Law & Politics [B-C]
Admissibility review Procedure used by Human Rights Commissions to screen complaints of human rights violations to determine if they meet the preliminary qualifications necessary before an investigation may be conducted.
Admissible
Finding by a tribunal that has jurisdiction that the claim presented meets the preliminary qualifications (e.g., standing/nationality, timeliness, exhaustion of local remedies) necessary for adjudication. Admissibility is distinguished from inquiries regarding the tribunal’s jurisdiction or the merits of the claim, though it must be acknowledge that the inquiries often overlap. See American Convention on Human Rights, arts. 46-47 (1969).
Advisory jurisdiction
(1) The power, in general, of a court to say how it would rule on a matter should the matter become contentious. Such opinions are advisory only and without binding effect. (2) The power of the International Court of Justice to give opinions about issues of international law at the request of the U.N. or one of its specialized agencies. See Statute of the I.C.J., art. 65.
Bicameral
Term describing a legislative branch that is divided into two houses, such as the United States Congress which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Bill of attainder
A bill passed by a legislature imposing a penalty or inflicting a detriment on a particular individual or group of individuals. Forbidden by Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution.
Bill of Rights
First ten amendments to the Constitution which establish the fundamental rights enjoyed by the people of the United States
Bipartisanship
Cooperation and colaboration between members of the two major political parties (Republicans and Democrats).
Cabinet
Group of key presidential advisors which includes the Secretaries or heads of each Department of the national government. Presidents generally hold regular Cabinet meetings.
Capitalism
Economic system in which goods and services are produced, exchanged and owned by individuals with minimal governmental regulation.
Caucus (legislative)
A group of legislators unified by common goals or characteristics. The largest congressional caucusses are the Republican and Democratic party caucuses. Other caucuses include the Black Caucus, the Hispanic Caucus and a variety of issue-oriented caucusses.
Caucus (local party)
Political party meeting at which voters choose nominees to represent their political parties in general election contests.
Census
An official enumeration or counting of the population of the United States conducted by the national government every ten years, as dictated by the Constitution.
Checks & balances
Powers held by one branch of government that allow it to limit another branch's exercise of its own powers, e.g. the President's ability to veto legislation.
Chief Diplomat
Role of the President as the primary point of contact between the United States of American and other nations.
Classical liberalism
Political philosophy founded on the notion that individual human beings are autonomous agents with inviolable rights and that the powers of government arise from the people.
Closed primary
A primary election in which only voters that belong to a particular political party are permitted to vote, e.g. only registered Democrats can vote in a closed Democratic party primary election.
Closed rule
Rule in the House of Representatives which forbids any amendments to a bill being considered on the floor
Coattail effect
A boost in electoral support realized by candidates lower down the ballot when a successful candidate of their party runs strong at the top of the ballot. For example, a popular Democratic presidential candidate who won a large percentage of the vote might carry other Democratic party candidates into office on his or her "coattails."
Cold War
"War" between the United States and the former Soviet Union which involved no direct conflict between the two nations but instead was characterized by a multibillion dollar nuclear arms race and numerous conflicts between secondary nations backed (sometimes publicly, sometimes secretly) by each nation.
Commander-in-Chief
Formal constitutional role of the President as leader of the nation's armed forces.
Concurrent powers
Powers shared and exercised jointly under the Constitution by both national and state governments. Examples include taxation and law enforcement.
Concurrent resolution - A statement of the "sense" or opinion of the Congress, passed by both the House and the Senate. Not binding as a matter of law.
Conference Committee
Committee comprised of both House and Senate members charged with working out the differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.
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