.

Safety Net Programs

Public assistance initiatives like Medicaid or SNAP for vulnerable populations.

Domestic Policy Tools

Laws, executive actions, administrative regulations, and court decisions used to govern internally.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Federal agency created in 1970 to enforce environmental regulations.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

1949 mutual-defense alliance formed primarily to deter Soviet aggression.

Foreign Policy Formulation

President sets vision; State Department implements; Congress funds and approves treaties; security agencies advise.

Dillon’s Rule

Legal principle that local governments possess only powers expressly granted by the state.

Home Rule

Authority allowing local governments to govern themselves under a charter.