U.S. Government and Politics Glossary

Demography

  • The scientific study of population characteristics, such as age, race, gender, and income.

Political Culture

  • An overall set of values widely shared within a society about politics and government.

Political Socialization

  • The process through which individuals learn and acquire political attitudes, views, and knowledge.

Random Sampling

  • A method used in polling where everyone has an equal probability of being selected.

Exit Poll

  • Polls conducted at polling places on Election Day to predict the outcome of the election.

Political Ideology

  • A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and the role of government.

Liberals

  • People who generally believe in an active government role in the economy and protection of individual rights.

Conservatives

  • People who generally favor limited government, traditional values, and free market economics.

Gender Gap

  • The difference in political views or voting behavior between men and women.

Olson’s Law of Large Groups

  • The theory that larger groups are less effective at pursuing their goals due to coordination problems.

Lobbying

  • The act of attempting to influence decisions made by government officials.

PACs

  • Political Action Committees that collect and donate money to political campaigns.

Incumbents

  • Elected officials who are currently holding office.

Bicameral Legislature

  • A lawmaking body made up of two chambers, such as the U.S. Congress.

Filibuster

  • A Senate tactic to delay or block legislation by extending debate.

Speaker of the House

  • The presiding officer of the House and leader of the majority party.

Deficit

  • The amount by which government spending exceeds revenue in a given period.

Revenues

  • Money received by the government, primarily from taxes.

16th Amendment

  • Authorized the federal government to levy an income tax.

Federal Debt

  • The total amount of money the federal government owes to creditors.

Medicare

  • A federal program that provides health insurance to people over 65 and certain younger people with disabilities.

Entitlements

  • Government programs guaranteeing certain benefits to a segment of the population (e.g., Social Security).

Authorization Bill

  • A law that establishes or changes government programs and sets maximum spending limits.

Appropriation Bill

  • A law that actually provides the funding for government programs.

17th Amendment

  • Allowed for the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people.

Progressive Tax

  • A tax in which the rate increases as the taxable amount increases.

Civil Service

  • A system of hiring government workers based on merit rather than political affiliation.

Weberian Model

  • A model of bureaucracy that emphasizes hierarchical organization, formal rules, and a merit-based career system.

Regulation

  • Government rules that control or influence businesses and economic activity.

Veto

  • The president’s constitutional power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Bureaucracy

  • A system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials.

Twenty-second Amendment

  • Limits the president to two terms in office.

General Schedule (GS) Rating

  • The pay scale used for federal employees, based on experience and job rank.

FCC (Federal Communications Commission)

  • Regulates radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable communications.

SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)

  • Oversees the stock market and protects investors.

Policy Implementation

  • The process of putting a law into practice through government agencies.

Hatch Act

  • Limits political activities of federal employees to ensure a nonpartisan bureaucracy.

Merit Principle

  • The idea that hiring should be based on entrance exams and qualifications.

Gibbons v. Ogden

  • Supreme Court decision that affirmed federal control over interstate commerce.

Executive Orders

  • Formal orders issued by the president to direct actions of the federal government.

Twenty-fifth Amendment

  • Provides procedures for replacing the president or vice president in case of death or disability.

Cabinet

  • A group of presidential advisors made up of the heads of executive departments.

Globalization

  • The increasing integration of global economies, cultures, and populations.