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| The presideing officer of the house, normally he is the leader of the majority party does not vote on legislation unless in close contests |
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| speaker’s chief lieutenant; chosen by the majority party membership; majority leaders are responsible for the day-to-day work necessary to build political coalitions and enact laws; always vote on legislation |
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| leader of the minority party who coordinates the minority’s attempts to improve or defeat majority legislation |
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| the president of the senate: usually the most senior member of the majority party; who presides in the absence of the vice president |
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| members of congress who assist the minoirty and majority leaders and who serve as information channels linking the leadership and the rank and file, communicating the leadership's views and intentions to the members and vice versa |
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| consisting of two chambers (house and senate) |
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| temporary committees created to deal with a specific issue or problem |
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| have fixed membership and jurisdiction, continuing from Congress to Congress |
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| a group of reresentatives from both the house and senate who iron out the differences between the two chambers' version of a bill or resolution |
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| Practice by which the majority-party member with the longest continuous service on a committee becomes the chair |
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| process occurring when party leaders give more than one committee responsibility for considering a bill |
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| process in which a committee or sub-committee considers and revises a bill that has been introduced |
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| delaying tactic by which on or more senators refuse to allow a bill or resolution to be considered, either by speaking indefinitely or by offering dilatory motions and amendments |
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| motion to end debate in the senate: requires 60 votes to pass |
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| Unanimous-consent agreement |
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| an agreement that sets forth the terms and conditions according to which the senate will consider a bill, these agreements are individually negotiated by the leadership for each bill: specify the terms of debate |
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| the tems of condition under which a bill or resolution weill be considered on the floor of the house - in particular, how long debate will last, how time will be allocated, and the number and type of amendments that will be in order |
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| in budget, designation of funds for a specific use |
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| role a representative plays when acting in accordance with his or her own best judgment what is best for his country |
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| president has the power to prevent any bill from becoming a law by vetoing it |
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| vetoes can be overridden by 2/3rd vote in the congressional chamber |
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| is it easier to kill a bill, or pass it? |
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Definition
| it is easier to kill a bill in legislation because there are som many options such as cloture, filibuster, vetoes. all of theses work to slow down legislature |
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| Major differences between the house and the senate? |
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Definition
HOUSE: initiates all revenue bills, 2-year terms, comprises 435 members(apportioned by population), initiates impeachment
SENATE: offers "advice and consent" on may major presidential appointments, tries impeached officials, approves treaties, 6-year terms(1/3 up for re-election every two years), comprises 100 members (2 from each state) |
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| if congress is so unpopular, why are re-elected rates so high? |
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Definition
| 2 different standards. they want congress to solve the nation's major problems, and they want congressment to solve individual constituent problems. congressmen are good at the latter ( since it helps guarantee their reelection), but that leaves little time for the former. Voters like their own elected representatives: citizens rate their members of congress for more favorably than they rate congress as a whole |
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| president and his political appointees, who are responsible for directing the executive branch of the government |
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| top administration officials, most of whom are heads of departments in the executive branch |
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| the title of the head of a department within the executive branch |
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| head of white house staff, who continuous, direct contact with the president |
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| political appointees who work directly for the president, many of whom occupy offices in the white house |
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| the president in his constitutional role as head of the U.S. armed forces |
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| a presidential directive that has the force of law, although it is not enacted by congress |
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| engaging in intensive public relations to promote their policies to the voters and thereby induce cooperation from other elected office holders |
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| the nature of presidential status as an ideal vehicle for persuading the public to support the president's policies |
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| presientail authority inherent in the executive branch of government, although not specifically mentioned in the constitution |
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| the right of the president to deny congress information it request on the grounds that the executive branch must be kept confidential |
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| when the president makes the executive decision to pardon someone of all thir crimes (ex. president ford pardoned president nixon for any crimes he committed in connection with the watergate scandal) |
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| power giving presidents the capacity to prevent bills passed by congress from becoming law. it may be overridden by a two-thirds vote in each congressional chamber. most state governors also have veto power over their legislature |
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| presidential authority to negate particular provisions of a law while letting the remainder stand; granted by congress in 1996 but struck down by the supreme court in 1998 |
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| congressional passage of a bill by a 2/3 vote despite the presidents veto |
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| presidential veto after congressional adjournment, executed merely by not signing a bill into law |
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| control of the presidency by one party and the control of one or both houses of congress by the other |
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| the period after a presidential candidate has won the November election but before the candidate assumes office as president on January 20 |
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Definition
| the first several months of presidency when the reporters are more forgiving, congress is more inclined to be cooperative, public more receptive |
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Definition
| evaluation of a president by voters, usually as measured by a survey question asking the adult population how well they think the president is doing the job |
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| recommendation by a majority of the house of reps that a president, another official in the executive branch, or a judge of federal courts be removed from office. conviction requires 2/3 majority in the senate |
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| Hierarchical organization of official with reponsibility for specific tasks bureaucracies are essential of government is going to provide the programs and services the public expects. Laws become effective only when a government agency enforce them |
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| a.k.a. the office or bureau, is the basic organizational unit of the federal government. it is teh entity specifically assigned by congress to carry out a task |
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| independent organizations created by congress to fulfill functions related to business |
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| independent regulatory agencies |
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| agencies with quasi-judicial responsibilities that are meant to be carried out in a manner free of presidential interference (example: federal reserve bond) |
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| governement employees are chosen according to their educational qualifications, performance on exams, and work experience |
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| law prohibiting federal employees from engaging in political campaigning and solicitation |
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| appointment of individuals to public office in exchange for their political support |
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| established the civil service commission 1883 |
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| workers are hired on the basis of party loyalty (helped to incorporate immigrants into American politics) |
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| court to which decisions by federal district courts are appealed |
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| the lowest tier of the federal court system and similar to the trial courts that exist in each state |
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| plain-meaning-of-text theory |
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Definition
| just go by the text of the constitution if something is unconstitutional or not |
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Definition
| what they feel was the intention of the framers regarding the issue |
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| living-constitution theory |
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Definition
| theory of constitutional interpretation that places the meaning of the constitution in the contest of the total history of the U.S. |
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Definition
| vote with the majority, but disagree with some aspect |
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| those who vote against the majority |
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| the power the supreme court has to void or null a legislation that they feel is unconstitutional |
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| first case of judicial review. chief justic john marshall used a dispute over patronage as an occasion to assert the courts power to declare the acts of congress null and void |
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Definition
| the supreme court used judicial review for the first time to declare a state law unconstitutional when the state of maryland wanted to tax a federal bank |
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Term
| why does Marbury vs Madison and McCulloch vs Maryland both say they are the first case of judicial review? |
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Definition
| McCulloch is the first time judicial review is used on a state law and Marbury is about a federal law in the constitution |
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| written legal arguments presented to a court by lawyers on behalf of clients |
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Definition
| put on google doc so i can insert here |
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| a document issued by the supreme court indicating that the court will review a decision made by a lower court |
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| judicial activism/judicial restraint |
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Definition
| put on google doc so i can insert here |
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| previous court decision or ruling applicable to a particular case |
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| in court rulings, reliance on consistency with precedents |
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| government official responsible for presenting before the courts the position of the presidential administration |
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| the judicial act of interpreting and applying the laws of congress and the state, rather than the constitution, to particular cases |
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Definition
| supreme court ruled the Florida recount did violate the voting rights act, however they also decided there couldn't be another recount completed in time so the presidency went to bush |
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| in what ways is the court a political institution? |
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Definition
| put on google doc so i can insert here |
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| what powers does the court have? what powers does it lack? |
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Definition
| courts can declare laws unconstitutional or constitutional but they have no authority to enforce the law |
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Term
| what are the main checks of the supreme courts power? |
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Definition
1. constitutional amendment-complex and weakest check on court power; for amendments to pass, supporters must ordinarily win a 2/3 vote in congress and the backing of 3/4 of the states
2. statutory revision-congress can reverse court decisions without resorting to a constitutional amendment if the decision involves only statutory interpretation; may still be difficult, ineffective if the court decision involves constitutional interpretation
3. non implementation-court decisions can be checked by being ignored |
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Definition
| organization or associations of people with common interest that participate in politics on behalf of their members ie. AARP, NAACP, etc. |
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| an interest group narrowly focused to influence policy on a single issue ie. abortion, gay marriage.... |
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| people can enjoy the benefits of a group's activities without bearing any of the costs (almost like a collective action problem) ( example: people who use google docs for studying but dont contribute anything... ha) |
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| goods enjoyed simultaneously by all members of a group ie. clean air (private good would be an apple) |
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Definition
| broad based demand for government action on some problem or issue, such as civil rights for blacks, equal rights for women, or environmental protection ( in order for a movement to have a long term effect it must find a way to spin off a formal association that will work towards the goal) |
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Term
| selective benefits(OLSON) |
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Definition
| specific private goods that an organization provides only to its contributing members |
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Term
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Definition
| an individual or small number of individuals who are willing to assume the cost of fuming and maintaining an organization even when others may free-ride on them (can also be foundations who serve as supporters, some set up these groups for self motives; either fanatical or dedicated depending on their goals |
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Definition
| interest-group activities intended to influence directly the decisions that public officials make (draft bills for legislators to introduce, testify, meet with elected officials, and provide public officials with information) |
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Term
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Definition
| those who participate in lobbying; motives are debatable (hired-guns: people who use their contacts and expertise in the service of anyone willing to pay, required by state to register) |
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Definition
| attempts by groups and associations to influence elected officials indirectly through their constituents ie. Washington associations communicates with its supporters who put pressure on representatives, can promote a popular image for a position, cannot be friendship and needs to be professional in large settings) |
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Term
| political action committee (PAC) |
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Definition
specialized organization for raising and spending campaign funds; often affiliated with an interest group or association, most tend to give candidates who are likely to win in order to establish good relations with and access to people who will occupy key positions in congress after the election
- there is a public dissatisfaction with the role of PAC’s in campaign finance
- both PAC influences representatives and representatives manipulate PAC |
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Term
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Definition
| computer generated letters, faxes and other communications by interest groups to people who might be sympathetic to an appeal for money or support, usually bring about dangers the other candidate may bring about |
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Definition
| everything form peaceful sit-ins and demonstrations to riots and even rebellion |
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Term
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Definition
a school of thought holding that politics is the class of groups that represent all important interests in society and that check and balance each-other, everyone is represented in a dense network of groups, no single interest in dominant, and all groups are required to bargain and compromise
- public policies tend to be moderate and to change incrementally
- ideally, politics harmonizes and synthesized particular interests and incorporates them into the general interest of the nation
- however, the general interests of the moderate population can get lost amid the bitter fighting of intense and extreme special interests |
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Definition
| interest groups activity that includes normal lobbying on capital hill, working closely with members of congress, and contributing money to incumbents' campaigns. |
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Definition
| interest group activities designed to influence elected officials by threatening to impose political costs on them if they do not respond. Tactics include marches, demonstrations, campaign contributions to opponents, and electoral mobilization. |
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| social incentive. example: religious groups or greek organizations |
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| economic reason, tangible benefits. join taxpayers associations hope to reduce taxes |
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| advance groups political goals to bring about a liberal or conservative purpose. example save whales, end abortion |
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| why are interest groups good or bad for democracy? |
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Definition
| post on google doc so i can insert here |
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| how do interest groups form and sustain membership |
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Definition
| post on google doc so i can insert here |
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| are interest groups effective? what sorts of effects should we look for to determine the impact of interest groups? |
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Definition
| post on google doc so i can insert here |
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Term
| national nominating convention |
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Definition
| quadrenial gathering of party officials and delegates that selects presidential and vice presidential nominees and adopts party platforms. extension of the direct primary to the presidential level after 1968 has greatly reduced the importance of the conventions |
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Definition
| groups of like-minded people who band together in an attempt to take control of government. parties represent the primary connection between ordinary citizens and the public officials they elect |
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Definition
| loose aggregation of politicians, political activist, and intellectuals of the late 19th centure and early 20th centuries who promoted political reforms in an efforts to clean up elections and government |
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| proportional representation |
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Definition
| electoral system in which parties receive a share of seats in parliament that is proportional to the popular vote they receive |
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Definition
| shift occuring when the pattern of group support for political parties changes in a significant and lasting way |
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Term
| single-member, simple plurality (SMSP) system |
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Definition
| electoral system in which the country is divided into geographic districts, and the candidates who win the most votes within their districts are elected |
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Definition
| voter selection of candidates from different parties at the same election for example: a republican presidential candidate but a democratic candidate for the house of representatives |
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Definition
| system in which only two significant parties compete for office such systems are in the minority among world democracies |
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Definition
| elections that marks the emergence of a new, lasting alignment of partisan support within the electorate |
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Definition
| a method of choosing party candidates that allows voters instead of party leaders to choose nominees for office: it weakened party control of nominations and the influence that parties could exercise over office holders. this method of nominating candidates is virtually unknown outside the U.S. |
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Definition
| government in which on party holds the presidency but does not control both house of congress |
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| the way in which a country's constitution or laws translate popular votes into control of public offices |
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Definition
| a highly organized party under the control of a boss and based patronage |
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Definition
| post on google doc so i can insert here |
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| why does the state have a two party system? |
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Definition
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| what are the progressive reforms that weakened parties? |
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Definition
| post on google doc so i can insert here |
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| what characterizes partisan realignments in american politics? |
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Definition
| post on google doc so i can insert here |
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| what are the three major aspects of political parties in the U.S? |
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Definition
| post on google doc so i can insert here |
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Term
| how do interest groups form and sustain membership? |
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Definition
| top-down membership: someone with motives to build a group have people join verses a few politically active people who build a group (bottom-up) can be swayed to stay with selective benefits |
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Term
| Are interest groups effective? What sorts of effects should we look for to determine the impact of interest groups? |
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Definition
| Debatable. Some say they dominate American politics, others says they clog the veins of the body of politics and prevent action on important issues. |
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Term
| Are interest groups good or bad for democracy? |
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Definition
Interest Groups enhance democracy.
¤They are how we organize to petition government
¨¨Interest Groups represent the evils of faction.
¤Not all interests are represented
¤Government as a collection of narrow interests can’t function ***Directly from powerpoint** |
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Term
| how do interest groups form and sustain membership? |
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Definition
| top-down membership: someone with motives to build a group have people join verses a few politically active people who build a group (bottom-up) can be swayed to stay with selective benefits |
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