Affirmative Action Correct Answer: A policy designed to give special compensation to a previously disadvantaged group.
amicus curiae briefs Correct
... [Show More] Answer: Briefs submitted to the court by outside parties to influence the decision.
Anti-Federalists Correct Answer: At the time of the Con, they argued that the Con was a class based document, would erode fundamental liberties and weaken the states.
appropriations bill Correct Answer: Act of Cong that funds programs within authorized limits. Usually these bills are annual.
Articles of Confederation Correct Answer: First Con, adopted in 1777, enacted in 1781. They established a national legislature (Continental Congress), but left most authority with the states.
authorization bill Correct Answer: Act of Cong (type of bill) that makes or continues a government or entitlement program, also defines budget limits for said program.
bicameral legislature Correct Answer: A legislature divided into 2 houses, such as the US Congress and most state legislatures.
bill Correct Answer: A proposed law written in legal language. Only o member of Congress can submit one, although anyone can write one.
Bill of Rights Correct Answer: First 10 Amendments written to satiate Anti-Federalists. They define basic liberties and rights.
blanket primaries Correct Answer: Primaries in which voters can be from and vote for any party.
block grants Correct Answer: Federal grants automatically given to states to support broad programs. (Compared to categorical grants)
Brown v. Board of Education Correct Answer: 1954 SuCo: School segregation is unconstitutional because it violates the 14th Amendment guarantee of equal protection. Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson.
budget Correct Answer: A policy document allocating taxes and expenditures,
budget resolution Correct Answer: The bottom line for all federal spending.
bureaucracy Correct Answer: A system of departments and agencies formed to carry out the work of government.
cabinet Correct Answer: A group of presidential advisers. Consists of 14 secretaries and the attorney general.
capitalism Correct Answer: An economic system in which individuals and corporations, not the government, own the principle means of production and seek profit.
casework Correct Answer: Pork barreling, basically. Activities of Congressmen that help individual constituents.
categorical grants Correct Answer: Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes. These grants have strings attached. (Compare to block grants)
congressional caucus Correct Answer: A group of Congressmen sharing an interest or characteristic. (Not the party version)
state party caucus Correct Answer: A meeting of all state party leaders for selecting delegates to the national party convention. Usuall organized as a pyramid (Not the congressional version)
census Correct Answer: Demographics report required by the Constitution to be redone every 10 years.
checks and balances Correct Answer: An important part of the Madisonian model designed to limit government's power by requiring power to be balanced among different institutions that check each other's activities.
civil law Correct Answer: Judicial law not involving criminal charges. Cases are between 2 parties and involve common law.
civil liberties Correct Answer: Legal constitutional protections against government. (compare to civil rights)
civil rights Correct Answer: Policies designed to protect people against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by government.(Compare to civil liberties) [Show Less]