GLoSSARy 373
Diversity of Citizenship The condition that exists
when the parties to a lawsuit are from different
states or when the suit involves a U.S. citizen and a
government or citizen of a foreign country. Diversity
of citizenship can provide a basis for federal
jurisdiction.
Divided Government A situation in which one major
political party controls the presidency and the other
controls Congress or in which one party controls a
state governorship and the other controls the state
legislature.
Divided opinion Public opinion that is polarized
between two quite different positions.
Domestic Policy All government laws, planning,
and actions that concern internal issues of national
importance, such as health care, the environment,
and the economy.
Dual Federalism A model of federalism that looks
on national and state governments as co-equal
sovereign powers. Neither the state government
nor the national government should interfere in the
other’s sphere.E
Earmarks Special provisions in legislation to set
aside funds for projects that have not passed an
impartial evaluation by agencies of the executive
branch. Also known as pork.
Economic Aid Assistance to other nations in the
form of grants, loans, or credits to buy the assisting
nation’s products.
Elastic Clause, or Necessary and Proper Clause
The clause in Article I, Section 8, that grants
Congress the power to do whatever is necessary to
execute its specifically delegated powers.
Electoral College A group of persons, called
electors, who are selected by the voters in each state.
This group officially elects the president and the vice
president of the United States.
Elector A member of the electoral college, which
selects the president and vice president. Each state’s
electors are chosen in each presidential election year
according to state laws.
Elite Theory The argument that society is ruled
by a small number of people who exercise power to
further their self-interests.
Emergency Power An inherent power exercised by
the president during a period of national crisis.
Enabling Legislation A statute enacted by Congress
that authorizes the creation of an administrative
agency and specifies the name, purpose,
composition, functions, and powers of the agency
being created.
Enumerated Powers Powers specifically granted to
the national government by the Constitution. Thedetermine which delegates may participate. The
committee inspects the claim of each prospective
delegate to be seated as a legitimate representative
of his or her state.D
De Facto Segregation Racial segregation that
occurs because of patterns of racial residence and
similar social conditions.
Defamation of Character Wrongfully hurting a
person’s good reputation.
Defense Policy A subset of national security policy
concerning the U.S. armed forces.
De Jure Segregation Racial segregation that occurs
because of laws or administrative decisions by public
agencies.
Democracy A system of government in which
political authority is vested in the people.
Democratic Party One of the two major American
political parties evolving out of the Republican Party
of Thomas Jefferson.
Democratic Republic A republic in which
representatives elected by the people make and
enforce laws and policies.
Détente A French word meaning a relaxation
of tensions. The term characterized U.S.-Soviet
relations as they developed under President Richard
Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
Devolution The transfer of powers from a
national or central government to a state or local
government.
Diplomacy The process by which states carry on
political relations with each other; the process of
settling conflicts among nations by peaceful means.
Diplomatic Recognition The formal acknow l-
edgment of a foreign government as legitimate.
Direct Democracy A system of government in which
political decisions are made by the people directly,
rather than by their elected representatives.
Direct Primary A primary election in which voters
decide party nominations by voting directly for
candidates.
Direct Technique An interest group technique that
uses direct interaction with government officials to
further the group’s goals.
Discharge Petition A procedure by which a bill
in the House of Representatives may be forced
(discharged) out of a committee that has refused to
report it for consideration by the House.
Dissenting opinion A separate opinion in which a
judge dissents from (disagrees with) the conclusion
reached by the majority of the court and expounds
his or her own views about the case.9781285436388_em_glos_371-382.indd 373 10/22/13 7:04 AM
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