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AP GOV Terms Flashcards

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1
Q

Limited government

A

A system in which the authority of the government isn’t absolute.

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2
Q

Natural rights

A

Rights that the government cannot take away.

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3
Q

Popular sovereignty

A

The idea that the government’s right to rule comes from the consent of the people.

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4
Q

Republicanism

A

A system in which the people elect representatives to carry out their wishes.

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5
Q

Social Contract

A

An agreement between the people and the Government where the people give up some freedoms and allow their government to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society.

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6
Q

Participatory Democracy

A

A theory that widespread participation in politics and civil society is essential to democratic government.

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7
Q

Pluralist Democracy

A

A theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of nongovernmental group-based activism in an effort to impact the policymaking process.

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8
Q

Elite Dem.

A

A theory of democracy based on the premise that participation in politics and civil society is limited because elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policymaking process.

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9
Q

Separation of Powers

A

A design of government that distributes powers across institutions in order to avoid making one branch too powerful.

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10
Q

Checks & Balances

A

A design of government in which each branch has powers that can prevent the other branches from making policy.

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11
Q

Federalism

A

The sharing of power between the national government and the states.

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12
Q

Exclusive Powers

A

Powers that only the national government may exercise.

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13
Q

Concurrent Powers

A

Powers granted to both states and the federal government in the Constitution.

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14
Q

Mandates

A

Federal requirements that states must follow.

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15
Q

Revenue Sharing

A

When the federal government apportions tax money to the states with no strings attached.

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16
Q

Categorical Grant

A

National funding to the states where spending is specifically restricted to certain categories.

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17
Q

Block Grant

A

A type of grant preferred by states that gives state officials more authority over how federal funds are spent.

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18
Q

Enumerated Power

A

Powers explicitly granted to the national government through the constitution; also called the expressed powers.

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19
Q

Implied Power

A

Powers not granted specifically to the national government but implied from the necessary and proper clause to career out the enumerated powers.

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20
Q

Necessary and Proper/Elastic Clause

A

Clause that grants the federal government the authority to pass laws required to carry out its enumerated powers. Also called the elastic clause.

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21
Q

Commerce Clause

A

Clause that grants Congress the authority to regulate interstate business and commercial activity.

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22
Q

Amendment Process

A

A process that contains 2 stages, proposal and ratification.

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23
Q

Great Compromise

A

A bicameral legislature, where the number of representatives based on state populations in the lower house, and the number of representatives equal from each state in the upper house.

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24
Q

Supremacy Clause

A

The supremacy clause gives the national government and its laws general precedence over the states’ laws.

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25
Constituency
A body of voters in a specified area who elect a representative to a legislative body.
26
Filibuster
A parliamentary procedure in which one or more members of a legislative body prolong debate on proposed legislation so as to delay or entirely prevent a decision.
27
Discretionary Spending
Funding that Congress allocates annually through the appropriations process.
28
Mandatory Spending
Government spending required by existing laws.
29
Budget Deficit
When a government’s spending exceeds its revenue in a given year.
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Pork Barrel Leg.
Allocated gov. Spending on localized projects in the representatives district.
31
Logrolling
The practice of exchanging favors, especially in politics by reciprocal voting for each other’s proposed legislation.
32
Gerrymandering
The manipulation of an electoral constituency’s boundaries so as to favor one party or class.
33
Redistricting
Process of redrawing the boundaries for electoral districts.
34
Reapportionment
The process of redistributing US House of Rep. seats among states based on the decennial census, which is conducted every 10 years.
35
Divided Gov’t
A situation in which one party controls the White House, while another party controls one or both houses of Congress.
36
Civil Liberties
Personal freedoms protected from government interference by the Bill of Rights.
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Civil Rights
Government protections against discriminatory treatment based on group characteristics.
38
Individualism
The belief that individuals should be responsible for themselves and their own decisions.
39
Equality of Opportunity
The idea that each person should have a fair chance to succeed regardless of background.
40
Free Enterprise
An economic system where private business operates in competition and free of state control.
41
Rule of Law
The principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to the law.
42
Political Socialization
The lifelong process by which people acquire their political attitudes and beliefs.
43
Political Ideology
A consistent set of beliefs about the proper role and scope of government.
44
Liberal
Favors more government regulation of the economy and protection of individual rights.
45
Conservative
Favors limited government intervention, traditional values, and a strong national defense.
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Libertarian
Advocates for very limited government involvement in both social and economic spheres.
47
Demographics
Statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.
48
Generational Effect
The impact of historical events on the political views of a specific age group.
49
Life Cycle Effect
Changes in political opinions as people age and experience different life stages.
50
Opinion Poll
A method of measuring public sentiment by questioning a representative sample.
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Benchmark Poll
The first poll taken in a campaign to determine a candidate's initial support.
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Tracking Poll
Continuous surveys that enable a campaign to chart its daily rise or fall in support.
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Exit Poll
A poll taken of voters immediately after they have left the polling stations.
54
Rational Choice Voting
Voting based on what is perceived to be in the citizen's individual best interest.
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Retrospective Voting
Voting to decide whether a candidate should be re-elected based on past performance.
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Prospective Voting
Voting based on predictions of how a candidate or party will perform in the future.
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Party Line Voting
Supporting a party by voting for candidates from one political party for all offices.
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Linkage Institution
Structures like parties or media that connect citizens to the government.
59
Horse Race Journalism
Media coverage that focuses on polling data and public perception instead of policy.
60
Democrat
A member of the party that generally supports social justice and economic equality.
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Republican
A member of the party that generally supports lower taxes and social conservatism.
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Party Coalition
The groups and interests that provide the core support for a political party.
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Bipartisan
An agreement or cooperation between two political parties that usually oppose each other.
64
Critical Elections
An electoral earthquake where new issues emerge and new coalitions replace old ones.
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Realignment
A major shift in the political landscape where the minority party becomes the majority.
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Third Parties
Minor political parties that represent interests often neglected by the two major parties.
67
Winner-Take-All System
An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins the entire seat or prize.
68
Proportional System
An electoral system where legislative seats are awarded based on the percentage of votes.
69
Incumbency Advantage
The electoral edge afforded to those already holding office, such as name recognition.
70
Primary Election
An election held to choose a party's candidate for the general election.
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General Election
The final election where voters choose which candidates will actually fill public offices.
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Open/Closed Primary
Elections where voters can choose a party (Open) or must be registered (Closed) to vote.
73
Party Caucus
A local meeting where party members select candidates rather than using a ballot.
74
Midterm Election
Congressional elections that take place halfway through a president's four-year term.
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Political Action Committee
An organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation.
76
Super PAC
A committee that can raise unlimited sums but cannot coordinate directly with candidates.
77
Independent Expenditure
Spending for political communication that is not coordinated with a candidate's campaign.
78
Selective Incorp.
The process by which the Supreme Court applies the Bill of Rights to the states.
79
Due Process
The legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person.
80
Exclusionary Rule
A law that prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in a criminal trial.
81
Miranda Rule
The requirement that police inform suspects of their right to remain silent and to an attorney.
82
Rights of the Accused
Legal protections, such as the 6th Amendment, for those charged with a crime.
83
Equal Protection
The 14th Amendment clause stating that no state shall deny anyone equal legal protection.
84
Establishment Clause
Prohibits the government from creating an official church or favoring one religion.
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Free Exercise Clause
Protects a citizen's right to believe and practice whatever religion they choose.
86
Symbolic Speech
Nonverbal communication, such as burning a flag, that is protected by the 1st Amendment.
87
Protected Speech
Speech that the government may not prohibit, such as political or religious expression.
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Defamatory Speech
False statements that damage a person's reputation, which are not protected by law.
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Prior Restraint
Judicial suppression of material that would be published, on the grounds that it is harmful.
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Fiscal Policy
The use of government spending and taxation to influence the national economy.
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Monetary Policy
The process by which the central bank manages the money supply and interest rates.
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Keynesian Economics
The theory that government spending should increase during business slumps to stimulate demand.
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Supply Side Economics
The theory that lower taxes and decreased regulation will stimulate economic growth.
94
Trustee Model
A model of representation where a legislator uses their best judgment to make decisions, even if it goes against the majority view of their constituents.
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Delegate Model
A model where a legislator acts strictly according to the expressed wishes of their constituents, regardless of their own opinion.
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Politico Model
A hybrid approach where a legislator acts as a delegate on issues their constituents care about and as a trustee on more complex or less visible issues.
97
Roles of the Pres.
The various formal and informal duties of the President, such as Commander in Chief, Chief Executive, and Chief Diplomat.
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Veto
The President’s constitutional power to reject a bill passed by Congress, which can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both houses.
99
Executive Order
A directive issued by the President that has the force of law, used to manage operations of the federal government without needing Congressional approval.
100
Exec. Agreement
An international agreement made by the President with another head of state that does not require Senate ratification (unlike a formal treaty).
101
Signing Statement
A written pronouncement issued by the President upon signing a bill into law, often explaining their interpretation or intent for enforcement.
102
Bully Pulpit
The President's use of their prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public and pressure Congress to support their agenda.
103
Stare Decisis
The legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent ('let the decision stand').
104
Judicial Activism/Restraint
The philosophy that the Supreme Court should play an active role in shaping social policy by overturning laws or precedents.
105
Iron Triangle
The strong, three-way relationship between a congressional committee, an executive agency, and an interest group to create policy.
106
Congressional Oversight
The authority of Congress to conduct hearings, investigations, and budget reviews of the executive branch and federal agencies.
107
Discretionary/Rulemaking Authority
The extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by laws. The power of an executive agency to issue regulations that have the force of law to implement specific statutes.
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