Gov Final

Social Contract Theory

A population in a given place gave up as much power to a government as needed to promote the well being of all

Parliamentary government

Legislators =ministers, chief executive is prime minister is chosen from among the legislature by the ruling party, not directly elected

Democracy

System of government where political authority is officially assigned to the people; Use elections to place representatives in government

Federal

Central government and several regional governments

John Locke

Believed that in a state of nature, people were in a state of perfect freedom

Niccolo machiaveli

Developed thoughts of how princes should rule and keep power (all the bad qualities)

expressed powers

Those specifically laid out by the Constitution

inherent powers

Powers of a branch of government that are not specifically listed in the Constitution.

concurrent powers

The powers which refer  specifically to the powers which both the federal and state governments have and can exercise independently

checks & balances

Different parts of the Government that have powers that affect and control the other parts so that no specific part can become over-powered

extradition

Taking a criminal back to the state the crime was committed if they fled to another are

committees

Groups of members from Congress and/or the Senate to investigate, debate, and report on legislation. Joint committees consist of the House and the Senate. Standing committees are permanent, select aren’t

filibusters

When a senator “talks a bill to death” by speaking continuously to avoid allowing the bill to be passed with a vote

house of reps

Lower house of congress that contains 435 members that serve 2 year terms. The number of reps per state is decided by apportionment

senate

Higher house of congress that has a total of 100 senators with 6 year terms, also the Vice President serves as the senate president

EOP

About 2,000 people that work closely with the president to carry out executive powers. They work in or near the White House.

war powers act

Congress has the authority to declare war. The President is commander-in-chief of the military

interest groups

Interest groups are organizations that aim to influence public policy with shared common views/interests

gerrymander

When state legislatures draw congressional districts in order to advantage one party over another

civil rights

Freedoms guaranteed as a result of government action

civil liberties

Freedoms guaranteed from government action

grassroots

Movements which emerge as a result of the mobilization of average citizens

elastic clause

Allows Congress to stretch its powers beyond the expressed powers; aka the necessary and proper clause

constitutional amendments

First ten are Bill of Rights;

Additions or revisions to the constitution

Articles of Confederation

document that preceded the Consitution

federalism

The division and sharing of power between the national and state Governments

state of the union

Annual address given by the President to Congress

FEC

independent agency that enforces federal campaign finance laws, monitor donation prohibitions.

article I

The legislative branch is the branch that makes laws for the United States.

Article ii

The executive Branch has a single president. There job is outlined in this article.

Article iii

Supreme Court is the Judicial power of the Government. Their job’s are outlined in this article.

Veto

A constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by the legislative Branch

bill of rights

Contains the first ten of the amendments

open primary

A primary Election in which voters are not required to declare party affiliation\`

closed primary

Primary in which only one political party can vote

conservatism

a political ideology that advocates for the preservation of traditional values and institutions. Typically associated with support for limited government intervention in the economy and social affairs, and a skepticism of radical social and political change

Liberalism

a political ideology that emphasizes individual liberty, equal rights, and the protection of individuals from the state. It is often associated with support for a strong, central government that provides for the common good and promotes social justice

suffrage

The right to vote in democratic elections

Bicameral

term referring to Congress; split into two houses

majority opinion/decision

The official decision of the Supreme Court is found in this type of decision

monarchy

form of government in which the ruler inherits their position

Prime Minister

This is the head of state under a parliamentary government

Commander in chief

Under this role, the president is leader of the U.S. military

judicial review

This is the process by which the courts determine whether a law is constitutional or not

president/senate

Who nominates/appoints judges to federal court positions, and who confirms these appointments?

Vice President

This individual is the tie-breaker in the Senate

independent agencies

The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) regulates campaign finance. This is an example of what type of organization

apportionment

process by which the number of representatives per state is assigned following the Census

Political ideology

A person's individual political identity can be referred to as this

executive order

The president can unilaterally issue one of these in lieu of

Congress passing a law

Impeachment

process by which a government official can be removed from office for misconduct, typically reserved for serious offenses; Constitution grants this power to the House, which can vote by a majority. If an official is impeached, they are then tried in the Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required for conviction and removal from office.

Free exercise clause

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; prevents the government from interfering with an individual's religious beliefs or practices, unless there is a compelling reason to do soJerru

Jerry McNerney

our congressman representing the stockton area