killer quiz

Federalists

Supporters of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government.

Antifederalists

Opponents of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government.

Separation of powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and balances

Constitutional grant of powers that enables each of the three branches to check some acts of the others.

Divided government

Governance divided between the parties, especially when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress.

Judicial review

The power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or regulation that conflicts with the Constitution.

Impeachment

Formal accusation by the lower house of legislature against a public official.

Executive order

An informal power; directive issued by a president or governor that has the force of law.

Federalism

Constitutional arrangement which distributes power between a central government and states.

Implied powers

Powers inferred from the expressed powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions.

Necessary and proper clause

Clause of the Constitution setting forth the implied powers of Congress.

Commerce clause

Clause that gives Congress the power to regulate business activities that cross state lines.

Concurrent powers

Powers given to both the national and state governments, such as the power to levy taxes.

Linkage institutions

The means by which individuals express preferences regarding public policy.

Political culture

Widely shared beliefs and norms about how citizens relate to governments.

Political ideology

A consistent pattern of beliefs about political values and the role of government.

Interest group

A collection of people who share a common interest and seek to influence government.

Caucus

A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates.

Open primary

An election in which any voter may vote to narrow down candidates seeking a party nomination.

Closed primary

An election in which only registered party members may vote to narrow down candidates.

Winner-take-all system

Election system in which the candidate with the most votes wins.

Minor party

A small political party that rises and falls with a charismatic candidate.

De-alignment

Weakening of partisan preferences and a rise in the number of independents.

Public opinion (polling)

The distribution of individual preferences or evaluations of a given issue.

Political socialization

The process by which we develop our political attitudes and beliefs.

Electoral college

Electoral system used in electing the president and vice president.

Reserved powers

Powers given to the states by the 10th amendment.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on whether the party or candidate in power should be re-elected.

Rational choice voting

Voting based on perceived individual interests.

Prospective voting

Voting based on predictions of future performance by a candidate.

Trustee model

A member of Congress who considers constituents' views and uses their own judgment to vote.

Delegate model

A member of Congress who follows constituents’ voting preferences.

Politico

A member of Congress who acts as a delegate on issues constituents care about and as a trustee otherwise.

Popular sovereignty

The idea that government power comes from the will of the people.

Limited government

A political system with restrictions placed on government to protect rights.

Natural rights

Rights described as life, liberty, and property.

Republicanism

The belief that the best government is one in which elected leaders represent the interests of the people.

Social contract

An agreement where society gives up some freedoms to be protected by the government.

Pluralist democracy

A model of democracy where no one group dominates politics.

Participatory democracy

A model of democracy where citizens have the power to directly decide on policy.

Elite democracy

A model of democracy where a few wealthy, educated individuals influence decision making.

Supremacy clause

Establishes that the Constitution and federal laws take priority over state laws.

Block grant

Federal grants to states for broad programs, increasing state power.

Categorical grant

Federal grants restricted to specific purposes, increasing federal power.

Filibuster

A tactic used by senators to block bills through unlimited debate.

Pork barrel

Federal funding used to finance localized projects to please constituents.

Judicial activism

The belief that justices should defend individual rights, even if not explicitly stated.

Judicial restraint

The belief that justices should defer to elected branches and focus on narrow interpretations.

Redistricting

The process of adjusting electoral districts by state legislatures.

Reapportionment

Redistribution of seats in the House of Representatives based on population changes.

Stare decisis

The principle of making legal decisions based on past precedents.

Bully pulpit

The presidency as a platform to promote an agenda directly to the public.

Advice & Consent

The authority of the Senate to ratify treaties and confirm appointments.

Free Exercise Clause

Prevents the government from interfering with citizens’ religious practices.

Establishment Clause

Prevents the government from supporting an official religion.

Due Process Clause

Limits government's power to deny people rights without legal procedure.

Equal Protection Clause

Prohibits states from denying equal protection of the laws.

Selective incorporation

The process of applying Bill of Rights amendments to state governments.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Organizations that raise limited funds to support or defeat candidates.

Super PACs

Committees that may raise unlimited funds to support candidates without coordination.

Iron triangle

A mutually beneficial relationship between an interest group, congressional committee, and agency.

Horserace journalism

Media focus on who is winning in polls rather than on policies.

Gatekeeping

The media's role in setting the political agenda.

Watchdog

Media’s role in investigating political personalities and exposing scandals.

Candidate centered

Political campaigns that focus on individual candidates rather than their parties.