Unit One
Belief that a ruler's authority comes directly from God
What is Divine Right?
Strategy unique to the Senate whereby opponents of a piece of legislation try to talk it to death, based on unlimited debate.
What is a filibuster?
An alliance of various interest groups and individuals who unite in order to promote a single issue in government policy.
What is Issue Networks?
A system of commonly held beliefs and values.
What is an ideology?
A formal accusation against the president or another public official; the first step in removal from office?
What is impeachment?
A term used to describe a political system in which the people are said to rule, directly or indirectly.
What is democracy?
Tendency of those already holding office to win reelection due to advantages because they already hold office.
What is incumbency effect?
A supporter of a person, group, party, or cause, especially a person who shows a biased, emotional allegiance.
What is a Partisan?
Surveys of a sample of people used to know how the public feels about a certain issue.
What are public opinion polls?
A formal document that explains why a president is signing a particular bill into law. These statements may contain objections to the bill and promises not to implement key sections.
What is a signing statement?
The belief that people are free and equal by natural right, and that this in turn requires that all people give their consent to be governed (John Locke).
What is Social Contract?
Privilege that allows members of Congress to mail letters and other materials to constituents postage-free.
What is franking privilege?
People who try to influence legislation on behalf of a special interest.
What are lobbyists?
Conducted at election places during voting day to grasp popularity
What are exit polls?
A resolution passed in 1973 requiring the president to give advance warning of a military attack or ask Congress for a declaration of war or specific legislation.
What is the War Powers Resolution?
The idea that government derives its authority by sanction of the people.
What is consent of the governed?
Entities composed of bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommittees, which have dominated some areas of domestic policy making; have mutual dependency, in which each element provides key services, info, or policy for the others.
What is the Iron Triangle?
This amendment establishes direct election of US senators by popular vote.
What is the 17th Amendment?
The shifting of party coalition groupings in the electorate that remains in place for several elections.
What is realignment?
The right to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.
What is executive privilege?
A principle of American government whereby constitutional authority is shared by three separate branches of government.
What is separation of powers?
Group of private citizens whose goal is to influence and shape public policy.
What is Interest Groups?
A policy in educational admissions or job hiring that gives special attention or compensatory treatment to traditionally disadvantaged groups in an effort to overcome present effects of past discrimination.
What is affirmative action?
A trend or process whereby a large portion of the electorate abandons their affiliation without developing a new one
What is dealignment?
Chief of his Political Party. Protector of the Peace.
Manager of Prosperity and Economy. Voice of the American People. Head of State. Chief Citizen. World Leader.
What are the informal powers of the president?