Govpol Important Terms

Federalist No. 10

Warns about factions; argues large republic best controls them

Federalist No. 51

Argues for separation of powers and checks & balances to prevent tyranny

Federalist No. 70

Advocates for a strong, single executive for accountability and efficiency

Federalist No. 78

Introduces judicial review; life tenure = independent judiciary

Brutus No. 1

Anti-Federalist essay warning against a powerful central government

Declaration of Independence

Asserts natural rights & social contract; breaks from Britain

Articles of Confederation

America's first constitution; weak central government

Constitution

Supreme law of the land; outlines structure, powers, limits of gov

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments; protects civil liberties from federal gov

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is supreme over state law (Article VI)

Necessary & Proper Clause

Grants Congress implied powers (Elastic Clause)

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress power over interstate commerce

Full Faith & Credit Clause

States must respect each other's legal documents

Privileges & Immunities Clause

States can't discriminate against out-of-state citizens

Tenth Amendment

Reserves powers not given to federal gov for the states

1st Amendment

Protects freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition

2nd Amendment

Right to keep and bear arms

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches & seizures; warrants required

5th Amendment

Protects due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, property

6th Amendment

Guarantees speedy trial, impartial jury, right to counsel

8th Amendment

Bans cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail/fines

9th Amendment

People retain rights not listed in the Constitution

14th Amendment

Grants citizenship, due process, and equal protection (selective incorporation)

15th Amendment

Prohibits voting discrimination based on race

17th Amendment

Allows direct election of senators by the people

19th Amendment

Grants women the right to vote

24th Amendment

Bans poll taxes in federal elections

26th Amendment

Lowers voting age to 18

Marbury v. Madison

Established judicial review, strengthening the judiciary

McCulloch v. Maryland

Federal gov is supreme; allowed national bank under implied powers

U.S. v. Lopez

Limited federal power under Commerce Clause; guns in schools = state issue

Engel v. Vitale

Banned school-sponsored prayer (Establishment Clause)

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Protected Amish from compulsory schooling (Free Exercise Clause)

Tinker v. Des Moines

Protected student symbolic speech (black armbands)

NY Times v. U.S.

Protected press; banned prior restraint on Pentagon Papers

Schenck v. U.S.

Speech can be limited if it creates "clear and present danger"

Gideon v. Wainwright

States must provide attorneys for felony defendants

Roe v. Wade

Legalized abortion under right to privacy

McDonald v. Chicago

Incorporated 2nd Amendment to states

Brown v. Board of Education

Ended racial segregation in public schools (Equal Protection)

Citizens United v. FEC

Allowed unlimited independent political spending by corporations

Congress

Bicameral legislature; makes laws

House of Representatives

Lower house; 2-year terms, tax bills, population-based

Senate

Upper house; 6-year terms, confirms appointments/treaties

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly granted to Congress in Constitution

Implied Powers

Powers not listed but allowed under Necessary & Proper Clause

Bureaucracy

Agencies that implement federal policy through regulation

Iron Triangle

Alliance between bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups

Issue Network

Temporary alliance among groups to influence policy

Executive Orders

Presidential directives without Congress approval

Veto

President rejects a bill; can be overridden by 2/3 in both chambers

Judicial Review

Power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Stare Decisis

Practice of following precedent in court rulings

Checks and Balances

Each branch can limit the power of the others

Separation of Powers

Power divided between three branches of government

Selective Incorporation

Applying Bill of Rights to states using 14th Amendment

Establishment Clause

Gov can't establish an official religion

Free Exercise Clause

Protects religious practices from government interference

Due Process Clause

No state can deny basic legal rights (14th Amendment)

Equal Protection Clause

Requires equal treatment under the law (14th Amendment)

Affirmative Action

Policies to increase representation of minorities/women

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Banned segregation and discrimination in public life

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Banned literacy tests; protected minority voting rights

Title IX

Bans gender discrimination in federally funded education

Habeas Corpus

Right to be brought before a judge and informed of charges

Patriot Act

Expanded surveillance powers post-9/11

USA Freedom Act

Scaled back Patriot Act; limited bulk data collection

Electoral College

System to elect president; states' electoral votes matter

Winner-Take-All

Most states give all electoral votes to popular vote winner

Midterm Elections

Congressional elections held halfway through a president’s term

Political Efficacy

Belief that one can influence politics

Franking Privilege

Congress members can send mail for free

Incumbency Advantage

Elected officials have higher reelection rates

Gerrymandering

Drawing districts to benefit a party

Baker v. Carr

Allowed courts to rule on redistricting; "one person, one vote"

Shaw v. Reno

Banned racial gerrymandering

Political Socialization

Process by which people form political values

Conservative

Supports limited gov, free markets, traditional values

Liberal

Supports active gov, social welfare, personal freedoms

Libertarian

Supports minimal gov in all areas

Populist

Economic liberal, socially conservative

PAC

Political Action Committee; limited direct donations to candidates

Super PAC

Can spend unlimited $ independently to influence elections

Horse-Race Journalism

Focus on polling over issues in media

Gatekeeper

Media decides which issues get attention

Watchdog

Media monitors & exposes scandals/misconduct

Narrowcasting

Media targeting specific ideological audiences

Fiscal Policy

Gov decisions on taxing and spending

Monetary Policy

Fed controls money supply and interest rates

Discretionary Spending

Optional spending approved by Congress annually

Mandatory Spending

Required by law (e.g. Social Security)

Entitlement Programs

Benefit programs people qualify for by law

Social Security

Retirement benefit program

Medicare

Health insurance for 65+

Medicaid

Health insurance for low-income individuals

Budget Process

President proposes, Congress approves, agencies implement

Continuing Resolution

Temporary funding to prevent gov shutdown

Debt Ceiling

Legal limit on national debt

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments