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Preamble
We the people, in order to form a more perfect union establish justice, ensure domestictranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. TERM 2
Commerce Clause
DEFINITION 2 there is a very broad interpretation of the Commerce ClauseIs known to include issues pertaining to the regulation of highways, stock trading, banking, violence against women and civil rightsdelegates to Congress the power "to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States and with the Indian tribes." The Supreme Court interpreted this clause in favor of national power over the economy. TERM 3
Federalism
DEFINITION 3 a system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between the central government and regional governments TERM 4
Dual Federalism
DEFINITION 4 the system of government that prevailed in the US from 1789 to the 1930s, in which the powers of the national government and the states were considered entirely separate and distinct from each other; during this time, the states possessed a vast amount of governing power; Chief Justice Roger TawneyyExample: Dred Scott Case; the Supreme Court upheld the notion that the Court lacked the authority to regulate slavery in the states; rule out the possibility that the national government could do anything about slavery TERM 5
Cooperative Federalism
DEFINITION 5 federalism existing since the New Deal era in which grants-in-aid have been used strategically to encourage states and localities to pursue nationally defined goals, with national and state governments sharing powers and resources via intergovernmental cooperation,States enforce programs mandated by the fed government; unemployment insurance is a fed program administered by the states
Categorical Grant
Congress allocates federal money for a specified purpose that must be met by state and local government; an example of cooperative federalism TERM 7
New Federalism
DEFINITION 7 New Federalism is a political philosophy of devolution, or the transfer of certain powers from the United States federal government back to the states.Came about during the Reagan administration because of the belief that the federal government was too big TERM 8
Block Grants
DEFINITION 8 part of New Federalism; the federal government gives money to the states and localities to accomplish policy goals without telling them how to do it; broad mandate; good for the states TERM 9
Unfunded Mandate
DEFINITION 9 regulations or conditions for receiving grants that impose costs on state and local governments for which they are not reimbursed by the federal government. TERM 10
Enumerated Powers
DEFINITION 10 Powers that are specifically delegated to Congress by the US Constitution
Media
influences political views; becoming increasingly problematic because the media shapes what we think but more and more people are able to and do choose their own media based on what they think TERM 17
Religious Background
DEFINITION 17 influences political views; left-wing activities used to be religiously motivated until late 1970s TERM 18
Race and Ethnic Identity
DEFINITION 18 African Americans identify with the Democratic party TERM 19
Gender
DEFINITION 19 women are more likely to identify with Democrats whereas most white men identify themselves as Republican TERM 20
Age
DEFINITION 20 over time, political attitudes change due to increased age and various life situations; older people tend to vote more than young people
Geography
South is more religious than the NE TERM 22
Public Opinion Polls
DEFINITION 22 content - what do we want opinions on; how will we ask the questionsselecting a sample - most commonly used is random sampling because it is reflective of the population as a wholeget in touch with member of the sample - how will the survey be conducted? face to face interview, phone, paper survey, etc. TERM 23
Types of Public Polling
DEFINITION 23 Push PollTracking PollsExit Polls TERM 24
Push Poll
DEFINITION 24 given to achieve a desired result anddisseminateinformation about a candidate you don't want people to vote for; power of the question TERM 25
Tracking Polls
DEFINITION 25 during election cycles; allow campaigns to gauge public opinion over time
Supremacy Clause
Article VI of the Constitution, which states that laws passed by the national government and all treaties "shall be the supreme law of the land" and superior to all laws adopted by any state or any subdivision TERM 32
grants-in-aid
DEFINITION 32 programs through which congress provides money to state and local governments on the condition that the funds be employed for purposes defined by the federal government TERM 33
Amendment Process
DEFINITION 33 bill to pass both houses of the legislature, by a two-thirds majority in each. Once the bill has passed both houses, it goes on to the states. This is the route taken by all current amendments. a constitutional convention is called; this method has never been used
