Section 1
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Neorealism
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Cards (653)
Section 1
(50 cards)
Neorealism
"Structural" or "defensive" realism; systemic lvl of analysis; internat'l anarchy is cause of competition between states; automatic balance of power occurs
Foreign policy
A nation's overall plan for dealing with other nations
John G. Roberts (Years of Service)
7 Years (present Chief Justice)
Neoclassical Realism
"Offensive" realism; anarchic system encourages military development to improve odds of survival Philos: John Mearsheimer
Oliver Ellsworth and Harlan F. Stone (Years of Service)
4 Years
John G. Roberts (Appointed By)
George W. Bush
Salmon P. Chase (Appointed By)
Abraham Lincoln
Liberalism
Emphasis on ethical principles, internat'l institutions, free trade and cooperation between states; League of Nations Philos: John Locke, Immanuel Kant, Adam Smith
Zero-sum game
One party wins, the other loses
Balance of Power
National survival in an anarchic world is most likely when military power is distributed in order to prevent a hegemon from dominating the region
Autocracy
A system of government in which the power to rule is in the hands of a single individual
John Marshall (Appointed By)
John Adams
Realism
Nation-states are highest authority, are selfish in pursuing their interests, are wary of other states in an anarchic world; personal and state morality separate; pessimistic about human nature; individual lvl of analysis Philosophers: Thucydides, Niccolo Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes
Morrison Waite (Appointed By)
Ulysses S. Grant
Global North
a term used to refer to the world's wealthy, industrialized countries located primarily in the Northern Hemisphere
Rational Decision Making Model
Define the problem Gather information Weigh options Choose best one Evaluate results
John Rutledge (Years of Service)
5 Months
Treaty of Westphalia
Ended Thirty Years War in 1648; granted right to individual rulers within the Holy Roman Empire to choose their own religion-either Protestant or Catholic
Melville Fuller (Appointed By)
Grover Cleveland
Earl Warren (Years of Service)
15 Years
State analysis
Analysis emphasizing how internal attributes of states influence foreign policy behavior
Warren E. Burger (Years of Service)
17 Years
John Marshall (Years of Service)
34 Years
Edward White (Appointed By)
William Howard Taft
Diplomacy
the art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations without arousing hostility; also known as "soft" power
Warren E. Burger (Appointed By)
Richard Nixon
Levels of analysis
A set of three types of factors and causes that affect foreign policy decisions; factors from all three may affect a given event, but importance will vary depending on the situation
Neoliberalism
A strategy for economic development that calls for free markets, balanced budgets, privatization, free trade, and minimal government intervention in the economy.
Anarchy
A state of society without government or law.
John Jay, John Rutledge, and Oliver Ellsworth (Appointed By)
George Washington
Individual analysis
Analysis emphasizing the psychological characteristics of individuals enacting foreign policy decisions on states' and other global actors' behalf.
Systemic/Global analysis
identifies cause of a conflict as stemming from the position or interaction of states within the international system
William Howard Taft (Appointed By)
Warren Harding
William H. Rehnquist (Years of Service)
18 Years
Kinetic power
when the individual actually uses the power to influence; also called "hard" power
Melville Fuller (Years of Service)
21 Years
Edward White and Charles Evan Hughes (Years of Service)
10 Years
Fred M. Vinson (Appointed By)
Harry Truman
Morrison Waite (Years of Service)
14 Years
Fred M. Vinson (Years of Service)
7 Years
Global South
a term used to designate the less-developed countries located primarily in the Southern Hemisphere
Earl Warren (Appointed By)
Dwight Eisenhower
Salmon P. Chase and William Howard Taft (Years of Service)
8 Years
John Jay (Years of Service)
5 Years
Charles Evan Hughes (Appointed By)
Herbert Hoover
Roger B. Taney (Years of Service)
28 Years
Roger B. Taney (Appointed By)
Andrew Jackson
Harlan F. Stone (Appointed By)
Franklin Roosevelt
Constructivism
Ideas and perception of reality mold beliefs about what is immutable or changeable; government type and social structure determine function and behavior of nation Philos: Max Horkheimer, Jurgen Habermas; Institute for Social Research ("Frankfurt School" of thought)
William H. Rehnquist (Appointed By)
Ronald Reagan
Section 2
(50 cards)
theoretical wisdom
wisdom that deals with universal truths that are absolute and enduring.
Aristotle's happiness
the flourishing of the human population and of society, only possible by achieving the mean of an environment in which people are allowed to flourish (this environment catalyzes the telos).
High politics
Military and security aspects of relations between governments and people
Complex interdependence
A model which says: -States are not the only important actors -Security is not the dominant nat'l goal -Military force is not the only significant foreign policy tool
Theocracy (description)
-direct agents of a deity -ruler follows by a set of religious ideas
Parliamentary (country examples)
Canada, Australia, Greece, Iraq, Spain, England
Republic (freedoms)
people vote
Republic (country examples)
Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, France, Italy, Kenya, Peru, South Korea, United States
Parliamentary (freedoms)
people vote
Parliamentary (how are laws & decisions made?)
elected legislature decides laws & freedoms
holistic thinking
belief that the whole is the sum of its parts and no different, whereas all past theorists we've read believed the whole is greater than its parts.
International Regime
A set of principles, norms, and rule governing behavior within a specified issue area
oikos
a household or family, the stage set for individual importance to be stressed, this is contrasted with the polis.
telos
the end of something, as in the telos of an acorn is to be an oak tree, it's our destined path and the final point in our flourishing.
Dictatorship (description)
-single leader -not elected---uses military power to stay in control
Locke's state of nature
state of nature is natural (no war needed for a governmental force to emerge) --> social contract --> civil and state government, we must escape a state of nature when it becomes a state of war.
Monarchy (description)
-king/queen -power is passed through family -absolute power
fortune
our uncontrolled destinies that Machiavelli believes to be something needing to be conquered, dangerous and out of control, knowing that you're not in control means that you can be in control, via preparing for the unexpected.
Monarchy (freedoms)
little
Monarchy (country examples)
Jordan, Monaco, Moracco, Saudi Arabia
Dictatorship (how are laws & decisions made?)
dictator makes all laws & decisions
Monarchy (how are laws & decisions made?)
given by ruler
pursuit of happiness
used instead of Locke's "pursuit of property", with a distinction made because not all men were equal at the time, and some were even considered property.
Social Contract
a cost and benefit analysis in which you can better preserve yourself and your property by trading off the freedom from a controlling body.
cosmology
the study of somebody's world view, his thoughts on how the world works via stemming from philosophical origins.
dissent
to go against or protest a specific system by physically speaking out against it and sanctioning the use of its amenities.
tacit consent
simply by doing something, or doing nothing, you are consenting in which utilizing the amenities that come from a society acts as a form of consenting to the rules of that society.
zoon politikon
a political animal with the unique capacity for speech, justice and reason.
express consent
explicit and actively demonstrated consent that results from actively participating in a society (i.e. registering to vote, paying taxes, etc).
Transnational Relations
Interactions across state boundaries involving one or more non-governmental actor/intergovernmental organization
Hobbes' state of nature
state of nature=state of war --> social contract --> government.
Absolute gains
Win/win scenarios for multiple nations; may involve compromise and cooperation toward mutual or aligning goals
Platonic justice
"justice is the minding of one's own business and not being a busy-body," people are suited for something specific and should adhere to that, do the thing that you excel at.
Madison's man
men are not angels, which is why we need government, men are self-interested creatures who cannot be trusted, but it is still those same men who are running a government put in place.
Hobbes' man
argues equality among people, the differences are insignificant, rejects the idea that some men are superior to others, doesn't think that any human relationship is natural, it is instead superficial and driven by self-interest and fear.
practical wisdom
wisdom interested in those things that are subject to change, in the realm of what is malleable and changeable, we must deliberate and evaluate what must be done to achieve the end which we see acceptable. (only kind Aristotle believed in)
Locke's aim of Social Contract
Locke believes we enter into this social contract chiefly to protect our private property, government should only exist while it serves as an improvement for society.
Moral hazard
a situation in which international institutions incentivize reckless behavior
Norms
General, collective expectations about appropriate conduct
Republic
forms a smaller group of a ruling class, with a larger group of people that are being represented (democratically electing their representatives), this filters, refines and expands the views of the greater public and brings less opposing opinions to the table (failsafe against factions).
polis
a city state, the stage for a political structure to be created that appreciates the community over just individuality.
Theocracy (country examples)
Iran, Vatican City
Low politics
Economic, social, environmental relations between governments and people
Republic (how are laws & decisions made?)
laws are based on a document written by representatives (Constitution)
Republic (description)
-led by direct representatives of people -set period of time in office
Dictatorship (country examples)
North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Cuba
Dictatorship (freedoms)
none
Parliamentary (description)
-led by representatives -stays in power as long as political party is in power
faction
an interest group made up of a group of people who may include the majority or the minority, size does not matter, that Madison believes may undercut the very foundations of a republic.
liberalism
everyone is a free individual, more specifically free from externalities, liberalism makes a distinction between government and society (we have an inherent freedom from government, we need to fight to keep that freedom).
Section 3
(50 cards)
Executive
A major branch of democratic government: carries out the laws and policies of the state.
less developed countries
lack significant economic development, and they also tend to have authoritarian governments (Nigeria).
Socialism
-gov. owns & controls many of large industries -provides education, health, & welfare -little economic choices exist
three-world approach
based largely on cold war politics. 1) The United States and its allies 2) the Soviet Union and its allies 3) third world nations that don't fit in the first categories and were all economically underdeveloped and deprived.
Indirect democracy
a democracy where officials represent the people.
Authoritarian regimes
Common characteristics of __________ __________ include: a small group of elites exercising power over the state. citizens with little or no input into selection of leaders and government decisions. no constitutional responsibility of leaders to the public. restriction of civil rights and civil liberties.
Communism
a regime where the party controls everything from the government to the economy to social life.
Presidential system
the roles of the head of state and head of government are given to one person - the president.
Totalitarian (country examples)
China, Libya
totalitarianism
this term is almost always used to describe a particularly repressive and usually detested regime.
Communist and post-communist countries
these countries have sought to create a system that limits individual freedoms in order to divide wealth more equally. Communism flourished during the 20th century, but lost ground to democratic regimes by the beginning of the 21st century. Russia and China represent this group.
Empirical data
factual statements and statistics
regime
the rules that a state sets and follows in exerting its power.
Totalitarian (freedoms)
limitted
hypothesis
a speculative statement about the relationship between two or more factors known as variables.
newly industrialized countries
experiencing rapid economic growth and have shown a tendency toward democratization and political and social stability (Mexico and Iran).
Corporatism
an arrangement in which government officials interact with people and groups outside the government before they set policy.
Head of government
a role that deals with the everyday tasks of running the government (British prime minister)
parliamentary legislature
in a democracy, makes the laws, controls finances, appoints and dismisses the prime minister and the cabinet, and debates public issues. Supports decisions made by the executive branch.
nationalism
the sense of belonging and identity that distinguishes one nation from another.
Theocracy (freedoms)
rules of religion dictate freedoms
authoritarian regime
a regime where decisions are made by the political elites without much input from citizens.
Politics
Who has the power to make the decisions? How did they get the power? What challenges do leaders face from others - both inside and outside the country's borders - in keeping the power?
advanced democracies
the countries have well-established democratic governments and a high level of economic development (Great Britain and the USA)
normative issues
issues that require value judgments.
Communism
-gov. controls allaspects of economy -provides healthcare, education, & welfare
Capitalism
-free-market economy -people own businesses & property -buy services for private uses of helthcare
correlation
exists when a change in one variable coincides with a change in the other. correlations are an indication that causality may be present.
Head of state
a role that symbolizes the power and nature of the regime (British monarch).
presidential systems
similarity between United States, Nigeria, and Mexico
nation
a group of people bound together by a common political identity.
Checks and balances
a system of ensuring separation of powers.
Government
a reference to the leadership and institutions that make policy decisions for the country.
informal politics
takes into consideration not only the ways that politicians operate outside their formal powers, but also the impact that beliefs, values, and actions of ordinary citizens have on policy-making.
Theocracy (how are laws & decisions made?)
religion
institutions
stable, long lasting organizations that help turn political ideas into policy.
separation of powers
ensures that power is shared and one branch does not come to dominate the others.
patron-clientelism
a system in which the state provides specific benefits or favors to a single person or small group in return for public support.
Political elite
someone who holds political power.
variables
measurable traits or characteristics that change under different conditions.
Judiciary
A major branch of democratic government: enforces laws.
Legislature
A major branch of democratic government: makes laws.
parliamentary system
a democratic system where citizens vote for legislative representatives, who then select the leaders of the executive branch.
Direct democracy
individuals have immediate say over the decisions that the government makes.
Indirect
most democracies are ______ because large populations make it almost impossible for individuals to have a great deal of direct influence on how they are governed.
presidential system
citizens vote for legislative representatives as well as executive branch leaders and the two branches function with separation of powers.
clientelism
________ is exemplified in China, Russia, Mexico, and Nigeria.
Totalitarian (description)
-ruled by a single political party -complete power by gov.
Totalitarian (how are laws & decisions made?)
political party decides
causation
the idea that one variable causes or influences another.
Section 4
(50 cards)
Civilian control of the military
restricts the likelihood of the military seizing control of the government.
social capital
the amount of reciprocity and trust that exists among citizens and between citizens and the state.
code law
law based on a comprehensive system of written rules of law divided into commercial, civil, and criminal codes. (Predominant in Europe and countries influenced by the French, German, or Spanish systems. China, Mexico, Russia).
common law
law based on tradition, past practices, and legal precedents set by the courts through interpretations of statutes, legal legislation, and past rulings. (Found in Britain, the United States, and other countries with a strong English influence.)
Reform
a type of change that does not advocate the overthrow of basic institutions.
Democracy
a country may be declared to be ______ when the country has had at least two successive peaceful turnovers of power.
Procedural democracy
necessary condition for the development of substantive democracy.
Liberal democracy
may also be called a substantive democracy
Conflictual political culture
citizens in this political culture are sharply divided, often on both the legitimacy of the regime and solutions to major problems.
traditional legitimacy
rests upon the belief that tradition should determine who should rule and how. (monarchy)
Liberal democracy
value the ideal of equal opportunity, but usually tolerate a great deal of inequality, especially within the economy.
Poverty
one of the greatest obstacles to democratization because it blocks citizen participation in a government.
Third wave of democratization
a wave of democratization that is characterized by the defeat of dictatorial or totalitarian rulers in South America, Eastern Europe, and some parts of Africa.
Political culture
refers to the collection of political beliefs, values, practices, and institutions that a government is based on.
Neutrality of the judiciary
check on the abuse of power.
Socialism
a type of political ideology. Shares the value of equality with communism but is also influenced by the liberal values of freedom. Followers of this ideology accept and promote private ownership and free market principles, but believe that the state has a strong role to play in regulating the economy and providing benefits to the public.
Conservatism
an attitude toward change. Much less supportive of change in general - people with this attitude tend to see change as disruptive.
legitimacy
the right to rule, as the determined by the country's citizens.
Radicalism
an attitude toward change. The belief that rapid, dramatic changes need to be made in the existing society, often including the political system.
Satisfaction
The government enjoys legitimacy if the citizens receive benefits from the government, if the government wins wars, and if the citizens are protected from violence and crime.
Liberalism
an attitude toward change. Supports reform and gradual change rather than revolution.
Procedural democracy
a country that has regular, free, and fair competitive elections, but is missing vital qualities (like civil liberties, rule of law, neutrality of the judiciary, open civil society, and civilian control of the military) is called an illiberal democracy or a _____ _______.
Rule of law
provides for equal treatment of citizens and due process
Democratic consolidation
creates a stable political system that is supported by all parts of society. All institutions and many people participate, so this ideology penetrates political parties, the judicatory, the bureaucracy, and the military.
Liberalism
a type of political ideology. Places emphasis on individual political and economic freedom. Usually has some political impact in liberal democracies (US and Britain)
Reactionary beliefs
an attitude toward change. Go further to protect against change than do conservative beliefs. The oppose both revolution and reform, and are more willing to use violence to reach their goals than two of the more moderate groups.
Second wave of democratization
a wave of democratization that occurred after the Allied victory in World War II and continued until the early 1960s. Characterized by de-colonization around the globe.
Democratic corporatism
Interest representation is institutionalized by the state and organizations develop institutionalized and legally binding links with the state agencies, so that the groups become semi-public agencies, acting on behalf of the state. As a result, groups and individuals lose their freedom.
Substantive democracy
may also be called a liberal democracy. Citizens have access to multiple sources of information.
Nationalism
if citizens identify strongly with their nation, they are usually more accepting of the legitimacy of the government.
Illiberal democracy
a country that has regular, free, and fair competitive elections, but is missing vital qualities (like civil liberties, rule of law, neutrality of the judiciary, open civil society, and civilian control of the military) is called a procedural democracy or a _____ _______.
Coup d'etat
this type of change generally represents the most limited of the three types of change, replacing the leadership of a country with new leaders.
Fascism
a type of political ideology. devalues freedom and rejects the ideas of equality, accepting the idea that the state has the right and the responsibility to mold the society and economy and to eliminate obstacles (including people) that might weaken them. (Nazi Germany)
Democratic characteristics
civil liberties, rule of law, neutrality of the judiciary, open civil society, civilian control of the military.
Revolution
this type of change implies change at a more basic level, and involves either a major revision or an overthow of existing institutions.
Open civil society
allows citizens to lead private lives and mass media to operate independently from government.
Democratic pluralism
a basic principle of democracy and a situation in which power is split among many groups. The formation of interest groups is spontaneous, and the dialogue between interest groups and the state is voluntary so the groups remain autonomous.
Democratization
this process has occured because authoritarian regimes have lost legitimacy, the urban middle class expanded in developing countries, there is a new emphasis on human rights by the the United States and the EU, and the snowball effect - when one country in a region begins this process, it influences the other to do so as well.
Civil liberties
freedom of belief, speech, and assembly
rational-legal legitimacy
based on a system of well-established laws and procedures.
Democratization
a world government trend. Russia, Nigeria, and Indonesia are neither clearly democratic nor clearly undemocratic.
First wave of democratization
a wave of democratization that developed gradually over time.
Political ideologies
sets of political values held by individuals regarding the basic goals of government and politics.
Communism
a type of political ideology. Generally values equality over freedom. Rejects the idea that personal freedom will ensure prosperity for the majority.
Historical evolution
shapes a country's concept of who has the authority to rule and its definition of legitimate political power.
Revolution of rising expectations
political discontent is generally fueled if the crisis is preceded by a period of relative improvement in the standard of living.
Consensual political culture
although citizens may disagree on some political processes and policies, they generally agree on how decisions are made, what issues should be addressed, and what problems should be solved. This type of political culture accepts both the legitimacy of the regime and solutions to major problems.
Religions
a type of political ideology. This type of ideology has always been an important source of group identity. In Nigeria, this ideology is an important basis of legitimacy in the Muslim north but not in the Christian south.
charismatic legitimacy
based on the dynamic qualities of an individual leader or small group.
economic well-being
citizens tend to credit their government with economic prosperity and blame their government for economic hardships, so political legitimacy is reinforced by _____ ____-_________.
Section 5
(50 cards)
Marketization
the term that describes the state's recreation of a market in which property, labor, good, and services can all function in a competitive environment to determine their value.
Ethnic cleavages
this type of social cleavage is clearly the most divisive and explosive cleavages in countries at all levels of development.
Politicization of religions
the fusion of church and state.
Ethnonationalism
the tendency for an ethnic group to see itself as a distinct nation with a right to autonomy or independence. A fundamental centrifugal force.
Market economy factors
two factors have promoted the movement towards this type of economy: belief that the government is too big, and lack of success of command economies.
Political institutions
structures of a political system that carry out the work of governing.
Social cleavages
the boundaries between citizens of different religions, ethnic groups, race, and social and economic classes.
Nationalism
identities based on nationhood.
Cross-cutting cleavages
These types of cleavages divide society into many potential groups that may conflict on one issue but cooperate on another, which tends to keep social conflict to more moderate levels.
Spatial forces
devolutionary events most often occur on the margins of the state, where distance, remoteness, and peripheral location promote devolution, especially if water, desert, or mountains separate the area from the center of power and neighbor nations may support separatist objectives.
Tyranny of the majority
the tendency of democracies to allow majority rule to neglect the rights and liberties of minorities.
Bourgeoisie
middle-class professionals or businessmen
Centripetal forces
these types of forces bind together the people of a state, giving it strength. One of the most powerful centripetal forces is nationalism.
Chief executive
most important person in the policymaking process, inviting new policies and playing an important role in their adoption.
Separatist movements
this movement occurs when nationalities within a country may demand independence.
Cosmopolitanism
a universal political order that draws its identity and values from everywhere
Federal system
a political structure that divides the power between the central government and the subunits. (medium concentrated power)
Clear goals
A basic characteristic of bureaucracy - a clearly defined set of goals that all people in the organization strive towards.
Fragmentation
divisions based on ethnic or cultural identity.
Political Participation
in authoritarian governments, most citizens accomplish this through obedience. In democracies, citizens may play a more active part in this.
Regional cleavages
differing political values and attitudes characterize people living in different geographic regions.
Political socialization
a person's political beliefs are a combination of many feelings and attitudes, including both specific and general identifications.
Command economy
an economy in which the government owned almost all industrial enterprises and retail sales outlets. Communist countries rely heavily on this economic system. Now fading from existence with the death of communist countries. (Soviet Union)
Task specialization
A basic characteristic of bureaucracy - a clear division of labor in which every individual has a specialized job.
Privatization
the transfer of state-owned property to private ownership.
mixed economy
an economy that allows significant control from the central government.
Economic liberalization
the process of limiting the power of the state over private property and market forces.
civil society
refers to voluntary organizations outside the state that help people define and advance their own interests - usually very strong in liberal democratizes where individual freedoms are valued and protected. Authoritarian states feel that their power is threatened by citizens participating in this.
market economy
an economy that does not allow significant control from the central government. (United States)
Confederal system
a political structure that spreads the power among many sub-units (such as states) and has a weak central government. (least concentrated power)
level of transparency
a government with a high __________ __ ___________ is one that operates openly by keeping the citizens informed about government operations and political issues and by responding to citizens' questions and advice.
Economic forces
Economic inequalities may also destabalize a nation-state - a fundamental centrifugal force.
Unitary system
a political structure that concentrates all policy making powers in one central geographic place. (most concentrated power)
Hierarchical authority structure
A basic characteristic of bureaucracy - a chain of command that is hierarchical; the top bureaucrat has ultimate control and authority flows from the top down.
Political efficacy
a citizen's capacity to understand and influence political events. When citizens enjoy a high level of ____ ______, they believe that the government takes their input seriously and cares about what they have to say. If citizens lack this quality, they may not believe that it is important to vote, or they may try to ignore the government's efforts to enforce laws.
Supranational organizations
cooperating groups of nations that operate on either a regional or international level.
Extensive rules
A basic characteristic of bureaucracy - clearly written, well-established formal rules that all people in the organization follow.
Coinciding cleavages
when every dispute aligns the same groups against each other, this type of cleavage is likely to be explosive.
Disadvantage of free market economy
this kind of economy inevitably goes through cycles of prosperity and scarcity - recessions and depressions that eventually correct themselves, but can be devastating.
Nongovernmental organizations
national and international groups, independent of any state, that pursue policy objectives and foster public participation.
globalization
an integration of social, environmental, economic, and cultural activities of nations that has resulted from increasing international contacts.
Merit principle
A basic characteristic of bureaucracy - merit-based hiring and promotion; no granting of jobs to friends or family unless they are the best qualified.
Social movements
organized collective activities that aim to bring about or resist fundamental change in an existing group or society.
Centrifugal forces
these types of forces destabalize the government and encourage the country to fall apart.
Ethnic group
shares a well-developed sense of belonging to the same culture.
Cabinet coalition
if the country has a multi-party system with no clear majority party, a cabinet coalition will form, where several parties join forces and are represented in different cabinet posts. A common problem is that they tend to be unstable, especially if they result from a fragmented legislature.
Devolution
the tendency to decentralize decision-making to regional governments.
Social class
a basis of social cleavages. even though this type of cleavage has declined in industrial and post-industrial societies, it is still an important basis of cleavages.
Political liberalization
a state that progresses from procedural democracy to substantive democracy through democratic consolidation is said to experience this phenomenon.
Voting behavior
do citizens in the country participate in regular elections?
Section 6
(50 cards)
How old do you have to be to be a senator?
30
What is needed to put a treaty into effect?
2/3 senate vote
Constitutional courts
serve to defend democratic principles.
Proportional representation
Voting is arranged in multimember districts. Voters cast votes for parties and seats are divided among parties on the basis of percentage of overall vote. This usually results in a multi-party system.
How is the number of electoral colleges determined?
number of senators and representatives from every state, plus 3 from washington.
Who can impeach the president, and at what majority?
House of Representatives proposes with 1/2 majority, Senate tries with 2/3 majority
Common features of bureaucracy
non-elected positions, impersonal, efficient structures, formal qualifications for jobs, hierarchical organization, red tape and inefficiency.
List the powers of congress mentioned in Article 1 section 8. (Use "I was right")
Setting and collecting taxes; Borrow money on the credit of US; Regulate commerce; Coin money; Establish post offices/roads; Providing safety for the US: Declare war, maintain military
Two-party system
a rarity for party systems.
How long is a senator's term?
6 years
Upper house
provides accountability for lower house
Neocorporatism
interest groups take the lead and dominate the state. (Societal corporatism)
Corporatism
fewer groups compete than under pluralism, with usually one for each interest sector. (Labor, agriculture, management).
How often is census taken?
every 10 years
Mixed system
voting is arranged in a combination of multi-member and single-member districts. Voters cast votes for individuals and parties. Some seats are filled by winners in plurality races, while others are filled by party. A mixed system results in an in-between number of parties.
How is a amendment ratified?
3/4 of States
Multi-party system
common for party systems
Human Development Index
a measurement of social welfare. measures the well-being of a country's people by factoring in adult literacy, life expectancy, and educational enrollment, as well as GDP.
Social welfare
citizen's social welfare needs include health, employment, family assistance, and education.
Societal corporatism
interest groups take the lead and dominate the state. (Neocorporatism)
Civil liberties
usually refer to the promotion of freedom.
Gross Domestic Product
common measurement of economic performance. all the goods and services produced by a country's economy in a given year, excluding income citizens and groups earn outside the country.
Can the president of the senate cast a vote?
Only when the votes are tied
Who/what pays members of congress?
Treasury
Bicameral
a legislature with two houses (most common)
Elite recruitment
identifying future leaders of the government.
Gross national product per capita
common measurement of economic performance. Divides the gross national product by the population of the country
Electoral systems
the rules that decide how votes are cast, counted, and translated into seats in a legislature.
Impersonality
A basic characteristic of bureaucracy - job performance that is judged by productivity, or how much work the individual gets done.
State corporatism
the state determines which groups are brought in.
Must be how old to run for president?
35
Who has the power to and When is a writ of habeas corpus suspened?
Congress, when the public's safety is threatened
What is needed to propose an amendment?
2/3 congress or states vote
Discretionary power
power given to bureaucrats - the power to make small decisions in implementing legislative and executive decisions.
Unicameral
a legislature with one house
What fraction is needed to expel a member of congress?
2/3 vote of congress
Linkage institutions
groups that connect the government to its citizens, such as political parties, interest groups, and print and electronic media.
lower house
directly elected by the people, known for impulsive legislative actions.
Judicial review
the mechanism that allows courts to review laws.
Civil rights
usually refer to the promotion of equality.
Gross national product
common measurement of economic performance. Like GDP, but including income citizens earned outside the country.
How many senators to a state?
2
Plurality system
individual candidates run in single-member districts. Voters cast votes for individual candidates and the candidate with more votes than others wins the seat. One result is a two (or few) party system.
Economic performance
common policy issue
Gini Index
a measurement of social welfare. a mathematical formula that measures the amount of economic inequality in a society.
First-past-the-post
winner-take-all system, plurality system.
Purchasing Power Parity
common measurement of economic performance. Takes into consideration what people can buy using their income in the local economy.
Interest groups
organizations of like-minded people whose goal is to influence and shape public opinion. Often support candidates, but do not run their own slate of candidates. Have almost no independence in authoritarian states (China), and are autonomous from the state (western industrial democracies).
Who is commander in chief of the armed forces?
President
Who can declare War?
Congress
Section 7
(50 cards)
Congress is restricted from passing ex post Facto laws. What is this?
Making something illegal and arresting someone who did that act before the bill was passed.
Bail is
money left insuring the appearance at a trial
What is the State of Union speech?
A speech the President must give to Congress during his term (once a year) that explains the progress/state of the country.
Requirements for president
35 year old, 14 years citizen, born in US
What are the 2 types of jurisdiction?
appellate and original
Who admits new states to the union?
Simple majority from Congress with the approval of the State
Vote to expel elected member of Congress
2/3
First 10 amendments are known as the?
Bill of Rights
Who can give pardons?
The president can pardon everyone but himself
What must a president do during inauguration?
Take an Oath.
Apellate jurisdiction is?
When a case is brought to the Supreme Court to review the decision made in inferior courts
What is a pocket veto?
If the president doesn't sign the bill, but the congress adjourns within 10 days.
How can high-ranking official be appointed?
The president appoints the official, and it can be 1/2 approval from the senate.
How many members in HOR?
435
How is the HOR assembled?
By the population of each state
During times of peace, States cannot...?
Keep troops or ships of war; Make pacts w/other states or foreign powers; Engage in War, unless invaded
States may not disciminate againt?
citizens of other states
State the succession order of for the president
Vice president, Speaker of the House, President pro tempore
Congress is restricted from passing a Bill of Attainder. What is this?
A law that declares someone or a group guilty of a crime
Who has the power to try impeachments, and at what vote?
The Senate;2/3
List the Rights of Congressmen
Right for a salary; cannot be arrested during, to, or from sessions for anything less than a felony; Can't be appointed to any other civil office; Can't be questioned for speech or debate
Citizens of different states are all entitled to
the same privelages
True or False: Members of congress can be sued for what they say on the floor
False
Where does Supreme Power lay?
Federal Government; Federal Law
Who creates bills for raising revenue (taxes)?
House of Representatives
Define Treason
To levy war against the US or to Harbour its enemies
Requirements to become a senator
30 years old, 9 year citizen, residency in the state
Who is temporary presiding officer in the senate?
pro tempore
When accused of a federal crime, you are entitled to...?
a speedy and public trial
How is a treaty created?
President creates the treaty, and Senate approves with 2/3 vote
What is the president pro tempore?
Presiding officer in the senate when the VP is vacant
Who decides the president's salary? When can they change it? Can the president receive any other money?
Congress. When its not during the President's term. No.
List the restriction on states about taxes, and where the money goes
Cannot lay taxes on imports/exports; Money from taxes goes to National treasury
How many members of supreme court?
9
Amendments change the..?
constitution
How can president prevent a bill from becoming a law?
By issuing a Veto
3 ways a bill can become a law?
Presidents signs it Congress overrides a veto BIll is left of the president's desk unsigned with more than 10 days left in the Congressional session
True or False: States can coin money
False
Define "Judicial Review"
The supreme court can establish if a existing law is constitutional or not
What does the Elastic Clause state?
That Congress can create laws to uphold any of the powers mentioned in A1S8.
Congress can't tax states on...?
Outgoing goods
What can't an official of the US government receive?
Gifts, salaries, offices, or titles from foreign powers
How old do you have to be to be a member of the HOR?
25
How is war declared?
Simple majority by both houses
Requirements to be a member of the HOR are...
25 years old, citizen for 7 years, live in the state that you are elected to represent
How does congress tax states?
By population
Who cannot be a elector for the electoral college?
a Senator or Representative
How are state elections held?
State chooses, time, place, and manner. Congress can change regulations.
Who chooses the rules and regulations for each house? Can you be penalized for being absent?
The members of each house. Yes.
Congress meets first on...?
first monday in January
Section 8
(50 cards)
2nd Ammendment
The right to bare arms Each state will have a militia. There are certain weapons you can't have.
Define Original Jurisdiction and when it is used.
When the case comes FIRST to the Supreme Court. When the case involves Ambassodors and other Ministers and Councils. Or when the case involves a State as the party.
Who has the power to enforce how States respect each others laws?
Congress
11th Ammendment
Any law suit brought by a citizen of America or a foreign nation shall be tried in court.
16th Ammendment
Authorized congress to levy an income tax
List rights in Ninth Amendment
One cannot take away peoples rights by using the rights stated in the constitution
23rd Ammendment
Gave the residents of Washington D.C. the right to vote in national elections.
27th Ammendment
Congress will not get a pay raise during its current session.
List rights in the Fourth Amendment
Private searches and seizure of property must come from a warrant; Warrant must be based on evidence
List rights in the Third Amendment
Soldiers are not to be kept in private property (without consent)
States can't discriminate citizens from other states. I don't know how to make this into a question. Just type in "apple"
apple
4th Ammendment
No unreasonable search or seizure If no warrant; any seized evidence can't be submitted to court Only if there is a probable cause can a policeman search you If no adult in the house; then cops can search without a warrrant A warrant isn't required to search a car.
What do States have to respect about other states?
Their legal records and court orders (Laws).
19th Ammendment
gave women the right to vote (created by Susan B. Anthony)
Define Appellate Jurisdiction
When the case comes before the Supreme Court after the appeal of inferior courts. The Supreme Court can overrule the rulings of the inferior courts.
3rd Ammendment
Quartering of soilders during times of peace or war shall be illegal without the consent of the homeowner.
List rights in the First Amendment
Freedom of Speech; Freedom of Press; Freedom of Religion; Freedom of Protest and Petition; Separation of Church and State
20th Ammendment
Did away with the "Lame Duck Congress"
Legitimacy
political authority conferred by law or by a state or national constitution
21st Ammendment
Nullifies the 18th Ammendment
List rights in Eighth Amendment
Protection from Excessive bail; Protection from cruel and unusual punishment
9th Ammendment
the rights listed in the constitution aren't your only rights
25th Ammendment
sets up succession to the president (if he dies vice president takes over)
List rights in Tenth Amendment
Balances the elastic/ necessary and proper clause, whatever is not mentioned in the constitution is up to the states
8th Ammendment
while waiting for a trial you can stay in jail or post bale 3 ways to determine ammount of bale *what crime *seriousness of the crime *criminal record *likelyhood that you'll appear in court Forbids cruel and unusual punishment
1st Ammendment
Protects our 5 basic rights: Freedom of religion-(wall of seperation between church and state, no official religion) Freedom of Speech-(except for if it could harm someone or compromise the government) Freedom of Press-(written liability) Freedom of Assembly-(as long as it's peaceful) Freedom to petition the government
How many states need to approve the constitution for it to come in effect?
9 States
10th Ammendment
Power isn't specifically assigned to national government belonging to the states or the people.
Authority
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
18th Ammendment
Prohibits the production, sale, and transportation of alcohol. (Created by the Christian Temperance Movement)
What are the purposes of the constitution given by the preamble?
Form a more perfect union; Ensure domestic tranquility, Establish justice; provide for the common defense; promote the general welfare; secure blessings of liberty
17th Amendment
Calls for the direct election of senators.
6th Ammendment
must be told the nature of charges against you right to trial by jury right to a speeedy and public trial with an impartial jury right to question all witnesses against you
12th Ammendment
Set up the election of president and vice president by Electoral College.
13th Ammendment
abolishes slavery
26th Ammendment
lowers the voting age to 18
Can president assemble Congress?
The president can call in a "Special Assembly" in times of urgent business.
List rights in Sixth Amendment
Swift Trial; Jury and prosecution from the state the crime was committed; Witness in their favor
List rights in the Second Amendment
Right to bear arms; States have a right to a militia
List rights in Seventh Amendment
If the Crime has a value of more than 20$, the accused has the right to a trial by jury (1200$ by todays standards)
7th Ammendment
guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases if the money involved is $20 or more
22nd Ammendment
places a limit on presidential terms (Presidential terms can only be 2 per president)
24th Ammendment
made polll taxes illegal
What is the fewest number of states that a person can win to become P.O.T.U.S. List which states.
11 states. California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois
5th Ammendment
No one can be put on trial without first being indicted. Protects us from Double Jeopardy (you can't be retried for a crime) Protects from self-encrymnation Prtoects due process Protects iminate doman (your house/property) The government has the right to take your property for public use.
14th Ammendment
Any one born in the United States is a citizen. Laws and due process apply to everyone equally. (created by Dred Scott)
Democracy
a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
List rights in the Fifth Amendent
Prohibits Double Jeopardy; Protects self-incrimination; Life, Liberty, and Property cannot be taken away without Due Process; Citizens will be compensated for seized property
How many electoral college votes total?
538
15th Ammendment
Gives African Americans sufferage (the right to vote)
Section 9
(50 cards)
Referendum
The name given to the political process in which the general public votes on an issue of public concern.
Confederate system
system of government in which nations or states agree to join together under a central government, to which the nations or states grant certain powers. The United States had a confederate system of government under the Articles of Confederation, from 1781 to 1789.
Shays's Rebellion
Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out; Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.
Articles of Confederation
this document, the nations first constitution, was adopted by the second continental congress in 1781during the revolution. the document was limited because states held most of the power, and congress lacked the power to tax, regulate trade, or control coinage
Declaration of Independence
the document recording the proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution, containing a list of individual rights and liberties, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.
Writ of habeas corpus
a court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person
Political elite
An identifiable group of persons who poses a disproportional share of some valued resource, such as money or political power; people who possess more political power than others and are commonly referred to in the U.S. as "activists"
Pluralist theory
A theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies.
The Federalist Papers
This collection of essays by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, explained the importance of a strong central government. It was published to convince New York to ratify the Constitution.
Categorical grants
Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes or "categories," of state and local spending. They come with strings attached, such as nondiscrimination provisions. Compare to block grants.
Civic competence
A belief that one can affect government policies
Line-item veto
an executive's ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature
Anti-Federalists
They opposed the ratification of the Constitution because it gave more power to the federal government and less to the states, and because it did not ensure individual rights. Many wanted to keep the Articles of Confederation. The Antifederalists were instrumental in obtaining passage of the Bill of Rights as a prerequisite to ratification of the Constitution in several states. After the ratification of the Constitution, the Antifederalists regrouped as the Democratic-Republican (or simply Republican) party.
Dual federalism
A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies.
Initiative
allowed all citizens to introduce a bill into the legislative and required members to take a vote on it
10th amendment
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Federal system
a government that divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments
Block grants
Federal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services
Federalism
a form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and the states
Political tolerance
The willingness of people to reasonably tolerant to the opinions and actions of others that are not in accordance with their own.
Devolution
the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states
Revenue-sharing grants
Federal grants distributing a portion of federal tax revenues to state and local governments
Amendment
a change in, or addition to, a constitution or law
Bureaucratic theory
The hierarchical structure and standarized procedures of government allow bureaucrats to hold the real power over public policy; proposed by Max Weber
Separation of powers
Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law
Necessary and proper clause
Clause of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) setting forth the implied powers of Congress. It states that Congress, in addition to its express powers, has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government
Recall
The act of removing an official by petition
Unalienable
incapable of being repudiated or transferred to another, natural rights that belong to everyone and cannot be taken away
Grant-in-aid
when the national gov. appropriates money to the states on the condition that it be spent as dictated by the national gov
Class consciousness
a belief that you are a member of an economic group whose interests are opposed to people in other such groups
Political ideology
A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and public purpose. It helps give meaning to political events, personalities, and policies.
Federalists
Supporters of the Constitution that were led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. They firmly believed the national government should be strong. They didn't want the Bill of Rights because they felt citizens' rights were already well protected by the Constitution.
Power elite theory
the theory that a small number of very wealthy individuals, powerful corporate interest groups, and large financial institutions dominate key policy areas.
Marxist theory
the ideology espoused by Karl Marx which holds that government is a reflection of economic forces, primarily ownershop of the means of production
Ex post facto law
a law that would allow a person to be punished for an action that was not against the law when it was committed
Civic duty
The belief that in order to support democratic government, a citizen should always vote.
Checks and balances
A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power
Judicial review
review by a court of law of actions of a government official or entity or of some other legally appointed person or body or the review by an appellate court of the decision of a trial court
Sovereignty
ability of a state to govern its territory free from control of its internal affairs by other states
Unitary system
a government that gives all key powers to the national or central government
Counties
A territorial unit between a city/town and the state itself.
Republic
a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
Direct democracy
A form of government in which citizens rule directly and NOT through representatives
Constitutional Convention
The meeting of state delegates in 1787 in Philadelphia called to revise the Articles of Confederation. It instead designed a new plan of government, the US Constitution.
School districts
A special-district government responsible for administering public schools
Bill of attainder
A law that declares a person, without a trial, to be guilty of a crime
Great Compromise
Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature and representation based on population in the other house
Political culture
The widely shared beliefs, values, and norms concerning the relationship of citizens to government and to one another.
Representative democracy
A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.
Section 10
(50 cards)
Split-ticket voting
Casting votes for candidates of one's own party and for candidates of opposing parties, e.g., voting for a Republican presidential candidate and a Democratic congressional candidate.
Voting Rights Act of 1970
gave 18 year olds the right to vote in federal elections, contained provisions lowering the voting age to eighteen in state elections.
National chairman
Day-to-day party manager elected by the national committee
Protestant work ethic
Sociological term used to define the Calvinist belief in hard work to illustrate selection in elite group
Motor-voter law
this was a law to encourage more people to participate in voting. This allowed people to register to vote while they renewed their license. The thought was that most people renew their license and thus it would give them a chance to register at the same time.
Liberal
a person who generally believes the government should take an active role in the economy and in social programs but that the government should not dictate social behavior
Libertarians
People who wish to maximize a personal liberty on both economic and social issues. The prefer a small, weak government, that has little control over either the economy or the personal lives of citizens.
Populists
People who hold liberal views on economic matters and conservative ones on social matters. The prefer a strong government that will reduce economic inequality, regulate businesses, and impose strincter social and criminal sanctions
Open primary
a primary in which any registered voter can vote (but must vote for candidates of only one party)
Gender gap
A term that refers to the regular pattern by which women are more likely to support Democratic candidates. Women tend to be significantly less conservative than men and are more likely to support spending on social services and to oppose higher levels of military spending.
Political efficacy
a belief that you can take part in politics (internal efficacy) or that the government will respond to the citizenry (external efficacy)
Australian ballot
A government printed ballot of uniform size and shape to be cast in secret that was adopted by many states around 1890 in order to reduce the voting fraud associated with party printed ballots cast in public.
Political cleavage
a deep and lasting salient dimension of political conflict and competition within a given society, such as religion, ethnicity, ideology, or other forms of identity.
Winner-take-all
An almost obsolete system whereby a presidential aspirant who won the preference vote in a primary automatically won all the delegates chosen in the primary
26th Amendment
lowered the voting age to 18
Incumbent
An elected official that is already in office
Independent
A writer or artist who sells services to different employers without a long-term contract with any of them
Donkey
the symbol of the Democratic Party
Registered voters
those legally eligible to vote who have registered in accordance with the requirements prevailing in their state and locality
Political machine
well organized political organization that controls election results by awarding jobs and other favors in exchange for votes
Super delegates
party leaders and elected officials who become delegates to the national convention without having to run in primaries or caucuses.
National convention
A national meeting of delegates elected in primaries, caucuses, or state conventions who assemble once every four years to nominate candidates for president and vice president, ratify the party platform, elect officers, and adopt rules.
Political action committee (PAC)
Extention of an interest group that contributes money to political campaigns-financial arm of the interest group
National committee
one of the institutions that keep the party operating between conventions. The national committee is composed of representatives from the states and territories.
Voting-age population
Citizens who are eligible to vote after reaching the minimum age requirement.
Literacy test
A test administered as a precondition for voting, often used to prevent African Americans from exercising their right to vote.
Straight-ticket voting
Practice of voting for candidates of only one party in an election
Plurality system
An electoral system in which the winner is the person who gets the most votes, even if he or she does not receive a majority; used in almost all American elections.
Party platform
A political party's statement of its goals and policies for the next four years. The platform is drafted prior to the party convention by a committee whose members are chosen in rough proportion to each candidate's strength. It is the best formal statement of a party's beliefs.
Internal efficacy
The belief that one can understand politics and therefore participate in politics
Elephant
the symbol of the Republican Party
Social status
A measure of one's social standing obtained by combining factors such as education, income, and occupation.
Public opinion
The distribution of the population's beliefs about politics and policy issues
Poll
an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people
External efficacy
The belief that one is effective when participating in politics, for example that the government will respond to one's demands
Voter apathy
The lack of interest among the citizenry in participating in elections.
Two-party system
An electoral system with two dominant parties that compete in national elections.
Poll tax
A requirement that citizens pay a tax in order to register to vote
15th amendment
Ratified 1870. One of the "Reconstruction Amendments". Provided that no government in the United States shall prevent a citizen from voting based on the citizen's race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Third parties/Minor parties
A party formed as an independent group organized by members of the major political parties.
Random sample
A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.
Super Tuesday
Day when several states hold their presidential primaries (usually the second Tuesday in March)
19th Amendment
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1920) extended the right to vote to women in federal or state elections.
Political party
a group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy
Political ideology
A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and public purpose. It helps give meaning to political events, personalities, and policies.
Sampling error
The level of confidence in the findings of a public opinion poll. The more people interviewed, the more confident one can be of the results.
Grandfather clause
A clause in registration laws allowing people who do not meet registration requirements to vote if they or their ancestors had voted before 1867 (basically allowing all whites to get around literacy tests and vote).
Congressional campaign committee
an organization maintained by a political party to raise funds to support its own candidates in congressional elections
Conservative
a person who believes government power, particularly in the economy, should be limited in order to maximize individual freedom
Coattail effect
The boost that candidates may get in an election because of the popularity of candidates above them on the ballot, especially the president.
Section 11
(50 cards)
Rider
a clause that is appended to a legislative bill
Solidary incentive
A reason or motive having to do with the desire to associate with others and to share with others a particular interest.
Sophomore surge
An increase in the votes that congressional candidates usually get when they first run for reelection.
Filibuster
a tactic for delaying or obstructing legislation by making long speeches that have nothing to do with anything.
Revolving door
Employment cycle in which individuals who work for government agencies that regulate interests eventually end up working for interest groups or businesses with the same policy concern.
Veto override
If the President vetoes a bill, the Congress may override the veto by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses. The bill would then become law, the President's objections notwithstanding.
Revenue bills
Tax bills (must originate in the House) to raise money for the government
Majority leader
1. Helps the Speaker and other party leaders plan the party's legislative agenda 2. The main spokesperson for his or her party in the house
House Rules Committee
An institution unique to the House of Representatives that reviews all bills (except revenue, budget, and appropriations bills) coming from a House committee before they go to the full House.
Quorum
The minimum number of members who must be present to permit a legislative body to take official action
Soft money
Money raised in unlimited amounts by political parties for party-building purposes. Now largely illegal except for limited contributions to state or local parties for voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts.
Interest group
an organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy
Cloture rule
Prevents filibustering (16 signatures) and ends debate in the Senate, by a 3/5s vote of the Senate
Campaign
run, stand, or compete for an office or a position
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
A commission created by the 1974 amendments to the Federal Election Campaign Act to administer election reform laws. It consists of six commissioners appointed by president and confirmed by the Senate. Its duties include overseeing disclosure of campaign finance information and public funding of presidential elections, and enforcing contribution limits.
Speaker of the House
An office mandated by the Constitution. The Speaker is chosen in practice by the majority party, has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed to the presidency should that office become vacant.
Public interest group
an organization that seeks a collective good that will not selectively and materially benefit group members
Runoff primary
A second primary election held when no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first primary.
Party whip
the assistant to the floor leader in each house of congress who tries to persuade party members to vote for bills the party supports
Closed primary
a primary in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote
"Markup"
A process in which committee members offer changes to a bill before it goes to the floor in either house for a vote.
Grassroots support
public popularity or endorsement of a candidate by large number of voters of the local level
Political cue
a signal telling a legislator what values are at stake in a vote, and how that issue fits into his or her own political views on party agenda
Malapportionment
drawing the boundaries of legislative districts so that they are unequal in population
Majority-minority district
A congressional district created to include a majority of minority voters; ruled constitutional so long as race is not the main factor in redistricting.
Think tank
a nongovernmental organization that seeks to influence public policy through research and education
Safe districts
Districts in which incumbents win by margins of 55 percent or more.
Minority leader
The legislative leaded elected by the minority party in the HOR or Senate. Leads the party, helps assist in the scheduling business of the Senate.
Gerrymandering
Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.
PIRG
Stands for the Public Intrest Research Group, in part created by Ralph Nader; it is a pregstigious non-profit lobbyist organization
General election
Election in which voters choose their leaders for elected offices
Census
a population count taken by the census bureau
Subcommittees
A group within a standing committee that specializes in a subcategory of its standing committee's responsibility
Ralph Nader
A leftist American politician who promotes the environment, fair consumerism, and social welfare programs. His book Unsafe at Any Speed brought attention to the lack of safety in American automobiles.
Lobbyist
someone who tries to persuade legislators to vote for bills that the lobbyists favor
Lobbying
direct contact made by an interest group representative in order to persuade government officials to support the policies their interest group favors
Standing committee
A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area
Material incentive
Something tangible, such as money or services, which attracts people to join mass-membership organizations.
President pro tempore
Officer of the Senate selected by the majority party to act as chair in the absence of the vice president
AARP
American Association of Retired Persons; Nationwide organization for people over 50 that offers discount drug purchases, health & auto insurance, publications, & other activities
Christmas Tree bill
A bill that has many riders to increase its chances of being passed
Hard money
Political contributions given to a party, candidate, or interest group that are limited in amount and fully disclosed. Raising such limited funds is harder than raising unlimited funds, hence the term's name.
Marginal districts
political districts in which candidates elected to the house of representatives win in close elections, typically by less than 55 percent of the vote
Congressional oversight
power used by Congress to gather information useful for the formation of legislation, review the operations and budgets of executive departments and independent regulatory agencies, conduct investigations through committee hearings, and bring to the public's attention the need for public policy
Congressional caucus
An association or members of Congress based on party, interest, or social group such as gender or race.
Purposive incentive
A reason for supporting or participating in the activities of a group that is based on agreement with the goals of the group.
GAO
an independent nonpartisan federal agency that acts as the investigative arm of Congress making the executive branch accountable to Congress and the government accountable to citizens of the United States
Conference committee
committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form.
Constituent
a person whom a member of congress has been elected to represent
Concurrent resolution
An expression of opinion without the force of law that requires the approval of both the House and the Senate, but not the President.
Section 12
(50 cards)
Impoundment
Presidential refusal to allow an agency to spend funds that Congress authorized and appropriated
National Environmental Policy Act (1969)
Environmental Impact statements must be done before any project affecting federal lands is started. Created a council on environmental quality.
Bureaucracy
A system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials
Robertson's Rule
The more directives you issue to solve a problem, the worse it gets.
Gridlock
The inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government.
Privacy Act (1974)
Government agencies can't disclose any record to any person, or to another agency, except after written request by, or with prior written consent of, the person to whom the record pertains. Protects the privacy of govt records pertaining to individual citizens.
Electors
people elected by the voters in a presedential election as members of the electoral college
Name-request job
A job to be filled by a person whom a government agency has identified by name
Chapman's Rules of Committees
Never arrive on time, or you will be stamped a beginner. Don't say anything until the meeting is half over; this stamps you as being wise. Be as vague as possible; this prevents irritating others. When in doubt, suggest that a subcommittee be appointed.
Smith's Principle
Never do anything for the first time.
Boren's Laws
1) When in doubt, mumble. 2) When in trouble, delegate. 3) When in charge, ponder.
Laissez-faire
policy based on the idea that government should play as small a role as possible in the economy
Divided government
Governance divided between the parties, as when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress.
Parkinson's First Law
Work expands to fill the time available for its completion; the thing to be done swells in perceived importance and complexity in a direct ratio with the time to be spent in its completion.
Executive privilege
The right to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.
Closed rule
A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that prohibits any amendments to bills or provides that only members of the committee reporting the bill may offer amendments.
O'Toole's Corollary to Murphy's Law
Murphy was an optimist.
Franking privilege
benefit allowing members of Congress to mail letters and other materials postage-free
Electoral College
Group of persons chosen in each State and the District of Columbia every four years who make a formal selection of the President and Vice President
Succession
Order in which the office of president is filled if it becomes vacant before an election
Discharge petition
Petition that, if signed by majority of the House of Representatives' members, will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration.
Competitive service
the government offices to which people are appointed on the basis of merit, as ascertained by a written exam or by applying certain selection criteria.
Freedom of Information Act (1966)
Provides a system for the public to obtain government records, as long as they do not invade individuals' privacy, reveal trade secrets, or endanger military security.
Open rule
A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that permits floor amendments within the overall time allocated to the bill.
Public interest
the best interests of the overall community; the national good, rather than the narrow interests of a particular group
United States vs. Nixon
The 1974 case in which the Supreme Court unanimously held that the doctrine of executive privilege was implicit in the Constitution but could not be extended to protect documents relevant to criminal prosecutions.
Parkinson's Second Law
Expenditure rises to meet income.
Bicameral legislature
A law making body made of two houses (bi means 2). Example: Congress (our legislature) is made of two house - The House of Representatives and The Senate.
Meskimen's Law
There's never time to do it right but always time to do it over.
Pardons and reprieves
Importance: Check on the Judicial branch; If Judiciary unfairly punishes a criminal, President can fix the abuse; Famous: Eugene Debs (Harding); Ford and Nixon over the Watergate Scandal; are final, but if done with illegal intentions, President is subject to penalty (Clinton)
Discretionary authority
the extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose coarses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by laws
Cabinet
persons appointed by a head of state to head executive departments of government and act as official advisers
Pocket veto
When a president kills a bill passed during the last 10 days Congress is in session by simply refusing to act on it
Bureaucrat
one who works for a department or agency of the federal government—civil servant
Buddy system
a cooperative practice of pairing two or more people together for mutual assistance or safety (especially in recreational swimming)
White House Office (West Wing)
Contains the closest assistants of the president. It is in charge of collecting all documents signed by the president that form his official public actions. The officers in this branch also act as the president's personal and political advisors.
Peter Principle
a principle of organizational life according to which every employee within a hierarchy tends to rise to his or her level of incompetence
Impeachment
The political equivalent of an indictment in criminal law, prescribed by the Constitution. The House of Representatives may impeach the president by a majority vote for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."
Murphy's Law
If something can go wrong, it will.
Perks
A short form of perquisites, meaning "fringe benefits of office." Among the perks of political office for high-ranking officials are limousines, expense accounts, free air travel, fancy offices, and staff assistants.
Executive Office of the President
The cluster of presidential staff agencies that help the president carry out his responsibilities. Currently the office includes the Office of Management and Budget, the Council of Economic Advisers, and several other units.
Spoils system
the system of employing and promoting civil servants who are friends and supporters of the group in power
Line-item veto
Presidential power to strike, or remove, specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the entire package; declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Advise and consent
the power of the senate to approve or disapprove of any of the president's appointments or treaties
Office Management and Budget (OMB)
Presidential staff agency that serves as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies.
Archeson's Rule
A memorandum is written not to inform the reader but to protect the writer.
Administrative Procedure Act (1946)
requires federal agencies to give notice, solicit comments, and (sometimes) hold public hearings before adopting any new rules.
Lame duck
an outgoing official serving out the remainder of a term, after retiring or being defeated for reelection
Open Meeting Law (1976)
A constraint on agencies. Every part of every agency meeting must be open to the public unless certain matters (like military/trade secrets) are being discussed.
Pork barrel spending
The appropriation of government spending for projects that are intended primarily to benefit particular constituents, such as those in marginal seats or campaign contributors.
Section 13
(50 cards)
Near v Minnesota
The 1931 Supreme Court decision holding that the first amendment protects newspapers from prior restraint.
Freedom of Speech
The right to express oneself, with words or actions (verbally or symbolically). This freedom is guaranteed in the First Amendment to the US Constitution; although the Supreme Court has ruled that this freedom is not absolute: it should not be applied when it endangers or harms the lives, liberty or property of others.
Miranda v Arizona
Supreme Court held that criminal suspects must be informed of their right to consult with an attorney and of their right against self-incrimination prior to questioning by police.
Engle v Vitale
Supreme Court case that ruled that prayer in public school violated the principle of separation of church and state.
Roe v Wade
established national abortion guidelines; trimester guidelines; no state interference in 1st; state may regulate to protect health of mother in 2nd; state may regulate to protect health or unborn child in 3rd. inferred from right of privacy established in Griswald v. Connecticut
Protest Parties
Greenback Party, Populist Party
Barron v Baltimore
the 1833 Supreme Court decision holding that the Bill of Rights restrained only the national government, not the states and cities
Lemon v Kurtzman
The 1971 Supreme Court decision that established that aid to church-related schools must (1) have a secular legislative purpose; (2) have a primary effect that neither advances nor inhibits religion; and (3) not foster excessive government entanglement with religion.
Equal Protection
A clause that is part of the 14th Amendment stating that "no state shall...deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Protected an individual from not only federal laws, but also at the state level.
Procedural Due Process
Constitutional requirement that governments proceed by proper methods; limits how government may exercise power.
Freedom of Religion
People shall be free to exercise their religion, and government may not establish a religion.
Korematsu v United States
1944 Supreme Court case where the Supreme Court upheld the order providing for the relocation of Japanese Americans. It was not until 1988 that Congress formally apologized and agreed to pay $20,000 to each survivor.
Texas v Johnson
A 1989 case in which the Supreme Court struck down a law banning the burning of the American flag on the grounds that such action was symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment.
Planned Parenthood v Casey
A 1992 case in which the Supreme Court loosened its standard for evaluating restrictions on abortion from one of "strict scrutiny" of any restraints on a "fundamental right" to one of "undue burden" that permits considerably more regulation.
Annual authorizations
Monies that are budgeted on a yearly basis; for example Congress may set yearly limits on what agencies can spend
Incorporation
A process that extended the protections of the Bill of Rights against the actions of state and local governments
Near v Minnesota
The 1931 supreme court decision holding that the first amendment protects newspapers from prior restraint
NY Times Co. v Sullivan
Public officials may not win damages for defamatory statements regarding their official conduct unless they can prove malice.
Committee clearance
the ability of a congressional committee to review and approve certain agency decisions in advance and without passing a law
Legislative veto
The authority of Congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place. The Supreme Court has held that Congress does not have this power
Appropriation
Money that Congress has allocated to be spent
Gitlow v NY
The 1925 Supreme Ct decision holding that freedoms of the press and speech are "fundamental personal rights and liberties protected by the due process clause of the 14th Amendment from impairment by the states" as well as by the fed gov't.
Oregon v Smith
Determined that the state could deny unemployment benefits to a person fired for violating a state prohibition on the use of peyote, even though the use of the drug was part of a religious ritual and the state's Supreme Court had determined the prohibition was constitutionally invalid.
Dred Scott v Sanford
Supreme Court case that decided US Congress did not have the power to prohibit slavery in federal territories and slaves, as private property, could not be taken away without due process - basically slaves would remain slaves in non-slave states and slaves could not sue because they were not citizens
Congressional Oversight
Power used by Congress to gather information useful for the formation of legislation, review the operations and budgets of executive departments and independent regulatory agencies, conduct investigations through committee hearings, and bring to the public's attention the need for public policy
Substantive Due Process
Constitutional requirement that governments act reasonably and that the substance of the laws themselves be fair and reasonable; limits what a government may do.
Plessy v Ferguson
A 1896 Supreme Court decision which legalized state ordered segregation so long as the facilities for blacks and whites were equal
Issue network
Relationships among interest groups, congressional committees and subcommittees, and the government agencies that share a common policy concern.
Brown v Board of Education of Topeka
In a 9-0 vote, the separate but equal doctrine was abandoned when it was decided that the education system was not equal.
Tinker v Des Moines Independent Community School District
1969 - The First Amendment, as applied through the Fourteenth, did not permit a public school to punish a student for wearing a black armband as an anti-war protest, absent any evidence that the rule was necessary to avoid substantial interference with school discipline or the rights of others.
Legislative Committee
Group of congressmen established in both houses of Congress for the purpose of considering legislation, conducting investigations, and other duties assigned
Trust funds
Funds for government programs that are collected and spent outside the regular government budget
Furman v Georgia
This 1972 Supreme Court case struck down all state laws allowing the death penalty stating that they allowed for too much discretion on the part of the judge and jury resulting in lack of consistent administration of the penalty.
Authorization legislation
Legislation that originates in a legislative committee stating the maximum amount of money that an agency may spend on a given program.
Gitlow v NY
The 1925 Supreme Ct decision holding that freedoms of the press and speech are "fundamental personal rights and liberties protected by the due process clause of the 14th Amendment from impairment by the states" as well as by the federal government.
Hazelwood School District v Kuhlmeier
The Court held that public school curricular student newspapers that have not been established as forums for student expression are subject to a lower level of First Amendment protection than independent student expression or newspapers established (by policy or practice) as forums for student expression.
Mapp v Ohio
A landmark case in the area of U.S. criminal procedure, in which the United States Supreme Court decided that evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment protection against "unreasonable searches and seizures" may not be used in criminal prosecutions in state courts, as well as federal courts.
New Jersey v TLO
4th amendment protects against unreasonable searches, but schools can perform these searches; girl has drugs in her purse, school searches it and finds it, she tries to claim its unconstitutional, Supreme Court says search is reasonable because of reasonable suspicion and probable cause
Griswold v Connecticut
Married couple wanted to get contraceptives; struck down a Connecticut law prohibiting the sale of contraceptives; established the right of privacy through the 4th and 9th amendment
Appropriations Committee
A committee of the United States House of Representatives. It is in charge of setting the specific expenditures of money by the government
Gideon v Wainwright
A landmark case in United States Supreme Court history. In the case, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that state courts are required under the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution to provide counsel in criminal cases for defendants unable to afford their own attorneys.
Schenck v US
A United States Supreme Court decision concerning the question of whether the defendant possessed a First Amendment right to free speech against the draft during World War I. Ultimately, the case served as the founding of the "clear and present danger" rule.
Supreme Court Cases
Happen when the case goes from the district to the appellate court then to the Supreme court if they approve of the case
Reynolds v US
Court ruled that one cannot use religion as a defense to the crime of polygamy. Court ruled that religious practices that impair the public interest do not fall under the First Amendment.
Regents of the University of California v Bakke
A 1978 Supreme Court decision holding that a state university could not admit less qualified individuals solely because of their race.
Red tape
complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done
Iron triangle
A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group
Palko v Connecticut
The Fifth Amendment right to protection against double jeopardy is not a fundamental right incorporated by the Fourteenth Amendment to the individual states.
One-Issue Parties
Free-Soil Party, Woman's Party
Ideological Parties Economic
Socialist Party, Libertarian Party, Green Party
Section 14
(3 cards)