Shared Flashcard Set

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AP American Government-Califf
Mrs. Califf's AP AM GOVT
382
Political Studies
10th Grade
05/02/2007

Additional Political Studies Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
incumbent
Definition
The person currently in office
Term
coattails
Definition
the tendency of a lesser-known or weaker candidate to do well in an election by the presence on the ticket of a more popular candidate
Term
political action committee (PAC)
Definition
A committee set up by and representing a corporation, labor union, or special-interest group that raises and sepnds campaign contributions on behalf of one or more candidates or causes
Term
malapportionment
Definition
drawing the boundaries of political districts so that districts are very unequal in population
Term
Gerrymandering
Definition
drawing the boundaries of political districts in bizarre or unusual states to make it easier for the candidates of the party in power to win elections in those districts
Term
sophomore surge
Definition
an increase in the votes the congressional candidates usually get when they first run for reelection
Term
position issue
Definition
an issue dividing the electorate on which rival parties adopt different policy positions to attract voters.
Term
valence issue
Definition
an issue on which voters distinquish rival parties by the degree to which they associate each party or candidate with conditions, goals, symbols in the electorate universally approves or disapproves of. EXAMPLES: economic prosperity and political corruption
Term
General Election
Definition
an election used to fill an elective office.
Term
Primary Election
Definition
An election prior to the general election in which voters select the candidates who will run on each party's candidate. Before presidential elections, a presidential primary is held to select delegates to the presidential nominating conventions of the major parties.
Term
Closed primary
Definition
A primary election limited to registered party members, prevents members of other parties from crossing over to influence the nomination of an opposing party's candidate.
Term
Open Primary
Definition
A primary election that permits voters to choose on election day the primary in which they wish to vote. They may vote for candidates of only one party.
Term
Blanket primary
Definition
Primary election that permits all voters, regardless of party, to choose candidates. A democratic voter, for example, can vote in a blanket primary for both democratic and republican candidates for election.
Term
Run off primary
Definition
A second primary election held in some states when no candidate receives a majority of the votes in the first primary; the runoff is between the two candidates with the most votes. Runoff primaries are common in the South.
Term
Presidential Primary
Definition
(See Primary Election) - A presidential primary is held to select delegates to the presidential nominating conventions of the major parties.
Term
Independent Expenditure
Definition
Spending by political action committees on political matters that is done directly and not by giving money to a candidate or party.
Term
Soft Money
Definition
Funds solicited from individuals , corporations, and unions that are spent on party activites, such as voter registration campaigns and voting drives, rather than on behalf of a specific candidate. These funds need not be reported to the Federal Electin Commission.
Term
Prospective Voting
Definition
voting for a candidate because one favors his or her ideas for addressing issues after the election
Term
Retrospective
Definition
voting for or against the candidate or party in office because one likes or dislikes how things have gone in the recent past.
Term
Lobby
Definition
an interest group organized to influence government decisions especially legislation
Term
Interest Group
Definition
an organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy.
Term
Incentive
Definition
a valued benefit obtained by joining a political organization. AKA a reward.
Term
Solidary Incentives
Definition
Social rewards
Term
Material incentives
Definition
tangible rewards, like money or position
Term
purposive incentives
Definition
the benefit that comes from serving a cause or principle from which one does not personally benefit
Term
Ideological Interest Groups
Definition
Political organizations that attract members by appealing to their political convictions with coherent sets of (usually) controversial principles.
Term
Public interest lobby
Definition
a political organization that the stated goals of which will principally benefit nonmembers. (lobbying on behalf of the public)
Term
social movement
Definition
a widely shared demand for change in some aspect of the social or political order. The civil rights movement of the 1960s was such an event.
Term
political cue
Definition
a signal telling a congressional representative what values are at stake in a vote, who is for and who against a proposal and how that issue fits into his/her own sets of beliefs or agenda.
Term
ratings
Definition
an assessment of a representative's voting record on issues important to an interest group. Such ratings are designed to generate public support for or opposition to a legislator.
Term
Muckraker
Definition
a journalist who searches through the activities of public officials and organizations seeking to expose conduct contrary to the public interest. (to run the official's reputation through the "muck")
Term
soundbite
Definition
a brief statement no longer than a few seconds used on a television or radio news broadcast.
Term
equal time rule
Definition
A rule of the FCC stating that if a broadcaster sells time for one candidate for office, he/she must be willing to sell equal time to opposing candidates.
Term
right of reply rule
Definition
a rule of the FCC that if a person is attacked on a broadcast other than in a regular news program, that person has a right to reply over that same station.
Term
political editorializing rule
Definition
a rule of the FCC that if a broadcaster endorses a candidate, the opposing candidate has a right to reply.
Term
fairness doctrine
Definition
a former rule of the FCC that required broadcasters to give time to opposing views if they broadcast a program giving one side of a controversial issue.
Term
market (television)
Definition
An area easily reached by television signal. there are about 200 such markets in the country
Term
trial balloon
Definition
information provided to the media by anonymous public official as a way of testing the public reaction to a possible policy or appointment
Term
loaded language
Definition
words that reflect a value judgement used to persuade the listener without making an argument. Example: if someone likes a politician, he might call him the "esteemed senator smith." if he doesn't lik ehim, he might refer to him as the "right wing" or "radical" senator.
Term
selective attention
Definition
paying attention only to those parts of a newspaper or broadcast story with which one agrees. studies suggest this is how people view political ads on television.
Term
Routine Stories
Definition
Media reports about public events that are regularly covered by reporters and that involve simple, easily described acts or statements.
Term
Feature Stories
Definition
Media reports about public events knowable to any reporter who cares to inquire, but involving acts and statements not routinely covered by a group of reporters.
Term
Insider Stories
Definition
Information not usually made public that becomes public because someone with inside knowledge tells a reporter. The reporter may have worked hard to learn these facts, in which case it is called "investigative reporting," or some official may have wanted a story to get out, in which case it is called a "leak".
Term
Adversarial Press
Definition
A national press that is suspicious of officialdom and eager to break an embarassing story about a public official.
Term
Background Story (news)
Definition
A public official's explanation of current policy provided to the press on the condition that the source remain anonymous.
Term
Bicameral Legislature
Definition
A lawmaking body made up of two chambers or parts. The U.S. Cogress is a bicameral legislature composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Term
filibuster
Definition
An attempt to defeat a bill in the senate by talking indefinitely, thus preventing the Senate from taking action on the bill
Term
Marginal Districts
Definition
Political districts in which candidates elected to the House of Representatives win in close elections, typically with less than 55% of the vote.
Term
Safe Districts
Definition
Districts in which incumbents win by margins of 55% or more.
Term
Conservative Coalition
Definition
An alliance between Republicans and conservative Democrats.
Term
Majority Leader
Definition
The legislative leader elected by party members holding the majority of seats in the House of Representatives or the Senate.
Term
Minority Leader
Definition
The legislative leader elected by party members holding a minority of seats in the House of Representatives or the Senate.
Term
Whip
Definition
A senator or represenative who helps the party leader about what party members are thinking, rounds up members when important votes are to be taken and attempts to keep a count on how the voting on controversial issues is likely to go.
Term
Party polarization
Definition
A vote in which a majority of democratic legislators oppose a majority of republic legislators.
Term
Congressional Caucus
Definition
An association of members of Congress created to advocate a political ideology or regional, ethnic or economic interest.
Term
Standing Committees
Definition
Permanently established legislative committees that consider and are responsible for legislation within a certain subject area. Examples: The House Ways & Means Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Term
Select Committees
Definition
Congressional committees appointed for a limited time and purpose.
Term
Joint Committees
Definition
Committees in which both representatives and senators serve. An especially important kind of committee is the conference committee made up of representatives and senators appointed to resolve differences in the senate and house versions of the same piece of legislation before final passage.
Term
Conference Committees
Definition
See joint committees
Term
Public Bill
Definition
Legislative bill that deals with matters of general concern. A bill involving defense expenditures is a public bill. A bill pertaining to an individual's becoming a naturalized citizen is not.
Term
Private Bill
Definition
A bill that deals with specific, private, personal or local matters rather than general matters.
Term
Simple Resolution
Definition
An expression of opinion either in the House or Senate to settle housekeeping or procedural matters in either body. Such expressions are not signed by the President and do not have the force of law.
Term
Concurrent Resolution
Definition
An expression of Congressional opinion without the force of law that requires the approval of both the house and the senate but not the president. Used to settle housekeeping and procedural matters that affect both houses.
Term
Joint Resolution
Definition
A formal expression of congressional opinion that must be approved by both Houses of Congress and by the president. Joint resolutions proposing a constitutional amendment need not be signed by the president.
Term
Multiple Referral
Definition
A congressional process whereby a bill may be referred to several committees that consider it simultaneously in whole or in part. For instance, 1988 trade bill was considered by 14 committees in the house and 9 in the Senate, simultaneously.
Term
Sequential Referral
Definition
A congressional process by which a speaker may send the bill to a second committee after the first is finished acting, or may refer parts of a bill to separate committees.
Term
Discharge Petition
Definition
A device by which any member of the House, after a committee has had a bill for 30 days, may petition to have it brought to the floor. If the majority fo the members agree, the bill is discharged from the committee. The discharge committee was designed to prevent a committee from killing a bill by holding it too long.
Term
Closed Rule
Definition
An order from the House rules committee that sets a time limit on debate and forbades a particular bill from being amended on the legislative floor.
Term
Open Rule
Definition
An order from the House Rules Committee that permits a bill to be amended on the legislative floor.
Term
Restrictive Rule
Definition
An order from the House Rules Committee that permits certain kinds of amendments but not others to be made into a bill on the legislative floor.
Term
Rider
Definition
An amendment on a matter unrelated to a bill that is added to the bill so that it will "ride" to passage through the congress. When a bill has lots of riders it is called a "Christmas Tree Bill"
Term
Quorum
Definition
The minimum number of members who must be present for business to be conducted in Congress.
Term
Quorum Call
Definition
A calling of the roll in either house of Congress to see whether the number of representatives in attendance meets teh minimum number required to conduct business.
Term
Cloture Rule
Definition
a rule used by the Senate to end or limit debate, designed to prevent filibuster.
Term
Doubletracking
Definition
A procedure to keep the Senate going during a filibuster, in which the disputed bill is shelved temporarily so that the senate can get on with other business.
Term
Voice Vote
Definition
A congressional voting procedure in which members shout "yay" in approval or "nay" in disapproval. Allows members to vote quickly and anonymously on bills.
Term
Division Vote
Definition
congressional voting procedure in which members stand and are counted.
Term
Teller Vote
Definition
A congressional voting procedure in which members pass between two tellers, the "yays" first and then the 'nays."
Term
Roll Call Vote
Definition
A congressional voting procedure that consists of members answering yay or nay to their names.
Term
Pork Barrel Legislation
Definition
Legislation that gives tangible benefits (highways, dams, post offices) to constituents in several districts and states in the hope of winning their votes in return.
Term
Franking Privilege
Definition
The ability of members of congress to mail letters to their constituents free of charge by substituting their facsimile signature for postage.
Term
Divided Government
Definition
When one party controls the Congress and another controls the Executive.
Term
Unified Government
Definition
When one party controls both the Legislative Branch and the Executive Branch.
Term
Representative Democracy
Definition
A political system in which leaders and representatives acquire political power by means of a competitive struggle for the people's vote. This is the form of government used by nations that are called democratic
Term
Direct Democracy
Definition
Political System in which all or most citizens participate directly by either holding office or making policy. Example: the town meeting on which citizens vote on major issues. Participatory Democracy
Term
Pyramid Structure
Definition
A method of organizing a president's staff in which most presidential assistants report through a hierarchy to the president's chief of staff.
Term
Circular Structure
Definition
A method of organizing a president's staff in which several presidential assistants report directly to the president.
Term
Ad Hoc Structure
Definition
A method of organizing a president's staff in which several task forces, committees and informal groups of friends and advisors deal with the president.
Term
Perks
Definition
A short form of "perquisites" meaning fringe benefits of office. among the perks fo political office for high ranking political officials are limos, expense accounts, free air travel, fancy offices and staff assistants.
Term
Cabinet
Definition
By custom, the cabinet includes the head of fourteen major executive departments.
Term
Veto Message
Definition
One of two ways for a president to disapprove a bill sent to him by Congress. The veto message must be sent within ten days after the president receives the bill.
Term
Pocket Veto
Definition
One of two ways for a president to disapprove a bill sent to him by Congress. If the president does not sign the bill within ten days of his receiving it and Congress has adjourned during that time, the bill does not become law.
Term
Trustee Approach
Definition
The view that an elected representative should act on his or her own best judgment of what public policy requires.
Term
Delegate Models
Definition
The view that an elected representative should represent the opinions of his or her constituents.
Term
Legislative Veto
Definition
the rejection of a presidential or an administrative agency action by a vote of one or both houses of congress without the consent of the president. In 1983 declared the legislative veto to be unconstitutional.
Term
Impeachment
Definition
A formal accusationa gainst a public official by the lower house of the legislative body. It is merely an accusation and not a conviction. Only two presidents: Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998 were impeached. They were not, however, convicted. The Senate failed to receive the necessary 2/3 vote required for a conviction.
Term
Lame Duck
Definition
A politician who is still in office after having lost a re-election bid.
Term
Bureaucracy
Definition
A large complex organization composed of appointed officials.
Term
Spoils System
Definition
Another phrase for political patronage that is the practice of giving the fruits of a party's victory, such as jobs and contracts, to the loyal members of that party.
Term
Laissez-Faire
Definition
An economic policy that government should not regulate or interfere with commerce. "Hands Off Policy"
Term
Discretionary Authority
Definition
The extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by laws.
Term
Competitive Service
Definition
The government offices to which people are appointed on the grounds of merit as ascertained by a written examination or by having met certain selection criteria such as training, educational attainments or prior experience.
Term
Name Request Job
Definition
Job to be filled by a person whom the government agency has identified by name.
Term
Iron Triangle
Definition
A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee and an interest group that often becomes a mutally advantageous alliance. Client Politics.
Term
Issue Network
Definition
A network of people in Washington-based interest groups on congressional staffs, in universities and think tanks and in the mass media who regularly discuss and advocate public policies, say healthcare, or auto safety. Such networks are split among political, ideological and economic lines
Term
Authorization Legislation
Definition
Legislative permission to begin or continue a government program or agency. an authorization bill may grant permission to spend a certain sum of money but that money does not ordinarily become available unless it is also appropriated. Authorizations maybe annual, multi-year or permanent.
Term
appropriation
Definition
a legislative grant of money to fund a government program.
Term
Trust funds
Definition
Funds for government programs that are collected and spent outside the regular government budget. the amounts are determined by pre-existing law rather than by annual appropriations. The social security trust fund is the largest of these.
Term
Annual Authorizations
Definition
(see authorization legislation!)
Term
Committee Clearance
Definition
The ability of a congressional committee to review and approve certain agency decisions in advance and without passing a law. Such approval is not legally binding on the agency but few agency heads will ignore the expressed wishes of committees.
Term
Legislative Veto
Definition
The rejection of a presidential or administrative agency action by a vote of one or both houses of Congress without the consent of the President. In 1983, the Supreme Court declared the Legislative Veto to be unconstitutional.
Term
Red tape
Definition
Complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done.
Term
Judicial review
Definition
The power of the courts to declare acts of the legislature and of the executive to be unconstitutional and hence null and void.
Term
strict constructionist approach
Definition
the view that judges should decide cases on the basis of the language of the constitution.
Term
activist approach
Definition
The view that judges should discern the general principles underlying the Constitution and its often vague language and assess how best to apply them in contemporary circumstances in some cases with the guidance of moral or economic policy: Thomas Jefferson.
Term
Constitutional Court
Definition
A federal court exercising the jduicial powers found in article three of the constitution and whose judges are given constitutional protection. They may not be fired. They serve during good behavior. Nor may their salaries be reduced while in office. The most important constitutional courts are the Supreme Court, the 94 District courts and the Courts of Appeals, one in each of 11 regions plus one in the District of Columbia.
Term
District Courts
Definition
The lowest federal courts where federal cases begin. They are the only federal courts where trials are held. there are a total of 94 district courts in the United States and its territories.
Term
Courts of Appeals
Definition
The federal courts with authority to review decisions by district courts, regulator commissions and certain other federal courts. Such courts have no original jurisdiction and can hear only appeals. There are a total of 12 courts of appeals in the united states and its territories.
Term
Legislative Court
Definition
A court that is created by Congress for some specialized prupose and staffed with Judges who do not enjoy the protection of Article Three of the constitution. Legislative couts include the court of military appeals and the territorial courts.
Term
Litmus Test
Definition
In chemistry, a way of determining whether is a liquid is acid or alkaline. The term is used in politics to mean a test of ideological purity, a way of finding out whether a person is a dyed-in-the-wool liberal or conservative or what his/her views are on a controversial question.
Term
federal question cases
Definition
Cases concerning the constitution, federal law, or treaties over which the federal courts have jurisdiction as described in the Constitution
Term
Diversity Cases
Definition
Cases involving citizens of different states over which the federal courts have jurisdiction as described in teh constitution.
Term
Civil Law
Definition
the body of rules defining relationships among private citizens. It consists of both statutes and the accumulated statutory law embodied in judicial decisions. Also known as the "common law."
Term
Criminal Law
Definition
the body of rules defining offenses that, though they harm an individual, are considered to be offenses against society as a whole and as a consequence warrant punishment by and in the name of society.
Term
Writ of Certiorari
Definition
An order issued by a higher court ot a lower court to send up a record of a case for review. Most cases reach the Supreme Court through the Writ of Certiorar issued when at least four of the nine judges feel that the case should be reviewed.
Term
In forma pauperis
Definition
a procedure whereby a poor person can file and be heard in court as a pauper free of charge.
Term
fee shifting
Definition
a law or rule that allows teh plaintiff party that initiates the lawsuit to collect its legal costs from the defendant if the defendant loses.
Term
plaintiff
Definition
the party that initiates the lawsuit to obtain a remedy for an injury to his or her rights
Term
Standing
Definition
A legal concept establishing who is entitled to bring a lawsuit to court. For example, a person must show personal harm in order to show standing and be heard in court.
Term
sovereign immunity
Definition
a doctine that a citizen cannot sue the government without its consent. By statute, congress has given its consent for the government to be sued in many cases involving dispute over a contract or damage done as a result of negligence.
Term
class action suit
Definition
A case brought into court by a person on behalf of not only himself, but all other persons in the country under similar circumstances. For example: Brown versus Board of Education of Topeka Kansas
Term
Brief
Definition
A legal document prepared by an attorney representing a party before a court. the document sets forth the facts of the case, summarizes the law, gives the arguments for its side and discusses other relevant cases.
Term
Amicus Curiae
Definition
"Friend of the court" The first interested groups or individuals not directly involved in a suit may file legal briefs or make oral arguments in support of one side.
Term
Per curiam Opinion
Definition
A brief unsigned opinion issued by the Supreme Court to explain its ruling
Term
Opinion of the Court
Definition
A Supreme Court opinion written by one or more justices in the majority to explain the decision in a case.
Term
Concurring opinion
Definition
A supreme court opinion by one or more justices who agree with the majority's conclusion but for different reasons.
Term
Dissenting Opinion
Definition
A supreme court opinion by one or more justices in the minority to explain the minority's disagreement with the court's ruling.
Term
Stare Decisis
Definition
Term meaning "let the decision stand" the practice of basing judicial decisions on precedents established in similar cases decided in the past.
Term
Political Question
Definition
An issue that the supreme court refuses to consider because it believes that the Cosntitution has left it entirely to another branch to decide. Its view of such issues may change over time, however. For Example, until the 1960s, the court refused to hear cases about the size of congressional districts no matter how unequal their populations. In 1962, however, it decided that it was authorized to review the constitutional implications of this issue.
Term
Remedy
Definition
A judicial order preventing or redressing a wrong or enforcing a right.
Term
Monetarism
Definition
An economic philosophy that assumes inflation. It occurs when there is too much money chasing too few goods. Monetarism suggests that the proper thing for government to do is to have a steady predictable increase in the money supply at a rate about equal to the growth in the economy's productivity.
Term
Keynesianism
Definition
An economic philosophy that assumes that the market will not automatically operate a full employment, low inflation level. It suggests that the government should intervene to create the right level of demand by pumping more money into the economy when demand is low, and taking it out when demand is too great.
Term
Economic Planning
Definition
An economic policy that assumes that the government should plan, in varying ways, some part of the country's economic activity. For instance, in times of high inflation, it suggests that the government regulate the maximum prices that can be charged and the wages that can be paid. At least in the larger industries. Another form of planning, called industrial policy, would have the govt planning or subsidizing investments in industries that need to recover or in new industries that could replace them.
Term
Price and Wage Controls
Definition
(see economic planning)
Term
Industrial Policy
Definition
(economic planning)
Term
Industrial Policy
Definition
(economic planning)
Term
Supply side theory
Definition
An economic philosophy that holds that sharply cutting taxes will increase the incentive people have to work, save and invest. Greater investments will lead to more jobs, more productive economy and more tax revenues for the government.
Term
Reaganomics
Definition
The federal economic policies of the Reagan administration, elected in 1981. These policies combine a monetarist fiscal policy, supply-side tax cuts and domestic budget cutting. their goal was to reduce the size of the government and stimulate economic growth.
Term
Fiscal Policy
Definition
An attempt to use taxes and expenditures to affect the economy.
Term
Budget Deficit
Definition
A situation in which the government spends more money than it takes in on taxes and fees.
Term
Budget surplus
Definition
A situation in which the government takes in more than it spends.
Term
Entitlement
Definition
A claim for government funds that cannot be abridged without violating the rights of the claimant. For example: social security benefits or payments on a contract.
Term
Fiscal Year
Definition
The period from october 1st to September 30 for which government appropriations are made and federal books are kept. A fiscal year is named after the year in which it ends, thus "fiscal 1995" or FY 1995 refers to the 12 month period ending September 30, 1995.
Term
Monetary policy
Definition
An attempt to alter the amount of money in circulation and the price of money (the interest rate) to affect the economy.
Term
Sequester
Definition
Automatic across the board cuts in federal programs that are triggered by law when congress and the president cannot agree on a spending plan
Term
Majoritarian politics
Definition
the politics of policymaking in which almost everybody benefits from a policy, and almost everybody pays for it.
Term
Client Politics
Definition
the politics of policymaking in which some small group receives the benefits of the policy and the public at large bears the costs. Only those who benefit have an incentive to organize and press their case.
Term
Insurance program
Definition
a self financing government program based on contributions that provide benefits to unemployed or retired persons.
Term
assistance program
Definition
a government program financed by general income taxes that provide benefits to poor citizens without requiring contributions from them.
Term
Means test
Definition
An income qualification that determines whether one is eligible for benefits under a government program reserved for lower income groups.
Term
earned income tax credit
Definition
a provision of a 1975 tax law that entitles working families with children to receive money from the government if their total income falls below a certain level.
Term
service strategy
Definition
a policy providing poor people with education and job training to help lift them out of poverty
Term
income strategy
Definition
a policy of giving poor people money to help lift them out of poverty.
Term
McCarthyism
Definition
charges that unfairly or dishonestly tarnisht the motives, attack the patriotism or violate the rights of individuals, especially of political opponents. Refers to numerous unsubstantiated accusations of communism made against public and private individuals by Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s
Term
Freedom of expression
Definition
the constitutional rights of americans to freedom of speech, press, or the right of people to peacably assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances as outlined in the first amendment to the constitution.
Term
Freedom of religion
Definition
the religious rights of americans outlined in the first amendment of the constitution. The amendment states that congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or abridging the free exercise thereof.
Term
prior restraint
Definition
The traditional view of the press' free speech rights as expressed by William Blackstone, the great english jurist. According to this view, the pressis guaranteed freedom from censorship - that is, rules telling it in advance what it can publish. After publication, however, the government can publish the press for material that is judged libelous or obscene.
Term
clear and present danger test
Definition
a legal interpretation that reconciled two views of the first amendment, the right of free speech. The first that congres could not pass any law to restrict free speech and the second that it could punish harms caused by speech. Opposed by Supreme Court Jsutice, Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1919. It held that congress could punish only speech that created a clear and present danger of bringing about the actions that Congress is authorized to prevent.
Term
Due process clause
Definition
Protection against arbitrary deprivation of life, liberty or property as guaranteed in the fifth and fourteenth amendments.
Term
Libel
Definition
a written statement that falsely injures the reputation of another person.
Term
symbolic speech
Definition
an act that conveys a political message such as burning a draft card to protest the draft (not protected speech), or burning a flag to protest a war (protected speech).
Term
free exercise clause
Definition
a clause in the first amendment to the constitution stating that congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion.
Term
establishment clause
Definition
the clause in the first amendment to the constitution stating that congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.
Term
wall of separation principle
Definition
a supreme court interpretation of the establishment clause in the first amendment that prevents government involvement with religion, even on a non-preferential basis.
Term
exclusionary rule
Definition
a rule that holds that evidence gathered in violation of the constitution cannot be used in trial. The rule has been used to implement two provisions of the bill of rights. the right to be free from unreasonable searches or seizures (fourth amendment) and the right not to be compelled to give amendments against oneself (fifth amendment).
Term
search warrant
Definition
an order froma judge authorizing a search of a place. The order must described what is to be searched and seized and the judge can issue it only if he/she is persuaded by the police that good reason (probable cause) exists that a crime has been committed and the evidence bearing on the crime will be found at a certain location.
Term
good faith exception
Definition
admission at a trial of evidence that is gathered in violation of the constitution if the violation results from a technical or minor error.
Term
Civil Rights
Definition
the rights of citizens to vote, to seek equal treatment before the law, and to share equally with other citizens the benefits of public facilities such as schools
Term
suspect classifications
Definition
classifications of people on the basis of their race and ethnicity. the courts have ruled that laws classifying people on these grounds will be subject to strict scrutiny
Term
jim crowe
Definition
a slang expression for african americans that emerged in the 1820s and came to signify the laws and government practices designed to segregate blacks from whites, especially in the american south.
Term
separate but equal doctrine
Definition
the doctrine established in plessy v. ferguson (1896) in which the supreme court ruled that the state could provide "separate but equal" facilities for african americans.
Term
de jure segregation
Definition
racial segregation that occurs because of laws or administrative decisions by public agencies when state laws for examples required blacks and white to attend separate schools or sit in separate sections of the bus.
Term
de facto segregation
Definition
racial segregation in schools that occurs not because of laws or administrative decisions but as a result of patterns of residential settlement to the extent that blacks and whites live in separate neighborhoods. Neighborhood schools will often be segregated de facto (in fact)
Term
non-violent civil disobedience
Definition
a philosophy of opposing law one considers unjust by peacefully violating it and allowing oneself to be punished as a result
Term
strict scrutiny
Definition
standard by which the supreme court judges classifications based on race. To be accepted, such a classification must be closely related to a compelling public purpose.
Term
affirmative action
Definition
the requirement imposed by law or administrative regulation that an organization (business firm, government agency, labor union, school or college) take positive steps to increase the number or proportion of women, african americans or other minorities in its membership.
Term
reverse discrimination
Definition
using race or sex to give preferential treatment to some people.
Term
equality of opportunity
Definition
a view that it is wrong to use race or sex either to discriminate or give preferential treatment to minorities or women.
Term
compensatory action
Definition
an action designed to help members of disadvantaged groups, especially minorities and women, catch up. Usually by giving them extra education, training or services.
Term
iron curtain
Definition
a metaphor first used by Winston Churchill to describe a military and political barrier retained by the former Soviet Union to prevent free travel and communication between Eastern and Western Europe.
Term
Cold War
Definition
Refers to the nonmilitary struggle between the United States (and its allies) and the former Soviet Union (and its allies) following World War II. (A cold war is distinguised from a hot or shooting war).
Term
World Views
Definition
More or less comprehensive mental pictures of the critical problems facing the United States in the world and of the appropriate and inappropraiate ways of responmding to these problems.
Term
Isolationism
Definition
The view that the United States should withdraw from world affairs, limit foreign aid, and avoid nvolvement in foreign wars.
Term
Domino Theory
Definition
An influential theory first articulated by President Eisenhower holding that if an important nation were to fall into communist hands, other neighboring countries would follow suit. Eisenhower used the metaphor of a row of dominoes falling in sequence to illustrate his point.
Term
Containment (Antiappeasment)
Definition
The view that the united States should contain aggressive nations (such as the former Soviet Union).
Term
Disengagement
Definition
A view that U.S. involvement in Vietnam had led to a military defeat and political disaster and that further similiar involvements should be avoided. (Also known as New Isolationism)
Term
Third World
Definition
Originally a French term (tiers monde) referring to nations neutral in the cold war between the United States and the former Soviet Union. The term now refers to the group of developing nations in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Term
Human Rights
Definition
In foreign policy, the view that our government should act to enhance the rights of people living in other countries.
Term
Military-Industrial Complex
Definition
An alleged alliance among key military, governmental, and corporate decision-makers involved in weapons procurement and military support systems. The phrase was coined by Dwight D. Eisenhower, who warned Americans about its dangers.
Term
Cost Overruns
Definition
Actual costs that art several times greater than estimated costs. These occur frequently among private contractors producing new weapons for the Pentagon.
Term
Gold Plating
Definition
The tendency for pentagon officials to ask weapons contractors to meet excessively high requirements.
Term
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Definition
A report required by federal law that assesses the possible effect of a project on the environment if the project is subsidized in whole or part by federal funds.
Term
Acid Rain
Definition
Precipitation in the form of rain, snow, or dust particles, the increased acidity of which is caused by environmental factors such as pollutants released into the atmosphere.
Term
Command and Control Strategy
Definition
A strategy to improve air and water quality, involving the setting of detailed pollution standards and rules.
Term
Offsets
Definition
An environmental rule that a company in an area with polluted air can offset its own pollution by reducing pollution from another source in the area. For instance, an older company that can't afford to pay for new antipollution technologies may buy polluution credits from a newer company that has reduced its source of pollution below the levels required by law.
Term
Bubble Standard
Definition
A total amount of air pollution that can come from a given factory. A company is free to decide which specific sources within that factory must be reduced and how to meet the bubble standard.
Term
Pollution Allowances (Or Banks)
Definition
A reduction in pollution below that required by law that can be used to cover a future plant expansion or sold to another company whose pollution emissions are above legal requirements. (See Offsets)
Term
First Amendment
Definition
Freedom of Religion, speech, press, assembly.
Term
Second Amendment
Definition
Right to bear arms
Term
Third Amendment
Definition
No quartering of military without the consent of owner, even in time of war.
Term
Fourth Amendment
Definition
Prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures
Term
Fifth Amendment
Definition
Right when accused (due process clause) No person shall be held for a capital or otherwise infamous crime unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia when in actual service in time of war or public danger. Nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb (double jeopardy), nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.
Term
Sixth Amendment
Definition
Rights when on trial:

speedy trial

right to jury

confront witnesses against him

informed of the accusation against him

may obtain witnesses

tried in the place where the offense took place

right to a lawyer
Term
Seventh Amendment
Definition
Common law suits
Term
Eighth Amendment
Definition
Bail: no cruel and unusual punishments
Term
Ninth Amendment
Definition
unenumerated rights protected: just because it's not written down in the constitution, doesn't mean it isn't a right anyway.
Term
Tenth Amendment
Definition
powers reserved for states: all powers not given to the United States, or prohibited to the states, are states' rights.
Term
Eleventh Amendment
Definition
Limits on suits against states
Term
Twelfth Amendment
Definition
Revision of electoral college procedure.
Term
Thirteenth Amendment
Definition
Slavery prohibited (1865)
Term
Fourteenth Amendment
Definition
(1868) Ex-slaves made citizens

Due process clause applied to states

Equal protection clause

Reduction in congressional representation for states denying adult males the right to vote

Rebel debts repudiated (held legal and void).

Southern rebels denied federal office.
Term
Fifteenth Amendment
Definition
Blacks given the right to vote (1870)
Term
16th Amendment
Definition
Authorizes federal income tax
Term
17th Amendment
Definition
Requires popular election of senators (1913)
Term
18th Amendment
Definition
Prohibits manufacture and sale of liquor (1919)
Term
19th Amendment
Definition
Women gain the right to vote (1920)
Term
20th Amendment
Definition
Federal terms of office to begin in January.

Emergency presidential succession established
Term
21st Amendment
Definition
repeals prohibition (1933)
Term
22nd Amendment
Definition
Two term limit for president (1951)

After FDR had several successive terms.
Term
23rd Amendment
Definition
Right to vote for president in District of Columbia
Term
24th Amendment
Definition
prohibits poll taxes in federal elections
Term
25th Amendment
Definition
presidential disability and succession
Term
26th Amendment
Definition
Voting age lowered to 18 (1971)
Term
27th Amendment
Definition
guidelines for congressional pay raises (1992)
Term
Article 1 of the Constitution
Definition
Congress
Term
Article 2 of Constitution
Definition
President
Term
Article 3 of Constitution
Definition
Federal Courts
Term
Article 4 of Constitution
Definition
States
Term
Article 5 of Constitution
Definition
Amending the Constitution
Term
Article 6 of Constitution
Definition
Assumption of debts
Supremecy of Federal laws
No religious test
Term
Article 7
Definition
How the constitution will be ratified
Term
Bill of Rights
Definition
First ten amendments ratified in 1791.
Term
Weakness of the Confederation
Definition
Could not levy taxes
Little money coined by Congress
Army small
Dependent on state militias
Disputes between states
No national judicial system
Term
Parties Act As...
Definition
Labels
Organizations
Leaders
Weaker in all three areas
"L.O.L."
Term
National Conventions Began During What Era?
Definition
The Jacksonian
Term
Mugwumps and Progressives (Or Reformers)
(When did they come to be?)
Definition
During the civil war
Term
The Era of Reform
Definition
During the era of reform, there was a progressive push for measures to curtail parties.

A. Primary Elections happened
B. Non-Partisan Elections
C. No Party Business Alliances
D. The Stricter Voter Registration Requirements
E: Civil Service Reform
F. Initiative and Referendum Elections


Effects:

A. Reduction and Corruption
B. Weakening of Political Parties
Term
Five Major Party Realignments
Definition
-1800 - Jeffersonians > Federalists
-1828 - Jacksonian Democrats came to power
-1860 - Whiggs Collapsed (Republicans Won)
-1896 - Republicans Defeated Bryan
-1932 - FDR Democrats Came to Power
Term
Clearest Cases of Realignment
Definition
-1860 - Slavery
-1896 - Economics
-1932 - Depresion
Term
Idealogical Parties
Definition
Comprehensive, Radical View, Most Enduring.

Examples:

-Socialists
-Communists
-Libertarians
Term
One-Issue Parties
Definition
Address one concern. Avoid others.

Examples:

-Free Soil
-Know Nothing
-Prohibition
Term
Economic Protest Parties
Definition
Regional, and oppose depressions.

Examples:

-Populists
-Greenback
Term
Factional Parties
Definition
Split in major parties.

Examples:

-Bull Moose
-Henry Wallace
-American Independent
Term
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002)
Definition
-Banned Soft Money
-It allowed individuals to donate up to $2,000 per candidate, per election.
-It restricted the amount of money a candidate could personally spend during a campaign.
Term
During Peace time, presidential elections are usually decided by three things
Definition
-Party affiliation
-State of the economy
-Character of candidates
Term
Advantages of Incumbency
Definition
-Easier to Raise Money
-Can Provide Services for Constituents
-Can use Franking Priviledge
-Can get free publicity through legislation
Term
Kinds of interest group organizations
Definition
institutional interests and membership interests
Term
Campaign Finance Reform law (1973)
Definition
1. They restricted the amount that interest groups could give to candidates
2. They made it legal for corporations and unions to create PAC's.
Term
Representational View of Congress
Definition
It assumes that members vote to please constituents.
Term
Organizational View of Congress
Definition
Assumes that members of Congress vote to please colleagues.
Term
Attitudinal View of Congress
Definition
Assumes that members of Congress vote based on their own beliefs.
Term
Fletcher V. Peck (1810) (Federalism)
Definition
In an unaimous opinion, the Court held that since the estate had been legally "passed into the hands of a purchaser for a valuable consideration," the Georgia legislature could not take away the land or invalidate the contract. Noting that the Constitution did not permit bills of attainder or ex post facto laws, the Court held that laws annulling contracts or grants made by previous legislative acts were constitutionally impermissible.
Term
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) (Federalism)
Definition
In 1816, Congress chartered The Second Bank of the United States. In 1818, the state of Maryland passed legislation to impose taxes on the bank.

The Court held that Congress had the power to incorporate the bank and that Maryland could not tax instruments of the national government.
Term
National Labor Relations Board V. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. (1937) (Federalism)
Definition
The national labor Relations board charged the Jones & Laughlin Steel Co. with discriminating against employees who were union members.

Since the ability of employees to engage in collective bargaining (one activity protected by the Act) is "an essential condition of industrial peace," the national government was justified in penalizing corporations engaging in interstate commerce which "refuse to confer and negotiate" with their workers.
Term
Heart of Atlanta Motel v. U.S. (1964) (Federalism)
Definition
Title II of the Civil Rights act of 1964 forbade racial discrimination by places of public accommodation if their operations affected commerce. The Heart of Atlanta Motel refused to accept Black Americans and was charged with violating Title II.

The Court concluded that places of public accomodation had no "right" to select guests as they saw fit, free from governmental regulation.
Term
United States v. Lopez (1995) (Federalism)
Definition
The possession of a gun in a local school zone is not an economic activity that might, through repetition elsewhere, have a substantial effect on interstate commerce. The law is a criminal statute that has nothing to do with "commerce" or any sort of economic activity.
Term
Printz v. United States (1997) (Federalism)
Definition
The court explained that while Congress may require the federal government to regulate commerce directly, in this case by performing background-checks on applicants for handgun ownership, the Necessary and proper Clause does not empower it to compel state CLEOs to fulfill its federal tasks for it - even temporarily. The Court added that the Brady Bill could not require CLEOs to perform the related tasks of disposing of handgun-application forms or notifying certain applicants of the reason for their refusal in writing, since the Brady bill reserved such duties only for those CLEO's who voluntarily accepted them.
Term
United States v. Morrison (2000) (Federalism)
Definition
The Court held that Congress lacked the authority to enact a statute under the Commerce Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment since the statute did not regulate an activity that substantially affected interstate commerce nor did it redress harm caused by the state. Chief Justice Rehnquist wrote for the Court that if the allegations here are true, no civilized systems of justice could fail to provide Brzonkala a remedy for the conduct of... Morrison. But under our federal system that remedy must be provided by the Commonwealth of Virginia, and not by the United States." Dissenting, Justice Stephen G. Breyer argued that the majority opinion "iillustrates the difficulty of finding a workable judicial Commerce Clause touchstone."
Term
The New Jersey Plan
Definition
1. Wanted to amend not replace the Articles of Confederation
2. Proposed one vote per state
3. Protected small states' interests
Term
The Virginia Plan
Definition
1. Design for a true national government
2. Two houses in legislature
3. Executive chosen by legislature
4. Council of Revision with veto power
5. Two key features of the plan
a. National legislature with supreme powers
b. One house elected directly by the people
Term
Buckley v. Valeo (1976) (Elections & Media)
Definition
1. restrictions on campaign contributions did not violate the first amendment

2. Limitations on campaign spending by the candidates themselves did violate the first amendment.
Term
Baker v. Carr (1962) (Congress)
Definition
Gerrymandering. The court decided that this was a constitutional issue and that it could interfere.
Term
Shaw v. Reno (1993) (Congress)
Definition
Racial Gerrymandering. Yes, it's a constitutional issue, under the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.
Term
Clinton v. New York (1998) (Presidency)
Definition
Line-Item Veto is unconstitutional.
Term
United States v. Nixon (1974) (Presidency)
Definition
About watergate. Nixon trying to withhold audio tapes of his conversations. The court decided that the president's right to executive privilege "confidentiality", was not immune to judicial review. Nixon had to submit the tapes.
Term
Marbury v. Madison (1803) (Judiciary)
Definition
Marbury was appointed to a position in the last days of John Adam's presidency. Disgruntled appointees tried to take his job away by using an act of Congress.

The court decided that it has the right of judicial review, and could declare laws of Congress unconstitutional.
Term
Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) (Judiciary)
Definition
Dred Scott was a slave, who lived in a free state for ten years. Did his old master still have claim to him? Was he still a slave, or was he a free man?

The Court said, that he was a slave; but it held that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional.
Term
Gitlow v. New York (1925)
Definition
A state may forbid both speech and publication if they might result in actions dangerous to public security; even if they create no clear and present danger.
Term
Near v. Minnesota (1931)
Definition
No prior restraint.
Term
Everson v. Board of Education
Definition
It was not unconstitutional or a violation of church and state for the government to provide bussing and fire safety for christian schools.
Term
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Definition
Prayer before the school day begins, violates the seperation of church & state.
Term
Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971)
Definition
This is the three part test dealing with religious establishment.

To be constitutional, a statute must meet three conditions
1. It must have a secular purpose
2. It must neither advance, nor inhibit religion
3. It must not foster an excessive government entanglement with religion.
Term
Schenck v. United States (1918)
Definition
Clear and Present Danger. During war time; utterances tolerable in peace time can be punished.
Term
New York Times v. Sullivan (1964)
Definition
The first amendment protects the puhlication of all statements, even false ones, about public officials; except when the statements are made with actual malice.
Term
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
Definition
Wearing of arm bands is symbolic speech and protected by the First Amendment. Schools can limit free speech, but here the principles failed to prove that there was justification for such limits.
Term
Miller v. California (1973)
Definition
The Court held that obscene materials did not receive first amendment protection. It modified the test for obscenity established in Roth v. United States. The test is:

A. Whether the average person applying to contemporary community standards would find the work obscene
B. Whether the work depicts or describes in a patently offensive way. (sexual conduct)
C. Whether the work lacks serious, literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
Term
Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)
Definition
Schools are allowed to censor high school publications; so long as their actions were reasonably related to legitimate educational concerns.
Term
Texas v. Johnson (1989)
Definition
Flag burning is protected speech.
Term
Boyscouts of America v. Dale (2000)
Definition
The boyscouts are allowed to prohibit homosexuals from serving as troop leaders.
Term
Mapp v. Ohio (1961)
Definition
This established the exclusionary rule.
Term
Giddeon v. Wainwright (1963)
Definition
Right to an attorney is established.
Term
Miranda v. Arizona
Definition
Establishing Miranda Rights.
Term
Gregg v. Georgia (1976)
Definition
Death sentence does not violate the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments in all circumstances.
Term
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Definition
Allowed seperate but equal doctrine.
Term
Korematsu v. United States (1944)
Definition
The need to protect against espionage, outweighed Korematsu's rights.
Term
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)
Definition
Racial segregation in schools is unconstitutional.Seperate but Equal Doctrine, is inherently - unequal.
Term
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978)
Definition
The court admitted Bake to the college (a white man); and argued against the strict use of racial quotas.
Term
Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)
Definition
Right to Privacy, such as in this case - the use of contraception.
Term
Roe v. Wade (1973)
Definition
Right to abortion is protected under righ to privacy.
Term
Thompson v. Oklahoma (1988)
Definition
Death penalty for a person sixteen years or younger at the time of his offense, is considered Cruel and Unusual Punishment.
Term
National Firearms Act of 1934
Definition
Prohibited the use of weapons such as sawed off shotguns or machine guns.
Term
Federal Gun Control Act of 1968
Definition
-Banned the ordering by mail of certain guns
-Required Serial Numbers on all guns
-Required gun dealers to be licensed
Term
Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990
Definition
Prohibited the carrying of a gun within a certain number of feet around a school. That same year, it was declared unconstitutional in the supreme court case US v. Lopez
Term
Brady Bill (1993)
Definition
-Required background checks of all individuals who purchase guns.
-Required a waiting period before being able to purchase a gun.
-Now deemed unconstitutional (1997).
Term
Crime Control Act of 1994
Definition
Banned the sale of assault rifles.
Term
unalienable
Definition
A human right based on nature or God.
Term
When and What was the Constitutional Convention?
Definition
A meeting in Philadelphia in 1787, its original purpose was to revise the Articles of Confederation, but ended up producing a whole new constitution.
Term
The Virginia Plan
Definition
Proposal to create a strong national government
Term
The Virginia Plan
Definition
Proposal to create a strong national government
Term
The New Jersey Plan
Definition
Proposed to amend, not replace the old Articles of Confederation. It enhanced the power of the national government (not as much as the Virginia Plan), but it did so in a way that left states' representation in Congress unchanged
from the Articles - each state would have one vote.
Term
Great Compromise
Definition
Plan to have a popularly elected House based on state population and state-selected Senate, with two members for each state.
Term
Republic
Definition
A government in which elected representatives make the decisions.
Term
Judicial Review
Definition
The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional
Term
Federalism
Definition
Government authority shared by national and state government.
Term
An amendment may be proposed if...
Definition
... 2/3 of both houses of congress vote to propose it or by a national convention called by congress at the request of 2/3 of the states.
Term
Checks and balances
Definition
Authority shared by three branches of government.
Term
Enumerated powers
Definition
Powers given to the national government alone
Term
Reserved powers
Definition
Powers given to the state government alone.
Term
Concurrent powers
Definition
Powers shared by the national and state governments.
Term
Seperation of Powers
Definition
Constitutional authority is shared by three different branches of government.
Term
Faction
Definition
A group with a distinct political interest.
Term
Federalists
Definition
Those who favor a stronger national government
Term
Anti-Federalists
Definition
Those who favor a weaker national government (see: Federalists)
Term
Coalition
Definition
An alliance of factions.
Term
Writ of Habeas Corpus
Definition
An order to produce an arrested person before a judge
Term
Bill of Attainder
Definition
A law that declares a person, without a trial, to be guilty of a crime.
Term
Ex Post Facto Law
Definition
A law that makes an act criminal although the act was legal when it was committed.
Term
To Propose an amendment...
Definition
1. Two-thirds of both houses of Congress vote to propose an amendment, or

2. Two-thirds of the state legislatures ask Congress to call a national convention to propose amendments
Term
To Ratify an Amendment.
Definition
1. Three Fourths of the state legislatures approve it, or

2. Ratifying conventions in three-fourths of the states approve it.
Term
Line-Item Veto
Definition
An executive's ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature.
Term
What is the difference between a Democracy and a Republic?
Definition
A democracy means rule by the people; direct democracy means letting every important issue be decided by popular vote. A republic is a government fin which authority has been given to elected representatives. The United States is a republic in which members of the House of Representatives are selected in democratic elections, members of the Senate (at least initially) were selected by state legislatures, and the courts are staffed by appointed judges.
Term
Only when the Senates' vote is equally divided, shall ____________, vote.
Definition
The vice president.
Term
How would you go about amending the constitution?
Definition
Whenever 2/3 (two-thirds) of both houses of Congress vote to propose an amendment, that amendment shall thus be - proposed.

Or when 2/3 of all state legislators ask Congress to call a national convention to propose amendments.

That's how you propose an amendment

To ratify an amendment:

Three-fourths of the state legislatures must approve it.

Or

Ratifying Conventions in three-fourths of the states approve it.
Term
"Necessary and Proper" Clause?
Definition
Section of the Constitution allowing congress to pass al laws "Necessary and Proper" to its duties, and which has permitted Congress to exercise powers not specifically given to it (enumerated) by the Constitution.
Term
Nullification
Definition
The doctrine that a state can declare null and void a federal law that, in the state's opinion, violates the Constitution.
Term
Dual Federalism
Definition
Doctrine holding that the national govt is supreme in its sphere, and the states supreme in theirs, and the two spheres should be kept seperate.
Term
Police Power
Definition
State power to enact laws promoting health, safety, and morals.
Term
Initiative
Definition
Process that permits voters to put legislative measures directly on the ballot.
Term
Referendum
Definition
Procedure enabling voters to reject a measure passed by the legislature.
Term
Recall
Definition
Procedure where voters can remove an elected official from office.
Term
Grants in Aid
Definition
Money given by the national government to the states.
Term
Categorical Grants
Definition
Federal grants for specific purposes, such as building an airport.
Term
Revenue sharing
Definition
Federal sharing of a fixed percentage of its revenue with the states.
Term
Conditions of aid
Definition
Terms set by the national government that states must meet if they are to receive certain federal funds.
Term
Mandates
Definition
Terms set by the national government that states must meet whether or not they accept federal grants.
Term
Civic Duty
Definition
A belief that one has an obligation to participate in civic and political affairs
Term
Civic Competence
Definition
A belief that one can essentially affect government policies.
Term
Internal Efficacy
Definition
The ability to understand and take part in politics
Term
External Efficacy
Definition
The ability for one person to affect government policies
Term
Civil Liberties
Definition
Are the protections the Constitution provides against the abuse of government power.
Term
Civil Rights
Definition
Refers to protecting certain groups.
Term
Selective Incorporation
Definition
Court cases that apply The Bill of Rights to the states.
Term
Freedom of Expression
Definition
The Rights for citizens of the US to speak, publish and assemble
Term
Freedom of Religion
Definition
People shall be free to exercise their religion and government may not establish a religion.
Term
Prior Restraint
Definition
Censorship of a publication
Term
Clear-and-Present-Danger test
Definition
Law should not punish speech unless there was a clear and present danger of producing harmful actions.
Term
Symbolic Speech
Definition
An act that conveys a political message.
Term
Wall of Seperation
Definition
Court ruling that government cannot be involved with religion (seperation of church and state).
Term
Free-Exercise Clause
Definition
First Amendment requirement that law cannot prevent free exercise of religion.
Term
Establishment Clause
Definition
Frst amendment ban on laws "Respecting an establishment of religion." - This is where Wall of Seperation comes from.
Term
Exclusionary Rule
Definition
Improperly gathered evidence may not be introduced in a criminal trial.
Term
Search Warrant
Definition
A judge's order authorizing a search.
Term
Probable Cause
Definition
Reasonable cause for issuing a search warrant or making an arrest; more than mere suspicion.
Term
Good-Faith Exception
Definition
An error in gathering evidence that is mostly minor, in which can be used in a trial anyway. Exclusionary Rule excluded.
Term
Dickerson v. United States (2000)
Definition
The Mapp decision is based on the Constitution and it cannot be altered by Congress passing a law.
Term
Gideon v. Wainwright (1964)
Definition
If you can't afford an attorney, you will have one given to you for free.
Term
Mapp v. Ohio (1961)
Definition
Evidence illegally gathered by police may not be used in a criminal trial (Exclusionary Rule)
Term
Miranda v. Ohio (1961)
Definition
Rights that police must give to arrested persons.
Term
Rasul v. Bush, 03-334 (2004)
Definition
Terrorist detainees must have access to a neutral court to decide if they are legally held.
Term
United States v. Leon (1984
Definition
Illegally obtained evidence may be used in a trial if it was gathered in good faith without violating the principles of the Mapp decision. (Good-Faith Exception)
Term
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Definition
There may not be a prayer, even a nondenominational one, in public schools.
Term
Everson v. Board of Education (1947)
Definition
The wall-of-seperation principle is announced
Term
Lee v. Weisman (1992)
Definition
Public schools may not have clergy lead prayers at graduation ceremonies
Term
Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971)
Definition
Three tests are described for deciding whether the government is improperly involved with religion:

1)The Government's action must have a secular purpose
2) The Government's action must not advance or prohibit any sort of religion
3) The Government must not be excessively associated with religion in its actions.
Term
Santa Fe Independent School District V. Doe (2000)
Definition
Students may not lead prayers before the start of a football game at a public school.
Term
Zelman v. Simmons-Harris (2000)
Definition
Voucher plan to pay school bills is upheld.
Term
Zorauch v. Clauson (1952)
Definition
States may allow students to be released from public schools for religious instruction.
Term
Suspect Classifications
Definition
Classifications of people on the basis of their race or ethnicity.
Term
Strict Scrutiny
Definition
A supreme Court test to see if a law denies equal protection because it does not serve a compelling state interest and is not narrowly tailored to achieve that goal.
Term
Plessy V. Ferguson (1896):
Definition
Upheld seperate-but-equal facilities for white and black people on railroad cars.
Term
Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Said that seperate public schools are inherently unequal, thus starting racial desegregation.
Definition
Term
Civil Disobedience
Definition
Opposing a law one considers unjust by peacefully disobeying it and accepting the resultant punishment.
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