US Government and Politics Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from lecture notes on US Government and Politics.

Direct Democracy

People make decisions directly, without representatives.

Indirect Democracy

People elect officials to represent them.

Traditional Theory of Democracy

Every person has the right to participate in government.

Pluralist Theory of Democracy

Interest groups play a role in political decisions.

Elite Theory of Democracy

A small number of powerful people rule and control.

Hyperpluralism Theory of Democracy

Gov is pulled in many directions by many groups.

Political Socialization

How Americans develop their political views.

Policy-Making Cycle

Steps: awareness, agenda, prioritize, enact, evaluate.

Thomas Hobbes

People are selfish; need laws and a monarch.

John Locke

People are naturally good; have natural rights.

Articles of Confederation Weaknesses

No power to tax or enforce laws; no national army.

Factions

A group within a larger group/party.

Connecticut (Great) Compromise

Representation in lower house based on population.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Slaves count as 3/5ths of a person.

Popular Sovereignty

Power to the people; power originates from them.

Limited Government

Belief that government powers are restricted.

Separation of Powers

Power separated among three branches of government.

Checks and Balances

Each branch restrains the other two branches.

Judicial Review

Courts review constitutionality of acts.

Federalism

Division of powers between federal & state govts.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Requires cause to keep a person in jail.

Bills of Attainder

You can't be found guilty without trial.

Ex Post Facto Laws

Laws applied to acts before passage are unconstitutional.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States must recognize laws of other states.

Supremacy Clause

National law is the law of the land.

Enumerated Powers

Specifically given to the national government.

Implied Powers

Not stated, but implied by the Constitution.

Inherent Powers

Necessary for a government to function.

Reserved Powers

Powers existing for the national government.

Concurrent Powers

Powers belonging to both national and state.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to stretch its powers.

Fiscal Federalism

Govt spending/taxing to influence state/local govs.

Categorical Grants

Grants with strings attached to them.

Formula Grants

Grants based off of an award.

Project Grants

Grants used only for aid.

Block Grants

Grants with no strings attatched to them.

Partisanship

Is a committed member of poltical party.

Party Realignment

Balance of power shifts greatly between parties.

Party Dealignment

Voters move towards being in no party.

Political Efficacy

Belief that you can understand and influence politics.

Soft Money

Unregulated money given to parties.

Incumbent

Someone who is currently holding office.

Franking

Is free mail to constituents.

Pork-barrel Legislation

Funds are used in local projects.

Single-Member Districts

Elect one person per district.

Marginal Districts

Districts that are competitive to get in.

Safe Districts

Strongly favors on party.

Gerrymandering

Manipulates district boundaries to favor a party.

Filibuster

Long speech to delay vote (Senate only).

Cloture

Vote to end a Senate filibuster.

Bill

A proposed law presented to Congress.

Public Bill

That affects the general public.

Private bill

The bill affects specific person or group.

Resolutions

Formal statements of opinions/intentions.

Veto

President rejects a law

Pardon

Forgives a crime.

Reprieve

Delays punishment.

Federal Budget

Plan for federal spending and revenue for the year.

Budget Surplus

Govt collects more money than it spends.

Budget Deficit

Spending exceeds revenue.

National Debt

Total of all deficits.

Bureaucracy

Organized, efficient government structure.

Regulatory Agencies

Quasi-legislative, executive, judicial agencies.

Government Corporation

Business-like entity owned by the government.

Issue Networks

Interest groups, experts, officials working together.

Judicial Review

The powere to courts to review

Strict Construction

Interpret Constitution as written.

Loose Construciton

Interpret Constitution with some flexibility.

Unalienable rights

Rights inherent to all and cannot be taken

Procedural Due Process

Fair processes in law enforcement procedures.

Substantive Due Process

Protection from unjust laws.

Prior Restraint

Government censorship

Pure Speech

Verbal expression of ideas.

Speech Plus

Speech combined with actions like protests.

Symbolic Speech

Non-verbal communication of actions.

Reasonable Belief

Belief that crime has occurred.

Capital Punishment

State-sanctioned execution as punishment

De Jure Segregation

Segregation that is enforced by law