Vocab Flashcards
(366 cards)
Balanced budget
When current government expenditures are equal to receipts
Bill of attainder
A law that punishes a person accused of a crime without a trial or a fair Hearing in court
Census
The official count of a population
Coalition buliding
The alliance of special interest groups with the purpose of achieving the same goal using both direct lobbying and Grassroots lobbying
Competitive federalism (new federalism)
Begun under Richard Nixon and known as a new federalism this approach stressed the downsizing of the federal government and more Reliance on revenue-sharing and grants
Concurring opinion
An opinion that agrees with the majority in a Supreme Court ruling but differs on the reasoning
Constituent services
A member of Congress providing services to vote as much as a a member of Congress providing services to voters such as providing help with federal agencies, federal grants, and students who want to attend the u.s. military academics, who live in the district that representative or Senator serves
Debt ceiling
A limit on the total amount of money the federal government can legally borrow
Deficit spending
Government practice of spending more than it takes in from taxes
Direct lobbying
Attempts to influence a legislators vote through personal contact with the legislator
Dual federalism
A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain Supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for the some policies
Environmental protection agency (EPA)
The US Federal agency with a mission to protect human health and the environment
Equality of opportunity
The idea that each person is guaranteed the same chance to succeed in life
Executive order
A rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law
Federalist Papers
A series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay ( using the name “publius”) published in New York papers and used to convince readers to adopt the new constitution
Focus Group
A small group of individuals who are lead in discussion of my professional consultants in order to gather opinions on and responses to candidates and issues
Franking privilege
The ability of members to mail letters to constituents free of charge by substituting their facsimile signature for postage
Grassroots
People or Society at a local level rather than at the center of a major political activity
GDP
Gross domestic product- the total market value of all final goods and services produced annually in an economy
Incorporation doctrine of the 14th Amendment
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 14th Amendment
Incumbent
The current office holder
Inflation
A general and Progressive increase in prices
Loose construction
A board interpretation of the Constitution, making the Congress has powers Beyond those specifically given in the Constitution
Media
Connect citizens to a group that influences public policy