Foundations of American Democracy
The natural rights laid out by John Locke
What are Life, Liberty, and Property?
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?
Rights protected under the First Amendment
Free Speech, Religion, Press, Assembly
Granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support
What is Patronage?
Elections to select party nominees in which only people who have registered in advance what the party can vote for that party's candidates, thus encouraging greater party loyalty
What is a closed primary?
a political system in which ultimate authority is shared between a central government and state or regional governments
What is federalism?
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
Your ____ rights are protected under the 5th Amendment
Due Process Rights
Allows the court to determine the constitutionality of laws
What is Judicial Review?
An organized group of individuals who share common objectives and actively attempt to influence policymakers
powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution
Congress' monitoring of the bureaucracy and its administration of policy, performed mainly through hearings
What is legislative oversight?
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
What is the 4th Amendment?
A system of public employment in which selection and promotion depend on demonstrated performance rather than political patronage
What is the merit system?
Which of the SCOTUS decisions struck down major components of the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act in 2010?
Citizens United v. FEC
authorizes Congress to pass all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out the enumerated powers
What is the Elastic Clause?
electoral system in which legislative seats are awarded only to the candidates who came in first in their constituencies (in US, winner of popular votes of a state receives all electoral votes)
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
What is the 6th Amendment?
government officials appointed with an expectation of loyalty and presidential reelection efforts
What is the spoils system?
Voting with one party for one office and the other party for another office
What is Ticket Splitting?
Name of the compromise that led to the creation of a bicameral Congress
What is the Great Compromise?
channels or access points through which issues and people's policy preferences get on the government's policy agenda (political parties, interest groups, and mass media)
What are linkage institutions?
Miranda v. Arizona
Literally, a "friend of the court" brief, filed by an individual or organization to present arguments in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case.
What is an Amicus Curiae Brief?
voters may vote for candidates in either party, choosing a Republican for one office and a Democrat for another; used only in Alaska and Washington
What is a Blanket Primary?