Congress and Civil Liberties Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to Congress, presidential power, civil liberties, and landmark Supreme Court cases.

Congress

The legislative body of the United States, divided into two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Article I

The section of the US Constitution that outlines the legislative branch and its powers.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to extend debate and prevent a vote on a bill.

Cloture

A procedure for ending a filibuster and bringing a debate to a close.

Partisan voting

Voting in alignment with the political party's position or ideology.

Single-member districts

Electoral districts that elect one representative for each district.

Proportional representation

An electoral system that allocates seats based on the percentage of votes each party receives.

Political leadership of each chamber

The prominent roles within the House and Senate, including the Speaker and Senate Majority Leader.

Article II

The section of the US Constitution that describes the executive branch and the presidency.

Evolution of presidential power

The growth and changes in the powers and influence of the presidency over time.

Honeymoon period

The initial phase of a presidency where a president enjoys high approval and cooperation from Congress.

Lame duck periods

The time after an election when an official is in office but not expected to be re-elected.

Agenda setting

The ability of the government to influence which issues are considered important.

Yellow journalism

A type of sensationalist journalism that exaggerates or misrepresents news to attract readers.

Selective perception

The tendency of individuals to interpret information in a way that aligns with their existing beliefs.

Linkage institution

Any structure that connects citizens to the government, such as political parties, elections, and interest groups.

Interest groups

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

Inside lobbying

Direct interaction between lobbyists and government officials to influence policy.

Outside lobbying

Mobilizing public opinion and grassroots efforts to influence policymakers.

Pluralism

A theory that emphasizes the role of diverse and competing interest groups in shaping policy.

Collective good/free rider

A benefit received by individuals regardless of their contribution; problem for public goods.

Civil liberties

Individual rights protected by law from governmental interference.

Civil rights

The rights of individuals to receive equal treatment and not be discriminated against.

U.S. Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing individual freedoms.

Due process procedures

Legal safeguards to ensure fair treatment through the judicial system.

14th Amendment

An amendment that addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law.

Selective incorporation

The process by which certain rights in the Bill of Rights are applied to the states through the 14th Amendment.

Plessy vs. Ferguson

A landmark Supreme Court case that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation.

Brown vs. Board of Education

A landmark Supreme Court case that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Obergefell v. Hodges

A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled same-sex marriage is a constitutional right.