Law & Politics [S-Z]
Three-fiths compromise
Compromise between the Northern and Southern states at the Constitutional Convention stipulating that slaves would be counted as 3/5 of a person for purposes of representation and taxation.
Treason
Crime committed against one's country. Espionage or spying for an enemy nation is treasonous.
Treaty
Legally binding agreement between two nations. United States treaties are generally negotiated by the President and must be ratifed by the Senate.
Trustee
A representative who bases his or her decision not on public opinion but on what he or she believes is right or best.
Universe
Group of people about which a survey research is trying to generalize when conducting a public opinion poll. See Public Opinion in ThisNation's online textbook.
Veto
Latin for "I forbid." The Constitution authorizes the President to reject any bill passed by both houses of Congress if he disapproves of it for any reason.
Veto override
If the President vetoes a bill, the Congress may override the veto by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses. The bill would then become law, the President's objections notwithstanding.
Whip
Political party official in a legislative body charged with the duty of encouraging party members to vote with their parties on key pieces of legislation.
Writ of habeas corpus
Documented legal justification for holding an individual prisoner. The Constitution provides that an individual suspected of a crime cannot be held without a writ of habeas corpus.
Writ of mandamus
A judicial order directing a government official to perform a duty of his or her office.
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