Unit 5: Levers of Change - Amendments, Press, and Elections

Vocabulary flashcards covering the amendment process, freedom of the press, types of elections, and interest groups as levers of political change.

Amendments

A formal written change, addition, or connection made to a legal document.

Proposing an Amendment

The step in the amendment process requiring $rac{2}{3}$ of votes in both houses of Congress.

Ratifying an Amendment

The process of making an amendment official by obtaining approval from $rac{3}{4}$ of the state legislature or conventions in $rac{3}{4}$ of the states.

Supermajorities

Large amounts of agreement required between governing bodies that makes the amendment process difficult and time-consuming.

Constitutional Stability

A benefit of the long and difficult amendment process, ensuring the Constitution reflects long-term commitment to change rather than temporary shifts.

Freedom of the Press

The right of people to present whatever news or ideas they want in the media as protected by the First Amendment.

Press

The news media collectively, encompassing all organizations that gather and disseminate information to the public.

Prior Restraint

A form of government censorship that involves actions by officials to prevent, ban, or censor material before publication or broadcast.

William Blackstone

The writer who discussed the topic of prior restraint in his writings.

John Peter Zenger

The individual who ran The New York Weekly Journal and set a precedent for criticizing government actions in the 1730s.

Watchdog

A role of the press characterized by monitoring and reporting on the actions of the government.

Primary Elections

Elections that act as a lever of change by allowing voters to choose candidates for the general election.

Midterm Elections

National elections held between presidential election years to elect various officials.

Ballot Measures

Proposals placed on a ballot for voters to decide on directly; there are 3 types in Massachusetts.

Town Warrants and Articles

Documents used in local government, such as in Needham, to outline items for discussion and action at Town Meetings.

Citizen’s Petitions

A method used in local elections and government to allow residents to propose specific changes or actions.

Interest Groups

Organizations that play a role in the political process by advocating for specific issues and seeking to influence policy.

Lobbying

The practice of using specific methods to influence government officials to effect change.