First Half Essential Definitions

judicial activism

An interpretation of the U.S. constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence judicial decisions (particularly decisions of the Supreme Court)

public policy

Anything the government does to control society and create order

block grants

federal grants-in-aid that allow states considerable discretion in how the funds are spent

categorical grants

congressional grants given to states and localities on the condition that expenditures be limited to a problem or group specified by law

Bureaucracy

A system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials

Commerce Clause

The section of the Constitution in which Congress is given the power to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries.

concurrent powers

powers shared by the national and state governments

enumerated powers

The powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution.

Federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

implied powers

Powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions.

Mandates (funded and unfunded)

terms set by the national government that states must meet whether or not they accept federal grants

participatory democracy

a system of democracy in which all members of a group or community participate collectively in making major decisions

pluralist democracy

a model of democracy that stresses vigorous competition among various interests in a free society

elite democracy

A political system in which the privileged classes acquire the power to decide by a competition for the people's votes and have substantial freedom between elections to rule as they see fit.

Ratification

Formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a constitution, constitutional amendment, or treaty

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.

Natural Rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

Social Contract

An agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed

Limited Government

a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

Popular Sovereignty

A government in which the people rule by their own consent.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Federalism

a form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and the states

Dual Federalism

A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies.

Cooperative Federalism

system in which both federal government and state governments cooperate in solving problems

Coercive Federalism

A form of federalism in which the federal government pressures the states to change their policies by using regulations, mandates, and conditions (often involving threats to withdraw federal funding).

Devolution Revolution

The effort to reduce the size & power of the federal government by returning (devolving) power to the states.

Unitary Government

A centralized government in which all government powers belong to a single, central agency.

Confederation

an alliance of independent states

Supremacy Clause

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.

Federal Mandate

A requirement in federal legislation that forces states and municipalities to comply with certain rules.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Constitution's requirement that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state

project grants

grant programs in which state and local governments submit proposals to federal agencies and for which funding is provided on a competitive basis

unfunded mandates

Programs that the Federal government requires States to implement without Federal funding.

Congressional Oversight

a committee's investigation of the executive and of government agencies to ensure they are acting as Congress intends

delegate

A person appointed or elected to represent others

Bully Pulpit

the president's use of his prestige and visibility tublico guide or enthuse the American p

discretionary spending

spending category about which government planners can make choices

divided government

one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress

Entitlements Programs

Governments benefits that all citizens meeting eligibility criteria are entitled to receive

executive order

a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law.

Gerrymandering

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.

judicial restraint

Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect what the framers intended and what its words literally say.

Logrolling

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

mandatory spending

Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress.

policy agenda

The issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people actively involved in politics at the time.

Rules Committee

A standing committee of the House of Representatives that provides special rules under which specific bills can be debated, amended, and considered by the house.

signing statement

a presidential document that reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced

Impoundment

Presidential refusal to allow an agency to spend funds that Congress authorized and appropriated.

Patronage

Granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support

(Writ of)Habeas Corpus

Constitutional protection against unlawful imprisonment