ap gov bureauc. and jud. quiz

Writing/Enforcing Regulations

Creating detailed rules based on laws passed by Congress, then making sure people and organizations follow them.

Issuing Fines

Penalizing individuals, businesses, or organizations with money payments when they violate laws or regulations.

Compliance Monitoring

Tracking and checking whether people, companies, or agencies are following rules and regulations.

Testifying before Congress

When agency officials appear before congressional committees to explain actions, answer questions, or provide information.

Political Patronage

Giving government jobs to people because of political support or loyalty rather than qualifications.

Civil Service

The permanent professional government workforce that carries out public duties, usually hired based on qualifications.

Merit System Reforms

Changes meant to make government hiring and promotion based on ability, experience, and performance instead of patronage.

Pendleton Act

An 1883 law that created a merit-based federal civil service system and reduced the spoils system.

Hatch Act

A law that limits certain political activities of federal employees to protect the neutrality of the civil service.

Professionalism

The idea that bureaucrats should be skilled, trained, and focused on doing their jobs competently.

Specialization

The division of government work into specific areas of expertise, allowing agencies to focus on particular issues.

Neutrality

The expectation that bureaucrats should implement laws fairly and not let party politics control their official duties.

Policy Implementation

The process of carrying out laws and public policies after they are passed.

Discretionary Authority

The power given to bureaucratic agencies to decide how best to apply and enforce laws in specific situations.

Rule-Making Authority

The power of executive agencies to create regulations that have the force of law, based on authority delegated by Congress.

Committee Hearings

Meetings held by congressional committees to gather information, question officials, and oversee government agencies.

Power of the Purse

Congress’s authority to control government spending and funding.

Executive Authorization

Direction or approval from the executive branch, often the president or executive agencies, to carry out certain actions or programs.

Executive Appropriation

Usually refers to the executive branch using or allocating funds after Congress has appropriated them.

Iron Triangles

A close working relationship among a congressional committee, a bureaucratic agency, and an interest group, often shaping policy in a narrow area.

Issue Networks

A broader, looser set of participants including agencies, scholars, media, interest groups, and officials involved in policy making.

Department of State

The executive department responsible for foreign policy, diplomacy, and relations with other countries.

Department of the Treasury

The department responsible for managing government revenue, printing money, collecting taxes through the IRS, and handling economic policy.

Department of Defense

The department responsible for the military and national defense.

Department of Homeland Security

The department responsible for protecting the United States from terrorism, border threats, and domestic security risks.

Department of Transportation

The department responsible for transportation systems, safety, and infrastructure.

Department of Veterans Affairs

The department that provides services and benefits to military veterans.

Department of Education

The department responsible for federal education policy, funding, and oversight of education programs.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

An independent agency that enforces environmental laws and writes regulations to protect human health and the environment.

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

An independent regulatory agency that enforces federal campaign finance laws.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

An independent regulatory agency that regulates the stock market and protects investors.

Federal Reserve Board

The governing body of the Federal Reserve System, which manages monetary policy, interest rates, and the money supply.

Independent Regulatory Agencies

Government agencies outside direct presidential department control that regulate important sectors of the economy or public activity, such as the SEC and FEC.

Rule of Four

A Supreme Court practice where at least four justices must agree to hear a case.

Writ of Certiorari

A formal order from the Supreme Court saying it will review a lower court’s decision.

Amicus Curiae

Means “friend of the court.”

Amicus Brief

A document filed by a person or group not directly involved in a case but offering legal arguments or information to influence the Court.

Stare Decisis

The principle of following precedent, meaning courts usually follow earlier rulings when deciding similar cases.

Original Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case first, rather than on appeal.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts.

Solicitor General

The lawyer who represents the federal government before the Supreme Court and often recommends whether the Court should hear a case.

Majority Opinion

The official explanation of the Court’s decision, written by one of the justices in the majority.

Concurring Opinion

An opinion written by a justice who agrees with the Court’s decision but for different reasons.

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion written by a justice who disagrees with the majority’s decision.

Original Intent

The view that the Constitution should be interpreted according to the meaning intended by its framers or the meaning understood when it was adopted.

Originalist

A person who believes the Constitution should be interpreted according to its original meaning.

Living Document

The view that the Constitution should be interpreted in light of current conditions, values, and societal changes.

Constructivist

A person who believes the Constitution should be interpreted as adaptable to modern society.

Judicial Activism

A view of judging in which courts are more willing to overturn laws or precedents and play an active role in shaping policy.

Judicial Restraint

A view of judging in which courts should be cautious, defer to elected branches when possible, and avoid making broad policy decisions.

Marbury v. Madison

The 1803 Supreme Court case that established judicial review.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws or government actions unconstitutional.