Key Terms

Question 1

Anti-Federalists

Answer 1

One of the first political factions, they urged the rejection of the Constitution and objected to a federal government that was too centralized. They became the Democratic-Republican party, led by Thomas Jefferson.

Question 2

Articles of Confederation

Answer 2

the first adopted written constitution of the newly independent United States. Because of its weaknesses, the period of time it was in force (1781-1789) became known as the critical period.

Question 3

block grant

Answer 3

A form of fiscal federalism where federal aid is given to the states with few strings attached.

Question 4

Bureaucracy

Answer 4

Large administrative agencies reflecting a hierarchical authority, job specialization, and rules and regulations that drive them.

Question 5

categorical Grant

Answer 5

Federal funds provided for specific, narrowly defined purposes, with accompanying rules and guidelines that constrain how recipient governments can use the funds.

Question 6

checks and balances

Answer 6

principle of government in which separate branches are empowered to prevent actions by other branches and are induced to share power. In the US there are the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Question 7

Commerce Clause

Answer 7

it grants congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the states, and with Indian tribes.

Question 8

concurrent powers

Answer 8

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments, allowing them to legislate and enforce laws in areas like taxation, law enforcement, building roads, and others.

Question 9

Constitutional Convention

Answer 9

A 1787 meeting in Philadelphia where delegates drafted the United States Constitution, replacing the Articles of Confederation to create a stronger federal government.​

Question 10

Elastic Clause

Answer 10

Also known as the Necessary and Proper Clause, it grants Congress the authority to pass all laws deemed necessary and proper for executing its enumerated powers.​

Question 11

Electoral College

Answer 11

The body established by the Constitution for the indirect election of the president and vice president, wherein electors from each state, equal to its number of senators and representatives, cast votes based on the popular vote in their state.​

Question 12

Elite Democracy

Answer 12

A model of democracy in which a small group of wealthy or influential individuals holds significant power in decision-making, often limiting broader public participation.​

Question 13

Enumerated Powers

Answer 13

Specific powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution, including taxation, coinage of money, regulation of commerce, and the authority to declare war.

Question 14

Faction

Answer 14

A group of individuals, such as a political party or interest group, that shares a common interest or agenda, potentially working against the broader public interest.​

Question 15

Federalism

Answer 15

A system of government in which power is divided between a central (national) authority and constituent (state) units, allowing both levels to exercise certain powers independently.

Question 16

Federalists

Answer 16

Supporters of the proposed U.S. Constitution during the ratification debates of 1787–1788, advocating for a strong national government to replace the weaker Articles of Confederation

Question 17

Great Compromise

Answer 17

Also known as the Connecticut Compromise, it was an agreement during the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature, with proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation for all states in the Senate.​

Question 18

Impeachment

Answer 18

The constitutional process by which the House of Representatives brings charges against a civil officer of the United States, including the president, for misconduct alleged to have been committed.

Question 19

Implied Powers

Answer 19

those powers in the Constitution that are not listed or delegated. An example of an implied power is the “elastic clause” giving Congress the right to make laws that are “necessary and proper”

Question 20

Importation of Slaves Compromise

Answer 20

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention that prohibited Congress from banning the transatlantic slave trade before 1808, appeasing Southern states.​

Question 21

Limited Government

Answer 21

A principle asserting that governmental power is restricted by law, usually through a constitution, to protect individual liberties and prevent tyranny.

Question 22

Mandates

Answer 22

Directives issued by the federal government that require state or local governments to comply with certain rules or regulations, sometimes without accompanying funding.​

Question 23

Natural Rights

Answer 23

Fundamental rights inherent to all individuals, such as life, liberty, and property, which governments are created to protect.​

Question 24

Necessary and Proper Clause

Answer 24

Another term for the Elastic Clause; it empowers Congress to make all laws necessary and proper for executing its enumerated powers

Question 25

Participatory Democracy

Answer 25

A model of democracy that emphasizes direct involvement of citizens in political decisions and policies affecting their lives, rather than through elected representatives.​

Question 26

Pluralist Democracy

Answer 26

is a model of democracy in which no one group dominates politics and organized groups compete with each other to influence policy.

Question 27

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 27

The doctrine that the government's authority is derived from the consent of the governed, meaning power resides with the people.​

Question 28

Ratification

Answer 28

The formal approval process of a constitution, constitutional amendment, or treaty, making it officially valid.​

Question 29

Representative Democracy

Answer 29

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on their behalf.​

Question 30

Separation of Powers

Answer 30

A governance model that divides the responsibilities and powers of government among distinct branches—typically legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent the concentration of authority and provide checks and balances.

Question 31

Shay's Rebellion

Answer 31

An armed uprising in western Massachusetts from August 1786 to February 1787, led by Daniel Shays and other local leaders, protesting high taxes and stringent economic conditions that threatened farmers with the loss of their lands

Question 32

supremacy clause

Answer 32

A provision in Article VI, Paragraph 2 of the U.S. Constitution stating that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land, taking precedence over any conflicting state laws.

Question 33

10th Amendment

Answer 33

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that emphasizes the federal system of government by stating that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Question 34

3/5 compromise

Answer 34

An agreement reached during the 1787 Constitutional Convention stipulating that three-fifths of the enslaved population would be counted for determining both direct taxation and representation in the House of Representatives.

Question 35

Bicameral

Answer 35

a two-house legislature

Question 36

Bully pulpit

Answer 36

the ability to use the office of the presidency to promote a particular prgram and / or to influence congress to accept legislative proposals

Question 37

Cloture

Answer 37

the process by which 60 senators can vote to cut short debate or a filibuster

Question 38

Committee of the whole

Answer 38

the whole membership of a legislative house sitting as a committee and operating under informal rules

Question 39

Compliance monitoring

Answer 39

Compliance monitoring is one of the key components EPA uses to ensure that the regulated community obeys environmental laws and regulations. It encompasses all regulatory agency activities performed to determine whether a facility (or group of facilities, such as plants related geographically, by sector, or corporate structure) is in compliance with applicable law.

Question 40

Congressional oversight

Answer 40

power used by congress to gather information useful for the creation of legislation, reviewing the operations and budgets of executive departments and independent regulatory agencies, conducting investigations through committee hearings, and bringing to the public’s attention the need for public policy

Question 41

Delegate powers

Answer 41

defined in the constitution as those powers that rare listed in the constitution as belonging to the federal government

Question 42

Delegate model of representation

Answer 42

Also known as the representational view. Voters elect their representatives as their own delegates representing them for the primary purpose of acting exclusively as their voice in Congress.

Question 43

Discharge petition

Answer 43

If a majority of representatives want to bypass regular legislative procedure, they must sign a petition to get the bill placed on the floor for debate and a vote. This action bypasses the Rules Committee but very rarely succeeds because the majority party usually applies pressure on its members not to sign the petition.

Question 44

Discretionary spending

Answer 44

Those appropriation items in the budget that are not mandatory. In the federal budget, discretionary spending consists of measures in the 13 appropriation bills that must be passed by Congress by October 1 in categories such as transportation, agriculture, and education.

Question 45

Divided government

Answer 45

characterized by different political parties having control of different branches of the government.

Question 46

Entitlement

Answer 46

those benefits guaranteed by law paid to individuals by the federal government, such as nutrition-assistance programs and Medicaid.

Question 47

Enumerated power

Answer 47

delegated powers of congress, including the power to collect taxes, pay debts, provide for the common defense and general welfare, regulate commerce among the states, coin money, and declare war.

Question 48

Executive order

Answer 48

order signed by the president that has the effect of law, even though it is not passed by congress. An example of an execution order includes president Clinton’s order legalizing the abortion pill, RU 486

Question 49

Filibuster

Answer 49

tactic used in the senate whereby a vote on legislation can be delayed through debate. The longest continuous filibuster was made by Strom Thurdmond and lasted 24 hours.

Question 50

Formal Power

Answer 50

Powers expressly granted to the president under Article II of the Constitution. Examples include making treaties, commanding the military, appointing Supreme Court justices, and vetoing legislation.

Question 51

Gerrymandering

Answer 51

state legislatures, based on political affiliation, create congressional districts, many of which are oddly shaped and favor the political party in power in the state making the changes

Question 52

Gridlock

Answer 52

describes people’s perception that congress and the president are in a state of disagreement that results in little legislation passing

Question 53

Hold

Answer 53

A senator who wants to slow down a nomination process can tell the majority leader that he or she is placing a hold on that nominee until certain questions are answered.

Question 54

Implied power

Answer 54

Those powers in the constitution that are not listed or delegated. An example of an implied power is the “elastic clause”, giving Congress the right to make laws that are “necessary and proper”.

Question 55

Informal power

Answer 55

Powers claimed by presidents as necessary in order to execute the law. Examples include issuing executive orders and negotiating executive agreements.

Question 56

Judicial Activism

Answer 56

a philosophy of judicial review that results in decisions that overturn precedent.

Question 57

Judicial Restraint

Answer 57

a court that maintains the status quo or mirrors what the other branches of government have established as current policy.

Question 58

Lame duck

Answer 58

an officeholder who is leaving office, but is still present until the successor is sworn in: perceived to have little power or influence.

Question 59

Logrolling

Answer 59

a tactic used in congress that is best illustrated by one legislator saying to another, “I'll vote for your legislation if you vote for mine.”

Question 60

Mark-up

Answer 60

The process in which legislation is reviewed and amended in congressional committees.

Question 61

Mandatory Spending

Answer 61

those appropriation items in a budget that must be allocated. In the federal budget, the majority of spending items are mandatory and include social security, medicare, medicaid, payment on the national debt, and certain components of defense spending.

Question 62

Necessary and Proper clause

Answer 62

In article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, also known as the “elastic clause” it authorizes Congress to make all laws necessary and proper.

Question 63

Partisan voting

Answer 63

electoral pattern in which people vote based on party considerations.

Question 64

Pocket Veto

Answer 64

rejection of legislation that occurs if the president does not sign a bill within 10 days and the congress also adjourns within the same time period.

Question 64

One Person One Vote

Answer 64

One-person, one-vote is a legal rule that one person’s voting power ought to be roughly equivalent to another person’s within the same state.

Question 65

Policy agenda

Answer 65

agenda that results from the interaction of linkage institutions. Linkage institutions are groups that connect citizens to the government and facilitate turning popular concerns into issues on the government’s policy agenda. Examples include: elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

Question 66

Polarization

Answer 66

political divisions that are characterized by extreme philosophical and party differences.

Question 67

Politico

Answer 67

A member of Congress who acts as a delegate on issues that their constituents care about, and as a trustee on issues that their constituents don’t care about.

Question 68

Pork-barrel legislation

Answer 68

The use of federal funding to finance localized projects, typically bringing money into a representative’s district in order to please constituents and boost the representative’s chances of winning reelection.

Question 69

Precedent

Answer 69

legal concept, also known as stare decisis, by which earlier court decisions serve as models in justifying decisions in subsequent cases.

Question 70

Redistricting

Answer 70

also known as reapportionment, the process that takes place every ten years as a result of the federal census mandating state legislatures to redraw their congressional districts based on population gains and losses.

Question 71

Rider Amendment

Answer 71

amendments to bills, often in the form of appropriations, that sometimes have nothing to do with the intent of the bill itself and many times are considered pork-barrel legislation.

Question 72

Rules committee

Answer 72

The committee responsible for scheduling and managing the flow of legislation on the floor of the House of Representatives in order to make the process more efficient and manageable. The committee can also make it easier or more difficult for a bill to pass depending on the rules they create.

Question 73

Signing statement

Answer 73

Made by a president at the times he or she signs a bill into law, and which enables the president to give explanatory views and interpretations of the intent of the law.

Question 74

Stare decisis

Answer 74

Latin for judicial precedent, this concept originated in England in the twelfth century when judges settled disputes based on custom and tradition.

Question 75

Trustee

Answer 75

also known as the attitudinal view. Voters elect their representatives as their own trustees giving them autonomy to act for the good of the constituents, enabling the Congressman or woman to act out of conscience even if the majority of voters might disagree.

Question 76

Unanimous consent

Answer 76

this requires the agreement of the entire senate to move forward.

Question 77

Veto

Answer 77

power of the president to prevent enactment of legislation passed by congress. A two-thirds majority vote of each house is required to override a presidential veto.

Question 78

Whips

Answer 78

Also known as assistant floor leaders, they check with party members and inform the majority leader of the status and feelings of the membership regarding issues that are going to be voted on. Whips are responsible for keeping party members in line and having an accurate count of who will be voting for or against a particular bill.

Question 79

White house staff

Answer 79

Managed by the White House chief of staff, who directly advises the president on a daily basis, it includes the more than 600 people who work at the White House, from the chef to the advance people who make travel arrangements. Their staff departments include the political offices of the Office of Communications, Legislative Affairs, Political Affairs, and intergovernmental Affairs. The staff includes the support services of scheduling, personnel, and secret service and policy offices of the National Security Affairs, Domestic policy affairs, and cabinet secretaries.

Question 80

Bargaining and persuasion

Answer 80

Setting priorities for Congress and attempting to get majorities to put through the president’s legislative agenda (informal presidential power)

Question 81

Issuing executive orders

Answer 81

Regulations to run the government and direct the bureaucracy. (informal presidential power)

Question 82

Issuing signing statements

Answer 82

Giving the president's intended interpretation of bills passed by Congress (informal presidential power)

Question 83

Negotiating executive agreements

Answer 83

Agreements with heads of foreign governments that are not ratified by the Senate (informal presidential power)

Question 84

Executive Formal Powers

Answer 84

1. Take care that the laws be faithfully executed. 2. Nominate officials (with Senate confirmation) 3. Request written opinions from administrative officials 4. Fill administrative vacancies during congressional recesses

Question 85

Foreign Policy Formal Powers

Answer 85

1. Act as Commander in Chief of the armed forces 2. Make treaties (with Senate ratification) 3. Nominate ambassadors (with Senate confirmation) 4. Receive ambassadors 5. Confer diplomatic recognition on other governments

Question 86

Judicial Formal Powers

Answer 86

1. grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses (except impeachment) 2. Nominate federal judges (with senate confirmation)

Question 87

Legislative formal powers

Answer 87

1. recommend legislation to congress 2. present information on the State of the Union to Congress 3. Convene Congress on extraordinary occasions 4. Adjourns Congress if House and Senate cannot agree 5. Veto Legislation (congress may overrule with supermajority)

Question 88

Delegate

Answer 88

A member of Congress who always follows their constituents’ voting preferences.

Question 89

Trustee

Answer 89

A member of Congress who takes into account the views of their constituents and use their own judgment to decide how to vote.

Question 90

Powers of the Legislative Branch

Answer 90

Pass Laws, Declare War, Impeach president and judges, approve presidential appointments, ratify treaties, levy taxes, Establish number supreme court justices, regulate supreme court's jurisdiction

Question 91

Powers of the Executive Branch

Answer 91

Veto Legislation, command armed forces, grant pardons, appoint: (judges, ambassadors department heads), conduct foreign affairs and negotiate treaties

Question 92

Judicial Branch Powers

Answer 92

Declare laws unconstitutional, hear cases on federal law, preside over impeachment trials, declare presidential acts unconstitutional

Question 93

Checks on the President

Answer 93

The legislative branch can impeach the president, the judicial branch can declare a presidential act unconstitutional

Question 94

Check on the Legislative Branch

Answer 94

Executive branch can veto legislation, The judicial branch can declare laws unconstitutional

Question 95

Checks on the Judicial Branch

Answer 95

The executive branch nominates the judges, the legislative branch can impeach the judges

Question 96

civil service

Answer 96

The permanent, professional branches of government administration. The civil service is nonpartisan and its employees are hired and promoted based on merit rather than patronage.

Question 97

iron triangle

Answer 97

A longstanding, mutually-beneficial relationship between an interest group, congressional committee, and bureaucratic agency devoted to similar issues. For example, the American Association of Retired Persons, the Congressional Subcommittee on Aging, and the Social Security Administration all work closely on issues related to seniors.

Question 98

State of the Union

Answer 98

An annual presidential report required by the Constitution, conventionally delivered as a speech to Congress since 1913 and televised since 1947. The president can use the State of the Union to set their policy agenda and recommend policies to members of Congress.

Question 99

Incorporation of the Fourteenth Amendment

Answer 99

doctrine that made the Bill of Rights apply to the states as a result of Supreme Court decisions. Even though the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified in 1868, incorporation started to take place in the 1920s. t reached a peak during the Warren Court in the late 1950s and 1960s

Question 100

Affirmative action

Answer 100

Programs for minorities supported by the government as a means of providing equality under the law.

Question 101

Agenda Setting

Answer 101

Political parties setting policy goals.

Question 102

Amendment Process

Answer 102

Manner in which the Constitution can be changed, usually by ⅔ vote of each House of Congress and ¾ of state legislatures.

Question 102

Apportionment

Answer 102

the determination of legislative district boundaries as a result of population changes measured every 10 years by the census.

Question 103

Bipartisan Campaign Act of 2002

Answer 103

also known as the Mccain-Feingold Act, it banned soft money donations by individuals to presidential candidates and set aggregate limits for individuals contributing to individual candidates.

Question 104

Cabinet

Answer 104

part of the “unwritten Constitution”, it was first established by George Washington and includes federal departments such ah state, defense, and so on.