ap gov quiz executive, judicial, and bureaucracy

What is gridlock in government?

The inability of the government to act because opposing parties control different parts of the government and cannot agree on a course of action.

What is formal power?

Authority given to the president that is specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

What is informal power?

Authority given to the president that is not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

What is an executive order?

A directive that carries the weight of law that is given by the president without the consent of Congress.

What is an executive agreement?

A pact between the president and the head of a foreign nation that does not require Senate consent.

What is a treaty?

A formal, public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate.

Who comprises the Cabinet?

The heads of the fifteen executive branch departments that serve as advisors to the president.

What is a bully pulpit?

The president’s use of his position and visibility to guide or influence the American public.

What is the State of the Union?

An annual address given by the president to Congress outlining the president's legislative agenda.

What is executive privilege?

The president’s ability to keep certain communications private.

What did United States v. Nixon clarify?

The limitations of executive privilege.

What does the 22nd Amendment state?

It limits presidential terms to two, not to exceed 10 years.

What does the 25th Amendment state?

It outlines the process for presidential succession and disability.

What is a veto?

The presidential power to deny a bill passed by Congress.

What is a pocket veto?

When a bill fails to become law because the president did not sign it within 10 days before Congress adjourned.

What is a line-item veto?

The power to cancel specific dollar amounts within a bill.

What is a signing statement?

Issued by the president after passing a bill into law, revealing the president's views on the law.

What is impeachment?

The constitutional process of bringing charges against a government official.

What is a pardon?

Official forgiveness of a crime.

What is a lame duck?

An official still in office after losing a bid for re-election or reaching term limit.

What is congressional oversight?

The authority of Congress to conduct hearings, investigations, and budget reviews of the executive branch.

What is bureaucracy?

A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials.

What is the Executive Office of the President?

The part of the executive branch that supports the president in his responsibilities.

What role does the White House Staff serve?

They run day-to-day operations in the White House and advise the president.

What are Executive Departments?

15 large agencies of the federal government that carry out laws and regulate areas.

What are Independent Regulatory Commissions?

Agencies responsible for monitoring large government sectors not controlled by Congress or the President.

What are Government Corporations?

Agencies that carry out business-like functions, such as the US Postal Service.

What does the Office of Management and Budget do?

Helps the president prepare the budget for the fiscal year.

What is discretionary authority/Bureaucratic Discretion?

The extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose actions and policies not spelled out by Congress.

What is civil service?

The part of government that fulfills the daily functions of bureaucracy based on merit.

What is the merit system?

The procedure of hiring and promoting government employees based on abilities rather than political favors.

What did the Pendleton Act establish?

A merit-based system for hiring members of the civil service.

What is an iron triangle?

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

What is an issue network?

Webs of influence between interest groups, policymakers, and advocates.

What is implementation in bureaucracy?

The bureaucracy’s role in putting laws passed by Congress into action.

What is bureaucratic adjudication?

When the federal bureaucracy settles disputes over the implementation of federal laws.

What is judicial restraint?

The view that judges should decide cases based strictly on the language of laws and the Constitution.

What is judicial activism?

The view that judges should apply constitutional principles to modern circumstances.

What are constitutional courts?

Federal courts authorized by Article III of the Constitution for life tenure.

What are district courts?

The lowest federal courts with original jurisdiction over most federal cases.

What are courts of appeals?

Federal courts reviewing appeals from district courts for errors.

What is the Supreme Court?

The highest court in the U.S. made up of nine justices.

What are legislative courts?

Courts created by Congress for specialized purposes.

What is a litmus test?

A consideration of the political ideology of a nominated judge.

What is judicial review?

The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

What is a writ of certiorari?

An order by a higher court directing a lower court to send a case for review.

What did Marbury v. Madison establish?

The court's power of judicial review.

Who is the plaintiff?

The party that initiates a lawsuit.

What is standing?

A legal rule stating who is authorized to start a lawsuit.

What is precedent?

A principle set by the court used for future case decisions.

What is a class-action suit?

A case impacting an individual and all similarly situated persons.

What is original jurisdiction?

The authority of a court to hear a case first.

What is appellate jurisdiction?

The authority to hear a case brought on appeal from a lower court.

What is a brief?

A written statement summarizing a case and supporting laws.

What is an amicus curiae brief?

A brief submitted by a 'friend of the court' providing additional case information.

What is the opinion of the court?

The judicial opinion agreed upon by more than half the court members.

What is a concurring opinion?

A signed opinion of members agreeing with the majority for different reasons.

What is a dissenting opinion?

The perspective signed by justices who disagree with the majority opinion.

What does stare decisis mean?

'Let the decision stand' or relying on prior rulings for current cases.

What is senatorial courtesy?

An unwritten custom where the Senate will not approve a judicial nomination opposed by a senator from the nominee's state.

What is the Rule of Four?

Four justices must agree for a case to be granted certiorari.

What is an amendment?

A new addition to the Constitution proposed by Congress and ratified by the states.