US Supreme Court - Useful Terms

For A-Level Politics - US Supreme Court

Civil Rights

Positive acts of government designed to protect persons against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by government or individuals.

Civil Liberties

Those liberties, mostly spelt out in the Constitution, that guarantee the protection of persons, expression and property from arbitrary interference by government.

Echo Chamber

In this context, the phenomenon by which the influence of previous presidents no longer in office remains through their Supreme Court appointment due to the lifetime tenure of the justices.

Busing

The mandated movement of school children between racially homogeneous neighbourhoods - white suburbs and black inner cities - to create racially mixed schools.

Quotas

A programme by which a certain percentage (quota) of places in, e.g., higher education or employment is reserved for people from previously disadvantaged minorities.

Amicus curiae brief

Meaning literally ‘friend of the court,’ a legal instance when someone not party to a case offers to assist the court by offering particular insights, expertise or information. The decision on whether to consider the brief is within the discretion of the court.