Precendent

the principles or guidelines established by courts in earlier cases that frame the ongoing operation of the courts, steering the direction of the entire system

Stare Decisis

the doctrine that courts will adhere to precedent in making their decisions. This means “to stand by things decided” in Latin.

Judicial Activism

a judicial philosophy in which a justice is more likely to overturn decisions or rule actions by the other branches unconstitutional, especially in an attempt to broaden individual rights and liberties

Judicial Review

the power of the courts to review actions taken by the other branches of government and the states and to rule on whether those actions are constitutional

Judicial Restraint

a judicial philosophy in which a justice is more likely to let stand the decisions or actions of the other branches of government

Merit System

a system of filling civil service positions by using competitive examinations to value experience and competence over political loyalties

Power of the Purse

The constitutional power of Congress to raise and spend money. Congress can use this as a negative or checking power over the other branches by freezing or cutting their funding.

Cabinet

a group of advisors to the president, consisting of the most senior appointed officers of the executive branch who head the fifteen executive departments

Signing Statement

A written declaration that a president may make when signing a bill into law. Usually, such statements point out sections of the law that the president deems unconstitutional

bureaucracy

an administrative group of nonelected officials charged with carrying out functions connected to a series of policies and programs

Department

A sector that deals with a particular area of interest. Housed in the Executive Branch and headed by a Cabinet Secretary

Executive Office

Staff that directly supports the work of the President and serve at their pleasure.

Independent Agency

Created by Congress and independent of the executive. Intended to enforce regulations free of political influence

Regulation

A rule, or mechanism that limits, steers, or otherwise controls social behavior. Often enacted by an administrative agency.

Political Patronage

Filling of administrative positions as a reward for support, rather than merit.

Iron Triangle

Coordinated and mutually beneficial activities of the bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups to achieve shared policy goals

Implementation

the bureaucracy's role in putting into action the laws that Congress has passed

Red Tape

complex rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done.

Oversight

The idea is that members of Congress sometimes use their judgment and sometimes follow the wishes of their constituents in making policy

Coalitions

A combination of groups of people who work together to achieve a political goal

Constituencies

An elected official represents the individuals who live within the geographical area

Civil Service

A system of hiring and promotion based on the merit principle and the desire to create nonpartisan government service

Gerrymandering

When a congressional committee holds a hearing to determine how well an agency is doing its job

Redistricting

A presidential statement that has the force of law and does not require congressional approval

Incumbent

The current holder of the elected office

Pork Barrel

Gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return

Trustee

Spending on programs not already required by law

Delegate

The role of an elected representative is to vote in a manner consistent with the views of his and her constituents

Ambassadors

Responsible for representing the United States in foreign countries and for managing diplomatic relations

Politico

The role played by elected representatives who act as trustees or as delegates, depending on the issue

Speaker of the House

The official leader of the majority party in the House

Senate Majority Leader

The floor leader for the majority party

Whips

Assistant of the floor leader in the House and Senate, responsible for monitoring and marshaling vote

Budget Reconciliation

A resolution binding Congress to a total expenditure level, supposedly the bottom line of all federal spending for all programs

Partisan

An adherent or supporter of a person, group, party, or cause, especially a person who shows a biased, emotional allegiance

President pro tempore

Officer of the Senate selected by the majority party to act as chair in the absence of the vice president

Filibuster

The practice of using the senate rule allowing continuous debate to delay legislative action

Cloture

A senate rule that can be used to end a filibuster with a supermajority of 60 votes

Unanimous Consent

A procedure allowing a rule to be bypassed at the request of a senator with the approval of all 100 senators

Committee System

Members of Congress are assigned to committees to investigate the merits and problems with suggested bills

Rules Committee

Important standing committee in the House of Representatives responsible for putting bills on the calendar, setting limits for the amount of time to debate, and deciding if amendments can be added

Discretionary Spending

Redrawing congressional district boundaries based on new census

Mandatory Spending

A president who is at the end of their second term or who has lost an election or decided not to run for a second term

Entitlement

Mandatory spending on government programs that provide benefits to qualified individuals

Budget Deficit

The result of when the government in one year spends more money than it takes in from taxes

Log Rolling

A method of compromise in which members of Congress agree to support bills they would normally oppose in exchange for support from other members on bills that are of importance to them

Executive Order

A declaration by the preset that impacts policy and has the force of law without congressional approval

Electoral College

Which decides who will be elected president and vice president of the United States

Lame Duck

Spending that is required under the law, such as medicare and the interest on national dept

Bully Pulpit

A conspicuous position that provides an opportunity to speak out and be listened to

Veto

A formal decision to reject the bill passed by Congress

Pocket Veto

A formal decision to reject a bill passed by Congress after it adjourns

Foreign Policy

The general plan is followed by a nation in defending and advancing its national interests, especially its security against foreign threats.