Glossary
19th Amendment
An amendment to the U.S. Constitution ratified in 1920 that granted American women the right to vote.
Example:
The passage of the 19th Amendment was the culmination of decades of activism by suffragists who marched and lobbied for women's suffrage.
Adoption
The stage where a policy is formally approved by legislative bodies, executive orders, or court decisions, making it official law or regulation.
Example:
When Congress passes a bill and the President signs it into law, that policy has reached the adoption stage.
Agenda-Setting
The first stage of the policy-making process where problems are identified and defined as issues that require government attention.
Example:
When a major natural disaster occurs, it often pushes disaster relief and infrastructure repair onto the legislative agenda.
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Landmark legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, effectively ending segregation in public places and employment.
Example:
After the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, a restaurant could no longer legally refuse service to someone based on their race.
Civil Rights Movement
A social movement in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s that sought to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans.
Example:
The Montgomery Bus Boycott, led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., was a pivotal event within the Civil Rights Movement that challenged segregation.
Clean Water and Clean Air Acts
Major federal laws passed in the 1960s and 1970s that established standards and regulations to control water and air pollution.
Example:
The Clean Air Act led to significant reductions in smog and acid rain by setting limits on industrial emissions.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
A U.S. government agency created in 2011 responsible for consumer protection in the financial sector, including banks, credit unions, and other financial companies.
Example:
If a bank charges hidden fees on a mortgage, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau can investigate and take action.
Consumer Rights Movement
A social movement advocating for the protection of consumers against unfair or dangerous business practices and products.
Example:
The push for clearer food labeling and ingredient lists is a direct result of the consumer rights movement.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
A federal agency created in 1970 responsible for protecting human health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress.
Example:
The Environmental Protection Agency might fine a company that illegally dumps toxic waste into a river.
Environmental Rights Movement
A social and political movement that advocates for the protection of the natural environment and the sustainable management of resources.
Example:
The first Earth Day in 1970 was a major event that galvanized the environmental rights movement and brought widespread attention to ecological issues.
Evaluation
The final stage of the policy-making process where the effectiveness and impact of a policy are assessed to determine if it achieved its intended goals.
Example:
After a new education program has been in place for a few years, researchers might conduct an evaluation to see if student test scores have improved.
Ideological/Social Movements
Broad-based collective actions advocating for significant social or political change, often encompassing multiple organizations and individuals.
Example:
The environmental movement is an example of an ideological/social movement, pushing for widespread policy changes to protect natural resources and combat climate change.
Implementation
The stage where government agencies and departments put adopted policies into practice through rules, regulations, and programs.
Example:
After a new environmental law is passed, the EPA's role is to oversee its implementation by developing specific regulations and monitoring compliance.
New Deal Realignment
A political realignment in the 1930s where Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies led to a long period of Democratic Party dominance, attracting a coalition of working-class voters, ethnic minorities, and Southerners.
Example:
The New Deal Realignment solidified the Democratic Party's control for decades, as millions of Americans benefited from social programs like Social Security.
Policy Formation & Budgeting
The stage where various policy options are developed, debated, and refined, and financial resources are allocated to support proposed policies.
Example:
During policy formation, different government agencies and interest groups might propose competing solutions for healthcare reform, along with their estimated costs.
Policy Shifts
Significant changes in government policy, often occurring after elections as new administrations implement their platforms or in response to major societal changes.
Example:
The move from a focus on fossil fuels to renewable energy sources represents a major policy shift in energy production.
Political Realignments
Dramatic and long-lasting shifts in the partisan preferences of the electorate, often resulting in a new dominant political party.
Example:
The Civil Rights Movement contributed to a political realignment in the South, as many conservative white voters shifted from the Democratic to the Republican Party.
Protest Movements
Organized public demonstrations and actions aimed at expressing dissent, raising awareness, and pressuring authorities to enact policy changes.
Example:
The March on Washington in 1963 was a powerful protest movement that brought national attention to the demand for civil rights legislation.
Reagan Realignment
A political realignment in the 1980s where Ronald Reagan's conservative policies attracted a new coalition of voters, including many disaffected Democrats, leading to a period of Republican Party dominance.
Example:
The Reagan Realignment saw a significant number of 'Reagan Democrats' switch their allegiance, contributing to Republican victories in presidential elections.
Single-Issue Groups
Organizations that focus their efforts on influencing policy related to one specific area of concern, often with a narrow focus.
Example:
A group like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is a classic example of a single-issue group, dedicated solely to preventing impaired driving and supporting victims.
Title IX
A federal law passed in 1972 that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
Example:
Thanks to Title IX, universities must provide comparable athletic opportunities and funding for both male and female sports teams.
Voting Rights Act of 1965
A federal law that prohibited racial discrimination in voting, aiming to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote.
Example:
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 led to a significant increase in African American voter registration and participation, especially in the South.
Women's Rights Movement
A series of social movements advocating for the equal political, economic, personal, and social rights of women.
Example:
The push for equal pay for equal work is a continuing goal of the modern women's rights movement.