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Glossary


Americanization
The process of making American forces responsible for the conduct of the Vietnam War

Bipartisanship
Actions that represent cooperation and compromise between the major political parties
Also see: Bipartisan

Constituents
Individuals represented by an agent that is either elected or appointed
Also see: Constituent

Containment
The Cold War era foreign policy of the U.S. designed to prevent the spread of communism from Soviet Union and other communist nations into nations which are not communist.

De-escalation
Drawing down in volume or scope
Also see: De-escalate

Deference
Making one's own actions and choices based upon the advice of others who have experience with or expertise in a particular field
Also see: Defer

Disclosure
The act of sharing information with other parties or the public at large
Also see: Dislose

Financial assets
Any source of income or store of wealth that a person owns

Formal powers
The powers given to the President of the United States in Article II of the United States Constitution

Impeachment
To bring charges of official misconduct against an official

Imperial Presidency
This term was coined by historian Arthur Schlesinger in 1973 describing the increase in the size of the president's staff, the executive's evolving style of leadership, and the growth of executive agencies. Schlesinger suggested that this trend began with the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his New Deal programs.

Inherent powers
Powers that the President of the United States exercises which are not the U.S. Constitution. Unless another branch of government challenges the exercise of the power, the President of the United States retains the power and successors to the president initially taking and using the power retain that power.

Itinerary
A list of places a person will visit while on a trip or a vacation

Legacy
The collective work (bills, programs, places, etc.) created by a legislator during his or her time in office

Vietnamization
The process of shifting responsibility for the Vietnam War from American to Vietnamese forces