Factions Groups of like-minded people who try to influence the government and/or the political process.

Fast-track authority An accelerated system for passing Treaties under which support from simple majority, rather than a two thirds majority, is needed in both the House and Senate. Under this system no amendments are allowed.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) A government agency created to regulate media sources such as television, radio and other broadcast agencies.

Federal courts Those courts that hear cases under federal law, or those relating to the Constitution. The lowest federal court tier consists of district courts. Above them are the claims courts that deal with those cases relating to government contractors. Appeals from all these courts go to the appropriate Court of Appeal. The highest court in the land is of course the Supreme Court.

Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) A piece of legislation designed to regulate campaign finance. The FECA of 1974 limits the use of hard money, set limits on individual donations and offers federal matching funds to candidates. Many informed commentators believe that the FEC set up to administer campaign finance is ineffective. In 2008, Obama became the first candidate to refuse matching funds.

Federal Election Commission That government agency which enforces and regulates campaign finance laws.

Federal pre-emptions Impositions of national priorities on the states through national legislation. Federal pre-emptions are based on the supremacy clause.

Federal Reserve Board That group of presidential appointees who govern the Federal Reserve System.

Federal Reserve System An independent agency that serves as the central bank of the United States to bring stability to the nation’s banking system. Economic libertarians have often campaigned in favor of abolishing the Fed. One of the oddities of the American system is that the Constitution does not allow for a central bank.

Federalism Where power is shared or divided between the center and the local level. Federalism has a dynamic of its own and over time America has experienced a number of stages within the development of federalism. It is widely accepted that federalism is the most appropriate political system for a country as vast and diverse as the United States. It is also appropriate for any system that requires a high level of diversity. Federalism has a number of consequences for American politics. For instance, Congress may not make laws that directly control the states. Instead, Congress may use the promise of federal funds or extenuating circumstances (such as national emergencies) to encourage the states to follow federal law. Furthermore if the Supreme Court decides that a law is not permissible under the Constitution then said law is effectively struck down.

Federalists Those at the Constitutional Convention who supported a strong national government over strong state governments.

Filibuster A means by which an individual Senator (or group of Senators) attempt to talk down a bill by using delaying tactics. A Senator has the right to unlimited debate; although a three-fifths vote can end a filibuster (this usually requires some support from moderates on the opposing side). This procedure is known as closure (or cloture). To take a recent example, Senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders led a filibuster against Obama’s stimulus package lasting over eight hours.

Filtering The influence on public opinion that results from journalists’ and editors’ decisions about which of many potential news stories to report. It assumes that consumers of the media are easily influenced by the media.

Fire alarm oversight A method of oversight in which members of Congress respond to complaints about the bureaucracy.

First Lady The wife of the President and an integral part of the broader presidential package. In the context of Barack Obama, Michelle has been described as cheerleader-in-chief. She makes the President look more human to counteract his professorial, somewhat aloof character. She will raise money for her husband by attending ‘grip and grin’ fund-raisers, provide a much-needed photo opportunity for the President and generally be as inoffensive as possible. That said; the FLOTUS can provoke outright opposition if they adopt an overtly political role (such as Hillary Clinton over an attempt to introduce universal health care).

First-mover advantage The President’s power to initiate Treaty negotiations. In doing so, he has some scope to set the agenda. That said; the Senate can refuse to ratify an international Treaty signed by the President.

Fiscal federalism The offer of money from the federal government to the states in order to promote national ends such as public welfare and environmental protection. A number of other countries adopt a similar approach.

Fiscal policy Government decisions about how to manage the economy by taxing and spending. It may be contrasted with monetary policy.

Foreign aid The provision of economic assistance to less developed countries. Foreign aid is increasingly tied to the maintenance of good governance after repeated criticisms about money being wasted by dictatorial regimes. Republican administrations have used foreign aid to promote a pro-life agenda. Democrats however tend to favor using foreign aid to encourage respect for human rights. One of the striking anomalies of American foreign aid is the comparatively high amount of money sent to Israel (a relatively wealthy country). This is due to geo-strategic factors and the influence of the powerful pro-Israeli lobby in American politics. Edward Herman has also observed a close correlation between foreign aid and improvements in the climate for investment.

Founding fathers A reference to those men who outlined the US Constitution and in doing so laid the foundations for the Republic. They made it clear that only via reason could people set aside their self-interests in order to promote the common interest. They held a genuine fear of mob rule and placed great faith in men of property. The founding fathers continue to be held in very high esteem by Americans of all political persuasions.

Framing The influence on public opinion caused by the way a story is presented or covered, including the details, explanations, and context offered in the report. The manner in which a story is framed should be of considerable interest to anyone studying political discourse.

Free exercise clause Part of the first amendment which states that Congress cannot prohibit or interfere with the practice of religion. This ensures a wall of separation between the church and state.

Free market An economic system based on competition between businesses without government interference.

Frontloading A situation in which states schedule their primaries/caucuses as early as possible in an attempt to increase their importance to the outcome. The growing propensity towards frontloading merely increases the significance and duration of the invisible primary. There are rules in place to prevent frontloading.

Full faith and credit clause That part of the Constitution which requires the laws of each state to be honored by the other.