Vocab 1
Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches
Separation of Powers
Implied Powers
Supporters of the Constitution being ratified and of a strong central government
Federalists
An election in which any voter, regardless of party, may vote to narrow down or select candidates seeking a party nomination
Open Primary
Powers that the Constitution gives to both the national and state governments (example: the power to collect taxes)
The process by which we develop our political attitudes, values, and beliefs (such as family, school, work, etc)
Political socialization
This prevents the federal government from supporting an official religion
Establishment Clause
The clause that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or nation
Commerce Clause
An informal power; a directive issued by a president or government that has the force of law (doesn't need Legislative approval to do/enforce)
Executive Order
A meeting of local party members to choose party officials/candidates for public office
Caucus
Voting based on what is perceived to be in the citizen's individual interest
Rational Choice Voting
Voting whether a party/candidate currently in power should be re-elected based on the recent past
Retrospective Voting
A member of Congress who acts as a delegate on issues that their constituents care about, and as a trustee on issues that their constituents don't care about.
Politico
A longstanding, mutually beneficial relationship between an interest group, congressional committee, and bureaucratic agency devoted to similar issues
Iron Triangle
The use of federal funding to finance localized projects, typically bringing money into a representative's district to please constituents and increase the representative's chance of being re-elected.
Pork Barrel
The belief that the role of a justice is to defend individual rights and liberties, even those not explicitly stated in the Constitution.
Judicial Activism
The belief that the role of a justice is to defer decisions to the elected branches of government and instead focus on a narrow, strict interpretation of the Bill of Rights.
A tactic used by senators to block a bill by continuing to hold the floor and speak (the Senate has a rule of unlimited debate time)
Filibuster
Weakening of partisan preferences that highlight a rejection of both parties and a rise in the number of independents (people are no longer aligning with either major party)
De-alignment
The notion of the presidency being a platform for the president to promote an agenda directly to the public
Bully Pulpit
Focuses on who is winning the polls rather than on the actual candidates' policy agenda or debates
Horserace Journalism
The principle of making legal decisions based on past precedents (Hint: Formed from the Latin root for "let the decision stand")
Stare Decisis
Federal grants issued to states or local governments to support broad programs - increases the power of the states
Block Grant
An organization, usually representing an interest group or corporation, that raises limited money with the goal or supporting or defeating certain candidates, parties, or legislation
Political Action Committees