UNIT 1
What are categorical grants?
Grants given by the federal government to state/local governments for a specific purpose, with strict guidelines.
Define Political Participation.
Activities by citizens to influence the selection of leaders or policies (e.g., voting, protesting, campaigning).
# of seats in the senate?
100
What is a pocket veto?
When the president does not sign a bill within 10 days
What is Original Jurisdiction?
The authority of a court to hear a case for the first time.
What are block grants?
Federal funds given to states with broad discretion on how to spend them.
What is an exit poll?
A poll taken immediately after voters leave the polling place, used to predict election outcomes.
# of seats in the house?
435
What does the bureaucracy do?
What is concurrent opinion?
A written opinion by a judge who agrees with the majority decision, but for different legal reasoning.
What are the two clauses based on McCulloch v. Maryland.
The Necessary and Proper Clause and the Supremacy Clause.
What is an iron triangle?
A relationship between congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that influence policy.
What is a Politico voting model?
when lawmakers act as trustees and delegates depending on the issue.
What are inherent powers?
Powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution.
What is the third amendment?
No quartering of soldiers in private homes during peacetime without the owner’s consent.
What were anti-federalist fears & arguments in Brutus 1.
Fear of a strong central government overpowering state governments and loss of individual liberties.
What are the linkage institutions?
Structures that connect citizens to government: elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.
Who is responsible for redrawing district lines?
State legislatures
What is the EOP?
A group of federal agencies and staff that support the president, including the NSC, OMB, and CEA.
What is a Writ of Certiorari?
An order by the Supreme Court to review a lower court’s decision.
How did Shays’ Rebellion lead to the Constitutional Convention.
Exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation (lack of central power to maintain order), leading to calls for a stronger federal government.
What is front loading?
The tendency of states to schedule primaries early to gain influence in the nomination process.
What is Pork barreling?
Government spending for localized projects to bring money to a representative’s district.
What is the Pendleton Act
Law that ended the spoils system, establishing that government jobs should be awarded based on merit through competitive exams.
What did the Judiciary act of 1789 do?
Established the federal court system, including district courts and courts of appeal.