U.S. Government and Politics

Women and Equality How are American women represented? How does this compare to other democracies? What about proportional representation?

- The representation of women in American politics has increased significantly over the last generation o In the last election about 20 of the seats are held by women in the House of Representatives o It has become in the main that the Secretary of State is held by a woman while Secretary of Defense has been a male role - Although it is lower than in some European democracies, particularly in the northern ones, it is about the same or higher than in such countries like the UK, Canada, France, Italy and Japan - Countries with proportional representation electoral system tend to have greater female representation for institutional reasons, not necessarily cultural ones o One of the reasons why is that there is a list of people going to take the seats for parties so when they win a specific number of seats those names in the top will take the seats o Some parties have it in their platform to have representation of women

Who shapes public opinion? Harold Laski - false consciousness Noam Chomsky and Manufacturing Consent

- Today, it is commonplace to argue that public opinion is influenced by powerful elites and manipulated through the various institutions and processes through which citizens learn about their society o There is more media fragmentation today unlike in the past with the three channel system o The millennium generation gets information from various sources and uses more types of technology for that information - they know there are a variety of sources of information out there - Harold Laski and false consciousness: the role played by churches, the media, and schools o Argued it was the churches, media, schools, etc. in convincing America their society was full of rigid mobilization, economic success etc. because it served to meet the ideas that worked - Noam Chomsky and Manufacturing Consent o Argues that the media in a country like the US is privately owned with the hands of few in it therefore it is like a funnel to which ideas reach the public - because of concentrated ownership and ownership in few corporations and individuals resulting in the information that reaches people is biased and limited o Argues that what happens is consent is manufactured by the media system with complicity of the education system, churches, etc. o Leaves people to believe the status quo is what it is because of the way things are - automatically filters out ideas that threat power

What are American opinions about immigrants?

- US has been the world's foremost magnet for immigration (figure 8.9) o About 170 million immigrants in the US that are legal o American are hesitant about those who are illegal immigrants - Fears about whether certain group of immigrants could be integrated into American society and suspicion about the loyalty of some groups are not new: ambivalence toward immigration goes back to the mid-19th century - This ambivalent continues today: most Americans support legal immigration (figure 8.10) but there is widespread opposition to illegal immigration (see box entitled "Perspectives on illegal immigration, a conversation")

Abortion and Women's Rights * Roe v. Wade 1973 Does this still get talked about? *Pro-chocie groups

- Unlike other democracies, abortion continues to be an important political issue in the US - Roe v. Wade 1973 (see box in text), established a limited right to abortion based on the constitutional right to privacy o This is settled law and the law of the land o Basically it does two things • Says the constitution gives women the right to abort their pregnancy due to the right of privacy • It is unconstitutional to tell a women she cannot do this • Establish a trimester rule among a nine month pregnancy • During the first trimester the balance of rights are with the woman, during the second trimester than the judges said need to balance the rights of the mother against those of the developing fetus, in the third trimester there should be no abortion unless certain circumstances are made like the health risk of the mother, etc. • Used to thinking abortion as a dividing issue in American society but in fact surveys show the case is a compromise they can live with - Subsequent court rulings have elaborated the limitations of abortion - According to pro-choice critics, most of these rulings have whittled away at Roe - But the Supreme Court's 1973 decision that the Constitution includes a right to privacy has not been fundamentally changed - The position of a candidate on this issue, particularly in the republican party, is often critical in determining whether he or she will succeed in the party's primary election(s) o People are going to want to know where you stand in certain states whereas in others they will already assume where you stand o This becomes part of the election and wanting to know where candidate stands on the issue - Pro-choice and pro-life groups are especially active when it appears that an incoming president will be in a position to make Supreme Court appointments: the stakes are high, given that abortion policy in the US is determined in large measures by judicial decisions

Income Distribution between White and Black families

- Whites 1/3 of incomes are over $75,000 which is over three times blacks of 14% are over $75,000 - Significant gap between incomes for whites and blacks in the USA

James Bryce Did he agree with Beard? What did he believe about the role of public opinion?

- "Those who indented this machinery of checks and balances were anxious not so much to develop public opinion as to resist and build up breakwaters against it" - But Bryce, like Tocqueville before him, also believed that public opinion played an enormous role in America, "Towering over presidents and state governors, over congress and state legislatures, over conventions and the vast machinery of party public opinion stands out, in the United States, or the great source of power, the master of servants who tremble before it" o In the final analysis, cannot be resisted or rejected by those who govern in the United States

What did the founders say about power?

- The question of power - who should hold it and how to control it - was very much on their minds - There were those like Patrick Henry who worried about a new tyranny being established o They new Washington would be the first president but some worried he would become like the previous king ruler - Others, like Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, worried about the un-propertied "riffraff" o Worried the common people who didn't have wealth to protect may not see the world as they saw it; want policy to tax the wealthy, etc.

Segregation to Integration 1/ Plessy v. Ferguson 1896 2/ Brown v. Topeka 1954

- The new segregation is more related to economics and choice rather than laws which was what the old segregation was based on such as Jim Crow Laws o Coming out of the civil war, slaves were being freed, abolished slavery o The 14th Amendment says that people are entitled to equal treatment under the law - no account for race or the attributes - black Americans can vote, hold public office, etc. 1/ Plessey v. Ferguson 1896: o Story about race in America o Plessey was an octaroon (1/8th black) • Considered to be black even if you had the smallest amount of black blood in you o Judges acknowledged Plessey was not visibly black but somehow the train knew he was and couldn't sit where he wanted - needed to go to black car o In the black community, whiter skin was a view as having status o Plessey got a lawyer and provided through the NAACP saying this was a violation of the 14th Amendment o Judges said the law and policy cant change the facts • Those who drafted and ratified the Amendment didn't imagine the two races would co-mingle and have barrios between the races would be abolished because of the Amendment o Very few who ratified the 14h Amendment would not have in mind that the races would become one and blacks and whites would share common public spaces o This was a bad decision by racist judges - they reflected the temper of the times and public opinion o SEPARATE BUT EQUAL RULING • People are kept separate but that doesn't mean one race is inferior to the other o Provided a judicial bases for Jim Crow Laws 2/ Brown v. Topeka 1954: o Involves segregated schools in the US across the South o School segregation in the North was more about economics and residence o In the South segregation was a result of Jim Crow Laws prohibiting blacks from going to the same school as whites o Separate But Equal was struck down as unconstitutional o What changed was not the14th Amendment, in this decision the majority even says those who drafted it didn't expect integration o They had to argue public opinion had changed and the way the 14th Amendment was understood needed to change the match the times o Education wasn't as important as it was in the 1950s as it was back in the day o In the 1950s people are expected to stay in school longer and were expected to attend high school because of the skills needed in the economy o Judges said in light of the importance of education, need to revisit the business of racial segregation • More damage by not providing education to certain groups could have more damage in the 50s rather than years back • If you separate the races, black people who re denied the opportunity to attend with whites, blacks will feel inferior - generate inferiority which will probably not be over come in their adult years o The reaction in the South was - "who are you" directed toward the judges • They did not want to be told how to run things - Today, some question the reasoning that underpinned the Brown ruling, arguing that integration may not provide the benefits to minority group members that social psychologists and liberal politicians so confidently predicted

Economic Status of Women How does this compare to other democracies? Are they represented in business?

- This is comparable to the status of women in most other democracies (Table 8.7) o US is in 8th place seeming to show is doesn't fare that well when comparing what females make compared to male positions o Females in leadership positions - have the power and hands in decision making, positions of some sort of power - showing women are doing better than most other countries with 42% - Female participation and decision making as concerns economic power is, according to the UN, greater than in other countries - But the representation of women at the pinnacle of the business pyramid is sparse, although it must be said that the same is true of other countries

John Locke

...

Bethel School District v. Frazier

1986 SuCo: Schools are a limited forum, free speech is limited on school grounds.

Affirmative Action

A policy designed to give special compensation to a previously disadvantaged group.

budget

A policy document allocating taxes and expenditures,

proportional tax

A tax in which the average tax rate is the same at all income levels.

527 group

A tax-exempt organization that can engage in election activities based on behalf of causes or interests.

rational-choice theory

A theory that states that individuals act in their own best interest.

13th Amendment

Amendment that abolished slavery.

Environmental Protection Agency

An agency created in 1970 to administer all environmental legislation.

checks and balances

An important part of the Madisonian model designed to limit government's power by requiring power to be balanced among different institutions that check each other's activities.

separation of powers

An important part of the Madisonian model where the three branches are fairly independent so they can't control eachother.

party identification

An informal and subjective affiliation with a political party.

House Rules Committee

An institution unique to the House of Representatives that reviews all bills (except revenue, budget, and appropriations bills) coming from a House committee before they go to the full House.

Plea bargain

Arrangement in which a suspect pleads guilty to a lesser offense in order to avoid a trial. The manner in which most cases are disposed of.

Selective Incorporation

Bill of Rights is to be applied to the states in a more gradual manner on a case by case basis, also via the due process clause of the 14th Amendment

which of the following states is most likely to support a democratic presidential candidate

California or ohio

Unalienable Rights

Life, Liberty, and Property (Pursuit of Happiness)

casework

Pork barreling, basically. Activities of Congressmen that help individual constituents.

reserved powers

Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states belong to the states and the people through the 10th amendment, examples: licensing doctors, establishing public schools, establishing local gov'ts.

implied powers

Powers of government that go beyond their enumerated powers. Generally supported by the elastic clause.

Police powers

Powers that allow states to pass laws protecting the health, welfare, safety, and morals of their residents

13th Amendment

The amendment (1865) that prohibits slavery.

19th Amendment

The amendment (1920) that forbids a state to deny a person the right to vote because of their sex.

26th Amendment

The amendment (1971) that lowers the legal voting age to 18 for all national, state, and local elections.

income

The amount of funds collected.

political efficacy

The belief that one's political participation really matters - that one's vote can actually make a difference

enumerated powers

The powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution.

demography

The science of population changes.

Free riders

Those who enjoy the benefits from an interest group without paying the costs of participation. examples: labor unions and public interest groups

exit poll

a poll of voters as they leave the voting place

selective incorporation

a process that extended the protections of the Bill of Rights against the actions of state and local governments

14th amendment

all people born in the US shall enjoy full rights, 1868

English Bill of Rights (1689)

an agreement between Parliament and King William and Queen Mary to prevent future monarchs from abusing their powers

Lobbying

attempting to influence policy makers

rule of law

belief that government is based on a body of law applied equally, impartially, and justly

neo-con

counter-terrorist group

Election Aassistance Commission

created to carry out reforms

checks and balances

each branch is subject to restraints by the other two branches

The American Voter

investigated the american electorate

symbolic speech

nonverbal communication, such as burning a flag or wearing an armband. The Supreme Court has accorded some of it protection under the first amendment.

How much more do CEOs make?

o The typical CEO makes about 44 times what the worker makes in the company in the US o Inequality exists rather highly in the US

who won Michigan?

obama

Civil rights

positive acts of government designed to prevent discrimination and provide equality before the law

who won Clinton county?

romney

De facto segregation

segregation "by fact"

which of the following best describes the political culture of a country

the shared beliefs and values that a citizenry has within a country

Horse race coverage

the tendency of the media to report on an election campaign as if it were a horse race, i.e., who is ahead, who is behind, who is gaining ground.

what was the Colorado/ Washington referendum?

they legalized weed

theocracy

type of oligarchy; rule by religious leaders

pork barrel

u know wasteful spending

stare decisis

"Let the decision stand." Applied in most appellate court decisions.

Amicus curiae brief

"friend of the court" brief filed by an interest group to influence a Supreme Court decision.

amicus curiae brief

"friend of the court" brief filed by an interest group to influence a supreme court decision

political action committee

(PAC) a committee formed by business, labor, or other interest groups to raise money and make contributions to the campaigns of political candidates whom they support. Limited by law at $5,000

Federal Trade Commission

(WW) 1914 , A government agency established in 1914 to prevent unfair business practices and help maintain a competitive economy, support antitrust suits

patronage

(politics) granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support

Class Inequality

- "If anything is a truism in American politics, it is that people do not care about income inequality" Alan Wolfe - Conservative critics of Barack Obama charged that his proposals and statements in the 2008 election campaign encouraged "class envy" and "class warfare" - The wealth and income gap in American society has grown larger in recent decades, leading many to argue

The Underclass How are they represented?

- "It is that heterogeneous grouping of families and individuals who are outside the mainstream of the American occupational system. It includes individuals who lack training and skills and either experience long term unemployment or are not members of the labor force, individuals who are engaged in street crime and other forms of aberrant behaviors and families that experience long term spells of poverty and/or welfare dependency" (William Julius Wilson) o Disproportionally represented in the criminal justice system o Not integrated at all into the economic system and labor force o It is self perpetuating - you need to have drive and ambition to get out of that cycle of poverty

Spending By Groups What are 527s? What are PACs? What are Super PACs?

- 527s: groups that spend money on campaign ads that are nto supposed to directly promote or oppose a particular candidate or party - Political Action Committees: subject to contribution and spending limits o Political committee organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates o Can give up to $5000 to a candidate per election - this is very limited amount of money they can give - Super-PACs o New kind of action committee created in July 2010 following the outcome of a federal court case known as SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Commission o Independent expenditure-only committees, may rise unlimited amounts of money from corporations, unions, associations and individuals, then spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates - must report their donors to Federal Election Commission

Affirmative Action What is affirmative action? Is it supported by Americas? 1/ Bakke v. Regents of University of California 1978 2/ Grutter v. Bollinger 3/ Gratz v. Bollinger

- Americans are ambivalent about affirmative action, being more supportive when it is framed as compensator action or redress for past injustices, but less supportive when it is framed as preferential treatment o Figure 8.4 A - 6/10 Americans think it is a good thing to allow more blacks in public universities o Figure 8.4 B - terms in preferential treatment • The total believe solely based on merits • Blacks are evenly split 1/ Bakke v. Regents of the University of California 1978: "compelling state interest", "narrowly tailored" o first landmark affirmative action case coming out of the Supreme Court • Bakke applied for admission and denied • Grades placed him above the minority group who were lower in grades • Bakke says it violates the 14th amendment • Upheld the concept of affirmative action, has to be a compelling state interest (the bar is high) which requires you treat people base don minority status • Program has to be narrowly tailored to meet its objective Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger 2003: two cases involving the University of Michigan, in Grutter the law school's affirmative action policy was upheld, but in Gratz the undergraduate admissions policy was deemed not be "narrowly tailored" 2/ Grutter involved law school • Said its okay and you can take race into account • Court upheld university admission policy • Judges realized there were future elite lawyers 3/ Gratz involved undergrad policy • Assigned people a certain number of points based on grades, tests cores, etc. • Not upheld in this case • Similar policies across the US were declared unconstitutional - saw an immediate nose dive in majority of minority group decrease in places like California for example • Find other ways to increase diversity without having this type of system o Depends on the story you tell about affirmative action

Charles Beard's "An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution" What did argue? What did he say about the Senate and its status?

- Argues that the founders cared little for the democratic ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence but much for the protection of the wealthy against the superior numbers of those who owned little or no property - "...By the system of checks and balances, placed in the government, the convention safeguarded the interests of property against attacks by majorities. The House of Representatives, Mr. Hamilton pointed out, 'was so formed as to render it particularly the guardian of the poorer orders of citizens,' while the Senate was to preserve the rights of property and the interest of the minority against the demands of the majority" o By the end of the century the Senate was referred to as the Millionaires club - appointed by state legislatures • Men of property and substance who will control the impulses of the house of representatives • Different take on checks and balances system - supposed to limit the balance of the people

Out of Marriage Births, various racial and ethnic groups 2003

- Blacks is the highest on the scale with 72.5% with about three times that of whites which are about 24.4% - In the work on criminal behavior, anti-social behaviors, violence and gang memberships, etc. which all lead to early incarceration or death which has been around for a long time among blacks - Daniel Patrick Mohan who was very criticized for this o What is more likely to happen in a household, where a male figure is not there, there are many consequences besides poverty, etc. including behaviors and gang memberships o One reason why racism exists

Does public opinion rule? *cut across lines What do you expect and what is the reality?

- Bryce argued that not only was there no governing class that reproduce itself from generation to generation in America, but that public opinion cut across class lines o There was no governing class - those who owned o Across class lines, people tended to have the same opinions - Bosses and their workers, those with property and those without, were likely to hold the same beliefs - Is this still true? (See figure 10.1) o The point is, you might expect, regarding economic concerns, the attitudes and belief of those who are wealthy are quite different from those who have less BUT we don't in the United States • The attitudes and beliefs of the bosses tend to be those of the workers despite the impact of the occupy movement for example that pits the wealthy against those who don't have

Money and Business Power are Divided How does business spend its money?

- Business interest often line up on different sides of political issues o Big businesses split their money to both political parties - Money is influential, but it is a resource that is held by many organized interests and that is donated to both parties and their candidates and spent directly by both groups on different side of the same issue o Table 10.1 show who the top spenders are among big business (corporations) who split their money pretty evenly among parties • Most of the biggest spenders are unions who tend to overwhelmingly support the democrats o Table 10.2 shows the top industries giving to members of congress • Usually split between the two parties • Shows who the recipients were that have received the most money like Rick Santorum and Hillary Clinton for example • Industries usually support the parties evenly o Business and ideological groups spend lots of money during elections • Business always spends more money than other groups • Question: what did all that spending buy them? • This past election Americans had a choice to make among the two candidates

Countervailing Power *checks and balances *segments of population *big business influence

- Checks and counterweights operate in the media system, as in the system of government - They have been more influential at certain points in American history than at others, but they have never been inconsequential - Significant segments of the American population are dubious about the power of big business and favorable toward government regulation of business. These segments of public opinion represent a potential check on the power of balances o The media system is slanted to corporate interests has lots of evidence to support this point of view • This view neglects the obvious fact that there are many media outlets in the United States • In the past journalists were trying to bring down the powerful (Muck Raiders)

Emergence of Undemocratic Tendencies * robber barrons, party machines, etc. Was there exclusion...of who? What is the military industrial complex?

- Concentrated wealth: "robber barons" o Believed their monopolistic control allowed them to become influential and rich, which was true → End of 19th century - Party machines in the major cities o This was code for corruption - undemocratic practices like buy voting, etc. - Exclusion of certain groups of political and economic power o End of the civil war, pass of 13th and 14th amendment o Look at the picture of where black Americans are → Civil rights movement and Women's rights movement - The "military-industrial complex" o Eisenhower talked about this • Said democracy is being undermined by the military and ties to private industry supplying the supplies → Argued the standing army and military has become so powerful and meshed with business and economic interests that it is driving policy that may not be in the genuine interest of American society

Segregation Has it declined? When is the most segregated hour?

- Continues to be significant, more than half a century after the Brown ruling - Probably not greater than in France or Britain - Data shows that residential segregation has declined in the US (table 8.1), but it continues to be very high in many large cities like Detroit, Chicago, Miami, Cleveland, and Newark - Residential segregation is mirrored in school segregation (table 8.2) o Majority of the students will be member of the minority (what is meant by majority-minority schools) - "Sunday morning at 10:00am is the most segregated hour in America" MLK o Meant that when Americans worship - interracial churches are very rare o Interracial integration seems to be happening however - the mega churches are most likely to be integrated

Who is the underclass?

- Estimated to consist of 2-4, roughly 3-5 million today, million people - the underclass is disproportionately black - The size and impact of the underclass appear to be magnified by the popular culture, particularly film and music - Nevertheless, levels of violence, substance abuse, and poverty among the members of this segment of the population are frantically higher than for the general population

American Dilemma Who was associated with this? What is it? Does race still affect America today?

- Gunner Myrdal argued that the unequal status and treatment of black Americans was the major failure of American democracy o Jim Crow Laws: rules and laws that ensure a division between white and blacks, segregation based on race o Segregation practices also appeared in Canadian at some points too o A white or black scholar to do this study was seen as biased, so they found an outsider not from the USA and found one in Sweden (not history of colonialism, speak English well, etc.) which is how they came up with Gunnar Myrdal • This was a controversial issue that is why they could not agree on an American to study this topic o Said it was a dilemma because of the American creed - supposed to be about equality and freedom (pillars of American system) • This has failed to reach all Americans which is the dilemma - Race has been at the heart of American debates over equality since before the revolution, when the Quakers and other called for the abolition of slavery o There were people who wanted slavery to become abolished - Racial inequality continues to be a prominent issue in American politics, notwithstanding the 2008 of Barack Obama as the country's first black president and his re-election in 2012 o Post-racial politics was thought to be uttered in after this election o Race still matters so much in the US

Education and Class What is the correlation? What is significant assumption about the US education system?

- High correlation between formal education and income o Seen as a problem in the US because of the education system being so unequal and expensive in the US - The American post-secondary educational system is often seen as highly unequal and inaccessible to much of the population - Data shows, however, that the participation rate in higher education is as high or higher than in most other wealthy democracies o We exaggerate how much Americans pay for university and think of those big named schools where most Americans aren't educated as they are educated in public institutions - "Do you need Harvard to succeed?" (See box in text)

Putting Economic Inequality into Perspective Is inequality greater? What is different about the poor today? What makes Americans stand out in terms of being successful?

- Income inequality is greater in the US than in wealthier democracies (figure 8.5, 8.6, 8.7 and tables 8.4 and 8.5 o Figure 8.5 - taxation policy, welfare policy and emergence of middle class were all factors that played into income shares in the US, France and UK - Putting poor in perspective: see box in text o Show that being poor in the US it involves having more stuff today than was true in the 60s and 70s o They will have stuff expected with a standard of living these days • Poor does not necessarily signify destitution - Intergenerational poverty and socio-economic mobility: some studies suggest that these are greater problems in the US than in other wealthy democracies - see figure 8.8 - But until quite recently, most Americans remained optimistic about the prospects of moving up the economic ladder

Governing Class Is there a governing class? What is distinct about the senate and the house? What are the more important issues over education and money? Do presidents come from privileged backgrounds?

- On the background of governors and US senators respectively - see figures 10.3 and 10.4 o Senate is a bit more elitist, educated backgrounds than the house o In the house you are more likely to find people of modest and middle class backgrounds o Usually self made wealth and not inherited then decided to go into politics - Race and sex have been more important as barriers to entry into the political elite than class background - Do presidents come from privileged backgrounds? The evidence suggest that this is not usually the case (see box in text)

MOVIE - "America Beyond the Colour Line"

- Points of view on the black underclass o Lady 11th floor: Believed that the attitude has to come from within where people need to change their attitudes and behaviors in order to have a real difference o Popeye's Worker: Blamed members of the black community for the lack of progress and the cycle of violence, it is possible to overcome it and at least to say no o Mr. Black: due to industrialization and Henry Ford regarding the assembly line and opportunities in the North which wouldn't change in the South so people moved there, second migration occurred during the 40s but this time it was coming from the rural countryside where people are much less educated and more isolated with different interests for coming • Segregation in black community based on education, aspirations, etc. • It has to do with these waves of migration and the first wave didn't want to live with the second wave so they moved out where the second wave was left which was distinctly culturally different

Occupy Movement What was it about? What do middle class say?

- Seen in the wake of the financial crash in 2008 - It was about financial inequality and the 1% verse 99% - Coming from white middle class, young people in university who some say should just get a job

Biased Information System What is argued? Is America diverse? What did Pierre Gervais argue about the American system? *Media

- Some argue that the interest of the wealthy and ideas congenial to their interests are disproportionately represented in the American political conversation - But the universe of opinion leaders in the Untied States is quite diverse, despite being frequently portrayed as ideologically conservative, particularly the media system - French political scientist Pierre Gervais argues that the American system of countervailing power operates through the media, as it does through other institutions and processes in American society o Not only is there a system of checks and balances in the constitution, but it is also in the media system o Sometimes it is not the size of the audience that matters, it is who it reaches because those are the influential people who hold influential jobs in society o All media outlets are not created equally influential

Political Conversation Who gets listened to? What did E.E. Schattschneider believe is most important? How do elites spread their message? Does matter matter? If so, in what ways?

- Whose voices are expressed, listened to and acted upon? - E.E. Schattschneider's reminder that it is often what we do not see, hear, and think about that is most revealing of political power o When regarding political conversation, there is talk about the budget and fiscal cliff, etc. o Might think this is what is important but he says sometimes it is what you don't heat that may be important • When a group doesn't have to defend its power and status is when it is most influential • More powerful when it doesn't defend itself and that society accepts the interests of them and the group are the same • Most powerful when they don't have to defend themselves and their actions within society showing power and influence • Silences are revealing of where power really lies in society - But money and organization do matter - Figure 10.2 represents the process leading to the formation of public awareness of and opinion on issues. The crucial stage in this process involves opinion-leaders and the channeled through which their ideas are communicated to the wider public o The elites get their message to the society through various linkage mechanisms like the media system, political system, education system, etc. o Ultimately you want to explain elite and mass opinion o How does money enter the picture? • We need to think of how money influences the political system, media, educational system (partly private and public), etc.

10th Amendment

...

8th Amendment

...

Anti-Federalists

...

Bill of Rights

...

Brown vs. Board of Education

...

Capitalism

...

Charles Beard

...

Checks and Balances

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Civil Liberties

...

Civil Rights

...

Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1968

...

Civil Rights Movement (Goals)

...

Clear and Present Danger

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Communism

...

Concurrent Powers

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Confederation

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Constitutionalism

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Cooperative Federalism

...

Declaration of Independence

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Democracy

...

Devolution

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Due Process

...

Duel Federalism

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Electoral College

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Engal vs. Vitale

...

Enumerated Powers

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Equality of Opportunirty

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Equality of Outcome

...

Establishment Clause

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Ex Post Facto Laws

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Exclusionary Rule

...

Federalism

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Federalist 10

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Federalists

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Fiscal Federalism

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Freedom of Speech

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Gideon vs. Wainwright

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Gitmo

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Grants-In-Aid

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Great Compromise

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Habeas Corpus

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Implied Powers (Inherent)

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Limited Government

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Mapp vs. Ohio

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McCulloch vs. Maryland

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Montesquieu

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Natural Rights Theorists

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Necessary and Proper Clause

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Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic)

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North South Compromise

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Nullification (Calhoun)

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Obscenity

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Oregon's Death with Dignity Act

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Picket-Fence Federalism

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Planned Parenthood vs. Casey

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Pluralist Theory

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Popular Sovereignty

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Powers of the Branches

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Prayer in Schools

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Prior Restraint

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Ratification of the Constitution

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Republic

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Reserved Powers

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Schenk

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Selective Incorporation

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Separate but Equal

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Shays' Rebellion

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Supremacy Clause

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Texas vs. Johnson

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Thomas Hobbes

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Three Fifth's Compromise

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Unitary Government

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Women's Rights and Abolishionist Movements

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Senate

100

Equal protection clause

14th amendment clause that prohibits states from denying equal protection under the law, and has been used to combat discrimination

1868

14th amendment ratified

which of the following groups was the LAST to gain voting rights in the US?

18-21 year olds

Marbury v. Madison

1803 SuCo: Established judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland

1819 SuCo: Congress has certain implied powers as well as their enumerated powers, and the national government is supreme.

Gibbons v. Ogden

1824 SuCo: Gave Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce

Barron v. Baltimore

1833 SuCo: The Bill of Rights only applies to the National Gvt.

Scott v. Sandford

1857 SuCo: An escaped slave has no rights, and Congress can't ban slaves in the territories.

Plessy v. Ferguson

1896 SuCo: Established "separate but equal."

Schenck v. United States

1919 SuCo: Government can limit speech if it evokes a "clear and present danger."

Gitlow v. New York

1925 SuCo: Freedoms of press and speech are "fundamental personal rights and liberties protected by the due process clause of the 14th amendment from impairment"

Near v. Minnesota

1931 SuCo: The 1st Amendment protects newspapers from prior restraint.

Social Security Act

1935: An act that provided minimal sustenance to the elderly to save them from poverty.

Korematsu v. United States

1944 SuCo: Japanese internment camps were constitutional.

Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act

1946; intended to allow the government to monitor lobbying activities by requiring lobbyists to register with the government and publicly disclose their salaries, expenses, and nature of activities in DC

Brown v. Board of Education

1954 SuCo: School segregation is unconstitutional because it violates the 14th Amendment guarantee of equal protection. Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson.

Roth v. United States

1957 SuCo: Obscenity is not within the area o' constitutionally protected speech or press.

Mapp v. Ohio

1961 SuCo: Incorporated the 4th Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure, as well as the exclusionary rule.

Robinson v. California

1962 SuCo: Incorporated the cruel and unusual punishment clause.

Engel v. Vitale

1962 SuCo: Prayer in school is a violation of the 1st Amendment.

Engel v. Vitale

1962 SuCo: School prayer is unconstitutional.

Gideon v. Wainwright

1963 SuCo: Anyone accused of a felony where jail time is possible has a right to a lawyer.

School District of Abington Township, Pennsylvania v. Schempp

1963 SuCo: Requiring Bible readings in schools violates the establishment clause.

New York Times v. Sullivan

1964 SuCo: Individuals must prove that statements were "actual malice" and reckless disregard for the truth to win a libel suit.

Miranda v. Arizona

1966 SuCo: Set guidelines to protect the accused from self-incrimination.

Tinker v. Des Moines School District

1969 SuCo: Armbands are a form of symbolic speech protected under the Constitution.

Swann v. Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education

1971 SuCo: Busing could be used to correct racial imbalances.

Lemon v. Kurtzman

1971 SuCo: Established the Lemon test.

Lemon v. Kurtzman

1971 SuCo: Federal funding to religious schools must (1) have a secular legislative purpose (2) primarily not effect religion and (3) not get the government involved with religion

Reed v. Reed

1971 SuCo: First upheld gender discrimination claim.

Miller v. California

1973 SuCo: Community standards define obscenity; the Supreme Court refused to define obscenity.

Roe v. Wade

1973 SuCo: State bans on all abortions are unconstitutional. Set up the trimester system.

United States v. Nixon

1974 SuCo: Executive privilege does not give one the authority to hide documents.

Craig v. Boren

1976 SuCo: Gender classifications are subject to medium scrutiny.

Gregg v. Georgia

1976 SuCo: The death penalty is not cruel and unusual punishment.

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

1978 SuCo: Less qualified individuals can't be accepted for programs based only on their race. However, affirmative action is not unconstitutional.

Wallace v. Jaffree

1985 SuCo: Schools cannot hold moments of silence with religious intentions.

McCleskey v. Kemp

1987 SuCo: Upheld the death penalty, and said that the death penalty is not racist.

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier

1988 SuCo: Censorship of school newspapers is constitutional.

Texas v. Johnson

1989 SuCo: Flag burning is symbolic speech, protected by the 1st Amendment.

Planned Parenthood v. Casey

1992 SuCo: Standard for evaluating abortion restrictions was loosened.

Adarand Constructors v. Peña

1995 SuCo decision: Federal programs that classify based on race should be assumed unconstitutional and put up to strict scrutiny. They're only okay if they are "narrowly tailored" for a "compelling governmental interest."

Miller v. Johnson

1995 SuCo: Racial gerrymandering violates the equal protection clause.

Clinton v. The City of New York

1998 SuCo: The line-item veto is unconstitutional.

free excercise clause

1st amendment guarantee that prohibits gov't from unduly interfering with the free excercise of religion

Bicameral Legislature

2 law making bodies

Boy Scouts of America v. Dale

2000 SuCo: Freedom of association is more important than anti-discrimination statutes.

Hunt v. Cromartie

2001 SuCo: Gerrymandering on the basis of race is unconstitutional.

Council of Economic Advisers

3 appointees who advise the President on the state of the economy and economic policy

electoral college final count

332 to 206

House of Representives

435

Terms/Number of Senators, House of Representatives, and President

6 (100), 2 (435), 4 (1)

representation

A basic principle of traditional democratic theory that describes the relationship between the few leaders and the many followers.

amicus curiae brief

A brief is a document filed with a court containing a legal argument supporting a desired outcome in a particular case. An amicus curiae brief is filed by a party not directly involved in the litigation but with an interest in the outcome of the case. Amicus curiae is Latin for "friend of the court."

public policy

A choice that government makes in response to a political issue. It is a course of action taken with regard to some problem

Federal Election Commission

A commission created by the 1974 amendments to the Federal Election Campaign Act to administer election reform laws. Its duties include overseeing disclosure of campaign finance information and public funding of presidential elections, and enforcing contribution limits.

electoral mandate

A concept based on the idea that "the people have spoken." It is a powerful symbol in American electoral politics, according legitimacy and credibility to a newly elected president's proposals.

policy gridlock

A condition when no coalition is strong enough to form a majority and establish policy. The result is that nothing may get done

reconciliation

A congressional process through which program authorizations are revised to achieve required savings.

political ideology

A consistent pattern of beliefs about political values and the role of government.

per curiam decision

A court decision without explanation.

appellate court

A court that hears appeals on points of law decided by trial courts.

Hatch Act

A federal law prohibiting government employees from active participation in partisan politics.

civil disobedience

A form of political participation where people consciously break a law and suffer the consequences to make a point.

executive agreement

A formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does not require Senate approval and is not binding on future presidents

writ of certiorari

A formal writ used to bring a case before the Supreme Court.

Majority Rule

A fundamental democratic principle requiring that the majority's view be respected. Constitution's limits to m.r. electoral college, life tenure for Supreme Court justices, selection of senators by state legislators

majority rule

A fundamental principle of traditional democratic theory where the majority's desires must be respected.

government corporation

A government agency that operates like a business corporation, created to secure greater freedom of action and flexibility for a particular program.

prior restraint

A government's prevention of material from being published.

congressional caucus

A group of Congressmen sharing an interest or characteristic. (Not the party version)

cabinet

A group of presidential advisers. Consists of 14 secretaries and the attorney general.

judicial activism

A judicial philosophy in which judges make bold policy decisions, even charting new constitutional ground. Advocates of this approach emphasize that the courts can correct pressing needs, especially those unmet by the majoritarian political process.

judicial restraint

A judicial philosophy in which judges play minimal policymaking roles, leaving that duty strictly to the legislatures

ex post facto law

A law that would declare an act criminal after the act was committed

bill of attainder

A legislative act that inflicts punishment without a court trial

authorization

A legislative action establishing or continuing a certain amount of funding for an agency. Some authorizations terminate in a year; others are automatically renewed without further action.

bicameral legislature

A legislature divided into 2 houses, such as the US Congress and most state legislatures.

state party caucus

A meeting of all state party leaders for selecting delegates to the national party convention. Usuall organized as a pyramid (Not the congressional version)

legislative proposal

A method of s, the most common means of amending a state constitution wherin the state legislature propses a revision usually by a two-thirds majority

poverty line

A method used to count the number of poor people, it considers what a family must spend for an "austere" standard of living.

acquisitive model

A model of bureaucracy in which top-level bureaucrats seek to expand their budgets and staff to gain greater power and influence in the public sector.

responsible party model

A model stating that parties should give clear choices to the voters, and once in office, should make good on their campaign promises.

constitution

A nation's basic law.

national party convention

A national meeting of delegates elected in primaries, caucuses, or state conventions who assemble once every four years to nominate candidates for president and vice president, ratify the party platform, elect officers, and adopt rules.

issue network

A network that includes policy experts, media pundits, congressional staff members, and interest groups who regularly debate an issue

anti-federalist

A person opposed to the adoption of the Constitution because of its centralist tendencies and who attacked the Constitution's framers for failing to include a Bill of Rights.

affirmative action

A policy in hiring that gives consideration or compensatory treatment to traditionally disadvantaged groups in an effort to overcome the present effects of past discrimination.

liberalism

A political ideology whose advocates prefer a government active in dealing with human needs, support individual rights and liberties, and give higher priority to social needs than military needs.

party platform

A political party's statement of its goals and policies for the next four years. It is drafted prior to the party convention by a committee whose members are chosen in rough proportion to each candidate's strength. It is the best formal statement of a party's beliefs.

line-item veto

A power of state governors to veto only certain parts of a bill and let the rest pass.

"beauty contest"

A presidential primary in which candidates compete for popular votes, but the results have little or no effect on the selection of delegates to the national convention, which is made by the party elite.

closed rule

A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that prohibits any amendments to bills or provides that only members of the committee reporting the bill may offer amendments.

Medicare

A program that provides health benefits to senior citizens. (Compare to Medicaid)

regional primaries

A proposal by critics of the caucuses and presidential primaries to replace these electoral methods with a series of primaries held in each geographic region.

national primary

A proposal by critics of the caucuses and presidential primaries, which would replace these electoral methods with a nationwide primary held early in the election year.

bill

A proposed law written in legal language. Only o member of Congress can submit one, although anyone can write one.

Medicaid

A public assistance program designed to provide healthcare to poor Americans. (Compare to Medicare)

sample

A relatively small proportion of people in a survey who are chosen to represent the whole

Australian ballot

A secret ballot prepared, distributed, and tabulated by government officials at public expense. First used in 1888, all states now use the Australian ballot rather than an open, public ballot.

seniority system

A simple rule for picking committee chairs, in effect until the '70s. The member who had served on the committee the longest and whose party controlled Congress became chair.

fragmentation

A situation in which responsibility for a policy area is dispersed, making it difficult to coordinate the policy.

Appropriations Committee

A standing committee in the House of Representative that recommends how much money to provide to federal agencies.

right-to-work law

A state law forbidding requirements that workers must join a union to hold their jobs. They were permitted by the Taft-Hartley Act.

Aid To Families With Dependent Children (AFDC)

A state-administered program providing financial assistance to families in which dependent children do not have the financial support of the father, owing to the father's desertion, disability, or death. The program is financed in part by federal grants.

bureaucracy

A system of departments and agencies formed to carry out the work of government.

federalism

A system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central, or national, government and several regional governments (U.S.. Canada, European Union)

cooperative federalism

A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government aka: marble cake federalism or fiscal federalism

dual federalism

A system of govt in which both the national and state governments are supreme in their own spheres.

checks and balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

filibuster

A tactic for delaying or obstructing legislation by making long speeches and unlimited debate to "talk a bill to death". Only allowed in the Senate.

progressive tax

A tax in which the average tax rate rises with income.

regressive tax

A tax whereby people with lower incomes pay a higher fraction of their income than people with higher incomes.

gender gap

A term that refers to the regular pattern by which women are more likely to support Democratic candidates. Women tend to be significantly less conservative than men and are more likely to support spending on social services and to oppose higher levels of military spending.

elite theory

A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization.

pluralist theory

A theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies.

retrospective voting

A theory of voting in which voters essentially ask this simple question: "What have you done for me lately?"

original intent

A view that the Constitution should be interpreted according to the original intent of the framers. Many conservatives support this view.

search warrant

A writ issued by a magistrate that authorizes the police to search a particular place or person, specifying the place to be searched and the objects to be seized.

authorization bill

Act of Cong (type of bill) that makes or continues a government or entitlement program, also defines budget limits for said program.

appropriations bill

Act of Cong that funds programs within authorized limits. Usually these bills are annual.

Congressional Budget Impoundment and Control Act of 1974

Act that reformed the congressional budgetary process, making it more independent of the president's budget.

Endangered Species Act of 1973

Act that required government to protect endangered species thoroughly.

age discrimination

Action taken based solely or primarily on a person's age, without regard to actual qualifications or abilities. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act protects persons age 40 and over from employment discrimination based on age.

Sedition

Advocacy of the overthrow of the govt.

eminent domain

Allows the govt to take property for public use but also requires the govt to provide just compensation for that property

Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act

Also known as Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Act, this act mandates maximum allowable deficits until 1991 when the budget should balance. It was abandoned in 1991.

22nd Amendment

Amendment that created a 2 term limit on presidents.

25th Amendment

Amendment that creates a chain of succession for filling in the presidential seat in case of death/incapacitation.

7th Amendment

Amendment that creates qualifications on the use of a jury.

14th Amendment

Amendment that deals with citizenship, state limits, due process and equal protection. Includes the incorporation doctrine.

2nd Amendment

Amendment that deals with the right to bear arms.

1st Amendment

Amendment that dealt with freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition. It contains the establishment clause.

15th Amendment

Amendment that extended suffrage to all races.

26th Amendment

Amendment that extended suffrage to those aged 18-21.

19th Amendment

Amendment that extended suffrage to women.

10th Amendment

Amendment that gives the rights not delegated to National government or denied to the States to the States.

6th Amendment

Amendment that guarantees a speedy and public trial and the right to counsel.

27th Amendment

Amendment that made Congressional pay raises ineffective until the next term.

24th Amendment

Amendment that outlawed poll taxes.

8th Amendment

Amendment that prohibits excessive bail amounts and cruel and unusual punishment.

3rd Amendment

Amendment that prohibits the required quartering of troops.

4th Amendment

Amendment that protects against unreasonable search and seizure.

9th Amendment

Amendment that protects rights not listed in the Bill of Rights.

16th Amendment

Amendment that set up the income tax.

5th Amendment

Amendment that sets up due process of law and protects the accused.

11th Amendment

Amendment that sets up rules for suing a state.

AARP

American Association of Retired Persons, a non-profit interest group concerned with the welfare of retired Americans. In 1998 the AARP had more than 30 million members (about 45 percent of Americans aged 50 or over).

ACLU

American Civil Liberties Union, a non-profit interest group with 275,000 members (in 1998) dedicated to preserving the liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

An act providing protection against discrimination in employment, pubic service, transportation, and telecommunications for disabled people.

administrative agency

An agency that is part of the executive branch, an independent agency, or an independent regulatory agency (for example, the Federal Trade Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Federal Communications Commission). State and local governments also have administrative agencies.

the amendment process

An amendment to the Constitution may be proposed if 2/3 of the members of Congress or 2/3 of state legislatures vote for it. The amendment may then be added to the Constitution by a 3/4 vote of state legislatures, or special state conventions elected for that purpose.

capitalism

An economic system in which individuals and corporations, not the government, own the principle means of production and seek profit.

monetarism

An economic theory holding that the supply of money is the key to a nation's economic health.

supply-side economics

An economic theory, advocated by President Reagan, holding that too much income goes to taxes and too little money is available for purchasing. The solution is to cut taxes and return purchasing power to consumers.

deficit

An excess of federal expenditures over federal revenues.

equal results

An idea that government must go beyond equal opportunity.

Speaker of the House

An office mandated by the Constitution. The Speaker is chosen in practice by the majority party, has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed to the presidency should that office become vacant.

Office of Management and Budget

An office that grew out of the Bureau of the Budget, created in 1921, consisting of a handful of political appointees and hundreds of skilled professionals. It performs both managerial and budgetary functions.

senatorial courtesy

An unwritten traditions whereby nominations for state-level federal judicial posts are not confirmed if they are opposed by a senator from the state in which the nominee will serve. The tradition also applies to courts of appeal when there is opposition from the nominee's state senator.

Wagner Act

Another name for the National Labor Relations Act. 1935; established National Labor Relations Board; protected the rights of most workers in the private sector to organize labor unions, to engage in collective bargaining, and to take part in strikes and other forms of concerted activity in support of their demands.

necessary and proper clause

Another name for the elastic clause.

municipalities

Another word for cities or municipal corporations.

courts of appeal

Apellate courts that can review all final decisions from district courts.

Article 2

Article of the Constitution that defines the Executive Branch, it's powers, duties, and means of removal.

Article 1

Article of the Constitution that defines the Legislative Branch, it's powers, members, and workings.

Article 4

Article of the Constitution that regulates the states' powers, and their interaction with the National government.

Article 6

Article of the Constitution that sets the status of the Constitution as the supreme law of the land, to which leaders must be loyal.

Article 3

Article of the Constitution that sets up the Judicial Branch and defines treason.

Article 5

Article of the Constitution that sets up the amendment process.

Anti-Federalists

At the time of the Con, they argued that the Con was a class based document, would erode fundamental liberties and weaken the states.

appellate jurisdiction

Authority of a court to review legal decisions by a lower court.

collective bargaining

Bargaining between representatives of labor unions and management to determine acceptable working conditions.

monetary policy

Based on monetarism, it is the government manipulation of the supply of money.

amicus curiae briefs

Briefs submitted to the court by outside parties to influence the decision.

1854

Brown vs Board of Education

full faith and credit clause

Clause in the Constitution (Article IV, Section 1) requiring each state to recognize the civil judgments rendered by the courts of the other states and to accept their public records and acts as valid

Admissions Clause

Clause stating that Congress admits new states, unless a part of an existing state is involved.

Commerce Clause

Clause stating that Congress can regulate interstate and international commerce.

House Appropriations Committee

Committee in charge of setting the specific expenditures of money by the government of the United States.

public interest

Common interests are more important than group interests.

congressional committees

Conference, joint, select and standing committees.

legislative oversight

Congress's monitoring of the bureaucracy performed mainly through hearings.

select committees

Congressional committees appointed for a specific purpose, such as the Watergate investigation.

conference committees

Congressional committees directed to reconcile House and Senate versions of a bill.

joint committees

Congressional committees on a few subject-matter areas with membership drawn from both houses.

appropriation

Congressional passage of a spending bill, specifying the amount of funds previously authorized that will actually be allocated for an agency's use.

writ of mandamus

Court order directing an official to perform an official duty

legislative courts

Courts established by Congress for specialized purposes where the judges have fixed terms.

trial courts

Courts that hear civil and criminal cases and consider the facts only.

national committee

Delegates who run party affairs between national conventions.

census

Demographics report required by the Constitution to be redone every 10 years.

House Rules Committee

Determines the rules for debate of each bill, including whether the bill may be amended. This is the most powerful committee in the House.

agenda setting

Determining the public policy questions to be debated or considered by Congress.

income tax

Direct tax on the earnings of individuals and corporations

Declaration of Independence

Document approved in 1776 that stated the grievances with Britain.

Racial gerrymandering

Drawing of legislative boundaries to give electoral advantages to a particular racial group. "Majority-minority" districts include large numbers of racial minorities in order to ensure minority representation in legislatures.

protectionism

Economic policy of shielding an economy from imports.

legislators

Elected representatives who make public policy.

critical election

Election periods marked by national crisis where new issues emerge and the majority party is displaced by the minority.

presidential primaries

Elections in which voters in a State vote for a candidate.

1863

Emancipation Proclamation

iron triangles

Entities composed of a bureaucratic agency, an interest group, and a congressional committee. They dominate certain areas of policymaking.

exclusionary rule

Evidence obtained unconstitutionally can not be used in court.

uncontrollable expenditures

Expenditures that are determined not by a fixed amount of money appropriated by Congress but by how many eligible beneficiaries there are for a program or by previous obligations of the government.

Fairness Doctrine

FCC rule (no longer in effect) that required broadcasters to air a variety of viewpoints on their programs.

formula grants

Federal Categorical Grants distributed according to a formula specified in legislation or in administrative regulations

Food and Drug Administration

Federal agency formed in 1913 that approves all foods and drugs for sale in the US.

project grants

Federal categorical grants given for specific purposes and awarded on the basis of the merits of applications

block grants

Federal grants automatically given to states to support broad programs. (Compared to categorical grants)

categorical grants

Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes. These grants have strings attached. (Compare to block grants)

expenditures

Federal spending of revenues, mostly spent on social services and military.

Bill of Rights

First 10 Amendments written to satiate Anti-Federalists. They define basic liberties and rights.

Articles of Confederation

First Con, adopted in 1777, enacted in 1781. They established a national legislature (Continental Congress), but left most authority with the states.

public goods

Goods, such as clean air and clean water, that everyone must share.

divided government

Governance divided between the parties, as when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress.

divided government

Governance divided between the parties, especially when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress. Dominated politics since 1968 with Nixon

democracy

Government by the people.

means-tested programs

Government programs available only to individuals below the poverty line.

censorship

Government regulation of media content.

Indictment

Grand jury order that a suspect must stand trial for a criminal offense

categorical grant

Grant for which Congress appropriates funds for a specific purpose

apportionment

Granting political representation to a group of people. The apportionment of members of the House of Representatives between states is done through a complicated statistical method. The apportionment of representatives to districts within a state is done by the majority party of the state legislature and sometimes leads to gerrymandering.

single-issue groups

Groups that have narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics

1877

Hayes pulled troops, reconstruction was over

secretary of defense

Head of the Department of Defense, and the president's key military adviser.

secretary of state

Head of the Department of State and key foreign policy adviser to the president.

precedent

How similar cases have been decided in the past.

affirm

In an appellate court, to reach a decision that agrees with the decision reached in a lower court.

agents of socialization

Institutions through which people learn the core values of their society and political culture. They include family, educational institutions, peers, media, gender, and religion.

actual malice

Intent to have another suffer by one's actions. In libel cases, actual malice generally consists of intentionally publishing a statement that's injurious to the character of another, knowing that the statement is false or acting with reckless disregard of the truth.

factions

Interest groups arising from the unequal distribution of property or wealth that James Madison attacked in Federalist Paper No. 10. Today's parties or interest groups are what Madison had in mind when he warned of the instability in government caused by these.

clear and present danger test

Interpretation of the First Amendment that holds that the government cannot interfere with speech unless the speech presents a clear and present danger that it will lead to evil or illegal acts.

monetary policy

Involves regulating the money supply, controlling inflation, and adjusting interest rates. Controlled by the Federal Reserve Board which was created in 1913 by Wilson

1836

Jim Crow Began

Joint Economic Committee

Joint committee that reports the current economic condition of the United States and makes suggestions for improvement to the economy.

civil law

Judicial law not involving criminal charges. Cases are between 2 parties and involve common law.

Feeding frenzy

Just as sharks engage in a feeding frenzy when they sense blood in the water, the media "attack" when they sense wrongdoing or scandal in government, and devote great amounts of coverage to such stories.

Clean Water Act of 1972

Law intended to clean up the nation's rivers and lakes.

Clean Air Act of 1970

Law that charged the Department of Transportation with the responsibility of reducing automobile emissions.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Law that made racial discrimination in public places illegal and forbade many forms of job discrimination. It created the EEOC to monitor itself, provided for the withholding of federal grants to nonconformers, strengthened voting rights legislation, and authorized lawsuits that advanced desegregation.

Motor Voter Act

Law that requires people to register to vote when they apply for a driver's license.

class action suits

Lawsuits permitting a small number of people to sue on behalf of all others similarly situated.

civil liberties

Legal constitutional protections against government. (compare to civil rights)

stare decisis

Let the decision stand; decisions are based on precedents from previous cases

American Political Culture

Liberty, Equality, Individualism, Diversity, Self-Government, and Unity

district courts

Lowest level of fed. courts, where fed. cases begin &trials are held (bank robbery, environmental violations, tax evasion)

entitlement program

Mandatory payments made by the federal government to people meeting eligibility requirements, such as Social Security, vets, welfare, medicare

campaign strategy

Master game plan of a political campaign.

soft money

Money raised in unlimited amounts by political parties for party-building purposes. Now largely illegal except for limited contributions to state or local parties for voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts.

Progressive Period

Movement that began after the Civil War and peaked during the early 20th century. Most progressives wanted to remove corruption and partisanship from politics. The progressives can be seen as a reaction against the Jacksonian model.

supremacy clause

National legislation is supreme over State laws when constitutional.

superdelegates

National party leaders who automatically get delegate slots at the national party convention.

White primary

One of the means used to discourage African-American voting that permitted political parties in the heavily Democratic South to exclude African Americans from primary elections, thus depriving them of a voice in the real contests. The Supreme Court declared them unconstitutional in 1944.

activation

One of three key consequences of electoral campaigns for voters, in which the voter is activated to contribute money or ring doorbells instead of just voting.

aggregate opinion

Opinion shared by group of people.

narrowcasting

Opposite of "broadcasting", targeting a specific group.

New Jersey Plan

Opposite of the Virginia Plan, it proposed a single-chamber congress in which each state had one vote. This created a conflict with representation between bigger states, who wanted control befitting their population, and smaller states, who didn't want to be bullied by larger states.

writ of certiorari

Order by the Supreme Court directing a lower court to send up the records of a case for review. Cases must involve a serious constitutional issue or the interpretation of a federal statute action or treaty

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Outlawed discriminatory voting practices that had caused wide disenfranchisement of blacks.

due process clause

Part of the 14th amendment which guarantees that no state deny basic rights to its people without due process of law.

lame-duck period

Period of time when the new president is already elected, but the previous president is still in office.

judicial activism

Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect current conditions and values and that they must correct injustices when other branches of government or the states refuse to do so. Supporters use Brown v.Board of Ed. to prove correctness of their belief

judicial restraint

Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect what the framers intended and what its words literally say.

1896

Plessy vs Ferguson

civil rights

Policies designed to protect people against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by government.(Compare to civil liberties)

civil rights policies

Policies that extend government protection to particular disadvantaged groups.

antitrust policy

Policy that ensures competition and prevents monopoly.

attack ad

Political advertising that denounces a candidate's opponent by name.

advice and consent

Power the Constitution (Article II, Section 2) grants the U.S. Senate to give its advice and consent to treaties and presidential appointment of federal judges, ambassadors, and cabinet members.

line-item veto

Presidential power to strike, or remove, specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the entire package; declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

closed primaries

Primaries in which only registered voters can participate.

blanket primaries

Primaries in which voters can be from and vote for any party.

White Primary

Primary election in which Southern states allowed only whites to vote

closed primary

Primary election in which only persons registered in the party holding the primary may vote.

referendum

Procedure for submitting to popular vote measures passed by the legislature or proposed amendments to a state constitution

direct democracy

Procedures by which voters have a direct impact on policymaking by means of a voting booth.

Gerrymandering

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power to ensure the maximum number of seats for its candidates

Unfunded mandates

Programs that the federal government requires states to implement without federal funding.

Free exercise clause

Provision of Amendment 1 stating that Congress may prohibit the free exercise of religion

Establishment clause

Provision of Amendment 1 that prohibits Congress from est. an official state religion. Basis for separation of church and state.

"with all deliberate speed"

Reference made in the Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education about undertaking racial integration of schools quickly. The term "deliberate" was used as a loophole by some officials who wanted to delay desegregation.

presidential approval

Refers to the degree to which the American public as a whole approves the way the President is performing his responsibilities as the nations leader.

exclusionary rule

Requirement that evidence unconstitutionally or illegally obtained be excluded from a criminal trial.

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for the disabled, and not to discriminate against them in hiring.

War Powers Resolution

Resolution that requires presidents to consult with Congress prior to using military force, and withdraw forces after 60 days if Congress does not move to keep them stationed.

tax expenditures

Revenue losses that result from special exemptions, exclusions, or deductions on federal tax law.

natural rights

Rights inherent to human beings.

Political Conflict

Scarcity and Authority

Albright, Madeleine

Secretary of State under President Clinton. The first woman to be appointed to a Cabinet-level position.

agency imperialism

See Also: bureaucratic pathologies A common problem with governmental bureaucracies (and other bureaucracies as well), in which the agencies grow with no limit and without an eye to the benefits they're intended to provide.

De Jure Segregation

Segregation by Law.

De Facto Segregation

Segregation by Practice.

Senate Budget Committee

Senate committee that considers all legislation that deals with the federal budget and must approve a budget resolution that gives Congress direction regarding the amount of money that will be spent by the federal government

standing committees

Separate subject-matter committees in each house of Congress that handle bills in different policy areas.

poll taxes

Small taxes levied on the right to vote that often fell due at a time of year when poor African-American sharecroppers had the least cash on hand. This method was used by most Southern states to exclude African Americans from voting. They were declared void by the Twenty-fourth Amendment in 1964.

Grandfather clause

Southern laws that excluded blacks from exercising suffrage by restricting the right to vote only to those whose grandfathers had voted before 1865.

Jim Crow Laws

Southern laws that required racial segregation in places of public accommodation

Poll tax

Southern method of excluding blacks from exercising suffrage by requiring payment of a tax prior to voting

Literacy test

Southern method of excluding blacks from exercising suffrage by requiring that voters prove their ability to read and write

Slander

Spoken untruths that damage a reputation

House Budget Committee

Standing committee in charge of egislative oversight of the federal budget process, reviewing all bills and resolutions on the budget, and monitoring agencies and programs funded outside of the budgetary process.

Senate Appropriations Committee

Standing committee that is in charge of all discretionary spending legislation.

Shield Laws

State laws that protect journalists from having to reveal their sources

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution that were led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. They firmly believed the national government should be strong. They didn't want the Bill of Rights because they felt citizens' rights were already well protected by the Constitution.

checks on the executive branch

Supreme Court can declare presidential acts unconstitutional, congress can override veto, congress can impeach, and congress must approve treaties

Separate but equal

Supreme Court doctrine est. in the case of Plessy v Ferguson. Allowed state-required racial segregation in places of public accommodation as long as the facilities were equal

Exclusionary rule

Supreme Court guideline that excludes the use of illegally obtained evidence in a criminal trial

exclusionary rule

Supreme Court guideline that prohibits evidence obtained by illegal searches or seizures from being admitted in court

Strict scrutiny

Supreme Court guidelines for determining if a govt. can make racial distinctions. Such distinctions are highly suspect and are allowed only if they are narrowly tailored to serve a compelling government interest.

strict scrutiny

Supreme Court rule that classification by race and ethnic background is inherently suspect and must be justified by a "compelling public interest"

the news source that Americans primarily use to help form their public opinions is

TV

Politics

The Battle for Influence.

policy impacts

The EFFECTS that a policy has on people and on society's problems

Federalist Paper 51

The Federalist Paper advocating three seperate, independant branches with the same amount of power. Government should control people, but also its self, and individual rights should be protected.

Federalist Paper 10

The Federalist Paper warning against faction such as interest groups and political parties

House Ways and Means Committee

The House of Representatives committee that, along with the Senate Finance Committee, writes the tax codes, subject to the approval of Congress as a whole.

random sampling

The Key technique employed by sophisticated survey researchers, which operates on the principle that everyone should have an equal probability of being selected for the sample.

Senate Finance Committee

The Senate committee that, along with the House Ways and Means committee, writes the tax codes, subject to the approval of Congress as a whole.

Marbury vs. Madison

The Supreme Court handed down by Marshall in which judicial review was established, which allowed them to judge the constitutionality of laws.

legislative veto

The ability of Congress to override a presidential veto, provided by the War Powers Resolution. It is criticized for defeating the system of checks and balances.

straight-ticket voting

The ability of voters to choose all of the members of the same party with only one vote.

common law

The accumulation of past judicial decisions applied in civil law disputes.

12th Amendment

The amendment (1804) that calls for separate ballots to be used by the electoral college when voting for president and vice president. Before that, the president was the candidate who received the most votes, and the vice president the candidate who received the second most. Also, in cases when no candidate receives a majority of electoral college votes, this amendment specifies that the House of Representatives is to choose from the candidates with the three highest vote totals. This had been the five highest before.

15th Amendment

The amendment (1870) that forbids a state to deny a person the right to vote because of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

24th Amendment

The amendment (1964) that forbids the levying of a poll tax in primary and general elections for national officials.

25th Amendment

The amendment (1967) that establishes guidelines for filling the offices of president and vice president if they become vacant and makes provisions for situations when the president is disabled. This amendment was created on the heels of events including the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the serious illnesses of Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

appellate jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts

civic duty

The belief that it is a citizen's duty to vote in order to support democracy.

"leader of the free world"

The belief that the United States, and in particular the president, is responsible for safeguarding the freedom and liberty of all nations. This belief grew from hostilities between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. during the Cold War.

incrementalism

The belief that the best predictor of this year's budget is last year's budget, plus a little bit more (an increment).

criminal law

The body of law used when one is charged with a criminal action that warrants punishment.

budget resolution

The bottom line for all federal spending.

policymaking institutions

The branches of government charged with taking action on political issues. The U.S. Constitution established three policymaking institutions-the congress, the presidency, and the courts. Today, the power of the bureaucracy is so great that most political scientist consider it a fourth policy making institution

Congressional Budget Office

The budget office that advises Congress on the consequences of budget decisions and forecasts revenues.

reinforcement

The campaign consequence in which voters' candidate preference is reinforced.

linkage institutions

The channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the government's policy agenda. In the United States, they include elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

Articles of Confederation

The compact made among the 13 original states to form the basis of their government. Officially adopted in 1781.

Connecticut Compromise

The compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention that reconciled the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, creating our bicameral legislature.

veto

The constitutional power of the president to send a bill back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it. A two-thirds vote in each house can override a veto.

Federal Reserve System

The country's central banking system, which is responsible for the nation's monetary policy by regulating the supply of money and interest rates

party realignment

The displacement of the majority party by the minority party, usually during a critical election period.

10th Amendment

The final part of the Bill of Rights that declares "the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."

revenues

The financial resources of the federal government. The individual income tax and Social Security tax are two major sources of it.

solicitor general

The fourth-ranking member of the Department of Justice; responsible for handling all appeals on behalf of the U.S. government to the Supreme Court. currently Donald B. Verrilli

independent executive agency

The government not accounted for by cabinet departments, independent regulatory agencies, and government corporations. Its administrators are typically appointed by the president and serve at the president's pleasure. NASA is an example.

limited government

The idea that certain things are untouchable by government because of the natural rights of its citizens. (related to John Locke)

Bureaucratic Theory

The idea that the country is controlled by the workers of the government extensions and programs (bureaucrats), which can't be taken away because they are not elected.

mandate theory of elections

The idea that the winning candidate has a mandate from the people to carry out his or her platforms and politics. Politicians like the theory better than political scientists do.

Elitism Theory

The idea where the country is controlled by the highest class of people (aristocracy).

comparable worth

The issue raised when women are paid less than men for working jobs that require comparable skill.

original jurisdiction

The jurisdiction of courts that hear a case first, usually in a trial. These are the courts that determine the facts about a case.

consumer price index

The key measure of inflation.

minimum wage

The legal minimum hourly wage for large employers.

suffrage

The legal right to vote.

amendment process

The means spelled out in Artivle V by which formal changes in, or additions to, the Constitution are made.

pork barrel

The mighty list of federal projects, grants, and contracts available to cities, businesses, colleges, and institutions available in a congressional district.

melting pot

The mixing of cultures, ideas and peoples that has changed America.

committee chairs

The most important influencers of congressional agenda. They play dominant rules in scheduling hearings, hiring staff, appointing subcommittees and managing committee bills when they're in front of the full house.

rider

The name of an amendment, usually not of national import, attached to a larger and more important bill to allow the amendment to pass more easily.

2nd Amendment

The part of the Bill of Rights that guarantees the right to bear arms.

4th Amendment

The part of the Bill of Rights that prohibits "unreasonable" searches and seizures.

8th Amendment

The part of the Bill of Rights that prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, or cruel and unusual punishment.

5th Amendment

The part of the Bill of Rights that provides equal protection under the law and imposes restrictions on the national government with respect to the rights of persons accused of crime. It also prohibits the taking of property without just compensation.

6th Amendment

The part of the Bill of Rights that stipulates the basic requirements of due process in federal criminal trials, including: a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, trial in the area where the crime was committed, notice of the charges, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to counsel.

"beyond the beltway"

The part of the U.S. outside of Washington DC. The "beltway" is a highway circling Washington DC.

attentive public

The part of the general public that pays attention to policy issues.

party machine

The party organization that exists on the local level and uses patronage as the means to keep the party members in line. Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall are examples.

fiscal federalism

The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system; it is the cornerstone of the national government's relations with state and local governments.

policy differences

The perception of clear differences between parties.

press secretary

The person on the White House staff who most often deals directly with the press, serving as a conduit of information.

Supreme Court

The pinnacle of the American judicial system. The court ensures uniformity in interpreting national laws, resolves conflicts among states, and maintains national supremacy in law. It has both original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction, but unlike other federal courts, it controls its own agenda.

litigants

The plaintiff and defendant in a case.

impeachment

The political equivalent of an indictment in criminal law, prescribed by the Constitution.

14th Amendment

The post-civil war amendment (1868) that forbids a state to deprive any persons of life, liberty or property without due process of law, or deny any person equal protection of the law. It made African Americans citizens with full rights.

advice and consent

The power of Congress to confirm or deny executive appointments and treaties.

judicial review

The power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action

authority

The power to enforce laws, command, or judge, usually because of ascribed legitimacy. For most societies, government is the ultimate authority.

appointment power

The president's authority to fill a government office or position. Positions filled by presidential appointment include those in the executive branch, the federal judiciary, commissioned officers in the armed forces, and members of independent regulatory commissions.

minority leader

The principal leader of a minority party in either house of Congress.

majority leader

The principal partisan ally of the Speaker of the House or the party's manager in the Senate. The majority leader is responsible for scheduling bills, influencing committee assignments, and rounding up votes in behalf of the party's legislative positions.

Judicial Review

The principle established by Marbury vs. Madison, which made is so the Supreme Court could judge the constitutionality of laws.

policymaking systems

The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time. People's interests, problems, and concerns create political issues for government policymakers. These issues shape policy, which in turn impacts people, generating more interests, problems, and concerns.

politics

The process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue. It produces authoritative decisions about public issues.

implementation

The process of putting a law into practice through bureaucratic rules or spending.

libel

The publication of false or malicious statements that damage someone's reputation.

legislative turnover

The rate of incumbent state legislators leaving office

congressional redistricting

The reallocation of the number of representatives each state has in the House of Representatives. After a census (10 years) Redistricting Act of 1929 set seats at 435

right to privacy

The right to a private personal life free of government intrusion.

Max Weber

The theorist who supported bureaucratic rule.

C. Wright Mills

The theorist who supported elitism.

Keynesian economic theory

The theory emphasizing that government spending and deficits can help the economy weather its normal ups and downs. Proponents of this theory advocate using the power of government to stimulate the economy when it is lagging.

party image

The voter's perception of what the Republicans or Democrats stand for, such as conservatism or liberalism

political culture

The widely shared beliefs, values, and norms concerning the relationship of citizens to government and to one another. such as individual liberty, political equality, legal equality, the rule of law, limited gov't, equality of opportunity, and the pursuit of happiness.

hyperpluralism

Theory that groups are so strong that they weaken the government. Exaggerated version of pluralism.

Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)

These acts authorized the president to deport "undesirable aliens" and made it a crime to criticize the government or its officials.

traditional democratic theory

These principles include equality in voting, effective participation, enlightened understanding, citizen control of agenda, & inclusion.

1st Amendment

This opening passage of the Bill of Rights prohibits Congress from establishing a religion and ensures freedom of expression, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

incumbents

Those already holding office.

implied powers

Those delegated powers of the National Government that are suggested by the expressed powers set out in the Constitution; those "necessary and proper" to carry out the expressed powers

Mass media

Those means of communication that reach large, widely dispersed audiences, especially television, radio, printed publications, and the Internet

conservatives

Those who advocate conservatism.

mass media

Tv, radio, newspapers, magazines and all other forms of popular broadcasting.

Virginia Plan

Virginia delegate James Madison's plan of government, in which states got a number of representatives in Congress based on their population

initiative

Voters may put a proposed change to the state constitution to a vote if sufficient petitions have called for the referendum.

split-ticket voting

Voting for candidates of different parties for different offices at the same election.

ticket splitting

Voting for different parties in different elections.

Miranda Warnings

Warnings that must be read to suspects prior to questioning. Suspects must be advised that they have the rights of silence and counsel

continuing resolutions

When Congress cannot agree on an appropriation bill, this resolution allows an agency to spend at the previous year's level.

Prior restraint

When a court stops expression before it is made. Presumed to be unconstitutional.

conversion

When a voter's mind is changed in an electoral campaign.

minority majority

When the combined minorities outnumber the majority.

presidential coattails

When voters vote for members of the President's party because they like the President

Libel

Written untruths that damage a reputation

Taft-Hartley Act

a 1947 law giving the president power to halt major strikes by seeking a court injunction and permitting states to forbid requirements in labor contracts that force workers to join a union.

Bill of Attainder

a bill passed by the legislature that declares a person guilty of a crime

political efficacy

a citizens capacity to understand and influence political events

National Security Council

a committee in the executive branch of government that advises the president on foreign and military and national security. Includes president, vice president, and the secretaries of state and defense.

justiciable disputes

a constraint on the courts requiring case be capable of being settled by legal methods

writ of habeas corpus

a court order requiring jailers to explain to a judge why they are holding a prisoner in custody

Writ of habeas corpus

a court order requiring that the govt. show cause for detaining someone and charge him/her with a crime

writ of habeas corpus

a court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person. article 1 section 9. explained in 6th amendment

executive order

a directive, rule, or regulation that has the effect of law, based on constitutional or statutory authority

federalism

a division of governmental powers between the national government and the states

which of the following is the best explanation for why presidents have had a difficult time getting reelected in recent years

a drop in levels of external efficacy

federalism

a form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and the states

protest

a form of political participation designed to achieve policy change through dramatic and unconventional tactics.

independent regulatory agency

a government agency responsible for some sector of the economy, making and enforcing rules to protect the public interest. It also judges disputes over these rules.

Unitary system

a government in which all key powers are given to the national or central government. 160 countries ex: France, Spain, Great Britain, China

fiscal policy

a government policy for dealing with the budget (especially with taxation and borrowing) entirely determined by Congress and the Prez

political party

a group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy

elite

a group or class of persons enjoying superior intellectual or social or economic status

impeachment

a house action that formally charges an official with wrongdoing. conviction requires 2/3rds vote from the senate

bureaucracy

a large, complex organization of appointed officials. They have a hierarchical structure, job specialization, and formal rules and procedures.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

a law designed to help end formal and informal barriers to African American suffrage. Under the law, hundreds of thousands of African Americans were registered and the number of African American elected officials increased dramatically.

Ex post facto law

a law that declares something illegal after it has been done

discharge petition

a motion to force a bill to the house floor that has been bottled up in committee

foreign policy

a nation's overall plan for dealing with other nations

plea bargaining

a negotiation in which the defendant agrees to enter a plea of guilty to a lesser charge and the prosecutor agrees to drop a more serious charge

ways and means committee

a permanent committee of the United States House of Representatives that makes recommendations to the House on all bills that would raise revenue/house committee that handles all tax bills

affirmative action

a policy requiring federal agencies, universities, and most employers to take positive steps to to make up for past discrimination by helping minority groups and women gain access to jobs and opportunities. Critics argue that is causes reverse discrimination.

republic

a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

george gallup is best known for his work as

a pollster

cloture

a procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate

cloture

a procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate which requires a 3/5 vote

Cloture

a process that attempts to limit debate on a bill in the Senate

free exercise clause

a provision of the first amendment that guarantees each person the right to believe what he or she wants. However they can not make an act legal that would otherwise be illegal

Shay's Rebellion

a rebellion by debtor farmers in western Massachusetts, led by Revolutionary War Captain Daniel Shays, against Boston creditors. it began in 1786 and lasted half a year, threatening the economic interests of the business elite and contributing to the demise of the Articles of Confederation.

equal protection of the laws

a right guaranteed by the 14th amendment to the US constitution and by the due-process clause of the 5th amendment. It was a major part of Brown v. Board of Education.

hold

a senate maneuver that allows a senator to stop or delay consideration of a bill or presidential appointment

Federalist Papers

a series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay (using the name "publius") published in NY newspapers and used to convice readers to adopt the new constitution

policy agenda

a set of issues and problems that policy makers consider important. The mass media play an important role in influencing the issues which receive public attention

Sound bite

a short, pithy comment that is likely to attract media attention, e.g., Ronald Reagan saying, "A recession is when your neighbor loses his job, a depression is when you lose your job, and recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his job."

elite theory

a small number of powerful elite (corporate leaders, top military officers, government leaders) form an upper class, which rules in its own self-interest (C. Wright Mills)

Photo opportunity

a staged campaign event that attracts favorable visual media coverage, e.g., a candidate reading to a group of school children.

privileges and immunities clause

a state cannot discriminate against someone from another state or give its own residents privileges

which of the following types of polls is least likely to be accurate

a straw polls that asks tv views to call their views in

filibuster

a tactic used only in the Senate for delaying or obstructing legislation by making long speeches or talking a bill to death

tariff

a tax on imported goods

527 group

a tax-exempt organization created to influence an election. They are not regulated by the FEC because they do not coordinate their activities with a candidate or party

527 group

a tax-exempt organization created to influence the political process; 527 groups are not regulated by the Federal Election Commission because they do not coordinate their activities with a candidate for party

random digit dialing

a technique used by pollsters to place telephone calls randomly to both listed and unlisted numbers when conducting a survey.

internal efficacy

ability to understand and take part in political affairs

# of electoral votes won in battleground states

about 90(really 95)

political tolerance

accepting and respecting people as they are

unfunded mandates

actions imposed by the federal or state government on lower levels of government which are not accompanied by the money needed to fund the action required.

Trustee

acts on conscience or represents the broad interests of the entire society

cross-cutting cleavages

age, social class, education level, race, gender, and party affiliation

15th amendment

all citizens have the right to vote no matter what race, 1870

political participation

all the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue. The most common, but not the only, means of it in a democracy is voting.

federal debt

all the money borrowed by the federal government over the years and still outstanding

iron triangle

alliance among an administrative agency, an interest group, and a congressional committee. Each member of the iron triangle provides key services, information, or policy for the others

franking privilege

allows members of congress to send mail postage free

motor-voter bill

allows people to register to vote while applying for or renewing their license.

early voting

allows people to vote before election day in person or by mail

implied powers

although not expressed, powers that may be reasonably inferred from the constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 - Necessary and Proper Clause

Unit rule

an abandoned rule of the Democratic Party national convention in which the candidate with the most delegates from a state won all of that state's convention votes.

iron triangle

an alliance among an administrative agency, an interest group, and a congressional committee. each member of the iron triangle provides key services, information, or policy for the others.

rider

an amendment that would add new and different subject matter to a bill. (can be irrelevant) to get something passed, amendment to a bill that has nothing to do with that bill, Unpopular provision added to an important bill certain to pass so that it will "ride" through the legislative process

Filibuster

an attempt to prevent the passage of a bill through the use of unlimited debate

mixed economy

an economy in which private enterprise exists in combination with a considerable amount of government regulation and promotion

direct primaries

an election in which voters shoose candidates to represent each party in a general election

critical election

an election signaling a significant change in popular allegiance from one party to another. Imp. ones: 1824- Jacksonian Democratic, 1860- Rise of the Republicans 1896-Economic changes(gold vs. silver) 1932-FDR & New Deal Coalition

winner take all system

an election system in which the candidate with the most votes wins

Iron triangle

an informal association of federal agency, congressional committee, and interest group that is said to have heavy influence over policy making.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

an interest group that raises funds and donates to election campaigns.

political issue

an issue that arises when people disagree about a problem and how to fix it

labor union

an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer

interest group

an organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy

senatorial courtesy

an unwritten tradition whereby the senate will not confirm nominations for lower court positions that are opposed by a senator of the president's own party from the state in which the nominee is to serve

incumbent

and officeholder who is seeking reelection. It's the single most important factor in determining the outcome of congressional elections.

Incorporation

applying the Bill of Rights to the states.

Patronage

appointing loyal party members to government positions.

public opinion

attitudes about institutions, leaders, political issues, and events. It can affect the way political parties address issues and run campaigns

Office column ballot

ballot in which candidates are arranged by office rather than party. Encourages split ticket voting.

Party column ballot

ballot in which candidates are arranged by party rather than office. Encourages straight ticket voting.

provisional ballots

ballots used when it isn't clear if a voter is registered or not. allows voter to cast a ballot, but it won't be counted unless they have actually registered

Double jeopardy

being prosecuted twice for the same offense. Banned by Amendment 5

which of the following american values emerged later than the other in the history of the country

belief in gov't responsibility for the welfare of the people

external efficacy

belief of the individual that gov't will respond to his/her personal needs or beliefs

limited government

belief that government is not all-powerful; government has only those powers given to it

democracy

belief that government should be based on consent of the governed

rugged individualism

belief that individuals are responsible for their own well being, and have to compete for success

franking privilege

benefit allowing members of Congress to mail letters and other materials postage-free, extended to phone calls (robo-calls) and emails

which of the following groups most consistently supports the democratic party

blacks

block grant

broad grant with few strings attached; given to states by the federal government for specified activities, such as homeland security, or community development

selective incorporation

case-by-case process by which liberties listen in the Bill of Rights have been applies to the states using the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment

grandfather clause

clause included in the state constitutions of several southern states after the Civil War placing high literacy and property requirements for voters whose ancestors did not vote before 1867. These clauses were designed to interfere with African-American citizens' right to vote. In 1915, the Supreme Court ruled them unconstitutional.

New Deal Coalition

coalition forged by the Democrats who dominated American politics from the 1930's to the 1960's. its basic elements were the urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics and Jews, the poor, Southerners, African Americans, and intellectuals.

political ideology

coherent set of values and beliefs about public policy

which of the following is the best description of the effect that college education has on political attitudes

college education often has a liberalizing effect on them

individualism

commitment to the importance and dignity of the individual, where people have both rights and responsibilities

mark up

committee action to amend a proposed bill, Rewrite of a bill after hearings have been held on it (happens in sub-committee)

government

composed of the formal and informal institutions, people, and processes used to create and conduct public policy

appropriations committee

congressional committee that deals with federal spending

oversight

congressional review of the activities of an executive agency, department, or office

the solid south is a reference to the tendency of southern voters to

consistently vote democratic on both state and national levels until the 1950s

Equal Rights Amendment

constitutional amendment passed by Congress but never ratified that would have banned discrimination on the basis of gender

Civil liberties

constitutional freedoms (speech, assembly, religion). guaranteed to all citizens.

Dealignment argument

contention that parties are less meaningful to voters, who have abandoned the parties in greater numbers to become independents.

soft money

contributions to political parties for party building activities. These contributions are used to circumvent limits on hard money

soft money

contributions to political parties for the party-building activities. Soft money contributions are used to circumvent limits on hard money

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

court case that established the concept of judicial review

writ of heabeas corpus

court order directing that a prisoner be brought before a court and that the court officers show cause why the prisoner should not be released

hyperpluralism

democracy is a system of many groups having so much strength that government is often "pulled" in numerous directions at the same time, causing gridlock and ineffectiveness

who has power in the house

democrats-52, republicans-45

Grand jury

determines whether or not to bring criminal charges against a suspect

lobbying

direct contact made by an interest group representative in order to persuade government officials to support the policies their interest group favors

executive order

directive, order, or regulation issued by the president

political opinion

distribution of individual attitudes about a particular issue, candidate, or political institution

free enterprise

economic competition w/o restraint from government

the second bill of rights most directly reflects Franklin Roosevelt's firm commitment to

economic security

citizens that believe that gov't listens and reacts to their political views when developing policy have a high level of external political

efficacy

Nonpartisan elections

elections in which candidates are not identified by party membership on the ballot.

open primaries

elections to select party nominees in which voters can decide on Election Day whether they want to participate in the Democratic or Republican contests.

single-member district

electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office. This typically leads to legislature dominated by two political parties

John Locke

enlightenment thinker responsible for "Two Treatises on Civil Government" and the theories of the social contract and natural rights

consensual political values

experiences less conflict

delegated powers

expressed, or enumerated powers, those specifically given to the national government (Articles I-V)

Petition of Right (1628)

extends the protection of the Magna Carta to include commoners; monarch's power is limited further

The Help Americans Vote Act, 2002 provided for

federal funds to states for updating equiptment

547s became an important part of elections campaigns in 2004 because they

financed massive get out the vote campaigns for both presidential candidates

PACs

funding vehicles created by a corporation, union, or some other interest group, registered with the FEC

which of the following is probably the best technique for a pollster to use to control the reluctance that most respondents have to admit a lack of knowledge on a topic

give idk or i haven't thought about it as alternative answer

traditional democratic theory

government depends on the consent of the governed, which may be given directly or through representatives; may include criteria for the measure of "how democratic"

Divided government

government in which one party controls the presidency while another party controls the Congress.

19th amendment

helped women's suffrage, all US citizens have the right to vote no matter what sex, 1920

general welfare

helping people out with money usually

party era

historical period dominated by one political party. Important ones: Federalist Era(1789-1800) Jacksonian(1828-56) Republican(1860-1928) New Coalition(1932-64)

House Ways and Means Committee

house committee that handles tax bills. The members of this committee cannot serve on other committees

open rule

house rules committee rule that allows amendments to a bill, A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that permits floor amendments within the overall time allocated to the bill.

judicial implementation

how and whether court decisions are translated into actual policy, thereby affecting the behavior of others; the courts rely on other units of government to enforce their decisions

social contract

idea created by John Locke; a voluntary agreement between the government and the governed

laissez faire

idea that government should play as small a role as possible in economic affairs

Help America Vote Act(HAVA)

improved state voting systems and voter access by helping states to create state-wide voter registration

inflation

increased prices for goods and services combined with the reduced value of money

pocket veto

indirect veto of legislation by refusing to sign it

which older american value was reinforced most directly by the new value of capitalism as it emerged in the late 19th century

individualism

linkage institutions

institutions such as parties, interest groups, and the media translate inputs from the public into outputs from policymakers.

pluralist theory

interest groups compete in the political arena, with each promoting its policy preferences through organized efforts; conflict among groups may result, requiring bargaining and compromise (Robert Dahl)

clear and present danger test

interpretation by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes regarding limits on free speech if it presents clear and present danger to the public or leads to illegal actions (you can't shout fire in a crowded theater)

Clear and present danger doctrine

judicial interpretation of Amendment 1 that govt. may not ban speech unless such speech poses an imminent threat to society

clear and present danger test

judicial interpretation of the 1st Amendment that government may not ban speech unless it poses an imminent threat to society

anarchy

lack of government

bureaucracy

large, complex organization of appointed officials

Ex post facto law

law applies to an act committed before the law was enacted

Federal Election Campaign Act

law passed in 1974 for reforming campaign finances. The act created the Federal Election Commission (FEC), provided public financing for presidential primaries and general elections, limited presidential campaign spending, required disclosure, and attempted to limit contributions.

Casework

lawmaking

Speaker of the House

leader of the majority party

civil liberties

legal and constitutional rights that protect individuals from arbitrary acts of government

civil liberties

legal and constitutional rights that protect individuals from arbitrary acts of government. They include freedom of speech, press, religion, and guarantees of a fair trial

bill of attainder

legislative act that provides for the punishment of a person without a court trial

political socialization

lifelong process though with someone acquires opinions through contact with family, friends, coworkers, and other group associations

jim crow laws

literacy tests, poll taxes, grandfather clause which prevented blacks from voting

when compared to other countries the US voter turnout is

lower overall

which of the following is not a reason commonly presented by political scientists to explain lower voter turnouts in the US rather than in other democracies

lower participation rates among americans for other types of political activities

appropriation

money that congress has set aside/allocated to be spent., money set aside for a specific purpose

liberty

most important to the american revolution, one of the natural rights cited by john Locke and later Thomas jefferson

which of the following is the best reason why voter registration processes are cumbersome in most states

most requirements were put in place in reaction to voting abuses of the early 20th century

civil rights movement

movement in the United States beginning in the 1960s and led primarily by Blacks in an effort to establish the civil rights of individual Black citizens

Money bills

must originate in the House

issue network

network that includes policy experts, media pundits, congressional staff members, and interest groups who regularly debate an issue

horse-race journalism

news coverage that focuses on who is ahead rather than on the issues. Campaigns are candidate focused on bio info, sound bites, gaffes, scandals and negative ads

filibuster

nonstop senate debate that prevents a bill from coming to a vote

Race - Two Pictures of America

o 1/ One of continuing inequality and segregation o 2/ The other that emphasizes the undeniable progress made since the 1960s

Table 8.5: Distributions of Should-Earn Ratios Across Countries *Ask people about what they think CEOs should make What did people soon realize after the bank collapse?

o Americans don't worry about this historically, but in recent years the contrary is evidence o Asked people what the typical ratio is between CEO and the worker (what the people thought was fair) • US isn't at the top which is surprising as you would think they were • They said their fair ratio would be about 10 (9.7) to 1 where they rank 5th • Japan people are more tolerant of a much larger gap than are Americans o After 2008 and the near collapse of banking system, people came to realize and heard that these bankers and financial instruments marketed, the system became so complex people didn't understand what it meant even among those within the company • Realized the CEOs are making tons of money a year • Solution in many countries was to cap their salaries in which there was some hesitation in the US • Issue had more traction in Western European democracies than in the US

Race in America * Black Women * OJ Simpson Case * Justice System

o Black females, even though the rate of births and single parents data is higher, are more educated today than black males and more likely to attend and graduate university with incomes increasing steadily surpassing black males of the same age - The political conversation on race is affected by mistrust, guilt, anger, and political correctness o Even with a black American as president, people are still cautious when talking about race - White and black perceptions of the fairness of the justice system, police practices, and the likelihood of racial discrimination in private behavior are sharply different (Figure 8.1) o In the OJ Simpson case, which was known as the case of the century, majority of white Americans believed in his guilt while majority of black Americans believed in his innocence • Having a white wife was an issue for some Americans and the murder was viewed as crossed racial lines o In the justice system, many blacks feel it is controlled by the whites who are out to get them o FIGURE 8.1 • Looks at the educational system with black children having the same chance as white children to get an education • The message is that views haven't changed over time • Convinced there is an equal chance at education • Racial mistrust and seeing the world in different ways

Who rules America? What do some of the critics say? * Upton Sinclair, John Steinbeck, Howard Zinn, Michael Moore

o It is oil (war in Iraq) drives policy and exercises a veto over so much reform and change is in big businesses • Oil is a metaphor for big businesses - Amiri Baraka ("Somebody Blew Up America") o Embedded in the poem is an argument about who rules America • Man, Whites, Jews, etc. • People got indignant about the claim that all the Jews got out of the World Trade Center - Notion that people are in control say that the balance is shifted to those of the powerful Critic Voices - Upton Sinclair, The Jungle o Stockyards, people who put labor conditions on them only care about money - John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath o Conditions of transient workers, break the back of the labor movement - Howard Zinn, A People's History of the United States o History of US is about suppression, subordination, exploitation and criminal behavior dressed up at public policy for centuries - Michael Moore, Stupid White Men

Figure 8.7 - Income Distribution, Gini Coefficient What is the gini coefficient? Raises two questions: 1/ Does America care? 2/ Does this have implications? What is the Buffet Rule?

o The higher the Gini coefficient the less equal society is o Income is more unequally distributed in the US than other American democracies, this has increased rather dramatically since the 1980s although it wasn't just the decade phenomena • Cannot said it was specifically the administration o Begs two questions: 1/ Does American Care? • Historically the answer is no as they have had tolerance for income inequality because so many Americans expect that they will eventually become rich • They admire wealth rather than envy it 2/ The inequality in wealth has grown larger; does this have implications - economically or politically? • Those at the top control the wealth • There is no doubt that there has been a deliberate effort to politicize the issue of inequality o Have to frame it in such a way and convince people that lots of people are hurting and maybe they will be next o They do not understand this on their own • Occupy movement was to show this inequality and that it actually matters in their lives • Buffet Rule: wealthy who don't draw salary, but rather from capital gains, ought to be taxed at the same rate as a high income salary earners • Party of the conversation on inequality • This conversation has been rather rare in recent years in the United States which isn't just about the wealth of politicians • Politicized issues of inequality changes with the times

who won what age groups?

obama: 18-64, romney: 65+

alexis de toqueville

observed american culture, seeing why democracy was important

unreasonable searches and seizures

obtaining evidence in a haphazard or random manner, a practice prohibited by the fourth amendment. Probable cause and/or a search warrant are required for a legal and proper search for a legal and proper search for and seizure of incriminating evidence.

liberal

open to accepting new views and beliefs and willing to discard traditional vaules

interest groups

organization of people who share political, social or other goals; and agree to try to influence public policy to achieve those goals. Do no elect people to office. Effect elections by expressing their members preferences to policy makers, convey gov't policy info to their members and raise and spend money to influence policymakers.

executive agreement

pact between the president and a head of a foreign state. executive agreements do not have to be approved by the Senate

mistrust of government

people don't trust gov't as much because of the Vietnam war and Watergate scandal during the 50s and 60s

eligible voters

people may not vote, but they could if they wanted. this also includes registered voters

civic duty

people should get involved in local affairs and help out when they can

registered voters

people that actually vote

lame-duck period

period of time in which the president's term is about to come to an end

standing committee

permanent subject-matter congressional committees that handle legislation and oversee the bureaucracy. they are divided into subcommittees

moderates

person who isn't conservative, but isn't liberal, they're somewhere inbetween

casework

personal work done by a member of congress for his constituents

Spin control

placing a certain slant on a story to deflect negative public attention against a candidate or office holder.

civil rights

policies designed to protect people against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by government officials or individuals

civil rights

policies designed to protect people against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by government officials or individuals. Includes laws prohibiting racial and gender discrimination

social welfare policies

policies that provide benefits to individuals, particularly those in need

affirmative action

policy requiring federal agencies, universities, and most employers to take positive steps to remedy the effects of past discrimination

solid south

politically united southern states who usually vote democratic

separation of powers

power is separated among three branches of government; each has its own powers and duties and is independent of and equal to the other two branches

line-item veto

power to veto specific dollar amounts or line items from major congressional spending bills

office of management and budget

prepares budget for president that he submits to congress.

checks on the judicial branch

pres. nominates judges, rewrite legislation, senate confirms, congress can impeach judges

checks on the legislative branch

president can veto bills, Supreme court can declare legislation unconstitutional

Veto

president's constitutional power to reject a bill passed by Congress. Congress may override the veto with a two-thirds vote in each chamber

executive privilege

president's power to refuse to disclose confidential information; Ex: Nixon

closed primary

primary in which voters are required to identify a party preference before the election and are not allowed to split their ticket

legislative veto

process in which congress overturned rules and regulations proposed by executive branch agencies. struck down in 1983., The authority of Congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place. The Supreme Court has held that Congress does not have this power

entitlement programs

programs that provide benefits to eligible citizens. An uncontrollable expenditure.

24th amendment

prohibits both congress and states from poll taxes/ conditions that pretain to voting, 1964

Due process clause

prohibits the national government (5th Amendment) and states (14th Amendment) from denying life, liberty, or property without due process of law

which of the following is traditionally a liberal point of view

promotion of a clear separation of church and state regarding policy

free exercise clause

provision of the 1st Amendment that guarantees each person the right to believe what he or she wants. However, a religion can't make an act legal that would otherwise be illegal

establishment clause

provision of the 1st Amendment that prohibits Congress from establishing an official government-sponsored religion.

cruel and unusual punishment

punishment prohibited by the 8th amendment to the U.S. constitution

2 factors that shape political socialization

race and gender

fiscal policy

raising and lowering taxes and government spending programs. Controlled by the executive and legislative branches.

reapportionment

reallocation of house seats to the states on the basis of changes in state populations-as determined by the census,

probable cause

reasonable cause for issuing a search warrant or making an arrest; more than mere suspicion

frontloading

recent pattern of states holding primaries early in order to maximize their media attention and political influence

Conference Committees

reconcile House and Senate versions of a bill

redistricting

redrawing of congressional district boundaries by the party in power of the state legislature, when a district is redrawn because of a gain or loss of seats in the House

equality

referred to in the declaration of independence by Thomas Jefferson

executive orders

regulations originating from the executive branch. They are one method presidents can use to control the bureaucracy.

grass roots

relating to people at a local level

McGovern-Fraser Commission

required the delegates of the democratic party to represent more minorities

ex post facto

retroactive criminal laws that make an act a crime after it was committed or that increase the sentence of a crime after it was committed

oligarchy

rule by few

autocracy

rule by one

democracy

rule by the people

closed rule

rules committee rule that bans amendments to a bill, A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that prohibits any amendments to bills or provides that only members of the committee reporting the bill may offer amendments

mandates

rules telling states what that must do to comply with guidelines.

De jure segregation

segregation by law

finance committee

senate committee that handles tax bills, a committee appointed to consider financial issues, tax bills

cloture

senate motion to end a filibuster that requires a 3/5 vote

policy agenda

set of issues and problems that policy makers consider important. The mass media play an important role in influencing the issues which receive public attention

political culture

set of widely shared beliefs, values, and norms concerning the ways that political and economic life ought to be carried out

house rules committee

sets guidelines for floor debate. It gives each bill a rule that places the bill on the legislative calendar, limits time for debate, and determines the type of amendments that will be allowed. It is controlled by Speaker of the House (John Boehner)

which of the following factors is most difficult to correlate clearly to political opinion

social class

the process in which an individual develops political opinions through family, friends, and other groups is known as political

socialization

26th amendment

standardized voting age was moved from 21 to 18, 1971

George gallup

started public polling

which of the following is an example of gerrymandering

state legislature drawn voting districts that favor one party over another

Total Incorporation

states must obey all provisions of the Bill of Rights because of the due process clause of the 14th Amendment

conservatives

sticking with traditional beliefs, don't really want to change

strict scrutiny

supreme court rule that classification by race and ethnic background is inherently suspect and must be justified by a "compelling public interest"

unitary government

system of government in which all authority is placed in a central government.

logrolling

tactic of mutual aid and vote trading among legislators

conference committees

temporary committees formed to reconcile differences in House and Senate versions of a bill

President Pro Tempore

temporary presiding officer of the Senate in the absence of the vice president

Factions

term used by Madison to denote what we now call interest groups.

establishment clause

the First Amendment guarantee that the government will not create and support an official state church

rule of four

the Supreme Court will hear a case if four justices agree to do so.

deregulation

the act of freeing from regulation (especially from governmental regulations)

Litigation:

the act or process of carrying out a lawsuit.

party competition

the battle of the parties for control of public offices. Ups and downs of the two major parties are one of the most important elements in American politics.

electoral college

the body of electors who formally elect the United States president and vice-president

political ideology

the coherent set of values and beliefs about the purpose and scope of government held by groups and individuals

Revolving door

the cycle in which a person alternately works for the public sector and private sector, thus blurring the individual's sense of loyalty.

public opinion

the distribution of the population's beliefs about politics and policy issues

public policy

the exercise of government power in doing those things necessary to maintain legitimate authority and control over society

Magna Carta (1215)

the first attempt to limit the power of the British monarch

party dealignment

the gradual disengagement of people and politicians from the parties, as seen in part by shrinking party identification.

governor

the head of a state government

bureaucratic theory

the hierarchical structure and standardized procedures of modern government allow bureaucrats, who carry out the day-to-day workings of the government, to hold the real power over public policy (Max Weber)

consent of the governed

the idea that government derives its authority by the sanction of the people

policy agenda

the issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people actually involved in politics at any given point in time

Parliament

the lawmaking body of Britain

incorporation doctrine

the legal concept under which the Supreme Court has nationalized the Bill of Rights by making most of its provisions applicable to the states through the fourteenth amendment

opinion

the legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision

sampling error

the level of confidence in the findings of a public opinion poll. The more people interviewed, the more confident one can be of the results.

national convention

the meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party's platform.

quorum

the minimum number of members needed for the house or senate to meet

which of the following is true about the political participation of young people in the 2008 election

the national % of young people voting increased by a small %

nomination

the official endorsement of a candidate for office by a political party. Generally, success in the nomination game requires momentum, money, and media attention.

elastic clause

the part of the Constitution that permits Congress to make any laws "necessary and proper" to carrying out its powers

popular sovereignty

the people are the source of government's power

constituents

the people who are represented by elected officials, The people a member of congress represents

judicial review

the people who serve as judges and the times in which they serve affect how courts interpret laws; first established in "Marbury v. Madison"

unemployment rate

the percentage of the work force that is unemployed at any given date

standing committee

the permanent congressional committees that handle legislation, a permanent committee in the house or senate that considers bills within a certain subject area

selective perception

the phenomenon that people often pay the most attention to things they already agree with and interpret them according to their own predispositions

veto

the power or right to prohibit or reject a proposed or intended act (especially the power of a chief executive to reject a bill passed by the legislature)

expressed powers

the powers specifically granted to the national government in the Constitution. aka enumerated powers. gives Congress the power to coin money, impose taxes, regulate interstate commerce, provide for common defense, borrow money, declare ware

Selective perception

the practice of perceiving media messages the way one wants to.

Selective exposure

the practice of selectively choosing media sources which are in harmony with one's own beliefs.

executive privilege

the president's power to refuse to disclose information that he believes will hurt the country. Limited in United States v. Nixon. ruling was that there was no constitutional guarantee of unqualified executive privilege

Free rider problem

the problem faced by interest groups when citizens can reap the benefits of interest group action without actually joining, participating in, or contributing money to such groups.

free-rider problem

the problem faced by interest groups when citizens can reap the benefits of interest group action without actually joining, participating in, or contributing money to such groups.

political socialization

the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions

political socialization

the process by which political values are formed and passes from one generation to the next. The family is most important of p.s.

reapportionment

the process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years on the basis of the results of the census.

double jeopardy

the prosecution of a defendant for a criminal offense for which he has already been tried

frontloading

the recent tendency of states to hold primaries early in the calendar in order to capitalize on media attention

gerrymandering

the redrawing of congressional district lines to favor one party at the expense of another

standing to sue

the requirement that plaintiffs have a serious interest in a case, which depends on whether they have sustained or are likely to sustain a direct and substantial injury from a party or an action of government

Eminent domain

the right of government to take private property for the public good. Fair compensation must be paid to the owner of such property.

equal opportunity

the right to equivalent opportunities for employment regardless of race or color or sex or national origin

centralists

the same as moderates

self-incrimination

the situation occurring when an individual accused of a crime is compelled to be a witness against himself or herself in court. The Fifth Amendment forbids it.

extradition

the surrender of an accused or convicted person by one state or country to another (usually under the provisions of a statute or treaty)

government

the system or form by which a community or other political unit is governed

power elite theory

the theory that a small number of very wealthy individuals, powerful corporate interest groups, and large financial institutions dominate key policy areas. (1%)

pluralist theory

the theory that many interest groups compete for power in a large number of policy areas

rules committee

the traffic cop of the house- sets the legislative calendar and issues rules for a debate on a bill, A standing committee of the House of Representatives that provides special rules under which specific bills can be debated, amended, and considered by the house., in the house of representatives, the committee that decides which bills come up for a vote, in what order, and under what restrictions on length of debate and on the right to offer amendments. the senate rules and administration committee, by contrast, possesses few powers.

devolution

the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states

plurality election

the winning candidate is the person who receives more votes than anyone else, but less than half the total.

hyper-pluralist theory

theory that government policy is weakened and often contradictory because there are so many competing interest groups. (afraid of offending anyone interest group)

Pluralism

theory that policy making is the result of interest group competition.

Elite theory

theory that upper class elites exercise great influence over public policy.

which of the following is true about americans who regularly attend religious services

they are more likely to vote than those who do not attend regularly

natural rights

thought of by John Locke; life, liberty, and property

GDP

total dollar value of all final goods and services produced in a country during a single year

senority system

tradition in which the senator from the majority party with the most years service on a committee becomes the chairman of the committee, the person from the majority party who has been on the committee the longest, The process uby which the majority party member who has served the longeston a committee is made a chairperson of that committee, how committee assignments are made; according to who has served the longest; the chairperson is usually the member with most seniority; 1995 House voted to limit chairpersons to 3 consecutive terms

in the US the terms liberal and conservative have

traditionally applied more to political activists than to the average american voter

constitutional monarchy

type of autocracy; ruler gains power through inheritance; formal restrictions limit power, often restricting the monarch to ceremonial status

absolute monarchy

type of autocracy; ruler gains power through inheritance; there are no restrictions to the ruler's power

dictatorship

type of autocracy; ruler seizes power, keeps power by force and restricts opposition to regime; no restrictions on ruler's power

representative democracy

type of democracy; citizens choose officials (representatives) who make decisions about public policy; the system in place in most "democratic" nations

direct democracy

type of democracy; citizens meet and make decisions about public policy issues

aristocracy

type of oligarchy; rule by the elite, usually determined by social status or wealth

seniority

unwritten rule in both houses under which committee chairs are awarded to members who have the longest continuous service on the committee

political participation

various activities that citizens do to help influence policy making and the selection of leaders

President of the Senate

vice president of the United States

public opinion

views of most people

universal manhood suffrage

voting rights for all white males

Miranda warnings

warning that police must read to suspects prior to questioning that advises them to their rights

miranda warnings

warnings that must be read to suspects prior to questioning. Suspects must be advised that they have the rights of silence and counsel.

capitalism

wealth based on money and other capital goods

delegate role of representation

when members of congress cast votes based on the wishes of their constituents.

logrolling

when two members of congress agree to vote for each other's bill

conflictual political culture

where groups or subcultures clash with opposing beliefs and values

conference committee

works out a compromise between differing house-senate versions of a bill, a temporary joint committee set up when the House and the Senate have passed different versions of the same bill

second bill of rights

written by Roosevelt, reflected his commitment to economic security and independence