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AP Governent
Final Key Terms
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| DEMOCRACY | A political system of selected policymakers that will act according to the majority while maintaining minority rights; usually includes elections and citizen protections. |
| GOVERNMENT | System made up of the institutions and processes by which policy is made for a society. |
| INDIVIDUALISM | Belief that citizens should run their lives without government interference. |
| LINKAGE INSTITUIONS | Channels through which citizens voice their opinions in the policymaking system (i.e., elections, parties, interest groups, media) |
| POLICY AGENDA | A set of issues actively addressed by the government officials; often established by the media. |
| POLICYMAKERS | Government bodies that create public policy (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) |
| POLITICS | The process by which we select our government leaders and how they pursue policy; “who gets what, when, and where.” |
| ANTI FEDERALISTS | Opponents of the U.S. Constitution as it was being drafted; wanted more liberties and a weaker federal government. |
| BILL OF ATTAINDER | A law that intends to punish one type of person; banned by the Constitution. |
| CONNECTICUT (OR GREAT) COMPROMISE | Agreement at the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral congress; House membership based on population, Senate has two from each state. |
| EX POST FACTO | Type of law that punishes a person for a crime when it was legal when they did it; banned by the Constitution |
| FACTIONS | Groups arising mainly from the unequal distribution of property or wealth; attacked by James Madison in Federalist no. 10. |
| FEDERALIST PAPERS | A collection of 85 articles written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay to defend the Constitution's contents |
| FEDERALISTS | Supporters of the U.S. Constitution at the time its was being drafted; wanted limited rights and a strong federal government. |
| NATURAL RIGHTS | Fundamental rights belonging to all human beings (life, liberty, property); according to Locke, government must protect these rights. |
| NEW JERSEY (OR SMALL STATE) PLAN | Proposal of equal representation for the states in Congress at the Constitutional Convention. |
| REPUBLIC | A form of government in which the people select representatives to govern and make laws. |
| VIRGINIA (OR LARGE STATE) PLAN | Proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for three branches of government and representation in a bicameral Congress to be based on population. |
| WRIT OF HABEUS CORPUS | A court order requiring jailers to explain to a judge why they are holding a prisoner; required by the Constitution |
| BLOCK GRANTS | Grants given automatically to support broad programs in community development; states may use them as they wish. |
| CATEGORY GRANTS | Federal grants used for specific purposes, such as a federal mandate. |
| CONCURRENT POWERS | Constitutional powers extended to both states and the federal government (e.g. taxation) |
| DUAL FEDERALISM | Type of federalism where states are responsible for some duties, the federal government others; no longer the most common method. |
| EXPRESSED OR ENUMERATED POWERS | Constitutional powers clearly granted to the federal government |
| EXTRADITION | Constitutional law that requires a state to return fugitives to a state where the committed a crime |
| FEDERAL | Type of government with multiple branches of government (based either on role or region); checks and balances, and oversight |
| FISCAL FEDERALISM | Type of federalism where spending and taxing is dictated by the federal government to the states (i.e., grants). |
| FORMULA GRANT | Federal grants distributed to states based on need or other criteria |
| FULL FAITH AND CREDIT | Article IV, Section I of the Constitution, which requires states to respect the laws and documents of other states (e.g. marriage licenses) |
| IMPLIED POWERS | Name given to powers not listed in the Constitution, but that are "necessary and proper" for congress to perform; granted by the elastic clause (Article I, Section 8) |
| PRIVLIDGES AND IMMUNITIES | Constitutional provision that allows a visitor to a state to get the same protections as a resident. |
| PROJECT GRANT | Merit based grants awarded based on competitive applications |
| RESERVED POWERS | Type of powers not given to the federal government, but that are left to the states |
| SUPREMACY CLAUSE | Article VI of the Constitution; makes the Constitution the Supreme law of the land |
| UNITARY GOVERNMENT | Type of federal system where the national government has most of the power (as opposed to a confederation, where regional governments have more power) |
| CIVIL LIBERTIES | Name given to the set of legal Constitutional protections against the government, often protected by the Bill of Rights (first ten amendments to the Constitution) |
| COMMERCIAL SPEECH | Type of speech in form of advertising; regulated by the FTC, may be restricted more than other types of speech. |
| ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE | First Amendment clause that states Congress may make no law that entangles government with a religion. |
| EXCLUSIONARY RULE | Requirement that evidence cannot be introduced into trial if it was not legally obtained. |
| FEDERAL COMMUNICATION COMMISSION (FCC) | Government body that regulates the content, nature, and existence of programming on TV on radio |
| FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (FTC) | Government body that decides which kind of goods may be advertised on TV and radio |
| FREE EXERCISE | First Amendment clause that prohibits government from interfering with the practice of religion. |
| INCORPORATION | Legal concept under which the Supreme Court has nationalized portions of the Bill of Rights by making provisions applicable to states via the due process clause of the 14th Amendment |
| LIBEL and SLANDER | The publication or speech of false and malicious statements (written or spoken) that damage one's reputation; not protected by the First Amendment. |
| MIRANDA RIGHTS | Name given to the set of rights a person accused of a crime must be told "they may remain silent, what they say can used in court, and the right to an attorney." |
| PLEA BARGAIN | Deal struck between the accused and the prosecution that calls for a guilty plea in exchange for a lesser charge or sentence. |
| PRIOR RESTRAINT | Censorship by the government (preventing material from being printed) – mostly limited by the courts. |
| PRIVACY | The right of a person to live life free from government intrusion; not listed in the Bill of Rights, but is implied |
| PROBABLE CAUSE | Situation occurring when police have reason to believe that person should be arrested. |
| SELF INCRIMINATION | When an individual accused of a crime is compelled to be a witness against himself in court or before; prohibited by the Bill of Rights. |
| SYMBOLIC SPEECH | Nonverbal expression, like flag burning, which the Court deemed is protected by the Bill of Rights. |
| AFFIRMATIVE ACTION | Policies that give special attention or treatment to people from a disadvantaged group; seek equal results |
| AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT | Law that denied federal funds to any institution that discriminates against people over 40 (later expanded to 70) due to age |
| AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT | Law that requires employers and public facilities to make "reasonable accommodations" for people with disabilities |
| CIVIL RIGHTS | Policies designed to protect people from arbitrary discrimination by the government |
| CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 | Law that forbids racial discrimination in motels, hotels, restaurants, and in many jobs |
| COMPARABLE WORTH | Issue raised when women who hold traditionally female jobs are paid less than men who work jobs requiring similar skills |
| DE FACTO LAW | Policy indirectly produced by a separate law or policy |
| DE JURE LAW | Policy implemented through law |
| EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION | Agency created by the Civil Rights Act of 1965 to ensure fair hiring practices |
| EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE | Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment that requires all laws provide protection to all people without unnecessary discrimination. |
| EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT | Failed constitutional amendment that would have outlawed discrimination based on gender |
| GRANDFATHER CLAUSES/POLL TAXES/WHITE PRIMARIES/LITERACY TESTS | Methods used by southern states to legally deny blacks the vote; all were eventually outlawed. |
| MEDIUM OF SECURITY | Method used by the courts for defining gender bias; distinctions must have a "exceedingly persuasive justification." |
| MINORITY MAJORTY DISTRICTING | Gerrymandering with the goal of creating districts dominated by minorities; struck down by Supreme Court |
| SEXUAL HARASSMENT | Actions defined by the Court as so pervasive as to create a hostile or abusive work environment and is a form of gender discrimination banned by the Civil Rights Act |
| STANDARDS OF REVIEW | Criteria established by the courts for evaluating equal protection of the laws |
| TITLE IX | Part of the Education Act of 1972, banned discrimination in federally subsidized education programs including sports at both secondary and collegiate levels |
| VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965 | Law that lowered barriers, such as literacy tests, that prevented blacks from voting during the Civil rights movement |
| WOMEN'S EQUITY IN EMPLOYMENT ACT | Law that require employers to prove that promotions were based on merit and not gender. |
| CENSUS | Statistical analysis of the population; Constitution requires one to take place every ten years |
| CONSERVATIVISM | Political ideology that promotes smaller government, private solutions to society's problems, and a free market economy. |
| EXIT POLLS | Surveys used by the media to predict election winners; taken as voters leave polling stations |
| IDEOLOGY | One’s coherent set of beliefs about politics, government, and policy (i.e., liberal or conservative) |
| LIBERALISM | Political ideology that promotes larger government in order to fund social projects seeking equality and rights. |
| POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION | The process through which a person develops his/her political orientation through family, the media, school, and religion |
| PUBLIC OPINION | The varying positions of Americans regarding politics and policy |
| RANDOM SAMPLING | Technique used in polling that ensures that all types of people may be selected for a survey |
| REAPPORTIONMENT | The redistribution of seats in the House of Representatives as a result of a people movement and the census |
| SAMPLING ERROR | The degree of confidence that can be placed on a poll (more people surveyed, the higher the confidence) |
| SOUND BITES | Video or audio clips that last between 3 and 15 seconds from a politician’s speech or activities. |
| BEATS | Specific locations from which news constantly breaks. |
| MASS MEDIA | Linkage institution made up of broadcasts (TV and radio), narrowcasts (cable TV, internet), print (newspapers and magazines), etc. |
| SPIN | Tendency of media outlets to be biased in news reporting toward an ideological bias |
| TALKING HEADS | Media clips of a person speaking directly to the camera (it is boring and used sparingly) |
| TRIAL BALLOONS | Intentional political leaks by policymakers intended to assess public reaction. |
| NATIONAL COMMITTEE | Members of a political party that run affairs between conventions; aka “party in organization”. |
| NATIONAL PARTY CONVENTION | Party meetings taking place every four years to nominate a candidate for president and to define its position platform. |
| PARTY PLATFORM | A political party's list of goals and policies for a year period. |
| PARTY REALIGNMENT | Displacement of the majority party by the minority party after a critical election |
| POLITICAL PARTY | Organization of people with common ideologies that attempt to get individuals elected to office. |
| RESPONSIBLE PARTY MODEL | View that parties should offer clear choices, and that if elected, will do what was promised |
| THIRD PARTIES | Political parties, often advocating a single issue, that force the main parties to address certain issues. |
| BLANKET PRIMARY | Primary where voters get a ballot with all candidates, and they can vote for as many as they wish |
| CAUCUS (elections) | Meeting of state party leaders in certain states to nominate a candidate for the party convention. |
| CLOSED PRIMARY | Type of primary where only people registered within the party can vote. |
| FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACT | Legislation drafted in 1974 that created the FEC, allocated public funding for candidates, and limited campaign spending/contributions. |
| FRONTLOADING | Practice of states to schedule primaries early in the season to capitalize on media attention. |
| NOMINATION | An official endorsement of a candidate by a political party |
| OPEN PRIMARY | Primary where voters can decide on which party's ballot they wish to vote |
| POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES (PACs) | Groups that register with the FEC in order to give campaign contributions. |
| PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN FUND | Election fund filled by taxpayers who elect to donate. |
| SOFT MONEY | Donations that go to a party instead of a nominee during an election—thereby not restricted; later limited by McCain Feingold. |
| SUPERDELEGATES | Party leaders who get a delegate slot at the national convention along side state delegates. |
| 527 GROUPS | Groups that promote policy positions, rather than candidates, and are thus exempt from campaign donation limits. |
| COALITION | Groups of citizen voters whose support the parties depend upon. |
| INITIATIVES | In some states, citizens may place proposed changes to state constitutions on the ballot and vote on them. |
| MANDATE THEORY OF ELECTIONS | Idea that the winner of an election has been ordered by the people to initiate their policies. |
| MOTER VOTER ACT | Legislation drafted in 1993 that allows people to register to vote when applying for a driver's license. |
| POLITICAL EFFICACY | The belief of certain citizens that their participation makes a difference. |
| POLITICAL PARTICIAPTION | Citizen activities that influence politics and/or policy (voting, protests, civil disobedience, ect.) |
| RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY | Belief that voters will do what's best for them in election voting. |
| REFERENDUM | At the state level, this allows voters to vote on proposed legislation. |
| TICKET SPLITING | Practice of American voters who distribute their votes to both parties on ballots. |
| WINNER TAKE ALL SYSTEM | Electoral system where a president gets all electoral votes in states where they win the popular vote. |
| ACTUAL GROUP | Name given to active members of an interest group. |
| COLLECTIVE GOOD | Something of value that potentials get from the work of the actual members of an interest group. |
| ELECTIONEERING | Interest group involvement in the election process—often in the form of contributions by PACs. |
| ELITE AND CLASS THEORY | Theory holding that government and politics is dominated by the upper class. |
| FREE RIDER PROBLEM | Problem arising when people get the collective good without ever considering active participation. |
| HYPERPLURALISM | Theory holding that government and politics is weakened by excessive group activity. |
| INTEREST GROUPS | Groups of citizens with similar policy goals who enter into the policymaking system. |
| LOBBYING | Paid or unpaid members of an interest group that attempts to influence policymakers. |
| OLSEN'S LAW | Theory suggesting that the larger the group, the larger the shortfall of collective good. |
| PLURALIST THEORY | Theory holding that government and politics is based on group competition—and this is a good thing. |
| POLICY GRIDLOCK | Situation when no group has enough power to enact a policy, nothing happens. |
| POTENTIAL GROUP | Name given to people could be part of a interest group due to similar policy goals; often benefit from the work of actuals. |
| PUBLIC INTEREST LOBBIES | Groups that work for a collective good that will not impact them directly. |
| THE POWER 25 | Fortune Magazine's list of the most powerful interest groups in America. |
| BICAMERALISM | Term referring to a legislative system with two chambers. |
| CONFERENCE COMMITTEES | Formed to hammer out differences in a bill when the House and Senate cannot agree on its contents. |
| CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS | Groups in Congress with similar policy goals; most are made up of members from both parties and both Houses. |
| DISCHARGE PETITION | Process of bringing a bill out of committee and to the floor for consideration without a report from a Committee and usually without cooperation of the leadership. |
| EARMARKS | Amendments to bills (usually unrelated) that give a certain member of congress pork barrel money in exchange for a vote on the bill. |
| FILIBUSTER | In the Senate, opponents of a bill may stall debate by endlessly talking; a vote of cloture (60 votes) and end this tactic. |
| GERRYMANDERING | Questionable practice by politicians that attempts to draw congressional boundaries in ways to gain a political advantage |
| INCUMBANTS | Members of Congress up for reelection (they almost always win). |
| JOINT COMMITTEES | Congressional committee that has members from both houses. |
| LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT | Responsibility of Congress to monitor the executive branch and its policies—often in the form of hearings. |
| LOGROLLING | A deal by members of Congress involving promises to vote for each other’s bills. |
| MAJORITY LEADER | Leading member of the controlling party in each chamber of Congress (heads the Senate, assists the Speaker in the House). |
| MINORITY LEADER | Leader of the minority party in the House or Senate. |
| PORK BARREL | List of federal grants, projects, and contracts that members of Congress seek to get for their constituents. |
| SELECT COMMITTEES | Type of congressional committee created for the purpose of addressing a specific, temporary purpose (e.g., Watergate). |
| SENIORITY SYSTEM | System that allows the longest serving members of Congress to be appointed as committee chairs. |
| SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE | Leader of the House, chosen by the majority party; third in line for the presidency |
| STANDING COMMITTEES | Congressional committee that is permanent and confined to each chamber. |
| WHIP | Member of Congress who communicates events on the debate floor to the majority and minority leaders. |
| APPROVAL RATINGS | Poll results that demonstrate the public's satisfaction of the Presiden'ts performance. |
| CABINET | Group of presidential advisors, not mentioned in the Constitution; 14 secretaries and the attorney general. |
| COATTAILS | Name for when voters cast ballots for congressional candidates from the same party as the president. |
| COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISORS | A three member body appointed by the president to advise him on the economy. |
| EXECUTIVE AGREEMENT | Deals between the President and other heads of state; non binding; not subject to congressional approval. |
| EXECUTIVE OFFICES | Led by the chief of staff, these are the major policymaking bodies that assist the President; includes the NSC, CEA, and OMB. |
| GOING PUBLIC | Ability of the President to bypass Congress with policy goals and go directly to the people through the media. |
| HONEYMOON PERIOD | Name for the first 100 days of a presidency; is marked by high approval ratings and swift policy implementation. |
| HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE / SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE | Powerful congressional committees responsible for writing the tax code. |
| MANDATES (Election) | Belief of a presidential elect that by winning, he has a command from the people to implement his policies. |
| NATIONAL SECURITY DIRECTIVES | In times of emergency, the President can command these special actions (not subject to congressional approval). |
| OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET | Body of aides, advisors, and professionals that advise on and manage the President's budget. |
| VETO | Constitutional power of the president to reject a bill from congress (2/3 in congress can override). |
| WAR POWERS RESOLUTION | Law passed in 1973; requires the president to notify congress of military movements within 48 hours. |
| WHITE HOUSE STAFF | Led by the chief of staff, includes political offices (press secretary, speech writer), and support staff (cooks, clerks). |
| APPROPRIATIONS BILL | Type of bill that allocates the funds necessary to carry out authorization bills; usually last one year |
| AUTHORIZATION BILL | Bill that establishes, continues, or changes a discretionary program in order to meet the budget resolution |
| BUDGET RESOLUTION | An agreement that prohibits Congress from spending more than a set amount while making the budget |
| CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET AND IMPOUNDMENT CONTROL ACT | Law that established a budget making calendar, Congressional budget committees, and the Congressional Budget Office; made Congress stronger in the budget process |
| CONTINUING RESOLUTION | Resolution for when Congress cannot meet budgetary goals, agencies are allowed to spend at the level of the previous year |
| DEFICIT | Result of government spending more than it makes in revenue for a given budget year |
| DISCRETIONARY SPENDING | Government expenditures (mostly on bureaucratic agencies) that can be adjusted from year to year. |
| EMERGENCY DEFICIT CONTROL ACT | Law that lasted from 1985 to 1990, established deficit limits for future budgets in order to balance the budget by 1993; was a failure |
| FISCAL POLICY | Policies pertaining to taxing and spending |
| INCREMENTALISM | Belief that a new budget should be the same as the last budget, plus a little more |
| NATIONAL DEBT | The long term accumulation of budget deficits. |
| NON DISCRETIONARY SPENDING | Government expenditures that by law must be met, regardless of financial situation (e.g., entitlements) |
| RECONCILIATION | Process where last minute adjustments to spending bills occur to meet the budget resolution |
| SLUSH FUND | Money appropriated for certain purposes, but is instead used by government officials for for their questionable purposes. |
| TAX CREDITS | Revenue losses resulting from legal exemptions, exclusions, or deductions from one's tax return. |
| TAX LOOPHOLES | Name given to ways taxpayers can pay less in taxes buy cheating or circumventing requirements. |
| TAX REFORM ACT OF 1986 | Legislation that eliminated many tax deductions, removed the tax burden from the poor, and reduced the number of tax brackets |
| BUREAUCRACY | Government agencies that implement and regulate policy |
| CABINET DEPARTMENTS | Fifteen executive departments, headed by secretaries chosen by the president; each manages a specific policy area |
| CIVIL SERVICE | Non partisan government services (e.g., post office) that hires based on merit (exams and promotion ratings). |
| DEREGULATION | The lifting of restrictions on business and industry in order to allow greater self regulation. |
| EXECUTIVE ORDER | Pronouncement from the president that attempts to control the bureaucracy or force laws to be executed. |
| GOVERNMENT CORPORATIONS | Government businesses that could be ran by the private sector and that charge for services. |
| GOVERNMENT SPONSORED ENTERPRISES | Banks created by Congress to enhance the flow of credit to key sectors of the economy; not owned, but monitored by government. |
| HATCH ACT OF 1993 | Law that prohibits government employees from active participation in partisan politics. |
| INDEPENDENT EXECUTIVE AGENCIES | Agencies that implement and regulate policy, but are not under a cabinet department |
| IRON TRIANGLES | Aka "subgovernments;” interest groups, government agencies, and congressional committees that control an issue. |
| ISSUE NETWORK | Name given to the modern policymaking structure; includes the iron triangle, but also lawyers, corporations, and other groups. |
| OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT | Agency in charge of hiring for most middle and lower level government jobs. |
| PATRONAGE | Practice of hiring people for bureaucratic positions based on political reasons rather than merit |
| PLUM BOOK | Publication listing elite bureaucratic jobs available after a new president is elected; he makes these appointments. |
| POLICY IMPLEMENTATION | Task of the bureaucracy to enact policies made by the President, Congress, and courts. |
| REGULATION | Ability of the government to monitor and influence the private business sector. |
| REGULATORY AGENCIES | Agencies that implement and regulate policy and are under the supervision of a cabinet department |
| STANDARD OPERATING PROCEEDUREs | Rules that create uniformity and fairness in government agencies; often derogatorily called "red tape." |
| STREET LEVEL BUREAUCRATS | Bureaucrats that are in direct contact with the public (e.g., police officers) |
| AMICUS CURIAE BRIEFS | “Friend of the court;” tactic used by interest groups to raise unspoken concerns about legislation or litigation. |
| APPELLATE JURISDICTION | Ability of a circuit court or the Supreme Court to hear a case originally heard in a lower court; facts are not discussed, only legality. |
| CIVIL/CRIMINAL LAW | The two types of legal cases; the first involving the disputes between two parties, the second involving broken laws. |
| CLASS ACTION SUITS | A lawsuit brought forth by multiple people. |
| JUDICIAL ACTIVISM | Decisions by judges and courts to make bold policy decisions. |
| JUDICIAL IMPLEMENTATION | Process of how court decisions are translated into actual policy |
| JUDICIAL RESTRAINT | Practice of judges and courts to have a minimal policymaking role and leave legislating up to Congress. |
| JUDICIAL REVIEW | Ability of the courts to determine the constitutionality of laws and actions of policymakers; established by Marbury v. Madison (1803) |
| JUSTICIABLE DISPUTES | Requirement that a case must be capable of being decided in order to go to court |
| OPINIONS | Written explanations of the Supreme Court decision on a case. |
| ORIGINAL INTENT | Judicial opinion that the Constitution should be interpreted in the way the framers envisioned. |
| ORIGINAL JURISDICTION | Situation when a court has the privilege to hear a case first. |
| PER CURIUM DECISION | A court decision without explanation (resolves the current case, but sets no precedent for future cases) |
| POLITICAL QUESTIONS | A means for federal courts to avoid taking a case |
| PRECEDENT | The making of policy by the Courts through case decisions; decisions may be overturned by later decisions |
| SENATORIAL COURTESY | Tradition where judicial nominees are not confirmed in a state if the senator from that state disapproves. |
| SOLICITOR GENERAL | The third ranking officer in the Justice Department; is in charge of appellate court litigation involving the federal government. |
| STANDING TO SUE | Requirement that plaintiffs must have a serious interest in a case to file litigation. |
| STARE DECISIS | “Let the ruling stand”; court decisions where the result of the lower courts or precedent are upheld. |
| STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION | Procedure of Congress to pass clarifying laws after the Court has ruled a particular way. |
| SUPREME COURT | Highest US court; interprets national law and disputes between states; has both original and appellate jurisdiction |
| ANTI TRUST POLICY | Policies designed to ensure competition by breaking up monopolies |
| BALANCE OF TRADE | Ratio of what is paid for imports to what is paid for exports. |
| FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM | Federal bank system that regulates the flow of money to commercial banks and sets interest rates |
| INFLATION | the systemic rise in prices for goods, usually caused by currency printing; measured the Consumer Price Index |
| KEYNESIAN ECONOMICS | Belief that during economic downturns, the government can create demand through spending programs and tax credits |
| MIXED ECONOMY | Economic system which is largely free market, but involves government regulation |
| MONETARY POLICY | Policies involving the money supply, inflation, jobs, and markets. |
| MULTINATIONALS | Type of corporations that have assets in many countries |
| PROTECTIONISM | Policy that calls for preventing consumers from buying foreign goods in order to strengthen domestic businesses |
| SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION | Federal agency that oversees the stock market and guards against stock fraud |
| SUPPLY SIDE ECONOMICS | Monetary policy insisting the government can create supply by cutting taxes for business to stimulate the economy |
| UNEMPLOYMENT RATE | The proportion of the labor force actively seeking employment, but is unable to find it. |
| EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT | Tax policy that redistributes income to the poor instead of charging them income tax |
| ENTITLEMENTS | Name for social programs that benefit certain individuals who meet certain requirements, regardless of need. |
| FEMINIZATION OF POVERTY | Name for the increasing concentration of poverty among women, especially single mothers and their children. |
| IN KIND BENEFITS | Non cash entitlements to people from the government (e.g., food stamps) |
| INCOME | The amount of money one receives for wages or salary in a given amount of time |
| MEANS TESTED PROGRAMS | Entitlements available to individuals near or below the poverty line (e.g., Medicaid). |
| MEDICAID | A shared entitlement between the federal government and the states that sponsors health care for the poor |
| MEDICARE | Government entitlement that sponsors health care for the elderly |
| PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND WORK OPPORTUNITY ACT | Law that reformed welfare in 1996; limited the amount of benefits one could receive; created TANF. |
| POVERTY LINE | Defines the amount of income necessary to maintain an "austere" standard of living; used to count the number of poor people |
| PROGRESSIVE TAX | Tax policy where the rich pay a higher percentage of income taxes than the poor; used to redistribute wealth |
| PROPORTIONAL TAX | Tax policy where all classes pay the same percentage of income taxes; also known as a "flat" tax |
| REGRESSIVE TAX | Tax policy where the poor pay a higher percentage in taxes than the rich (e.g., sales tax or any flat number rather than percentage) |
| SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND | The investment fund from which Social Security payments are paid |
| SOCIAL WELFARE | Policies that provide monetary benefits to individuals |
| TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) | Welfare program through PRWORA that gives cash payments to the neediest families; replaced the old AFDC welfare program. |
| WEALTH | Value of all of one's assets, including income, investments, and possessions. |
| WEALTH REDISTRIBUTION | Government policy of using taxation or other measures to take wealth the wealthy and give it to others |
| CAP AND TRADE | Policy that allows businesses to produce a certain amount of pollution; beyond that, they must borrow credits or pay a tax. |
| CLEAN AIR ACT | Law that called on the Department of Transportation to reduce automobile emissions |
| ENDANGERED SPEICIES ACT | Law that requires the government to protect endangered species regardless of economic impact. |
| ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY | Bureaucratic agency that monitors pollution and toxic wastes |
| FOSSIL FUELS | Sources of nonrenewable fuels that yield emissions; include oil, coal, and natural gas |
| NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT | Law in the 2000s that denied federal grants to states that did not enforce standards; required testing to encourage teacher accountability. |
| RENEWABLE ENERGY | Sources of energy viewed as clean, such as wind and solar power. |
| SIMPSON MAZZOLI ACT | Law in 1986 that granted amnesty to illegal immigrants; banned employment of illegals and secured the border; largely a failure. |
| WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT | Legislation that attempted to clean up lakes and rivers; created pollution permit system. |
| CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY | Agency that coordinates America's spy network in the world |
| CONTAINMENT | American foreign policy during the early Cold War that called for preventing the spread of Communism, using force if necessary |
| DETANTE | American foreign policy late in the Cold War that called for an easing of tensions through guarantees of mutual security |
| ECONOMIC SANCTIONS | Monetary penalties imposed on foreign governments in order to modify its social, political, or economic behavior |
| EUROPEAN UNION | Economic alliance of European nations to coordinate trade, currency, labor, and immigration. |
| FOREIGN POLICY | Policies that deal with relations with the rest of the world, including diplomacy and military operations |
| INTERDEPENDENCY | Theory that in the modern world, one nation's actions affect all other nations |
| ISOLATIONISM | American foreign policy from independence to WWII; included avoiding foreign wars and the invocation of the Monroe Doctrine |
| JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF | Body made up of heads from each of the military services and a chairman; advises and informs the president on military policy |
| NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL | Body formed in 1947 to advise the president on national security; includes the president, vice president, secretaries of state and defense, and the president's national security advisor |
| NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO) | Military alliance of western nations and Turkey that vows to defend all members |
| ORGANIZATION OF PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES (OPEC) | Economic organization made up of Arab and South American countries that control the supply and price of oil |
| STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE (aka STAR WARS) | Reagan's foreign policy that called for a system to intercept Soviet missiles; he also sought to win the arms race through massive defense spending |
| UNITED NATIONS | Global peace keeping body with membership of most nations; monitors human rights, economic freedoms, and potential conflicts |
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