Theories, Foundations, and Branches of U.S. and Texas Government

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes regarding political foundations, federal and state government branches, and voting participation.

Political Culture

The shared values, beliefs, and expectations held by a population regarding their government and political process.

American Political Culture

A culture characterized by liberty, equality (of opportunity), individualism, democracy, and the rule of law.

Constitutional Democracy

A system of government where the power of the majority is exercised within the framework of a constitution that protects the rights of minorities.

Sovereignty

The ultimate, supreme authority of a state to govern itself.

Divided Government

A situation where one party controls the presidency (or governorship) while another party controls one or both houses of the legislature.

Federalism

A system in which power is divided between a central (national) government and regional (state) governments.

Devolution

The transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government back to the states.

Types of Government in America

Three historical forms: Unitary (under British rule), Confederal (under the Articles of Confederation), and Federal (under the U.S. Constitution).

Local Government Duties

Handles 'pothole politics' including public safety, sanitation, and education.

Total Governments in the U.S.

A total of over $90,000$ including cities, counties, and special districts.

Legislative Branch

The primary function is making laws; specifically, the House was intended to be the most representative body.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws.

Standing Committee

A permanent committee, such as Agriculture.

Select Committee

A temporary committee formed for specific tasks.

Joint Committee

A committee containing members from both the House and Senate.

Conference Committee

A committee that reconciles different versions of the same bill.

House of Representatives Membership

Consists of $435$ members.

Senate Membership

Consists of $100$ members.

Reapportionment

The reallocation of House seats based on the Census every $10$ years.

Redistricting

The redrawing of district lines done by state legislatures every $10$ years.

Incumbent Reelection Rate

A rate that often exceeds $90\%$.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically written in the Constitution, such as coining money.

Implied Powers

Powers not written but considered 'necessary and proper,' such as creating the IRS.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by state and federal governments, such as taxing.

Reserved Powers

Powers for states only under the $10^{th}$ Amendment, such as education.

Elastic Clause

Article I, Section $8$ ('Necessary and Proper'), which allows Congress to expand its power.

Limited Government

Government restricted by law (the Constitution) to protect individual liberties.

Bill of Rights

The first $10$ Amendments to the Constitution.

Electoral College

The mechanism for choosing the President; if no majority is reached, the House of Representatives chooses.

McCulloch v. Maryland

The court case that established federal supremacy and the legality of implied powers.

Judicial Review

The power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Judicial Activism

Willingness to overturn laws to achieve social goals.

Judicial Restraint

Deferring to the elected branches unless a law is clearly unconstitutional.

Socialization

The process by which we develop political values, with family being the $1^{st}$ agent.

Watchdog Role

The role of the press in holding leaders accountable.

$15^{th}$ Amendment

The amendment providing the right to vote for Black males.

$19^{th}$ Amendment

The amendment providing the right to vote for women.

$26^{th}$ Amendment

The amendment providing the right to vote for $18$-year-olds.

Texas Constitution of $1876$

The current state constitution passed as a reaction against the Reconstruction-era government of Governor E.J. Davis.

Texas Legislature

A 'citizen legislature' that meets only $140$ days every $2$ years.

Plural Executive

A system where power is fragmented among several elected officials so the Governor is not too powerful.

Texas High Courts

A dual system consisting of the Supreme Court for civil cases and the Court of Criminal Appeals for criminal cases.

Texas Economy Shift

A transition from a 'Land-based' (Oil/Agriculture) economy to a 'Knowledge-based' and 'Service-based' economy.

Open Primary

A primary system where you do not have to register as a party member but can only vote in one party's primary.