US GOV FINAL

Bicameralism

The system of having two chambers in a legislative body.

Apportionment

The process of allocating seats in the legislature based on population.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one political party or group over another.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated but necessary to carry out enumerated powers.

Inherent Powers

Powers that are assumed to exist due to the nature of sovereignty.

Delegate Model

A model where representatives act as direct agents of their constituents, voting according to their wishes.

Trustee Model

A model where representatives use their judgment to make decisions in the best interest of the nation or constituency.

Politico Model

A hybrid model where representatives act as delegates in some situations and as trustees in others.

Standing Committees

Permanent committees that deal with ongoing legislative issues.

Joint Committees

Committees that include members from both the House and Senate.

Impeachment

The process by which a sitting president or other official can be charged with misconduct and removed from office

Signing Statement

A statement issued by the president when signing a bill into law.

Executive Order

A directive issued by the president to manage operations of the federal government.

Primary Elections

Elections held to determine party nominees for general elections.

Patronage

The practice of appointing people to government positions based on political loyalty rather than merit.

Dual Court System

The structure in which state courts and federal courts operate separately.

Judicial Power

The authority vested in courts to interpret laws and resolve disputes.

Code Law

Legal systems based on written statutes and codes.

Common Law

Legal systems based on judicial precedents and interpretations.

Criminal Cases

Cases where the state prosecutes individuals for violations of the law.

Civil Cases

Cases where individuals or entities sue each other for damages or resolutions.

Senatorial Courtesy

The practice where senators from a state are given deference in selecting federal judges.

The Rule of Four

A Supreme Court rule that requires four justices to agree to grant a writ of certiorari.

Writ of Certiorari

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

Majority Opinion

An opinion that represents the decision of the majority of the justices.

Concurring Opinion

An opinion that agrees with the majority’s decision but for different reasons.

Mootness Doctrine

The principle that a case is no longer relevant if the issue at hand has been resolved.

Bureaucracy

The system of government agencies and departments responsible for implementing policies.

Red Tape

Bureaucratic inefficiencies and excessive regulation that delay decision-making.

Whistleblowing

Reporting of illegal or unethical activities within a government or organization.

Incrementalism

A theory suggesting that decisions are made in small, gradual steps.

Dillon’s Rule

A legal principle that local governments only have powers explicitly granted to them by the state.

Party Whip

an individual responsible for party discipline, ensuring members vote according to party lines

Speaker of the House

The leader of the House of Representatives, responsible for legislative agenda and maintaining order in the chamber

Conference Committees

Temporary committees formed to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill

Select Committees

Temporary committees established to investigate a specific issue or event

Self-Executing

A type of rule that automatically implements certain actions without the need for further approval

En Bloc

The process of considering multiple amendments of bills together in one vote

King of the Hill

A special rule where amendments are voted on, and only the last one to pass is included in the final bill

Queen of the Hill

A variant of King of the Hill, where the highest-ranking amendment is the one that is included

Senate Hold

A procedure where a senator can prevent a bill or nomination from coming to a vote

Quorum Call

A procedure to determine that enough members are present to conduct business

Direct Presidential Action

Actions by the president that bypass Congress, such as executive orders, proclamations, and military actions

Rational Decision Making

The process of making decisions based on logical reasoning and available information

Bounded Rationality

The theory that individuals make decisions within the limits of their knowledge and cognitive abilities

Incrementalism

A theory that suggests that decisions are made in small, gradual steps rather than through large, sudden changes in policy or strategy, allowing for adjustments and modifications along the way.

Barber’s Personality-Based Theory

A theory of presidential leadership based on the president’s personal characteristics, distinguishing between active/ passive and positive/negative leadership style

Benefits of Dual Court System

The structure in which state courts and federal courts operate separately, providing checks and balances and addressing different types of legal issues

District Courts

The lowest level of federal courts where cases begin

Circuit Courts (Courts of Appeals)

Courts that hear appeals from district courts

Senatorial Courtesy

The practice where senators from a state where a federal judge is to be appointed are given deference in the selection process

Ripeness Doctrine

A legal principle that courts should not hear cases that have not yet developed into actual disputes

Political Question Doctrine

The principle that courts should not adjudicate issues that are more appropriately addressed by the legislative or executive branches

Solicitor General

The person responsible for representing the United States in cases before the Supreme Court

Plurality Opinion

An opinion that has the most support but not a majority

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion written by justices who disagree with the majorities decision

Moralistic

Emphasizes the role of government in promoting the common good

Individualistic

Focuses on personal achievement and limited government intervention

Traditionalistic

Views government as a means to maintain social order and the status quo

Amendatory Veto

A governor’s power to propose changes to a bill passed by the legislature

Reduction Veto

A governor’s power to reduce specific items in a budget bill without vetoing the entire bill

Professional

Legislators who work full-time and are well-compensated

Citizen

Legislators who serve part-time with minimal compensation

Hybrid

A mixture of professional and citizen legislatures

Special Districts

Local government entities created for specific purposes, such as school districts or water management districts

Public Administration

The implementation and management of government policies and services

Weberian

A bureaucratic model focusing on a hierarchical structure, clear rules, and merit-based promotion

Acquisitive

A model emphasizing the expansion of bureaucratic agencies’ size and power

monopolistic

a model where a single agency or organization dominates a field of service

Cabinet

Major agencies with broad responsibilities

Regulatory

Agencies tasked with regulating specific industries

Independent Executive

Agencies that are independent but work under executive oversight

Government Corporations

Agencies that operate like businesses (e.g, USPS)

Notice- and- Comment Rule making

a process where agencies public proposed rules for public feedback before finalizing them

Negotiated Rule making

A process where agencies work with affected parties to create rules collaboratively

Divestiture

The sale or transfer of public services or assets to the private sector

Contracting

Outsourcing government functions to private companies

Third-party financing

private sector funding for public projects