| Term | Definition |
|---|
| actual group | the part of the potential group consisting of members who actually join |
| affirmative action | a policy designed to give special attention to or compensatory treatment for members of some previously disadvantaged group |
| Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 | a law passed in 1990 that requires employers and public facilities to make "reasonable accomodations" for people with disabilities and prohibits discrimination against these individuals in employment |
| amicus curiae briefs | legal briefs submitted by a "friend of the court" for the purpose of raising additional points of view and presenting information not contained in the briefs of the formal parties. These briefs influence a court's decision |
| anti-federalists | opponents of the American Constitution at the time when states were contemplating its adoption. They argued that the Constitution was a class-based document, that it would erode fundamental liberites, and that it would weaken the power of the states. |
| appelate jurisdiction | the jurisdiction of courts that hear cases brought to them on appeal from lower courts. These courts do not review the factual record, only the legal issues involved. |
| bicameral legislature | a legislature divided into two houses. The uS Congress and every American state except Nebraska's are this |
| bill | a proposed law, drafted in precise, legal language. Anyone can draft this but only a member of the House of Reps or the Senate can formally submit this for consideration |
| Bill of Rights | the first ten amendments to the US Constituion, drafted in response to some anti-federalist concerns. These amendments define such basic liberties as freedom of religion, speech, and press and offer protections against arbitrary searches by the police and being held without talking to a lawyer |
| blanket primaries | elections to select party nominees in which voters are presented with a list of the candidates from all the parties. Voters can select some Democrats and some Republicans as they like |
| cabinet | a group of presidential advisers not mentioned in the Constitution, although every president has had one. Today the cabinet is composed of 14 secretaries and the attorney general |
| casework | activities of members of congress that help constituents as individuals; cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get people what they think they have a right to get |
| caucus | group of member sof Congress sharing some interest or characteristic OR a meeting of all state party leaders for selecting delegates to the national party convention; usually organized as a pyramid |
| checks and balances | an important part of the Madisonian model designed to limit government's power by requiring that power be balanced among the different governmental institutions. These institutions continually check one another's activities. This system reflects Madison's goal of setting power against power |
| civic duty | belief that in order to support democratic government, citizen should always vote |
| civil liberties | legal constitutional protections against government. Although our civil liberties are formally set down in the Bill of Rights, the vourts, police, and legislatures define their meaning |
| civil rights | policies designed to protect people against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by government officials or individuals |
| Civil Rights Act of 1964 | law that made racial discrimination against any group in hotels, motels, and restaurants illegal and forbade many forms of job discrimination |
| class action lawsuits | lawsuits permitting a small number of people to sue on behalf of all other people similarly situated |
| closed primaries | elections to select party nominees in which only people who have registered in advance with the party can vote for that party's candidates, thus encouraging greater party loyalty |
| coalition | a group of individuals with a common interest upon which every political party depends |
| coalition government | when two or more parties join together to form a majority in national legislature. This form of government is quite common in the multiparty systems of Europe |
| collective good | something of value (money, a tax write-off, prestige, clean air, and so on) that cannot be withheld from a group member |
Combine with other sets
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace