AP Gov. Vocab #1

Apportionment- distribution of representatives among the states based on the population of each state. 
Politics- method of maintaining, managing, and gaining control of government. 

Elastic Clause- the necessary and proper clause, article 1, section 8, clause 18 that allows Congress to pass laws to carry out it's powers. 
General election- voters choose officeholder from among all the candidates nominated by political parties or running as independents. 
Direct primary- party members vote to nominate their candidate for the general election. 
Extradition- states may return fugitives to a state from which they have fled to avoid criminal prosecution at the request of the states governor. 
Amicus curiae brief- friend of the court; interested groups may be invited to file legal beside supporting or rejecting arguments of the case. 
Watergate- break-in at the democratic national committee headquarters at the watergate building in 1972 that resulted in a cover-up and the subsequent resignation of president Nixon. 
Majority leader- the elected leader of the party with the most seats in the house of reps or senate. 
Off-year election- an election taking place in a year when no presidential elections are occurring; midterm election. 
Gridlock- when opposing parties and interests often block each others proposals, creating a political stalemate or inaction between the executive and legislative branches of government. 
Legislative veto- to reject the actions of the president or executive agency by a vote of one or both houses of congress without the consent of the president; ruled unconstitutional by the supreme court on immigration and naturalized services v. Chadha. 
Impoundment- refusal of the president to spend money congress has appropriated. 
Front- loading- choosing an early date to hold the primary election. 
Marbury v. Madison- established the principle of judicial review. 
Initiative- allows voters to petition to propose legislation and then submit I for a vote by qualified voters. 
Initiative- allows voters to petition to propose legislation and then submit it for a vote by qualified voters. 
Political ideology- a consistent set of beliefs about politics and public policy that sets the framework for evaluating government and public policy. 

Federalist papers- written by Hamilton, jay, and Madison to support ratification of the US constitution. 
 
Limited government- basic principle of US government cannot take away. 
Media event- a speech or photo opportunity staged to give a politicians view on an issue. 
Discretionary spending- spending set by the government through appropriations bills, including operating expenses and salaries of government employees. 
Popular sovereignty- basic principle of US government which holds that he people are the source of al governmental power. 
Democracy- a system whereby the people rule either directly or by elected representation.
 
Discrimination- unfair treatment of a person based on race or group membership.