Untitled Flashcard Set

Administrative Law

The body of law that regulates the operations and procedures of government agencies.

Astroturf

A term used for political or social movements that are funded and orchestrated by corporations or organizations to appear grassroots.

Class-action lawsuit

A legal action filed by one or more plaintiffs on behalf of a larger group.

Collusion

An agreement between parties to act together to achieve an illegal or deceitful objective.

Common Law

Law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals.

Discretionary Spending

Government spending implemented through an appropriations bill, which is not mandated by previously existing law.

Free Rider Problem

A situation where individuals benefit from resources, goods, or services without paying for them.

Free Riding

The practice of enjoying the benefits of a good without incurring the costs.

Hard Money

Political donations that are regulated by law through the Federal Election Commission.

Inside Strategies

Methods used by interest groups to influence policy through direct interaction with policymakers.

Linking Institutions

Organizations or structures that connect the government and the public, such as political parties and interest groups.

Mandatory Spending

Government spending that is required by existing law, such as Social Security.

Monopolies

Market structures where a single seller dominates and controls the supply of a product or service.

Mootness

A legal doctrine that a case cannot be heard by a court because it no longer presents an actual controversy.

Outside Strategies

Methods used by interest groups to influence policy through indirect means, such as public campaigns.

Permanent campaigns

The ongoing nature of campaigning by politicians, even when they are not up for election.

Plurality Rules

Voting systems in which the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they do not achieve a majority.

Principal-Agent

A relationship between two parties where one party (the agent) acts on behalf of the other (the principal).

Revolving door

The movement of personnel between roles as lawmakers and regulators and the industries affected by the legislation and regulation.

Selective Incentives

Benefits that are offered only to those who participate in a particular activity or join a specific group.

Senatorial Courtesy

A custom where the Senate will not confirm a presidential appointment if there is an objection from the relevant senator from that state.

Shadow Docket

A term used to refer to the Supreme Court's practice of making orders and decisions on emergency or administrative matters outside of its regular docket.

Soft Money

Unregulated campaign contributions that political parties can use for party-building activities.

Standing

The legal right to initiate a lawsuit, usually requiring the party to have a stake in the outcome.

Writ of Certiorari

An order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up a case for review.

Ad Campaigns

Organized efforts to promote a specific candidate, product, or idea.

Bureaucracy

The administrative system governing any large institution, typically characterized by hierarchical structure.

Cabinet

A body of advisers to the president composed of the heads of the executive departments.

Civil Service

The permanent professional branches of a government's administration, excluding military and judicial branches.

Commerce clause

The clause in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states.

Congressional Oversight

The review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation.

Delegates

Individuals who are appointed or elected to represent a group at a conference or political event.

Election Turnouts (federal)

The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in a federal election.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the United States Constitution that formally elects the president and vice president.

Electors

Members of the Electoral College who are appointed to vote for president and vice president.

Factions

Groups of individuals with shared interests that may act contrary to the common good.

Federal Budget

A government budget that includes the revenues and expenditures of the federal government.

Federal Election Commission

An independent regulatory agency that oversees campaign finance legislation in the United States.

Federal Reserve Bank

The central banking system of the United States which regulates monetary policy.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Fiscal Federalism

The financial relations between units of government in a federal government system.

Fiscal Policy

Government policy that attempts to influence the economy through taxation and spending.

Independent Agencies

Agencies that exist outside of the Federal Executive Departments and are created to address specific issues.

Interest Groups

Organizations of people who share common objectives and actively seek to influence policymakers.

Judicial Activism

The practice of judges allowing their personal views about public policy, among other factors, to guide their decisions.

Judicial Restraint

A theory of judicial interpretation that encourages judges to limit the exercise of their own power.

Jurisdiction

The official power to make legal decisions and judgments.

Lobbying

The act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government.

Makeup of the Court System (State/Federal)

The structure and organization of courts within the state and federal systems.

Monetary Policy

The process by which the central bank controls the supply of money, often targeting a rate of inflation.

New Deal

A series of programs and reforms introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression.

PAC/Super PAC

Political Action Committees that raise and spend money to elect or defeat candidates.

Primaries (types of)

Preliminary elections in which voters select candidates to run for office in the general election.

Reagan Revolution

A significant shift in American politics initiated by President Ronald Reagan, characterized by a conservative agenda.

Regulations

Rules made by executive agencies to carry out the intent of legislation.

Spoils System

A practice where a political party gives government jobs to its supporters as a reward for working toward victory.

Supreme Court

The highest federal court in the United States, which has ultimate appellate jurisdiction.

Treasury Department

The department responsible for managing government revenue and economic policy.