AP exam terms Flashcards
Popular sovereignty
The leaders of a gov are sustained by the consent of the people, who are the source of all political legitimacy
Pluralist democracy
A political system where there is more than one center of power
ex: UK
Elite democracy
A small # of people, usually wealthy and well-educated, influence political decision making
ex: Electoral College
Concurrent powers
Powers that are shared between the state and federal gov
Revenue sharing
An arrangement between two or more parties sharing a portion of a business’s profits and losses
Categorical grant
Money from the gov w/ strict limitations on spending
Block grant
Money from the gov w/ wide range of spending
Supremacy clause
The Constitution holds the “supreme law of the land” & takes priority over conflicting state laws
Constituency
A body of voters in a specified area who elect a representative to a legislative body
Budget deficiet
When the federal gov’s spending exceeds its revenues
Pork barrel legislation
money set aside in a bill for a pet project in a congressman’s district
Logrolling
One congressman votes for another congressman’s project hoping they will return the favor
Delegate model
An agent of those who elected them & will vote on issues based on the issues of their constituents
Politico model
Representatives act as delegates and trustees
Roles of the president
Power to veto, foreign relations, bargaining, executive orders, signing statements
Signing statement
inform Congress and the public of the president’s interpretation of laws passed by Congress & signed by pres
Bully pulpit
A public office that provides its occupant with an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue
Iron triangles
Alliances of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that are prominent in specific policy areas.
Exclusionary rule
Evidence illegally seized by law enforcement officers in violation of the suspect’s 4th amendment rights
Free enterprise
The market determines prices, products, & services
Keynesian economics
Demand strongly influences econ output and inflation
Supply-side economics
Economics growth can be most effectively be fostered by lowering taxes, decreasing regulation, and allowing free trade.
Monetary policy
Actions taken by the federal reserve to influence interest rates which affects broader econ conditions
Life cycle effect
Experiences a person encounters during different life stages
Proportional system
Any type of electoral system under which subgroups are represented proportionally
Winner-take-all system
Each district has their own vote plus 2 votes for the overall popular vote winner of the state
Political action committee
An organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation
Super PAC
AN independent PAC that can raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, and individuals but is not permitted to contribute to or coordinate directly with parties or candidates.
Horse race journalism
Political journalism of elections with focus on polling data and public perception instead of candidate policy
