Vocab 1

Question 0

Amicus Curiae

Answer 0

Legal briefs submitted by the friend of the court to raise additional points of view and attempt to influence courts decision

Question 1

14th amendment

Answer 1

Citizenship due process and equal protection of the laws

Question 2

Articles of Confederation

Answer 2

First constitution of the United States which did not work

Question 3

Block grants

Answer 3

A large sum of money granted by the national government to a regional government with only general provisions as to the way it is to be spent

Question 4

Caucus

Answer 4

Any form of political meeting

Question 5

Checks and balances

Answer 5

Where each of the three branches can limit the powers of the other branches

Question 6

Citizens United versus FEC

Answer 6

Supreme Court held that limiting the amount of money, business, unions, and other groups to influence election is unconstitutional.

Question 7

Commerce Clause

Answer 7

Gives Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations

Question 8

Concurrent powers

Answer 8

Power is shared by both the state and federal government

Question 9

Conference committee

Answer 9

Temporary committee composed of both houses to resolve bills passed in the house and senate

Question 10

Conservative

Answer 10

Support limited government role in the economy, traditional values, and more active government role of national security. cautious about change and usually Republican

Question 11

Constituent

Answer 11

Another word for voter

Question 12

Critical election

Answer 12

New coalitions replace the old ones and the majority party is displaced by the minority

Question 13

Efficiency

Answer 13

How much gets done in Congress

Question 14

Electoral college

Answer 14

The group of people that formally cast votes for the United States Presidency

Question 15

Establishment clause

Answer 15

Cannot prefer one religion over another no national religion and cannot tax Americans who prefer any religion

Question 16

Expressed/enumerated/delegated powers

Answer 16

Powers given to the national government

Question 17

Federalism

Answer 17

Government powers are between the national government and local or regional government

Question 18

Federalist 10

Answer 18

Essay written by James Madison explaining the effect of factions on the country

Question 19

Filibuster

Answer 19

Unlimited debate in the Senate to stall voting on a bill

Question 20

Free exercise clause

Answer 20

The ability to practice whatever religion or believe in what you want

Question 21

General election

Answer 21

A regular election of candidates for office as opposed to a primary election

Question 22

Gerrymandering

Answer 22

Draw district lines to favor one political party over another

Question 23

Horse race journalism

Answer 23

Listen covering presidential elections on a day-to-day basis

Question 24

Implied powers

Answer 24

Powers that the national government has that goes beyond expressed powers

Question 25

InCorporation

Answer 25

The Bill of Rights applied to only federal but not state governments

Question 26

Incumbency

Answer 26

Political candidate who is running for reelection

Question 27

Interest groups

Answer 27

Groups of people typically concerned with influencing officials to support issues that impact membership

Question 28

Iron triangle

Answer 28

(Sub governments) alliances between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees

Question 29

Judicial review

Answer 29

Review by the US Supreme Court of the constitutional validity of the legislative act

Question 30

Legislative oversight

Answer 30

Review policies/programs of executive branch

Question 31

Liberal

Answer 31

Supports active government role in promoting individual welfare and civil rights and excepts peaceful political change within the political system and is usually part of the green or Democratic Party

Question 32

Lobbying

Answer 32

Attempting to influence policymakers into supporting their cause by supplying data to support their position

Question 33

Logrolling

Answer 33

I'll support your bill if you support my bill

Question 34

Mandate

Answer 34

Requirements that the federal government places on state and local government.

Question 35

McCain Feingold act

Answer 35

Band use the soft money in federal campaigns. Increased limits on individual contributions, and required candidates to stand by their advertisements

Question 36

Midterm elections

Answer 36

Held every four years when no presidential election is being held also have a lower voter turnout

Question 37

Motor Voter laws

Answer 37

Permits people to register to vote at the same time as getting a license

Question 38

Necessary and proper clause

Answer 38

Gives Congress all of the powers to fulfill their expressed powers

Question 39

PACs

Answer 39

Form after 1910s campaign-finance reform is preventing labor unions and corporations run directly contributing to a candidate running for office

Question 40

Patronage

Answer 40

The act of donating money

Question 41

Platforms

Answer 41

The values that a party aligns with

Question 42

Plurality

Answer 42

The majority of the votes

Question 43

Political Socialization

Answer 43

The process an individual acquires political values and views

Question 44

Pork Barrel legislation

Answer 44

Projects attached to bills that are federally funded local projects

Question 45

Power of the purse

Answer 45

Congress's ability to have control over the money

Question 46

Primary

Answer 46

Held every four years where the president is selected

Question 47

Pluralist theory

Answer 47

Interest groups compete to promote their interests and make public policy. Requires compromise between groups

Question 48

Reserved powers

Answer 48

Powers Reserved to the states

Question 49

Separation of powers

Answer 49

The three branches of government

Question 50

Single member district

Answer 50

We're only one representative is elected

Question 51

Social contract theory

Answer 51

There is an unwritten agreement between the government and the government. The government should protect their rights, and if they fail, they should overthrow the government

Question 52

Suffrage

Answer 52

The right to vote

Question 53

Veto

Answer 53

The presidents power to overthrow bills

Question 54

voting rights act of 1965

Answer 54

Outlawed racial discrimination in voting