Jim Crow laws State and local laws that mandated racial segregation in all public facilities. The name was a racial slur directed at African-Americans. In modern times, measures taken to disenfranchise those without proper ID have been labeled by critics as the new Jim Crow laws.

Joint session Where both chambers of Congress meet together. The President can call a joint session of Congress in order to launch a major policy scheme, as was the case in 2011 on the subject of creating more jobs.

Judicial activism Where members of the Supreme Court seek to apply the broad principles of the Constitution towards the modern era. Opponents claim there is a considerable danger to individual liberty when judges impose their opinions rather than interpret existing legislation in a literal sense. Those who favor judicial restraint claim that judicial activism leads to a conflation of the role of the judiciary and thereby distorts the original principles of the founding fathers. Judicial activism ultimately leads to judicial overreach which empowers the Court to act as politicians disguised in judges’ robes. The term loose constructionist is sometimes used instead of judicial activism.

Judicial convention An unwritten code of behavior amongst members of the judicial branch of government. For instance, members of the Supreme Court do not respond to criticisms made by politicians. However, during Obama’s state of the Union address in 2010 Justice Samuel Alito could be seen mouthing the words “not true” at comments made by the President.

Judicial independence The ability of judges to operate independently of the other two branches of government. Judicial independence is a key aspect of a genuinely democratic society. In the United States the separation of powers – combined with a system of checks and balances – aims to ensure that the judicial branch of government remains autonomous.

Judicial restraint Where members of the Supreme Court interpret the Constitution on a literal basis. The term strict constructionist is also used. Supporters of judicial restraint claim that the original principles of the founding fathers should always take precedence. In the words of John Roberts “judges are like umpires. Umpires don’t make the rules: they apply them.” The term restraint refers to the notion that judges should defer to democratically elected representatives in the executive and the legislature.

Judicial review A situation in which the judiciary can rule that a member of either the legislature or the executive has exceeded their constitutionally-defined powers. The concept of judicial review was established by the case of Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Judiciary That branch of government tasked with interpreting legislation and adjudicating on constitutional matters. The most important element of the judiciary in the US is of course the Supreme Court. It will only consider those cases of constitutional significance.

Jurisdiction The sphere of a court’s legal authority to hear and decide cases.

 

K Street The area of Washington DC housing most of the main lobbying organizations. The term remains shorthand for influential insider groups such as the AIPAC and the NRA.

Killer rabbit moment A phrase used to describe the moment when a presidency becomes fatally wounded. The term dates back to Jimmy Carter who was reported to have been attacked by a large swamp rabbit. It seemed to epitomize the sense of malaise afflicting Carter’s one-term presidency.

Kyoto Protocol An international agreement that set limits on carbon emissions in an effort to slow global warming. Certain states have signed up to the Kyoto Protocol.