 | Term | Definition |
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Activists |
Individuals, usually outside government, who actively promote a political party, philosophy, or issue they care about |
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Ad Hoc Structure |
A method of organizing a president's staff in which several task forces, committes, and informal groups of friends and advisers deal directly with the president |
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Adversarial Press |
A national press that is suspicious of officialdom and eager to break an embarrasing story about a public official |
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Amendments |
Changes in, or additions to, the U.S. constitution. proposed by 2/3 vote of both houses or by a convention |
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Antifederalists |
opponents of a strong central government who campaigned against the ratification of the Constitution in favor of a confederation of independant states |
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Articles of Confederation |
A constitution drafted by the newly independent states in 1777 and ratified in 1781. created weak national governemnt couldnt levy taxes or regulate commerce. In 1789 it was replace by our current constitution to create a stronger national government |
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Australian ballot |
A government printed ballot of uniform size and shape to be cast in secret. was adopted by many states aroun 1890 in order to reduce voting fraud |
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authority |
the right to use power. |
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Bicameral legislature |
A law making body made of two houses (bi means 2). Example: Congress (our legislature) is made of two house - The House of Representatives and The Senate. |
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Bill of Attainder |
law that declares a person, without a trial, to be guilty of a crime; congress forbidden to pass such law ny Article I of the Constitution |
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Bill of Rights |
Lists individual rights such as freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly |
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Blanket Primary |
A primary election that permits all voters, regardless of party to choose candidates |
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Block Grants |
a type of grant-in-aid given by the federal gov't to a state for a general purpose, such as fighting crime or improving education |
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Brief |
a written statement setting forth the legal arguments, relevant facts, and precedents supporting one side of a case |
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Budget |
A document that announces how much the government will collect in taxes and spend in revenues |
