Law & Politics [F-G]
Electoral college
Mechanism by which the President is chosen. Each state has a number of electoral votes equal to the number of members it sends to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives
Entitlement programs
Benefits extended to individuals who meet legislatively established eligibility requirements. Any individual who meets the requirements is considered "entitled" to the benefit, regardless of the overall amount spent on providing the benefit to all eligible individuals.
Equal protection clause
Provision in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution that guarantees all people "equal protection under the law."
Equality of finish
Equality of outcomes, generally measured in socioeconomic status. The "finish" in question generally refers to accomplishments after entering adulthood.
Equality of start
Equality of opportunity, generally measured in terms of equal access to quality education and training.
Executive agreement
Agreement made between the President of the United States and the leader of another country or countries. Has the same effect as a treaty but does not need to be ratified by the Senate.
Executive branch
Branch of government charged with "executing" or implementing and enforcing the laws.
Executive privilege
Claim that the President, as the leader of the Executive Branch, has the prerogative to divulge or refuse to divulge information in a manner that he believes most consistent with the national interest.
Faction
A group of individuals united in the pursuit of shared political values. A political party is a large faction. See The Federalist No. 10.
Federalism
System of government in which powers are divided and shared between different levels, e.g. national, state and local.
Federalist Papers
Series of essays written in support of ratifying the Constitution. Written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison.
Federalists - Supporters of the Constitution during the battle for its ratification. Also became one of the first two major political parties in the United States.
Filibuster
Tactic employed by an individual or group of individuals in the U.S. Senate aimed at blocking legislation by gaining control of the floor (simply by standing and making a speech) and refusing to relinquish control until the rest of the Senate gives up and agrees to move on to other business.
Fiscal policy
Policies and programs establishing budgetary policy, including types and rates of taxation and types and amounts of spending.
Fiscal year
365-day period, begining October 1st and ending September 30th, which defines the beginning and end of the federal government's annual budgetary cycle.
Flat tax
Tax collected at the same rate or percentage regardless of income level.
Franchise
The right to vote.
Free rider
An individual that chooses not to join or contribute to a group but nonetheless benefits from the existence and activities of the group.
Gender gap
Difference between women and men in political ideology or political party preferences. In recent years, for example, women have been more likely than men to support the Democratic party.
Gerrymandering
The redrawing of a political district to favor a particular candidate or kind of candidate, e.g. an incumbent, a member of a particular political party or a racial minority.
Gross domestic product (GDP)
Monetary value of all economic activity (goods and services produced, etc.) in a nation during one calendar year.
Gross national product (GNP)
Monetary value of the goods and services produced in a nation during one calendar year.
Group benefits
Incentives, e.g. mementos (calendars, mugs, etc.) or financial benefits (insurance discounts, etc.), given to people who join a group. These benefits are often unrelated to the primary purposes and goals of the group.
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