Block 2: Formal Actors (Key Terms)

Question 1

subjective vs. objective
(control of the military)?

Answer 1

Subjective - Military is intertwined in civilian affairs and civilan groups attempt to dominate it by aligning it with civilian group interest

Objective - The military is given strict autonomy in its professional sphere while remaining nonpartisan and subordinate to cvilian leadership (Civilans set policy -> Military provide options and execute)

Question 1

political vs. partisan?

Answer 1

Political - The military is inherently political in its role of providing strategic and ensuring national security.

Partisan - The military should avoid aliging with party ideals or fixations to maintain professionalism and uphold objective civilian control.

Question 2

expertise (civ control?)

Answer 2

Management of violence, knowledge, and strategic decision-making

Question 3

corporateness (civ control?)

Answer 3

Military sense of identy and instituionality differentiates it from society:
(1) Self-police
(2) Rank Structure
(3) Shared Unity

Question 3

responsibility (civ control?)

Answer 3

The military has a ‘special social responsibility’ to execute lawful orders and advise policymakers.

Question 4

bicameral legislature?

Answer 4

A two-chamber leg comprising of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Question 5

impeachment?

Answer 5

The House can charge federal officials with misconduct. From there, the Senate decides if they shall be removed.

Question 6

filibuster?

Answer 6

A Senate procedure that allows a minority of senators to delay or block legislation by extending debate indefinitely.

Question 7

cloture?

Answer 7

The procudure to end a filibuster and force a vote in the Senate (requires a supermajority) - 60 votes in Senate

Question 8

veto?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

elastic clause?

Answer 9

Article I, Section 8: Congress has the power to make all laws ‘necessary and proper’ for exeucting its enumerated powers

Question 10

commerce clause?

Answer 10

Article I, Section 8: Congress has the power to regulate interstate and international commerce.

Question 11

incumbency advantage?

Answer 11

The idea that current officeholders have in elections, making it easuer for them to be re-elected.

Question 12

pork-barrel spending?

Answer 12

Government spending directed toward a specific local project to benefit a legislator’s district, often to gain political support.

Question 12

gerrymandering?

Answer 12

The practice of drawing congressional district boundaries to favor one politicla party over another.

Question 13

advertising?

Answer 13

Efforts by politicians to increase their name recognition and positive public perception without focusing on policy positions.

Question 14

credit claiming?

Answer 14

When legislators take responsibility for policies or government actions that benefit their consitituents, even if they only played a minor role.

Question 15

position taking?

Answer 15

Publicly stating a stance on a issue to appeal to voters, often through speeches, press releases , or votes on symbolic legislation.

Question 16

standing commitee?

Answer 16

A committe that handles legislation and oversight in a specific policy area

Question 17

mark up?

Answer 17

The process by which congressional comitees review, amend, and finalize a bill before it moves to the full chamber

Question 18

conference commitee?

Answer 18

A temporary, bipartisan comitte made up of members from both the House and Senate that reconciles differences between different versions of a bill

(After subcomitees and commitees this happens).

Question 19

oversight?

Answer 19

The authority of Congress to monitor and investigate the executive branch and federal agencies to ensure laws are properly implemented.

Question 20

unitary executive theory?

Answer 20

The idea that the presidents has broad, unilateral contorl over the executive branch, with minmal interference from Congress.

Question 21

executive agreement?

Answer 21

An agreement between the president and another foreign leader that does not require Senate approval (diff from a treaty)

Question 22

executive order?

Answer 22

A directive issued by the president that has the force of law but does not require congressional approval.

Question 23

limited presidency theory?

Answer 23

The belief that the president's power is strictly limited to what is explicity granted by the Constitution.

Question 24

executive privilege?

Answer 24

THe president's power to withhold certain communications from Congress, usualy for national security reasons.

Question 25

stewardship theory?

Answer 25

The idea that the president can take any action not explicitly prohibited by the Consitution, allowing for expanse of power.

Question 26

Executive Office of the President?

Answer 26

A group of agencies and avisors that help the president manage the executive branch and implement policies.

Question 27

cabinet?

Answer 27

A group of president-selected advisors, who assist in policy decisions. (Sec Def, Sec State, etc.)

Question 28

bully pulpit?

Answer 28

The president's ability to use their platform to influence public opinion and push their agenda.

Question 29

permanent campaign?

Answer 29

The concept that modern presidents are constantly campaigning for public support, even while in office.

Question 30

Formal vs. Informal Powers

Answer 30

Formal - Explicitly granted in the Constitution (i.e veto, commander in chief) Informal - Powers not explicilty stated but devloped over time (i.e executive orders, nataional security directives, power of persuasion)

Question 31

Unilateral Action

Answer 31

When the president takes independent action without Congressional approval or the courts

Question 32

Rhetorical Presidency?

Answer 32

The shifts of presidents using direct apeals to gain public support instead of through Congressional backing.

Question 33

Marbury v Madison?

Answer 33

Allowed the courts to strike down unconstitutional laws (judical review)

Question 34

Original Jurisdiction?

Answer 34

The authority of a court to hear a case first, before any other court. The Supreme Court has original jurisdction in cases involving disputes between states or foreign diplomats

Question 35

Appellate Jurisdiction?

Answer 35

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

Question 36

District Courts?

Answer 36

The lowest level of the federal court system where trails are held and cases are first heard

Question 37

Courts of Appeals?

Answer 37

Intermediate federal court that reviews decisions made by district courts. Does not hold trails but determine whether legal errors were made

Question 38

Writ of Certiorari?

Answer 38

A formal request for the Supreme Court to hear a case. The court grants certiorari when at least **4** justices agree ot hear it.

Question 39

Majority Opinion?

Answer 39

The official ruling of the Supreme Court, written by a justice in majority, explaining legeal reasoning behind the decision.

Question 40

Concurring Opinon?

Answer 40

A seperate opinion written by a jsutice who agrees with majority opinon but for different reasons

Question 41

Dissenting Opinion

Answer 41

An opinon written by a justice who disagrees with the majority decision

Question 42

Sources of Law that Constrain the Federal Judiciary

Answer 42

1. U.S Constitution 2. Statutory Law 3. Regulatory Law 4. Case Law (Precedents from judicial decisions)

Question 43

Precedent?

Answer 43

A legal principle established in previous cases that courts follow in fture cases.

Question 44

Judicial Restraint?

Answer 44

The belief that courts should derfer to the decisions of the legislative and executive branches and avoid overturning laws unless absolutely necessary.

Question 45

Judicial Activism?

Answer 45

The belief that courts should play an active role in shaping policy by striking down unjust laws and expanding rights

Question 46

Statutory Law?

Answer 46

Laws made during legislative sessions

Question 47

Regulatory Laws?

Answer 47

Laws made by Govt. agencies