Social Contract Theory
A population in a given place gave up as much power to a government as needed to promote the well being of all
Parliamentary government
Legislators =ministers, chief executive is prime minister is chosen from among the legislature by the ruling party, not directly elected
Democracy
System of government where political authority is officially assigned to the people; Use elections to place representatives in government
Federal
Central government and several regional governments
John Locke
Believed that in a state of nature, people were in a state of perfect freedom
Niccolo machiaveli
Developed thoughts of how princes should rule and keep power (all the bad qualities)
expressed powers
Those specifically laid out by the Constitution
inherent powers
Powers of a branch of government that are not specifically listed in the Constitution.
concurrent powers
The powers which refer specifically to the powers which both the federal and state governments have and can exercise independently
checks & balances
Different parts of the Government that have powers that affect and control the other parts so that no specific part can become over-powered
extradition
Taking a criminal back to the state the crime was committed if they fled to another are
committees
Groups of members from Congress and/or the Senate to investigate, debate, and report on legislation. Joint committees consist of the House and the Senate. Standing committees are permanent, select aren’t
filibusters
When a senator “talks a bill to death” by speaking continuously to avoid allowing the bill to be passed with a vote
house of reps
Lower house of congress that contains 435 members that serve 2 year terms. The number of reps per state is decided by apportionment
senate
Higher house of congress that has a total of 100 senators with 6 year terms, also the Vice President serves as the senate president
EOP
About 2,000 people that work closely with the president to carry out executive powers. They work in or near the White House.
war powers act
Congress has the authority to declare war. The President is commander-in-chief of the military
interest groups
Interest groups are organizations that aim to influence public policy with shared common views/interests
gerrymander
When state legislatures draw congressional districts in order to advantage one party over another
civil rights
Freedoms guaranteed as a result of government action
civil liberties
Freedoms guaranteed from government action
grassroots
Movements which emerge as a result of the mobilization of average citizens
elastic clause
Allows Congress to stretch its powers beyond the expressed powers; aka the necessary and proper clause
constitutional amendments
First ten are Bill of Rights;
Additions or revisions to the constitution
Articles of Confederation
document that preceded the Consitution
federalism
The division and sharing of power between the national and state Governments
state of the union
Annual address given by the President to Congress
FEC
independent agency that enforces federal campaign finance laws, monitor donation prohibitions.
article I
The legislative branch is the branch that makes laws for the United States.
Article ii
The executive Branch has a single president. There job is outlined in this article.
Article iii
Supreme Court is the Judicial power of the Government. Their job’s are outlined in this article.
Veto
A constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by the legislative Branch
bill of rights
Contains the first ten of the amendments
open primary
A primary Election in which voters are not required to declare party affiliation`
closed primary
Primary in which only one political party can vote
conservatism
a political ideology that advocates for the preservation of traditional values and institutions. Typically associated with support for limited government intervention in the economy and social affairs, and a skepticism of radical social and political change
Liberalism
a political ideology that emphasizes individual liberty, equal rights, and the protection of individuals from the state. It is often associated with support for a strong, central government that provides for the common good and promotes social justice
suffrage
The right to vote in democratic elections
Bicameral
term referring to Congress; split into two houses
majority opinion/decision
The official decision of the Supreme Court is found in this type of decision
monarchy
form of government in which the ruler inherits their position
Prime Minister
This is the head of state under a parliamentary government
Commander in chief
Under this role, the president is leader of the U.S. military
judicial review
This is the process by which the courts determine whether a law is constitutional or not
president/senate
Who nominates/appoints judges to federal court positions, and who confirms these appointments?
Vice President
This individual is the tie-breaker in the Senate
independent agencies
The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) regulates campaign finance. This is an example of what type of organization
apportionment
process by which the number of representatives per state is assigned following the Census
Political ideology
A person's individual political identity can be referred to as this
executive order
The president can unilaterally issue one of these in lieu of
Congress passing a law
Impeachment
process by which a government official can be removed from office for misconduct, typically reserved for serious offenses; Constitution grants this power to the House, which can vote by a majority. If an official is impeached, they are then tried in the Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required for conviction and removal from office.
Free exercise clause
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; prevents the government from interfering with an individual's religious beliefs or practices, unless there is a compelling reason to do soJerru
Jerry McNerney
our congressman representing the stockton area