AP Gov flash cards

Question 1

22nd Amendment

Answer 1

No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.

Question 2

25th Amendment

Answer 2

In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

Question 3

“solid south”

Answer 3

Electoral support of the Southern United States for Democratic Party candidates from 1877 (the end of Reconstruction) to 1964 (the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964).

Question 4

10th Amendment

Answer 4

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Question 5

Americans with Disabilities Act

Answer 5

The ADA is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits, under certain circumstances, discrimination based on disability. It affords similar protections against discrimination to Americans with disabilities as the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Question 6

Amicus Curiae Brief

Answer 6

Someone who is not a party to a case who offers information that bears on the case but that has not been solicited by any of the parties to assist a court.

Question 7

Appellate Court

Answer 7

A court whose jurisdiction is to review decisions of lower courts or agencies

Question 8

Bill of attainder

Answer 8

A legislative act pronouncing a person guilty of a crime, usually treason, without trial and subjecting that person to capital punishment and attainder. Such acts are prohibited by the U.S. Constitution.

Question 9

Blanket primary

Answer 9

Primary election that permits all voters, regardless of party affiliation, to vote on candidates. You can thus vote in both Democratic and Republican primaries.

Question 10

Block grants

Answer 10

A large sum of money granted by the national government to a regional government with only general provisions as to the way it is to be spent.

Question 11

Brown v. Board of Education

Answer 11

United States Supreme Court case in which the Court declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional.

Question 12

Budget & Impoundment Control Act

Answer 12

Allows Congress to vote on budgets for whole units of spending. This means that following the Act, Congress could vote for or against the budget authorizing spending for an entire department, where previously Congress had to vote on each separate appropriation. The Act gave power to the President and the heads of government departments to withdraw authority for certain specific parts of a budget, provided that they explained their reasoning in statements to Congress.

Question 13

Categorical Grants

Answer 13

Issued by the United States Congress, which may be spent only for narrowly-defined purposes.
Categorical grants are the main source of federal aid to state and local government, can be used only for specific purposes and for helping education or categories of state and local spending.

Question 14

Caucus

Answer 14

A meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement.

Question 15

Christmas Tree Bill

Answer 15

Referring to a bill that attracts many, often unrelated, floor amendments. A Christmas tree bill consists of many riders. The amendments which adorn the bill may provide special benefits to various groups or interests. The term refers to the proposed legislation being subject to having each member of Congress hang their own amendment on it.

Question 16

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Answer 16

Outlawed major forms of discrimination against racial, ethnic, national and religious minorities, and women. It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools, at the workplace and by facilities that served the general public (known as “public accommodations”).

Question 17

Clean Air Act

Answer 17

It was designed to control air pollution on a national level. It requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and enforce regulations to protect the public from airborne contaminants known to be hazardous to human health.

Question 18

Closed primary

Answer 18

A direct primary in which only persons meeting tests of party membership may vote.

Question 19

Cloture motion

Answer 19

The procedure by which debate is formally ended in a meeting or legislature so that a vote may be taken. When they want to end a Fillibuster.

Question 20

Coattail effect

Answer 20

The tendency for a popular political party leader to attract votes for other candidates of the same party in an election

Question 21

Conference committee

Answer 21

A committee of the Congress appointed by the House of Representatives and Senate to resolve disagreements on a particular bill.

Question 22

Congressional Budget Office

Answer 22

A federal agency within the legislative branch of the United States government that provides economic data to Congress

Question 23

Critical election

Answer 23

A critical election is an electoral process that causes a dramatic change in the political system in a country.

Question 24

De facto segreation

Answer 24

Racial segregation, especially in public schools, that happens “by fact” rather than by legal requirement.

Question 25

De jure segregation

Answer 25

Segregation that is imposed by the law.

Question 26

Open seat election

Answer 26

Where there is no incumbent running in an election. Like when a president leaves office after his second term.

Question 27

Dealignment

Answer 27

A trend or process whereby a large portion of the electorate abandons its previous partisan affiliation, without developing a new one to replace it. It is contrasted with realignment.

Question 28

Debt

Answer 28

Something that is owed, such as money, goods, or services

Question 29

Deficit

Answer 29

Inadequacy or insufficiency. An unfavorable condition or position; a disadvantage. The amount by which a sum of money falls short of the required or expected amount; a shortage.

Question 30

Delegated powers

Answer 30

Powers that are specifactly granted to the federal government by the constitution.

Question 31

Democratic National Committee

Answer 31

Provides national leadership for the Democratic Party of the United States. It is responsible for promoting the Democratic political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy.

Question 32

District courts

Answer 32

A designation of an inferior state court that exercises general jurisdiction that it has been granted by the constitution or statute which created it. A U.S. judicial tribunal with original jurisdiction to try cases or controversies that fall within its limited jurisdiction.

Question 33

Division of powers

Answer 33

The principle or system of vesting in break up branches, which are the executive, legislative as well as judicial powers of a government. It can also be defined as the constitutional principle that confines the powers vested in any person or institution.

Question 34

Elites

Answer 34

Government is controlled by some identifiable group that holds a disproportionate amount of political power.

Question 35

Entitlements

Answer 35

A guarantee of access to something, such as to welfare benefits, based on established legislation. A “legal right” is itself an entitlement associated with a social principle, such that an “entitlement” is a provision made in accordance with a legal framework of a society.

Question 36

Environmental Protection Agency

Answer 36

An independent federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment

Question 37

Ex post facto

Answer 37

Laws adopted after an act is committed making it illegal although it was legal when done, or increases the penalty for a crime after it is committed.

Question 38

Exclusionary rule

Answer 38

Designed to exclude evidence obtained in violation of a criminal defendant’s Fourth Amendment rights.

Question 39

Executive agreements

Answer 39

An agreement made between the executive branch of the U.S. government and a foreign government without ratification by the Senate.

Question 40

Executive orders

Answer 40

The president’s power to issue executive orders. Executive orders do not require congressional approval. Thus, the president can use them to set policy while avoiding public debate and opposition.

Question 41

Factions

Answer 41

A group of persons forming a cohesive, usually contentious minority within a larger group.

Question 42

Federal Communication Commission

Answer 42

An independent government agency that regulates interstate and international communications by radio and television and wire and cable and satellite

Question 43

Federal Reserve System

Answer 43

A U.S. banking system that consists of 12 federal reserve banks, with each one serving member banks in its own district.

Question 44

Federalism

Answer 44

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Question 45

Filibuster

Answer 45

The use of irregular or obstructive tactics by a member of a legislative assembly to prevent the adoption of a measure generally favored or to force a decision against the will of the majority. An exceptionally long speech, as one lasting for a day or days, or a series of such speeches to accomplish this purpose.

Question 46

Fiscal policy

Answer 46

Government spending policies that influence macroeconomic conditions. Through fiscal policy, regulators attempt to improve unemployment rates, control inflation, stabilize business cycles and influence interest rates in an effort to control the economy.

Question 47

Fiscal Year

Answer 47

A fiscal year (or financial year, or sometimes budget year) is a period used for calculating annual (“yearly”) financial statements in businesses and other organizations.

Question 48

Formal/informal Amendments

Answer 48

A formal amendment is a revision, which has been passed at a meeting and it is in writing. Informal amendment describes how the meaning, or interpretation, changes through judicial review or changes in circumstances.

Question 49

Franking Privilege

Answer 49

Privilege of sending mail without payment of postage. This privilege is exercised in pursuance of personal or official designations.

Question 50

Gender gap

Answer 50

The differences between women and men, especially as reflected in social, political, intellectual, cultural, or economic attainments or attitudes.

Question 51

Hard Money

Answer 51

money given directly to a candidate in an election to assist his or her campaign

Question 52

Ways and Means Committee

Answer 52

A permanent committee of the United States House of Representatives that makes recommendations to the US House on all bills that would raise revenue

Question 53

Implied powers

Answer 53

Are those powers authorized by a document (from the Constitution) which, while not stated, seem to be implied by powers expressly stated.

Question 54

Impoundment

Answer 54

An action taken by the president in which he or she proposes not to spend all or part of a sum of money appropriated by Congress.

Question 55

Incumbency

Answer 55

Currently holding an indicated office and running again.

Question 56

Independent Regulatory Commission

Answer 56

They are formed and accorded power by Congress to regulate a specific industry. Within the authority granted them by Congress, they have the power to form and enforce their own regulations.

Question 57

Interest groups

Answer 57

A group of people drawn or acting together in support of a common interest or to voice a common concern: Political interest groups seek to influence legislation.

Question 58

Inter governmental lobby

Answer 58

Intergovernmental Lobby is when local or state governments and agencies lobby the federal government in Washington D.C. to get money or laws for their areas.

Question 59

Judicial Activism

Answer 59

Judicial activism describes judicial rulings suspected of being based on personal or political considerations rather than on existing law|

Question 60

Judicial restraint

Answer 60

Legal term that describes a type of judicial interpretation that emphasizes the limited nature of the court’s power. Judicial restraint asks judges to base their judicial decisions solely on the concept of stare decisis, which refers to an obligation of the court to honor previous decisions.

Question 61

Judicial review

Answer 61

A court’s authority to examine an executive or legislative act and to invalidate that act if it is contrary to constitutional principles.

Question 62

Line item veto

Answer 62

The power of the executive (the president) to veto particular items of a bill without having to veto the entire bill.

Question 63

Logrolling

Answer 63

Logrolling is the trading of favors, or quid pro quo, such as vote trading by legislative members to obtain passage of actions of interest to each legislative member.

Question 64

Mandates

Answer 64

A command or an authorization given by a political electorate to its representative.

Question 65

Marbury v. Madisson

Answer 65

United States Supreme Court case in which the Court formed the basis for the exercise of judicial review in the United States under Article III of the Constitution.

Question 66

Markup (bills)

Answer 66

Markup (mark up or mark-up) refers to the process by which a U.S. congressional committee or state legislative session debates, amends, and rewrites proposed legislation.

Question 67

McCain-Feingold Act

Answer 67

It is a law that attempted to reduce the influence of people giving soft money to politicians. The law limits the amount of soft money that can be given to a political party and how much can be spent on political advertising.

Question 68

McCulloch v. Maryland

Answer 68

Established the principles that the federal government possesses broad powers to pass a number of types of laws, and that the states cannot interfere with any federal agency by imposing a direct tax upon it.

Question 69

Medicaid

Answer 69

U.S. government program, financed by federal, state, and local funds, of hospitalization and medical insurance for persons of all ages within certain income limits.

Question 70

Medicare

Answer 70

U.S. government program of hospitalization insurance and voluntary medical insurance for persons aged 65 and over and for certain disabled persons under 65. Compare Medicaid.

Question 71

Miranda Case

Answer 71

Law. of, pertaining to, or being upheld by the Supreme Court ruling (Miranda v. Arizona, 1966) requiring law-enforcement officers to warn a person who has been taken into custody of his or her rights to remain silent and to have legal counsel.

Question 72

Motor Voter Act

Answer 72

A law that enables prospective voters to register when they obtain or renew a driver’s license.

Question 73

N. Y. Times v. Nixon

Answer 73

It resulted in a unanimous 8-0 ruling against President Richard Nixon and was important to the late stages of the Watergate scandal.

Question 74

National Security Council

Answer 74

Specifically designed to assist the President in integrating all spheres of national security policy. The President, Vice President, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Defense are statutory members.

Question 75

Necessary and proper clause

Answer 75

Allows Congress “To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the [enumerated] Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department

Question 76

Revolving Door

Answer 76

a movement of personnel between roles as legislators and regulators and the industries affected by the legislation and regulation

Question 77

New Federalism

Answer 77

a plan, announced in 1969, to turn over the control of some federal programs to state and local governments and institute block grants, revenue sharing, etc.

Question 78

Off year election

Answer 78

an election held in a year when a presidential election does not take place

Question 79

Office of Management and Budget

Answer 79

The OMB assists the president in developing and maintaining effective government by reviewing the organizational structure and management procedures of the executive branch to ensure that the intended results are achieved.

Question 80

Open primary

Answer 80

US Government a primary in which any registered voter may participate Compare

Question 81

Open rule

Answer 81

Open Rule is a set of regulations for debate on the floor of the House of Representatives which permits general debate and allows members to offer amendments.

Question 82

Occupational Safety Health Act

Answer 82

a law passed by the United States Congress that created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to prevent employees from being injured or contracting diseases in the course of their employment

Question 83

oversight

Answer 83

an omission or error due to carelessness:

Question 84

Patronage

Answer 84

the practice of making appointments to office, granting contracts, etc

Question 85

Plea bargaining

Answer 85

The process whereby a criminal defendant and prosecutor reach a mutually satisfactory disposition of a criminal case, subject to court approval.

Question 86

Plessy v. Ferguson

Answer 86

United States Supreme Court decision in the jurisprudence of the United States, upholding the constitutionality of state laws requiring racial segregation in public facilities under the doctrine of “separate but equal”

Question 87

Plurality

Answer 87

Term for Relative Majority, Brit the excess of votes or seats won by the winner of an election over the runner-up when no candidate or party has more than 50 per cent Compare absolute majority

Question 88

Pocket Veto

Answer 88

The indirect veto of a bill received by the President within ten days of the adjournment of Congress, effected by retaining the bill unsigned until Congress adjourns.

Question 89

Political Action Committee

Answer 89

A group that is formed to give money to the political campaigns of people who are likely to make decisions that would benefit the group’s interests

Question 90

Pork Barrel

Answer 90

Pork barrel is the appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative’s district.

Question 91

Position Issue

Answer 91

An issue regarding a certain idea or stance.

Question 92

President Pro Tempore

Answer 92

A senator, usu. a senior member of the majority party, who is chosen to preside over the Senate in the absence of the vice president.

Question 93

Primary

Answer 93

primary election a local meeting of voters registered with one party to nominate candidates, select convention delegates, etc

Question 94

Prior restraint

Answer 94

Government prohibition of speech in advance of publication

Question 95

Reserved powers

Answer 95

political power that is not prohibited by the constitution, instead it’s put aside exclusively for the jurisdiction of a specific political authority. An example of this is the state government.

Question 96

Prospective voting

Answer 96

during elections where before voting, voters choose a government that they think will give them a better future based on what the candidates are saying. Since it’s not a real vote but an assumption, prospective voting is characterized by a sudden shift in vote from one party to another.

Question 97

Retrospective voting

Answer 97

voting made after taking into consideration factors like the performance of a political party, an officeholder, and/or the administration.

Question 98

Revenue sharing

Answer 98

the system of disbursing part of federal tax revenues to state and local governments for their use.

Question 99

Riders

Answer 99

A schedule or writing annexed to a document such as a legislative bill or insurance policy.

Question 100

Republican National Committee

Answer 100

U.S. political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy.

Question 101

Roe v. Wade

Answer 101

Decided simultaneously with a companion case, Doe v. Bolton, the Court ruled 7–2 that a right to privacy under the due process clause of the 14th Amendment extended to a woman’s decision to have an abortion, but that right must be balanced against the state’s two legitimate interests in regulating abortions:

Question 102

Rule of four

Answer 102

Supreme Court of the United States practice that permits four of the nine justices to grant a writ of certiorari. This is done specifically to prevent a majority of the Court from controlling the Court’s docket. However, in practice, it may be that a “Rule of Five” is often used at the behest of four justices (who would rather not hear the case than lose it).

Question 103

Rules Committee

Answer 103

A special committee of a legislature, as of the U.S. House of Representatives, having the authority to establish rules or methods for expediting legislative action, and usually determining the date a bill is presented for consideration.

Question 104

Securities and exchange committee

Answer 104

A government commission created by Congress to regulate the securities markets and protect investors. In addition to regulation and protection, it also monitors the corporate takeovers in the U.S. The SEC is composed of five commissioners appointed by the U.S. President and approved by the Senate.

Question 105

Select Committee

Answer 105

A committee, as of a legislative body, that is formed to examine and report on a specific bill or issue.

Question 106

Selective incorporation

Answer 106

The process by which certain of the guarantees expressed in the Bill of Rights become applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment. Under the total incorporation approach, an approach never adopted by a majority of the Supreme Court

Question 107

Senate Judiciary Committee

Answer 107

The U.S. Senate established the Committee on the Judiciary on December 10, 1816, as one of the original 11 standing committees. It is also one of the most powerful committees in Congress; among its wide range of jurisdictions is investigation of federal judicial nominees and oversight of criminal justice, antitrust, and Intellectual Property legislation.

Question 108

Senate Majority leader

Answer 108

The leader of the majority party in a legislative body, especially the party member who directs the activities of the majority party on the floor of either the Senate or the House of Representatives.

Question 109

Separation of powers

Answer 109

The principle or system of vesting in separate branches the executive, legislative, and judicial powers of a government.

Question 110

Shay’s rebellion

Answer 110

A revolt by desperate Massachusetts farmers in 1786, Shays’s Rebellion arose from the economic hardship that followed the War of Independence. Named for its reluctant leader, Daniel Shays, the rebellion sought to win help from the state legislature for bankrupt and dispossessed farmers.

Question 111

Single Member district

Answer 111

an electoral district or constituency having a single representative in a legislative body rather than two or more

Question 112

Soft Money

Answer 112

Political donations made in such a way as to avoid federal regulations or limits, as by donating to a party organization rather than to a particular candidate or campaign.

Question 113

Solicitor General

Answer 113

An officer of the U.S. Justice Department who represents the federal government in cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Question 114

Split ticket voting

Answer 114

split ticket refers to a ballot on which the voter has chosen candidates from different political parties when multiple offices are being decided by a single election.

Question 115

Spots

Answer 115

Television commercials or theater announcements that present information on candidates for public office or that express views on candidates or issues

Question 116

Standing

Answer 116

standing or locus standi is the term for the ability of a party to demonstrate to the court sufficient connection to and harm from the law or action challenged to support that party’s participation in the case.

Question 117

Standing committee

Answer 117

a permanent committee appointed to deal with a specified subject

Question 118

Stare decisis

Answer 118

Stare decisis is a legal principle which dictates that courts cannot disregard the standard. The court must uphold prior decisions

Question 119

straight ticket voting

Answer 119

the practice of voting for every candidate that a political party has on a general election ballot.

Question 120

Supermajority

Answer 120

is a requirement for a proposal to gain a specified greater level of support than a 50% simple majority.

Question 121

symbolic speech

Answer 121

Nonverbal gestures and actions that are meant to communicate a message.

Question 122

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Answer 122

prohibits the states and their political subdivisions from imposing voting qualifications or prerequisites to voting, or standards, practices, or procedures that deny or curtail the right of a U.S. citizen to vote because of race, color, or membership in a language minority group.

Question 123

War Powers Resolution

Answer 123

a federal law intended to check the president’s power to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of Congress.

Question 124

Winner take all

Answer 124

A system in an election where the winner is the person who gets the most votes. This is used by most states in the Presidential election. The candidate who wins the state will get all of the states electoral votes