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POLS207 - Exam 1
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Comparative Method | A learning approach based on studying the differences and similarities among similar units of analysis (such as states) |
| Moralistic Cultures | A political culture that views politics and government as the means to achieve the collective good |
| Individualistic Cultures | A political culture that views politics and government as just another way to achieve individual goals |
| Traditionalistic Cultures | A political culture that views politics and government as the means of maintaining the existing social order |
| Laboratories of Democracy | A metaphor that emphasizes the states’ ability to engage in different policy experiments without interference from the federal government |
| Devolution | The process of taking power and responsibility away from the federal government and giving it to state and local governments |
| Federalism | A political system in which national and regional governments share powers and are considered independent equals |
| Unitary Systems | Nations in which legal authority is held exclusively by a central government |
| Confederacy | A voluntary association of independent, sovereign states or governments |
| Representative Government | A form of government in which citizens exercise power indirectly by choosing representatives to legislate on their behalf |
| Preemption | The process of the federal government’s overriding areas regulated by state law. |
| Enumerated Powers | Grants of authority explicitly given by the Constitution |
| Implied Powers | Broad, but undefined, powers given to the federal government by the Constitution |
| Concurrent Powers | Powers that both federal and state governments can exercise |
| Exclusive Powers | Powers given by the Constitution solely to the federal government |
| National Supremacy Clause | Constitutional clause that states that federal law takes precedence over all other |
| General Welfare Clause | Constitutional clause that gives Congress an implied power through the authority to provide for the “general welfare" |
| Necessary and Proper Clause | Constitutional clause that gives Congress an implied power through the right to pass all laws considered “necessary and proper” to carry out the federal government’s responsibilities as defined by the Constitution |
| Full Faith and Credit Clause | Constitutional clause that requires states to recognize each other’s public records and acts as valid |
| Privileges and Immunities Clause | Constitutional clause that prohibits states from discriminating against citizens of other states |
| Categorial Grants | Federal grants-in-aid given for specific programs that leave states and localities with little discretion over how to spend the money |
| General Revenue Grants | Federal grants-in-aid given with few constraints, leaving states and localities almost complete discretion over how to spend the money |
| Block Grants | Federal grants-in-aid given for general policy areas that leave states and localities with wide discretion over how to spend the money within the designated policy area |
| Natural Law | A set of moral and political rules based on divine law and binding on all people |
| Dual Constitutionalism | A system of government in which people live under two sovereign powers. In the United States, these are the government of their state of residence and the federal government |
| Colonial Charters | Legal documents drawn up by the British Crown that spelled out how the colonies were to be governed |
| Bicameral Legislatures | Legislatures made up of two chambers, typically a house of representatives, or assembly, and a senate |
| Legislative Proposals* | When the state legislature proposes constitutional amendments to the electorate as a whole |
| Ballot Initiatives | Processes through which voters directly convey instructions to the legislature, approve a law, or amend the constitution |
| Constitutional Convention | An assembly convened for the express purpose of amending or replacing a constitution |
| Judicial Review | The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the constitution |
| Constitutional Commisions | Expert committees formed to assess constitutions and suggest changes |
| Ratification | A vote of the entire electorate to approve a constitutional change, referendum, or ballot initiative |
| Referendums | Procedures that allow the electorate to accept or reject a law passed by the legislature |
| Budget Deficits | Cash shortages that result when the amount of money coming into the government falls below the amount being spent |
| Sales Taxes | Taxes levied by state and local governments on purchases. |
| Property Taxes | A tax paid on property owned by an individual or other legal entity, such as a corporation |
| Income Taxes | Taxes on wages and interest earned |
| Excise Taxes | Taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and other similar products that are designed to raise revenues and reduce use |
| Severance Taxes | Taxes on natural resources that are removed from a state |
| User Fees | Charges levied by governments in exchange for services. Such fees constitute a type of hidden tax |
| Tax Capacity | A measure of the ability to pay taxes |
| Tax Effort | A measure of taxes paid relative to the ability to pay taxes |
| Progressive Tax System | A system of taxation in which the rate paid reflects ability to pay |
| Regressive Tax System | Taxes levied on all taxpayers regardless of income or ability to pay, placing proportionately more of a burden on those with lower incomes |
| Intergovernmental Transfers | Funds provided by the federal government to state governments and by state governments to local governments |
| Bonds | Certificates that are evidence of debts on which the issuer promises to pay the holders a specified amount of interest for a specified length of time and to repay the loans on their maturity |
| General Obligation Bonds | Investments secured by the taxing power of the jurisdiction that issues them |
| Revenue Bonds | Investments secured by the revenue generated by a state or municipal project |
| Municipal Bonds | Bonds issued by states, counties, cities, and towns to fund large projects as well as operating budgets. Income from such bonds is exempt from federal taxes and from state and local taxes for the investors who live in the state where they are issued |
| Budget Process | The procedure by which state and local governments assess revenues and set budgets |
| Fiscal Year | The annual accounting period used by a government |
| Balanced Budget | A budget in which current expenditures are equal to or less than income |
| Expenditures | Money spent by government |
| Fiscal Federalism | The system by which federal grants are used to fund programs and services provided by state and local governments |
| Discretionary Spending | Spending controlled in annual appropriations acts |
| Entitlement | A service that government must provide, regardless of the cost |
| Office Group (Massachusetts) Ballot | A ballot in which candidates are listed by name under the title of the office they are seeking |
| Party Column (Indiana) Balllot | A ballot in which the names of candidates are divided into columns arranged according to political party |
| Straight Ticket | voting for all of one party’s candidates for various offices—for instance, voting for all Democrats or all Republicans |
| Secret (Australian) Ballot | A ballot printed by a state that allows voters to pick and choose among different candidates and party preferences in private |
| Voter Turnout | The percentage of voting-eligible citizens who register to vote and do vote |
| Nonpartisan Elections | An election in which the candidates do not have to declare party affiliation or receive a party’s nomination; local offices and elections are often nonpartisan |
Created by:
rahulrajendran
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