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Political Science Test 2

Terms

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Media Fishbowl
The amount of press over the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries.
GAO (General Accounting Office)
Independent, non-political agency in the legislative branch. Serves as the investigating agency for Congress, carries out legal, accounting and auditing functions, makes recommendations for more effective government operations.
Reasonableness Test
A method of looking at a law to decide if it is arbitrary or capricious.
General Election
Day on which all states participate in elections.
CRS (Congressional Research Service)
works exclusively for the Congress of the United States , conducting research, analyzing legislation, and providing information at the request of committees, Members, and their staffs.
War Powers Act
resolution of Congress that the President can send troops into action abroad only by authorization of Congress or if American troops are already under attack or serious threat.
PAC (Political Action Committee)
The part of an interest group that makes campaign donations
Commander in Chief
Presidential title that relates to being in charge of the military
Electoral College
The group of people from each state who formally vote for president.
Judicial Powers
Powers that the President uses when appointing Supreme Court Justices
Equal Protection Clause
Part of the 14th Amendment that states that all laws shall apply equally to everyone
NSC (National Security Council)
Group made of Cabinet members that advises the President on issues of foreign and defense policy
Gerrymandering
form of redistricting in which electoral district or constituency boundaries are manipulated for an electoral advantage.
Why are there two political parties?
Everyone sees themselves as moderates, leaving room only at the lunatic fringes, and nobody wants to elect someone from the lunatic fringe.
Subcommittee
A small part of a committee which focuses on very specific legislation, and reports recommendations after markup to the full committee.
Fact/Value Hope of Science
Change in beliefs from Faith to Science based answers.
Plessy vs. Ferguson
Supreme Court case that said that racial segregation was legal. "Separate but Equal"
Source of Pathologies
The citizenry
Three Types of Litigation
Suing, Providing Counsel, and Amicus Curiae (being a friend of the court)
Head of State
Presidential title that diplomatic powers such as executive agreements fall under.
House of Representatives
Where Tax bills originate.
Interest Group strategies
Electioneering, Lobbying, Ad Campaigns, Direct Action, and Litigation
Redistricting
The redrawing of congressional districts following a census.
Standing Committee
A permanent committee in Congress.
Caucus
Meetings of party members within a legislative body to select leaders
Components of Political Culture
Liberty, Individual Responsibility, Equality of Opportunity, Democracy, and Civic Duty
Logrolling
act of exchanging favors for mutual gain; especially trading of influence or votes among legislators to gain passage of certain projects
Brown vs. Board of Education
Supreme Court case that overturned Plessy vs. Ferguson and desegregated schools.
6 Years
Term length for a Senator
2 Years
Term length for a member of the House
Super Tuesday
Day on which many primary elections are held.
Office of Management and Budget
The executive agency that advises the President on the Federal budget
Spoils System
the system of employing and promoting civil servants who are friends and supporters of the group in power
National Party Convention
Event where delegates vote for President/VP and the official party platform is decided upon.
Select Committee
Committee established for a limited amount of time, delegated to a specific task.
Senate
Part of Congress that confirms presidential appointments
Flux Realignment
Dramatic changes in the political system, usually when the opposite party takes control.
Efficacy
Citizens' trust and faith in government and their own belief that they can understand and influence political affairs.This likelihood to vote increases with age, education, and wealth.
Single Member District
Only the residents of a district can vote for their representative.
Chief Legislator
Presidential title that powers such as the Veto and State of the Union address falls under.
Red Tape
Needlessly time consuming procedures of bureaucracy
CBO (Congressional Budget Office)
Non-partisan office that provides the House and Senate with budget-related information and analyses of alternative fiscal policies.
Strict Scrutiny
The standard for how the Supreme Court makes judgements.There must be a compelling government interest, specific, and the law must be the law must be the least restrictive method of enforcement.
Chief Executive
Presidential title that includes powers such as running the bureaucracy and using the executive order fall under.
Executive Privilege
The theoretical right of a President and other top officials of the executive branch to withhold information from Congress and the courts.
Pro-Affirmative Action
Past wrongs against colored peoples should be made right.
Reapportionment
The redrawing of the boundaries of voting districts
Relativist
Truth changes over time; things aren't absolutely good or bad.
Executive Office of the Presidency
name for the group of agencies, councils, and staff members which advise the president and help run the federal bureaucracy.
Anti-Affirmative Action
The law should be completely color blind
Abosolutist
There is only one Truth; things are either good or bad.
Sources of Opinion
Family, Religion, Education, Media
Functions of a Political Party
Win elections, Preserve order by moderating factions, Reflect the separation of powers and federalism, organize like-minded people.
Suspect Categories
Classifications of people that are illegal to discriminate against. They include race, nationality, and religion.
Exhibition Season
Period of time before elections when politicians make public appearances.
Mop-Up Stage
The period of time when the final primaries are held before the National Party Convention.
Senate
Part of Congress that ratifies treaties.
Imperial Presidency
Concerns first that the US Presidency was out of control and second that the Presidency had exceeded the Constitutional limits.

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