Unit 1
This constitutional principle divides power between the national and state governments.
What is federalism?
It takes this congressional vote—two-thirds of both houses—to override a presidential veto.
What is a two-thirds vote of both houses?
Originally, the Bill of Rights restricted only this level of government.
What is the federal government?
This term refers to the group of citizens eligible to vote.
What is the electorate?
This term refers to rules issued by federal agencies that have the force of law.
What are regulations?
In Federalist No. 10, Madison argued that this type of political system—large and diverse—best controls factions.
What is a large republic?
This Senate power serves as a check on presidential appointments.
What is the power to confirm or reject nominees?
This clause of the 14th Amendment is the basis for selective incorporation.
What is the Due Process Clause?
Political parties redraw district boundaries to favor themselves using this practice.
What is gerrymandering?
Cabinet departments, independent agencies, and regulatory commissions together make up this large administrative system that carries out federal laws.
What is the federal bureaucracy?
This phrase in the Preamble best reflects the idea of popular sovereignty.
What is “We the People”?
This landmark Supreme Court case established judicial review.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
This case guaranteed the right to counsel for defendants in state felony trials.
What is Gideon v. Wainwright?
Voters who rely on a candidate’s past actions rather than promises practice this type of voting.
What is retrospective voting?
This federal law protects government employees who report wrongdoing within agencies.
What is the Whistleblower Protection Act?
This type of power is shared by both the federal government and the states—collecting taxes is an example.
What is a concurrent power?
This term describes Congress’s authority to monitor federal agencies and how laws are carried out.
What is oversight?
This rule prevents evidence obtained illegally from being used in court.
What is the exclusionary rule?
This amendment lowered the voting age to 18.
What is the 26th Amendment?
This relationship among bureaucratic agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups influences policymaking.
What is an iron triangle?
This 1819 Supreme Court case strengthened national supremacy by ruling that states cannot tax federal institutions.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland?
When the president uses televised speeches to pressure Congress, they are exercising this informal power.
What is the bully pulpit?
Laws or policies that intentionally disadvantage minority groups violate this 14th Amendment principle.
What is equal protection?
This type of poll tries to influence respondents with misleading questions rather than measure opinion.
What is a push poll?
When Congress sets broad goals in a law and allows agencies to decide how to enforce and implement it, the agencies are using this type of power.
What is discretionary authority?