AP GOPO FEB 21

Executive order – Directive issued by a president or governor that has the force of law.

Cabinet – Advisory council for the president consisting of the heads of the executive

departments, the vice president, and a few other officials selected by the president.

Signing Statement - a written comment issued by the President of the United States when signing a bill into law

Life Tenure - a lifetime appointment for a federal judge, meaning they serve on the bench until they die, retire, or are impeached, essentially providing them with a job for life unless removed for misconduct

Federalist 70 - a strong executive leader, as provided for by the Constitution, as opposed to the weak executive under the Articles of Confederation

22nd Amendment - was ratified on February 27, 1951. It establishes term limits on those elected president

Formal powers - powers explicitly granted to the president in Article II

Informal power - the ability to influence or lead others without a formal position or title

State of the Union – The president’s annual statement to Congress and the nation.

Bully Pulpit - A conspicuous position that provides an opportunity to speak out and be listened to

Agenda Setting - the process by which the media and political actors influence the public's perception of which issues are most important

Article 3 - the part of the U.S. Constitution that establishes the judicial branch of the federal government

Federalist 78 - argues for the importance of an independent judiciary with the power of judicial review

Marbury v. Madison - A landmark case in United States law and the basis for the exercise of

judicial review in the United States, under Article Three of the United States Constitution.

Judicial review – The power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or a government regulation

that in the opinion of the judges conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or, in a state court, the state

constitution.

Precedent – A decision made by a higher court such as a circuit court of appeals or the Supreme Court that is binding on all other federal courts.

Stare decisis – The rule of precedent, whereby a rule or law contained in a judicial decision is

commonly viewed as binding on judges whenever the same question is presented.

Jurisdiction - The power of a court to hear and decide a case.

Appellate jurisdiction – The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts.

Judicial activism – Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect

current conditions and values.

Judicial restraint – Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect

what the framers intended and what its words literally say.

Confirmation - the process by which the U.S. Senate reviews and approves or rejects presidential nominations for federal positions

Issue network – Relationships among interest groups, congressional committees and

subcommittees, and the government agencies that share a common policy concern.

Iron triangle – A policy-making alliance that involves a very strong ties among a congressional

committee, an interest group, and a Federal Department or agency.

Bureaucracy – A form of organization that operates through impersonal, uniform rules and

procedures.

Government corporation – A government agency that operates like a business corporation,

created to secure greater freedom of action and flexibility for a particular program