GoPo Vocab ALL

Federalism

The division and sharing of power between the national government and the states.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches (executive, legislative, judicial) to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Checks and Balances

The mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches (e.g., presidential veto, Senate confirmation).

Supremacy Clause

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws.

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce. It has been the primary constitutional basis for the expansion of federal power over time.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Gives Congress the power to pass all laws 'necessary and proper' to carry out its enumerated powers.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided to states for a specific, clearly defined purpose (comes with strings attached).

Block Grants

Federal funds provided to states for a broad purpose, giving states more flexibility in how the money is spent (states prefer these).

Unfunded Mandates

Regulations or conditions for receiving grants that impose costs on state and local governments for which they are not reimbursed by the federal government.

Incumbency Advantage

The tendency for current officeholders to be re-elected due to advantages like name recognition, casework, and easier fundraising.

Gerrymandering

The drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party, group, or incumbent.

Reapportionment

The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years on the basis of the results of the census.

Filibuster

A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.

Cloture

A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate (requires 60 votes).

Logrolling

Vote trading; voting to support a colleague's bill in return for a promise of future support.

Pork-Barrel Legislation

Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return.

Executive Order

A rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect of law but does not require congressional approval.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to determine the constitutionality of acts of the legislative and executive branches (established by Marbury v. Madison).

Stare Decisis

A Latin phrase meaning 'let the decision stand.' The vast majority of cases reaching appellate courts are settled on this principle (relying on precedent).

Judicial Activism vs. Restraint

Activism: The belief that the courts should take an active role in solving society's problems and strike down laws unhesitatingly. Restraint: The belief that the courts should defer to the elected branches and only strike down laws that are blatantly unconstitutional.

Iron Triangle

The mutually beneficial relationship between a bureaucratic agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group.

Oversight

The effort by Congress, through hearings, investigations, and other techniques, to exercise control over the activities of executive agencies.

Civil Liberties

Protections from government interference (e.g., freedom of speech, freedom of religion). Think of the Bill of Rights.

Civil Rights

Protections by the government against discrimination (e.g., equal protection under the law for minorities, women). Think of the 14th Amendment.

Selective Incorporation

The gradual process by which the Supreme Court has applied the Bill of Rights to the states through the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment.

Establishment Clause

The First Amendment provision that prohibits the government from establishing a national religion or favoring one religion over another.

Free Exercise Clause

The First Amendment provision that prohibits government from interfering with the practice of religion.

Due Process Clause

The 14th Amendment clause stating that no state may deprive a person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

Equal Protection Clause

The 14th Amendment clause stating that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Exclusionary Rule

A rule that provides that otherwise admissible evidence cannot be used in a criminal trial if it was the result of illegal police conduct.

Political Socialization

The process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and attitudes (family is the strongest factor).

Political Efficacy

The belief that one's political participation really matters—that one's vote can actually make a difference.

Demographics

The characteristics of populations, e.g., race, sex, income.

Gender Gap

The difference in political views between men and women, with women tending to vote more Democratic.

Keynesian Economics

The theory that the government must actively intervene in the economy to manage demand, usually by increasing spending during a recession.

Supply-Side Economics

The theory that lowering taxes and decreasing regulation will stimulate the economy by encouraging investment and production.

Rational-Choice Voting

Voting based on what is perceived to be in the citizen's individual interest.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on an assessment of an incumbent's past performance.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on predictions of how a party or candidate will perform in the future.

Party-Line Voting

Supporting a party by voting for candidates from one political party for all public offices across the ballot.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

An organization formed to collect money and provide financial support for political candidates (has strict donation limits).

Super PAC

An organization that may spend an unlimited amount of money to support or oppose a candidate but is legally prohibited from coordinating directly with that candidate's campaign.

Horse-Race Journalism

Election coverage by the mass media that focuses on which candidate is ahead rather than on national issues.