ACP GOV FINAL

Administrative Review

The process by which a government agency evaluates rules or decisions to ensure they follow laws and proper procedures.

Advise and Consent

The Senate's constitutional authority to review and approve presidential appointments and treaties.

Amicus Curiae

A "friend of the court" brief filed by someone not directly involved in a case but who wants to offer information or arguments.

Appeals Court

A court that reviews decisions from lower courts to check for legal or procedural mistakes.

Appellate Jurisdiction

A court's power to hear a case on appeal after it has been decided by a lower court.

Appointment Powers

The president's authority to select individuals for key government positions, often requiring Senate approval.

Apportionment

The distribution of seats in the House of Representatives among states based on population.

Bureaucrats

Government employees who carry out the day-to-day tasks and implement public policy.

Bureaucracy

The collection of federal agencies and departments responsible for executing and enforcing laws.

Civil Servants

Employees hired based on merit who work in government positions rather than through political appointment.

Civilian Control

The principle that elected civilian leaders, not military officials, direct and oversee the military.

Clemency

Broad presidential mercy powers, including pardons and sentence reductions.

Cold War

A period of political and military tension after World War II between the United States and the Soviet Union without direct large-scale conflict.

Committee Chairs in Congress

Members of Congress who lead committees and control their agendas, hearings, and legislation flow.

Commander in Chief

The president's constitutional role as head of the U.S. armed forces.

Congressional Approval Ratings

Public opinion measures of how positively or negatively people view Congress's performance.

Congressional Control

Congress's ability to influence or limit the actions of the executive branch and agencies.

Congressional Oversight

Congress's monitoring of federal agencies, programs, and executive actions to ensure proper implementation of laws.

Constitutional Interpretation

The process of determining the meaning and application of the Constitution.

Constructivism

A foreign-policy perspective emphasizing how ideas, identities, and norms shape international relations.

Contributory Program

A government program financed by taxes or payments from the people who benefit from it (like Social Security).

Containment

A U.S. Cold War strategy aimed at preventing the spread of communism.

Court of Last Resort

The highest court in a legal system, whose decisions are final (in the U.S., the Supreme Court).

Credit Claiming (David Mayhew)

When members of Congress try to take personal credit for government benefits or projects to gain support.

Delegate Role in Congress

When legislators vote based on what they believe their constituents want rather than their own judgment.

Executive Order

A directive issued by the president that manages operations of the federal government.

Executive Privilege

The president's right to keep certain communications confidential from Congress or the courts.

Federal Civil Service

The merit-based system for hiring and managing civilian government employees.

Federal Register

The daily government publication that lists proposed and final rules, executive orders, and public notices.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic that allows unlimited debate to delay or block a vote on legislation.

Foreign Aid

Assistance the U.S. provides to other countries, including economic, military, or humanitarian support.

Franking

The privilege allowing members of Congress to send mail to constituents without paying postage.

Gerrymandering

Drawing electoral district boundaries to advantage one political party or group.

Globalization

The increasing interconnectedness of countries through trade, communication, and culture.

Idealism

A foreign-policy view stressing that nations should act according to moral principles and values.

Internationalism

A belief that the U.S. should engage actively in world affairs.

Isolationism

A belief that the U.S. should minimize involvement in foreign conflicts and international commitments.

Judicial Activism

When judges interpret the Constitution or laws in ways that actively shape policy.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to determine whether laws or government actions violate the Constitution.

Jurisdiction

A court's legal authority to hear and decide cases.

Medicaid

A government health-care program that provides medical coverage for low-income individuals.

Medicare

A federal health-care program primarily for people aged 65 and older.

Multinational Corporations

Companies that operate in multiple countries with global production or business operations.

MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction)

The Cold War doctrine that nuclear war is prevented when both sides can destroy each other completely.

Nation Building

Efforts to help create or strengthen political institutions,

Nationalism

Strong identification with and loyalty to one's nation, often emphasizing national interests.

New Deal

A series of programs and reforms introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to address the Great Depression.

Original Jurisdiction

A court's authority to hear a case first, before any other court.

Pardon

A president's or governor's formal forgiveness of a crime, removing penalties.

Partisanship

Strong loyalty to a political party, often leading to polarized political behavior.

Permanent Campaign

When elected officials focus on maintaining public support and preparing for reelection at all times.

Pork Barrel

Government spending on projects that benefit a specific district, often to gain political support.

Precedent

A prior court decision used as a guideline for deciding future cases.

Realism

A foreign-policy perspective that prioritizes national interest, power, and security.

Regulation

Rules made by government agencies to implement laws and manage conduct in specific areas.

Regulatory Capture

When regulatory agencies act in the interest of the industries they regulate rather than the public.

Retail Politics

Campaigning focused on personal interactions with voters, such as door-to-door or small events.

Rulemaking

The process by which government agencies create detailed regulations to enforce laws.

Seniority

A system giving longer-serving members of Congress greater power, especially in committee leadership.

Spoils System

An old system where government jobs were awarded based on political loyalty rather than merit.

Standing

The legal requirement that a person must be directly affected by an issue to bring a case to court

Stare Decisis

The principle that courts should follow established precedents when deciding cases.

Statutory Authority of the President

Powers granted to the president by laws passed by Congress.

Statutory Interpretation

How courts determine the meaning of laws written by Congress.

Tariffs

Taxes on imported goods used to raise revenue or protect domestic industries.

Trustee Model (Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky)

When legislators make decisions based on their own judgment, even if constituents disagree.

Unilateral Action

Presidential actions taken without congressional approval.

United Nations

An international organization created to promote peace, cooperation, and global problem-solving.

Veto

The president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

World Trade Organization

An international body that sets rules for global trade and resolves trade disputes.

Writ of Certiorari

An order from the Supreme Court agreeing to review a case from a lower court.

22nd Amendment

The constitutional amendment that limits presidents to two terms in office.