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AP Gov Vocab Flashcards

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1
Q

Agenda setting

A

The process of forming the list of matters that policymakers intend to address

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2
Q

Amendment

A

In revision or change to a bill, law, or constitution

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3
Q

Amicus curiae brief

A

Friend of the court; interested groups may be invited to file legal briefs supporting or rejecting arguments of the case.

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4
Q

Anti-federalists

A

Opposed the adoption of the US Constitution because it gave too much power to the national government at the expense of the state governments and it lacked a bill of rights

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5
Q

Appellate jurisdiction

A

Gives the court authority to hear cases on appeal from the lower courts

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6
Q

Apportionment

A

Distribution of representatives among the states based on the population of each state

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7
Q

Appropriations

A

Money granted by Congress or a state legislature for a specific purpose

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8
Q

Articles of Confederation

A

The first national Constitution of the United States that created a government lasting from 1781 to 1789; replaced by the current constitution

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9
Q

At-large

A

All the voters of the state or country elect their representative

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10
Q

Bicameral

A

A legislature divided into two chambers; Congress has the Senate and the House of Representatives

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11
Q

Bill

A

A law proposed by the legislature

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12
Q

Bills of attainder

A

Prohibits a person being found guilty of a crime without a trial

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13
Q

Bill of Rights

A

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution guaranteeing certain rights and liberties to the people

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14
Q

Blanket primary

A

Voters may vote for candidates of either party

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15
Q

Block Grant

A

Money given to states for general programs within a broad category

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16
Q

Brief

A

Legal document submitted to the court setting forth the facts of the case and supporting a particular position

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17
Q

Brief orders

A

The returning of a case to a lower court because a similar case was recently decided

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18
Q

Brown v. Board of Education

A

Supreme Court decision that overturned Plessy v. Ferguson; ended legal segregation, said school segregation is unconstitutional

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19
Q

Bureaucracy

A

A systematic way of organizing a complex and a large administrative structure with responsibility for carrying out the day-to-day tasks of the organization, departments, and agencies of the government

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20
Q

Bureaucratic theory

A

The hierarchical structure and standardized procedures of government allow bureaucrats to hold the real power over public policy; proposed by Max Weber

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21
Q

Cabinet

A

Government departments headed by presidential appointees to help establish public policy and operate a specific policy area of governmental activity

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22
Q

Casework

A

Assistance given to constituents by congressional members, answering questions or doing favors

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23
Q

Categorical grants

A

Federal grants for specific purposes defined by law

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24
Q

Caucus

A

Locally held meeting in a state to select delegates who, in turn, will nominate candidates to political offices

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25
Q

Caucus (congressional)

A

An association of congressional members who advocate a political ideology, religion, ethnic, or economic interest

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26
Q

Certificate

A

A lower court asks the Supreme Court about a rule of law or procedure

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27
Q

Checks and balances

A

Each branch of government is subject to restraints by the other two branches

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28
Q

Civil liberties

A

Constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens

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29
Q

Civil rights

A

Positive acts of government designed to prevent discrimination and provide equality before the law

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30
Q

Closed primary

A

Only registered party members may vote

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31
Q

Cloture

A

Prevents filibustering and ends debate in the Senate, by a 3/5 vote of the Senate

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32
Q

Coattail effect

A

Weaker or lesser-known candidates from the president’s party profit from the president’s popularity by winning votes

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33
Q

Affirmative action

A

A policy designed to correct the effects of past discrimination; requirement by law that positive steps be taken to increase the number of my Nordie’s in businesses, schools, colleges and labor

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34
Q

Commerce and slave trade compromise

A

Resolved differences between Northern and Southern states; Congress could not tax exports nor ban the slave trade for 20 years

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35
Q

Comparable worth

A

Women should be paid salaries equal to men for equivalent job responsibilities and skills

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36
Q

Concurrent jurisdiction

A

The authority to hear cases is shared by federal and state courts

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37
Q

Concurrent powers

A

Powers shared by the federal and state governments

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38
Q

Concurring opinion

A

Justice or justices who agree with the majority’s opinion but not with the reason behind the decision

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39
Q

Conference committee

A

A temporary committee to work out a compromise version of the bill that has passed the House of Representatives and Senate in different forms

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40
Q

Congressional Districting

A

State legislatures draw congressional districts for states with more than one representative

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41
Q

Connecticut (Great) compromise

A

Settled disputes between the states over the structure of the legislative branch

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42
Q

Conservative

A

A person whose political views favor more local, limited government, less government regulations, conformity to social norms and values; tough on criminals

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43
Q

Constituency service

A

Casework, assistance to constituents by congressional members

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44
Q

Constituent

A

All residents of the state for senators, all residents of the district for House members

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45
Q

Constitution

A

The document setting forth the laws and principles of the government; a plan of government

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46
Q

Constitutional courts

A

Federal courts created by the Congress under article 3 of the Constitution, including the district courts, Courts of Appeals, and specialized courts such as the US Court of international trade

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47
Q

Constitutional law

A

Laws relating to the interpretation of the Constitution

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48
Q

Cooperative federalism

A

Cooperation among federal, state, and local governments; “marble cake” federalism

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49
Q

Courts of appeals

A

Federal courts that review decisions of Federal District Courts, regulatory commissions, and other federal courts

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50
Q

Critical election

A

Sharp changes in the existing patterns of party loyalty due to changing social and economic conditions

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51
Q

Dealigning election

A

Party loyalty becomes less important to voters, and they vote for the other party candidate or independents

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52
Q

Dealignment

A

When a significant number of voters choose to no longer support a particular political party

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53
Q

Declaration of Independence

A

Drafted in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson declaring America’s separation from Great Britain

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54
Q

Deficit

A

Government spending exceeds revenue

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55
Q

Delegated powers

A

Powers specifically granted to the national government by the Constitution

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56
Q

Democracy

A

A system whereby the people rule either directly or by elected representation

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57
Q

Deviating election

A

Minority party is able to win the support of majority party members, Independents, and new voters

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58
Q

Devolution

A

An effort to shift responsibility of domestic programs (welfare, healthcare, and job-training) to the states in order to decrease the size and activities of the federal government (first order devolution); some states have attempted to shift responsibilities further to local governments (Second order devolution)

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59
Q

Direct democracy

A

Citizens meet and make decisions about public policy issues

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60
Q

Direct primary

A

Party members vote to nominate their candidate for the general election

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61
Q

Discretionary spending

A

Spending set by the government through appropriations bills, including operating expenses and salaries of government employees

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62
Q

Discrimination

A

Unfair treatment of a person based on race or group membership

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63
Q

Dissenting opinion

A

Justice or justices who agree with the majority opinion

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64
Q

District Courts

A

Lowest level of federal courts, where federal cases begin and trials are held

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65
Q

Divided government

A

One party controls the executive, and the other party controls one or both houses of Congress

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66
Q

Double Jeopardy

A

Being tried twice for the same offense

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67
Q

Dual federalism

A

Federal and state governments each have defined responsibilities within their own sphere of influence; “layer cake” federalism

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68
Q

Elastic clause

A

The necessary and proper clause, article 1, section 8, clause 18 that allows Congress to pass laws to carry out its powers

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69
Q

Electoral college

A

Representatives from each state who formally cast ballots for the president and vice president

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70
Q

Electorate

A

People qualified to vote

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71
Q

Elite theory

A

A small group of people identified by wealth or political power, who rule in their self interest

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72
Q

Eminent domain

A

Allows the government to take property for public use but also requires the government to provide just compensation for that property

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73
Q

Entitlement program

A

Payments made to people meeting eligibility requirements, such as Social Security

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74
Q

Environmental impacts statement

A

Required studies and reports of likely environmental impacts, filed with the environmental protection agency prior to the beginning of a project

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75
Q

Equal protection clause

A

Constitutional guarantee that everyone be treated equally

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76
Q

Establishment clause

A

Prohibits the establishment of a national religion

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77
Q

Exclusionary rule

A

Rule that evidence required as a result of an illegal act by police cannot be used against the person from whom it was seized

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78
Q

Executive agreement

A

Agreement with another head of state not requiring approval from the Senate

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79
Q

Executive order

A

The president directs an agency to carry out policies or existing laws

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80
Q

Executive privilege

A

The right of the president to withhold information from Congress or refuse to testify; Limited by the Supreme Court in US v. Nixon

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81
Q

Ex post facto law

A

Laws apply to acts committed before passage of the laws are unconstitutional

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82
Q

Extradition

A

States may return fugitives to a state from which they have fled to avoid criminal prosecution at the request of the state’s governor

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83
Q

Federal budget

A

Amount of money the federal government expects to receive and authorizes government to spend for a fiscal (12 month period) year

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84
Q

Federal system

A

Power is divided between the states and the federal government

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85
Q

Federalism

A

A division of governmental powers between the national government and the states

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86
Q

Federalist papers

A

Written by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison to support the ratification of the U.S. Constitution

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87
Q

Federalists

A

Supported a strong central government and expanded legislative powers

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88
Q

Filibuster

A

A lengthy speech designed to delay the vote on a bill; used only in the Senate

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89
Q

Fiscal federalism

A

National government’s use of fiscal policy to influence States through the granting or withholding of appropriations

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90
Q

Fiscal policy

A

The policies of taxation and spending that compromise the nation’s economic policy

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91
Q

Fiscal year

A

A 12 month period, October through September, for planning the federal budget

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92
Q

Floor leaders

A

Direct party strategy and decisions in the house of representatives and senate.

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93
Q

Franking privilege

A

Privilege that allows members of Congress to mail letters and other materials to constituents postage-free

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94
Q

Free exercise clause

A

Congress may not make laws restricting or prohibiting a person’s religious practices

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95
Q

Freedom of expression

A

Freedom of speech or right to petition the government for redress as a First Amendment right

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96
Q

Frontloading

A

Choosing an early date to hold the primary election

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97
Q

Full faith and credit clause

A

States are required to recognize the laws and legal documents of other states

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98
Q

Gatekeepers

A

Media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who decide what news to present and how it will be presented

99
Q

General election

A

Voters choose officeholder from among all the candidates nominated by political parties or running as independents

100
Q

Gerrymandering

A

Drawing of congressional districts to favor one political party or group over another

101
Q

Get-out-the-vote

A

A campaign near the end of an election to get voters out to the polls

102
Q

Government

A

The formal and informal institutions, people, and processes used to create and conduct public policy

103
Q

Grants-in-aid

A

Programs, money, and resources provided by the federal government to state and local governments to be used for specific projects and programs

104
Q

Grassroots

A

Average voter at the local level

105
Q

Gridlock

A

When opposing parties and interests often block each other’s proposals, creating a political stalemate or inaction between the executive and legislative branches of government

106
Q

Hatch act

A

Prohibits government employees from engaging in political activities while on duty or running for office or seeking political funding while off duty; if in sensitive positions, may not be involved with political activities on or off duty

107
Q

Hyperpluralism

A

Democracy seen as a system of many groups pulling government in many directions at the same time, causing gridlock and ineffectiveness

108
Q

Ideology

A

A consistent set of beliefs by groups or individuals

109
Q

Impeachment

A

Bringing charges of wrongdoing against a government official by the House of Representatives

110
Q

Implied powers

A

Not expressed, but may be considered through the use of the necessary and proper clause

111
Q

Impoundment

A

Refusal of the president to spend money Congress has appropriated

112
Q

Incorporation

A

Application of portions of the Bill of Rights to the states under the 14th amendment

113
Q

Incorporation doctrine

A

The Supreme Court ruling that most guarantees in the Bill of Rights are applicable to the states through the 14th amendment

114
Q

Incrementalism

A

Small changes in policy over long periods of time; usually in reference to budget making that the best indicator of this years budget is last year’s budget plus a small increase

115
Q

Incumbency effect

A

Tendency of those already holding office to win reelection due to advantages because they already hold of the office

116
Q

Incumbent

A

The person currently holding office

117
Q

Inherent powers

A

Powers that exist for the national government because the government is sovereign

118
Q

Initiative

A

Allows voters to petition to propose legislation and then submit it for vote by qualified voters

119
Q

Interest group

A

A group of private citizens whose goal is to influence and shape public policy

120
Q

Interstate compacts

A

Agreements between states to work together on common issues

121
Q

Iron triangle

A

Alliances that develop between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommittees

122
Q

Issue network

A

Individuals in Washington- located within interest groups; congressional staff, think tanks, universities, and the media – who regularly discuss and advocate public policies

123
Q

Joint committee

A

Committee made up of members of both houses of Congress

124
Q

Judicial activism

A

The court should play an active role in determining national policies

125
Q

Judicial restraint

A

Holds that the court should avoid taking the initiative on social and political questions, operating strictly within the limits of the Constitution

126
Q

Judicial review

A

Authority given reports to review constitutionality of acts by the executive, states, or the legislature; established in Marbury v. Madison

127
Q

Jurisdiction

A

The authority of the courts to hear and decide issues in certain cases

128
Q

Legislative courts

A

Courts created by Congress for a specialized purpose with a narrow range of authority

129
Q

Legislative veto

A

To reject the actions of the president or executive agency by a vote of one or both houses of Congress without the consent of the president; ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in immigration and naturalization service v. Chadha

130
Q

Lemon test

A

Standard set by the Supreme Court and lemon v. Kurtzman to measure the constitutionality of state laws in regard to freedom of religion

131
Q

Liberal

A

A person whose views favor more government involvement in business, social welfare, minority rights, and increased government spending.

132
Q

Limited government

A

Basic principle of US government to that each person has rights that government cannot take away

133
Q

Line item veto

A

The president can reject a part of the bill while approving the rest; declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court

134
Q

Lobbying

A

Attempting to influence policymakers through a variety of methods

135
Q

Lobbyist

A

Uses political persuasion to influence legislation and benefit his or her organization

136
Q

Logrolling

A

The exchange of political favors for support of a bill

137
Q

Loose constructionist

A

The belief that judges should have freedom in interpreting the Constitution

138
Q

Maintaining elections

A

Traditional majority power maintains power based on voters’ party loyalty

139
Q

Majority Leader

A

The elected leader of the party with the most seats in the House of Representatives or Senate

140
Q

Majority-minority districts

A

Drawing district boundaries to give a minority group a majority

141
Q

Majority opinion

A

The majority of justices agree on the decision and the reasons for the decision

142
Q

Mandates

A

Requirements imposed by the national government and state and local government to comply with federal rules and regulations

143
Q

Mandatory spending

A

Required government spending by permanent laws

144
Q

Marbury v. Madison

A

Established the principle of judicial review

145
Q

Markup

A

Rewrite of a bill after hearings have been held on it

146
Q

Mass media

A

All forms of communication that reach a large portion of the population

147
Q

McCulloch v. Maryland

A

Supreme Court decision upholding the supremacy of the national government over the states

148
Q

Media event

A

A speech or photo opportunity staged to give a politician’s view on an issue

149
Q

Miranda V. Arizona

A

Requires that anyone arrested for a crime be advised of the right to counsel and the right to remain silent

150
Q

Moderate

A

Person who’s views are between conservative and liberal and may include some of both ideologies

151
Q

Monetary policy

A

Economic policy in which money is controlled through the Federal Reserve

152
Q

Motor voter law

A

Allows citizens to register to vote at welfare and motor vehicle offices

153
Q

National chairperson

A

Appointed by a committee as head of the party

154
Q

National debt

A

Amount of money owed by the government

155
Q

Natural rights

A

Basic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights that a government cannot deny

156
Q

Necessary and proper clause

A

Gives Congress the powers to pass all laws necessary to carry out their constitutional duties, found in article 1, section 8, clause 18; also called “elastic clause”

157
Q

New deal coalition

A

Alliance of southern conservatives, religious, and ethnic minorities who supported the Democratic Party for 40 years

158
Q

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

A

Created to allow the free movement of goods between Canada, Mexico, and the United States by lessening and eliminating tariffs

159
Q

Off year election

A

An election taking place in the year when no presidential elections are occurring; Midterm election

160
Q

Open primary

A

Voters may choose the candidates of either party, whether they belong to the party or not

161
Q

Opinion leaders

A

Those individuals held in great respect because of their position, expertise, or personality, who may informally and unintentionally influence others

162
Q

Original jurisdiction

A

Court hears and decides a case for the first time

163
Q

Oversight

A

Congress monitors policies of the executive branch

164
Q

Pardon

A

A convicted person is exempt from the penalties of a crime

165
Q

Plessy v. Ferguson

A

The Supreme Court case that upheld separate but equal segregation in 1896

166
Q

Pluralist theory

A

Interest groups compete in the political arena with each promoting its own policy preferences through organized efforts

167
Q

Policy adoption

A

The approval of a policy by legislation

168
Q

Policy evaluation

A

Determines if a policy is achieving its goals

169
Q

Policy formulation

A

The crafting of a policy to resolve public problems

170
Q

Policy implementation

A

Carrying out a policy through government agencies and courts

171
Q

Political action committee (PAC)

A

Extension of an interest group that contributes money to political campaigns

172
Q

Political agenda

A

Issues that merit action, as determined by the public or those in power

173
Q

Political culture

A

A set of basic values and beliefs about one’s country or government that is shared by most citizens and that influences political opinions and behaviors

174
Q

Political efficacy

A

Belief that a person can influence politics and public policy making

175
Q

Political ideology

A

A consistent set of beliefs about politics and public policy that sets the framework for evaluating government and public policy

176
Q

Political party

A

Voluntary association of people who seek to control the government through common principles, based on peaceful and legal actions such as the winning of elections

177
Q

Political socialization

A

Complex process by which people get their sense of political identity, beliefs, and values

178
Q

Politics

A

Method of maintaining, managing, and gaining control of government

179
Q

Popular sovereignty

A

Basic principle of US government which holds that the people are the source of all governmental power

180
Q

Porkbarrel legislation

A

Legislation giving benefits to constituents through sometimes unnecessary or unwise projects within a state or district, to enhance a member’s chance of reelection

181
Q

Precedents

A

Standards or guides based on prior decisions that serve as a rule for settling similar disputes

182
Q

Presidential preference primaries

A

Voters elect delegates to the presidential nominating convention

183
Q

President pro tempore

A

Serves as president of the Senate in the absence of the vice president; chosen by the majority party

184
Q

Primary election

A

Nominating election held to choose party candidate who will run in the general election

185
Q

Prior restraint

A

Censorship of information before it is published or broadcast

186
Q

Privileges and immunities clause

A

States are prohibited from unreasonably discriminating against residents of other states

187
Q

Procedural due process

A

Method of government action, or how the law is carried out according to established rules and procedures

188
Q

Public opinion

A

A collection of shared attitudes of citizens about government, politics, and the making of public policy

189
Q

Public-policy

A

The exercise of government power and doing those things necessary to maintain legitimate authority and control over society

190
Q

Pure speech

A

Verbal communication of ideas and opinions

191
Q

Radical

A

Ideological view that favors rapid fundamental change in the existing social, economic, or political order

192
Q

Ratification

A

Method of enacting a constitution or amendment into law

193
Q

Reactionary

A

Ideological view that favors a return to a previous state of affairs

194
Q

Realigning elections

A

When a minority party wins by building a new coalition of voters that continues over successive elections

195
Q

Realignment

A

A shift of voting patterns to form new coalitions of party support

196
Q

Reapportionment

A

Redistribution of the congressional seats among the states after the census determines changes in population distribution

197
Q

Recall

A

Special election initiated by petition to allow citizens to remove an official from office before his or her term expires

198
Q

Referendum

A

Procedure whereby the state submits legislation to its voters for approval, allowing citizens to vote directly on issues

199
Q

Representative democracy

A

Citizens choose officials (representatives) who make decisions about public policy

200
Q

Reserved powers

A

Powers belonging specifically to the states and the people because they were not delegated to the national government nor denied to the states

201
Q

Revenue-sharing

A

Giving money back to state and local government with no strings attached

202
Q

Rider

A

An addition or amendment added to a bill that often has no relation to the bill but that may not pass on its own merits

203
Q

Rule of four

A

Requirement that a case can only be heard by the Supreme Court if four justices vote to hear the case

204
Q

Rules committee

A

Determines the rules of debate for bills in the House of Representatives

205
Q

Runoff primary

A

When no candidate receives a majority of votes, an election held between the two candidates who received the most votes in the primary

206
Q

Sampling

A

Using a representative cross-section of the general population chosen at random in the polling process

207
Q

Sampling errors

A

Percentage of possible errors in the polling process

208
Q

Select committee

A

Committee selected for a specific purpose

209
Q

Self-incrimination

A

Accusing oneself or giving evidence that may prove oneself guilty

210
Q

Senatorial courtesy

A

The practice of allowing senators from the president’s party who represent the state where a judicial district is located, to prove or disapprove potential nominees for the lower federal courts

211
Q

Seniority system

A

System in which the chairmanship of the committee is given to the membership with the longest continuous service

212
Q

Separation of powers

A

Practice by which power is separated among three branches of government; each branch has its own powers and duties and is independent of and equal to the other branches

213
Q

Single-member districts

A

Only one representative is chosen from each district

214
Q

Social contract

A

A voluntary agreement between the government and the governed

215
Q

Social insurance programs

A

Programs to help the elderly, ill, and unemployed if the claimant has paid into them

216
Q

Social welfare program

A

Government program to enhance quality of life

217
Q

Soft money

A

Money distributed from the national political party organization that was not regulated by law; restricted by the bipartisan campaign finance reform act of 2002

218
Q

Soundbite

A

A brief statement on TV or radio

219
Q

Speaker of the house

A

Leading officer in the House of Representatives; chosen by the majority party

220
Q

Speech plus

A

Verbal and symbolic speech used together

221
Q

Split ticket voting

A

Voting for candidates from more than one party in the same election

222
Q

Standing committee

A

Permanent committee

223
Q

Stare decisis

A

Let the decision stand; decisions are based on precedents from previous cases

224
Q

Straight ticket voting

A

Voting for candidates all of the same party

225
Q

Straw poll

A

Early form of polling that asks the same question of a large number of people

226
Q

Strict constructionist

A

The view that justices should base decisions on a narrow interpretation of the Constitution

227
Q

Substantive due process

A

The policies of government or the particular subject matter of the laws determining what the law is about and whether the law is fair or if it violates constitutional protections

228
Q

Suffrage

A

The right to vote

229
Q

Superdelegates

A

Party officials in the Democratic Party who attend the national convention without having to run in primaries or caucuses

230
Q

Super Tuesday

A

Day when most southern states hold presidential primaries

231
Q

Supremacy clause

A

National law supersedes all other laws passed by states; found in article 6 of the Constitution

232
Q

Symbolic speech

A

Using actions and symbols rather than words to convey an idea

233
Q

Three-fifths compromise

A

Agreement that each slave counted as 3/5 of a person in determining representation in the House of Representatives for taxation

234
Q

Traditional Democratic theory

A

Government depends upon the consent of the governed

235
Q

Trial balloon

A

Test the public reaction to policy or appointments by releasing information to the media and gauging public reaction

236
Q

Trustee

A

After listening to constituents, elected representatives vote based on their own opinions

237
Q

Two-party system

A

Several political parties exists, but only two major political parties compete for power and dominate elections

238
Q

Unfunded mandates

A

Requires states to enforce legislation without the funding necessary

239
Q

Virginia plan

A

Madison’s plan for a bicameral legislature, with the executive and judiciary chosen by the legislature

240
Q

War Powers act

A

Limits the ability of the president to commit troops to combat

241
Q

Watergate

A

Break in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate building in 1972 that resulted in a cover-up and the subsequent resignation of President Nixon

242
Q

Writ of certiorari

A

Order by the court directing a lower court to send up the records of a case for review

243
Q

Writ of habeus corpus

A

Requires a judge to evaluate whether there is sufficient cause to keep a person in jail

AP US GOV (2 decks)

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