Lecture on Legislature, Presidency, Judiciary, Elections and Political Parties

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to the U.S. legislature, presidency, judiciary, electoral processes, and political parties.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing congressional district boundaries after the census (10yrs) to reflect population changes in states.

Gerrymandering

Redistricting that favors one political party or group, often resulting in unfair representation. Two main tactics include packing and cracking (concentrating and spreading). Essentially, two main political parties draw specific lines to catch certain voters (theirs) and to disperse or exclude others, giving them advantage at the expense of the other.

Packing

A tactic in gerrymandering used to concentrate opposition voters into a few districts. This is done to reduce their influence elsewhere.

Cracking

A gerrymandering tactic that spreads opposition voters across many districts to dilute their power.

Bill

A proposal for new legislation that must go through various stages before becoming law.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate where a senator delays a vote by talking endlessly— used by the minority to block legislation.

Cloture

A procedure to end a filibuster, requiring a 3/5 vote (60 senators) in the Senate. It forces a vote!

Logrolling

A practice where lawmakers agree to support each other's bills to ensure mutual benefit. “You vote for mine; I’ll vote for yours” ts

Earmarks

Specific funds added to a bill for particular projects, often benefiting local interests (like a bridge or research center).

Pork Barrel Legislation

Legislation that directs government funds to local projects, often for political gain (done usually to please voters in a legislator’s district rather than for national needs)

Electoral College

The body or system that formally elects the President, consisting of electoral votes from each state (based on # of senators + reps). There are 538 total votes; need 270 to win and most states use a winner-takes-all approach. 

Formal Powers of the President

Constitutional authorities including acting as Commander in Chief of the military, appointing officials (judges, ambassador), vetoing bills, making treaties (w/ senate approval), and grant pardons.

Executive Agreement

An agreement made by the President without Senate approval, which can be undone by future presidents.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws or actions unconstitutional.

Writ of Certiorari

A request for the Supreme Court to review a case from a lower court. (Court gets thousands of requests and only accepts a few; 4 justices needed to approve)

Flexible Interpretation

Interpreting the Constitution in light of modern circumstances rather than a strict reading.

Political Platform

A political party's set of beliefs and goals on major issues.

Closed Primary

A primary election where only registered party members are allowed to vote.

Soft Money

Unregulated donations to political parties, not directly to candidates (less regulated)

Super PACs

Political action committees that can spend unlimited amounts as long as they do not coordinate with candidates.

Divided Government

A situation where the presidency and Congress are controlled by different political parties, leading to more gridlock and less cooperation on passing laws.

Majority Party

The political party that holds more seats in a legislative chamber, controlling leadership and committees.

Amicus Brief

A document submitted by a third party to influence the decision in a court case. “Friend of the court”

Test Case

A case brought to court to challenge a law and potentially set a legal precedent.

Reciprocity

Similar to logrolling— mutual exchange of support or favors among lawmakers.

Primary Process

The way political parties choose their presidential candidates. Candidates earn delegates, and whoever gets the most wins the party’s nomination at the National Convention.

Primary

Citizens vote for their preferred candidate

Caucus

Party members meet and discuss before voting

Informal (Implied) Powers of the President

Executive orders, executive agreements, using media and influence to shape public opinion, and setting the legislative agenda.

Treaties

Formal agreements with other countries. Require 2/3 Senate approval.

State of the Union Address

A yearly (required constitutional) speech where the President outlines goals, achievements, and legislative priorities. It helps shape the national agenda and rally support from Congress and the public.

Adversarial System

Two opposing sides (prosecution vs defense) present their case. A neutral judge / jury decides based on the evidence. The goal is for the truth to emerge from the competition of ideas.

Dual Court System

The U.S. has two levels of courts: Federal courts and State courts

Federal court

deals with federal laws and constitutional issues

State court

Handles state laws and local matters

Appellate Courts

Don’t uphold trials— they review decisions made by lower courts to check for legal errors. They can uphold, reverse, or remand (send back) cases.

Statutes

Laws written and passed by legislatures

Court Opinions

Majority Opinion, Concurring Opinion, Dissenting Opinion

Majority Opinion

The official decision and reasoning of the court

Concurring Opinion

A judge agrees with the outcome but for different reasons

Dissenting Opinion

A judge disagrees with the majority

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established Judicial Review, giving the Supreme Court the authority to strike down unconstitutional laws.

Case Precedent

When courts base decisions on previous similar cases

Open Primary

Any voter can vote in any party’s primary, regardless of registration

Hard money

Direct contributions to a candidate, regulated and limited by law

Term Limits

President = 2 terms (22nd Amendment). No term limits for congress ig

Two-Party System

The U.S. mainly has two dominant parties: Democrats and Republicans— making it hard for third parties to win major elections due to the winner-takes-all systen

Third Parties

Smaller political parties: rarely win national offices but can influence major parties and raise new issues

Minority Party

Fewer seats; provides opposition and alternative policies

Democrats

Progressive (liberal) vs. Moderate wings

Republicans

Conservative vs. moderate libertarian wings