Vocabulary 1

What is the Square Deal?

Domestic policy program by Theodore Roosevelt

What is stare decisis?

Legal principle to adhere to precedents

What is a state?

Political entity with sovereignty over a territory

What is a status offense?

Crime based on status or age of offender

What is a statute?

Written law passed by a legislative body

What is a straw poll?

Informal survey to gauge public opinion

What is a subpoena?

Legal order to appear in court or provide evidence

What is a subsidy?

Financial assistance to promote a cause or industry

What is suffrage?

Right to vote in political elections

What is a summit?

Meeting between leaders to discuss important issues

What is a summons?

Legal order to appear in court or respond to a claim

What is a sunset law?

Provision for a law to expire or be terminated

What is a tariff?

Tax on imported or exported goods

What is a tenement?

Overcrowded and run-down apartment building

What is a trust?

Monopoly or cartel that controls a market

What is a veto?

Power of a president or governor to reject a bill

What is a writ?

Legal order issued by a court

What is anarchy?

Absence of government or authority

What is a sunshine law?

A law requiring transparency in government.

What is the implications of powers doctrine?

Allows federal government to take necessary actions.

What is impoundment?

President withholding or delaying funds.

What is integration?

Bringing different groups together into a single society.

What is internationalism?

Advocacy for cooperation between nations.

What is an interstate compact?

Agreement between two or more states approved by Congress.

What is isolationism?

Advocacy for a country to remain isolated from other nations.

Polis

Greek city-state

Political culture

Shared beliefs about government

Political efficacy

Belief in one's political influence

Political machine

Corrupt political organization

Political socialization

Learning political values

Pork-barrel legislation

Funding for local projects

Power of the Purse

Congressional control of spending

Precedent

Legal decision used as a guide

Precinct

Voting district

Preemption

Federal law overrules state law

Press release

Official statement to the media

Prior restraint

Censorship before publication

Property tax

Tax on real estate

Prosecute

Charge with a crime

Public opinion

Views of the general public

Public policy

Government action to address issues

Quorum

Minimum number of members needed to conduct business

Ratification

Approval of a treaty or amendment

Recall

Removal of an elected official

Referendum

Direct vote on a proposed law

Summons

Court order to appear in court

Sunset law

Law that expires after a set time

Sunshine law

Requires government transparency

Supremacy Clause

Federal law overrules state law

Tariff

Tax on imported goods

Tax

Money paid to the government

Territory

Area governed by the US but not a state

Terrorism

Violent acts to create fear for political gain

What is judicial activism?

Courts using power to shape public policy.

What is judicial restraint?

Courts limiting power to interpreting the law.

What is judicial review?

Courts striking down unconstitutional laws or actions.

What is jurisdiction?

Legal authority of a court to hear a case.

What is jury selection?

Process of choosing a jury for a trial.

What is legal tender?

Currency accepted for debts and taxes.

What is labor union law?

Laws governing formation and operation of labor unions.

What is legislative oversight?

Monitoring of executive branch by legislature.

What is libel?

False, damaging written statement.

What is line-item veto?

Veto of specific provisions in a bill.

What is a lobbyist?

Advocate for interest group in government.

What is logrolling?

Exchanging political favors between legislators.

What is a mandate?

Political authority granted by voters.

What is the Marshall Plan?

US economic aid to Europe after WWII.

What is mass media?

Means of communication to large audience.

What is a mayor?

Chief executive of a city or town.

What is mercantilism?

Economic theory promoting exports and gold/silver.

What is Medicare?

Federal health insurance for seniors and some disabled.

What is a monopoly?

Single company/group controlling product/service.

Refugee

Person fleeing persecution

What is the Monroe Doctrine?

US opposition to European interference in Western Hemisphere.

Reserved powers

Powers not given to the federal government

Revenue

Government income

Sanction

Punishment for violating international law

Rider

Unrelated amendment added to a bill

Shield law

Protects journalists from revealing sources

Segregation

Separation of races

Simple resolution

Statement of opinion by one house of Congress

Slander

False spoken statement that harms reputation

Social contract

Agreement between people and government

Slave Trade Compromise

Allowed slave trade to continue until 1808

Spoils system

Rewarding political supporters with jobs

State

Political unit within a nation

Statute

Law passed by a legislature

Status offense

Illegal behavior only for minors

Straw poll

Informal poll to gauge public opinion

Subpoena

Court order to appear in court

Subsidy

Government payment to support a business

Suffrage

Right to vote

Summit

Meeting between heads of state

Ward

Voting district within a city

Watchdog

Monitors government for corruption

Writ of habeas corpus

Court order to release a prisoner

Whistleblower

Person who exposes government wrongdoing

Zimmerman Telegram

German proposal for Mexico to attack the US

Absentee voting

Voting by mail

Ambassador

Highest ranking diplomat