Unit 8 flash cards - Alex Nunez

Question 1

Presidential Ticket

Answer 1

in the U.S., the candidates for President and Vice President run on the same “ticket”, because they are elected together on a single ballot question rather than separately. A ticket can also refer to a political party.

Question 2

Treaty

Answer 2

A formally concluded and ratified agreement between countries.

Question 3

Executive Agreement

Answer 3

an international agreement, usu. regarding routine administrative matters not warranting a formal treaty, made by the executive branch of the US government without ratification by the Senate.

Question 4

Veto

Answer 4

constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body

Question 5

Pocket Veto

Answer 5

an indirect veto of a legislative bill by the president or a governor by retaining the bill unsigned until it is too late for it to be dealt with during the legislative session.

Question 6

Take care clause

Answer 6

the constitutional basis for inherent powers, which states that the president “shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed”

Question 7

Inherent Powers

Answer 7

Powers held by a sovereign state.

Question 8

State of the Union Address

Answer 8

yearly address delivered in January by the president of the US to Congress, giving the administration’s view of the state of the nation and plans for legislation.

Question 9

Impeachment

Answer 9

formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity, the outcome of which, depending on the country, may include the removal of that official from office as well as criminal or civil punishment.

Question 10

Executive Privilege

Answer 10

the privilege, claimed by the president for the executive branch of the US government, of withholding information in the public interest.

Question 11

Executive Orders

Answer 11

a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law.

Question 12

Impoundment

Answer 12

Impoundment is an act by a President of the United States of not spending money that has been appropriated by the U.S. Congress. Thomas Jefferson was the first president to exercise the power of impoundment in 1801.

Question 13

Line item Veto

Answer 13

the power of a president, governor, or other elected executive to reject individual provisions of a bill

Question 14

Cheif of Staff

Answer 14

the titular head of a nation as distinct from the head of the government

Question 15

Cabinet

Answer 15

a body of advisers to the president, composed of the heads of the executive departments of the government

Question 16

Bureaucracy

Answer 16

a system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives

Question 17

Independent Agency

Answer 17

Independent agencies of the United States federal government are those agencies that exist outside of the federal executive departments (those headed by a Cabinet secretary).

Question 18

Government Corporation

Answer 18

The defining characteristics are that they have a distinct legal form and they are established to operate in commercial affairs.

Question 19

Spoils System

Answer 19

the practice of a successful political party giving public office to its supporters.

Question 20

Patronage

Answer 20

the power to control appointments to office or the right to privileges.

Question 21

Merit System

Answer 21

The merit system is the process of promoting and hiring government employees based on their ability to perform a job, rather than on their political connections. It is the opposite of the spoils system.

Question 22

Pendleton Act

Answer 22

The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of United States is a federal law established in 1883 that stipulated that government jobs should be awarded on the basis of merit.

Question 23

Hatch Act

Answer 23

The bill would amend the Hatch Act to include the District of Columbia within the definition of “state” with respect to political activities of certain state and local employees; and remove provisions specifically applicable to employees of government of the District of Columbia.

Question 24

Entitlement Programs

Answer 24

a government program that guarantees certain benefits to a particular group or segment of the population.

Question 25

Oversight

Answer 25

oversight by the United States Congress on the Executive Branch, including the numerous U.S. federal agencies.