GOV FINAL EXAM LOCK IN

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who feared a strong central government.

Unitary Government

system where all power is held by a central government.

Confederate Government

system where states hold most power and the central government is weak.

Dual Federalism

clear division of power between national and state governments (“layer cake”).

Marble Cake Federalism

blending of state and national powers and responsibilities.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly given to Congress (e.g., coin money, declare war).

Reserved Powers

Powers kept by the states (e.g., education, marriage laws).

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by state and national governments (e.g., taxing, law enforcement).

Fiscal Federalism

system of grants and funding from federal to state governments.

Grants-in-Aid Program

federal grant provided to states for specific purposes.

Categorical Grant

grant for a specific, narrowly defined purpose (e.g., highway funding).

General Revenue Sharing

federal grant with broad spending discretion by states (now defunct).

Block Grants

grant given for general purposes with fewer restrictions.

U.S. v. Lopez

Supreme Court case limiting Congress's power under the Commerce Clause.

Devolution

policy to transfer power from federal government to states.

Mandates

Federal orders that states must follow, sometimes with funding (unfunded mandates are controversial).

Franklin Privilege

benefit allowing members of Congress to send mail to constituents for free.

Casework

legislator’s assistance to constituents in dealing with government agencies.

Pork Barrel

government spending project that benefits a legislator’s district.

Logrolling

practice where legislators trade votes to support each other's bills.

Standing Committee

permanent committee that handles specific areas of legislation.

Conference Committee

temporary committee to reconcile House and Senate versions of a bill.

Select Committee

temporary committee created for a specific purpose or investigation.

Joint Committee

committee with members from both House and Senate.

Iron Triangles

close relationship between Congress, bureaucracy, and interest groups.

Open and Closed Rules

House rule allowing open debate or limiting amendments on a bill.

Party Whips

Legislators who help coordinate party votes and maintain discipline.

President Pro Tempore of the Senate

senior senator who presides over the Senate when the VP is absent.

Reapportionment

redistribution of House seats based on population after the census.

Malapportionment

Unequal representation due to districts with vastly different populations.

Presidential Powers (at least 4):

Veto legislation,Commander-in-chief of the military,Appoint federal judges and officials

Presidential Coattails

When a popular president helps other candidates from their party win.

Original Jurisdiction

Court’s authority to hear a case first.

District Courts

Lowest federal courts where trials occur.

Court of Appeals

Federal courts that review district court decisions.

Writ of Certiorari

Supreme Court order to review a lower court’s decision.

Briefs

Written legal arguments submitted to a court.

Amicus Curiae Briefs

“Friend of the court” briefs from outside parties offering info or opinions.

Supreme Court Conference

Private meeting where justices discuss and vote on cases.

Concurring Opinion

Agreement with majority decision but with different reasons.

Dissenting Opinion

Disagreement with majority, explaining reasons for opposition.

Judicial Activism

Judges interpret the Constitution broadly to address current issues.

Judicial Restraint

Judges avoid overturning laws unless clearly unconstitutional.

Procedural Due Process

Fair procedures before depriving life, liberty, or property.

Substantive Due Process

Protection of fundamental rights from government interference.

De Facto Segregation

Segregation caused by social conditions or practices.

De Jure Segregation

Segregation enforced by law.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Eliminated barriers like literacy tests to protect minority voting rights.