Back to FlashcardsLaw / AP Government Amendments and Concepts Part 4
Earmarking
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
Earmarking
Practice of congressmen of securing ('appropriating') federal money ('pork') for projects that will benefit their constituents. Major incumbent advant...
Primary Election
One way for a state party to select delegates to send to the National Convention. Can be closed, open or blanket. Now used by most states instead of c...
Push Poll
A type of poll that attempts to influence opinions secretly using a poll (would you vote for McCain if you knew that he had a black, illegitimate chil...
Random Digit Dialing
A common method of randomizing poll sample to maximize accuracy.
Realism
Major foreign policy ideology. Act in the world only to protect and benefit yourself. (Contrast with idealism)
Redistricting Process
When a state legislature or independent commission draws new House district lines (if gain/loss of seats after reapportionment process based on census...
Related Flashcard Decks
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Earmarking | Practice of congressmen of securing ('appropriating') federal money ('pork') for projects that will benefit their constituents. Major incumbent advantage & source of budget increases |
Primary Election | One way for a state party to select delegates to send to the National Convention. Can be closed, open or blanket. Now used by most states instead of caucus (cheaper, quicker, more democratic). |
Push Poll | A type of poll that attempts to influence opinions secretly using a poll (would you vote for McCain if you knew that he had a black, illegitimate child?) |
Random Digit Dialing | A common method of randomizing poll sample to maximize accuracy. |
Realism | Major foreign policy ideology. Act in the world only to protect and benefit yourself. (Contrast with idealism) |
Redistricting Process | When a state legislature or independent commission draws new House district lines (if gain/loss of seats after reapportionment process based on census every ten years) |
Referendum | A state level method of direct democracy that gives voters a chance to approve or disapprove proposed legislative action or a proposed amendment. Occurs when a state wants the voter's opinion on a controversial issue. |
Republic | Representative democracy. Sovereignty rests with the people, as opposed to a king or monarch. |
Sampling Error | The % margin of error of a survey. Randomized polls accurate to 3%. |
Selective Incorporation Doctrine | Judicial doctrine that applies the Bill of Rights (one right at a time) to state and local governments by incorporating them into the concept of liberty in the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause (which is binding on the states) |
Separation of Powers | The principle of dividing governmental powers among different branches of government to protect against tyranny (Federalist 51). |
Shays' Rebellion | Failed rebellion in 1786 by poor farmers in MA against state government & banks that were taking their farms. Showed how weak the central confederation government was vs. threats to private property and order. Major factor in creation of Constitutional Convention in 1787 (Elite theory) |
Stare Decisis | 'The decision stands'. A rule in deciding cases where judges follow precedent (how similar cases were decided in the past). Helps promote consistency and fairness in the legal process. Lower courts must follow precedent set by higher courts. Supreme Court can reject precedent if absolutely necessary (Example: Brown rejects precedent of Plessy). |
Substantive Representation | Theory of representation that says that anyone can represent any group (ex. a rich white guy can represent the interests of poor black people). Compare to Descriptive Representation. |
Supremacy Clause | The Federal constitution, laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land. States cannot interfere with federal power (ex. McCulloch v. Maryland). |
Swing State | A state that could go either way in a presidential elections (unlike 'safe states'). Target of a lot of attention in elections. Also known as 'battleground states' or 'purple states' (Ohio, Florida in 2008) |
Unitary State | A state ruled by one central government. This is the system used by most countries. Compare with federal state. |
United Nations | Replaced the League of Nations after WWII. Global organization to maintain peace and facilitate diplomacy. |
US Constitution | 'The supreme law of the land.' Written in 1787 at Philadelphia Convention to replace Articles of Confederation and create stronger central government. Outlines structure & power of 3 branches of national government. Oldest written constitution still in use (but amended 27 times plus myriad informal amendments). |
US v. Morrison (2000) | Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) unconstitutional because it exceeded Congress' commerce clause power. With Lopez v. United States, two recent cases checking commerce clause growth of federal power (unchecked since New Deal). Next up: Obamacare. |
Virginia Plan | Also known as the Big State Plan. Wanted proportional representation in Congress (based on population). |
White Primary | A form of restricting African American's 15th Amendment rights during the Jim Crow Era by only allowing whites to vote in the primary elections; giving African Americans only the opportunity to vote for white racist A or white racist B. |
World Trade Organization | Economic organization to promote global wealth. |
Measurement Error | An error in collecting polling data. Example = response bias or confusing questions. |
Libertarianism | Belief in as much freedom and as little government as possible (tolerates some government to provide stability & security). Supports free market economy, no government regulation of morality, low taxes. |
Socialism | A political ideology that opposes capitalism and supports government control of major aspects of the economy (ex. electricity, health care). |
Declaration of Independence | Thomas Jefferson's statement of political liberalism (limited government to protect life liberty and pursuit of happiness; right to revolution). |
Philadelphia Convention (1787) | 12 states send delegates to revise the Articles of Confederation; Delegates soon agree to draft completely new Constitution with stronger federal government. Elite conspiracy? |
South Dakota v. Dole (1987) | Congress is allowed to attach 'strings' (conditions of aid) to money given to states (raise drinking age to 21 to get highway funds). Major tool of fiscal federalism. |
Term Limits | A legal restriction that limits the number of terms a person may serve in a particular elected office. President limited by 22nd Amendment to 2 terms. No term limits on congressmen. |