APGOVSUM18 POLITICAL JARGON Flashcards
“The Hill”
It is a hill in which the United States Capital building is on. This is where The House of Representatives and the Senate gather.
Bipartisan
When support from two political parties that contradict each other is given.
Blue State
A state in the United States that votes or supports the Democratic Party.
Bully Pulpit
A public office or position of authority that provides its occupant with an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue.
Coattails Effect
The tendency for a popular political party leader to attract votes for other candidates of the same party in an election.
Conservative
Someone who favors more limited and local government, less government regulations of markets, and more social conformity to traditional norms and values.
Constituent
One of the persons represented by a legislator or other elected or appointed official.
Demographics
Characteristics of a population, including age, sex, and race. Demographics are often used to determine changes in the make-up of a population.
Earmark
“Hidden” congressional provision that directs federal government to fund specific project or exempts specific people or groups from paying specific federal taxes or fees.
Entitlements
Benefits guaranteed by law paid to individuals by the federal government, such as social security.
Flip-Flopper
A person, especially a politician, who suddenly changes his or her opinion or policy.
Free-Rider Problem
It is a market failure that occurs when people take advantage of being able to use a common resource, or collective good, without paying for it, as is the case when citizens of a country utilize public goods without paying their fair share in taxes.
Gender Gap
The differences between women and men, especially as reflected in social, political, intellectual, cultural, or economic attainments or attitudes.
Gerrymandering
The deliberate rearrangement of the boundaries of congressional districts to influence the outcome of elections.
GOP
Stands for “Grand Old Party”. It is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States. It is an acronym for the Republican Party.
Grassroots
A type of social movement organization that relies on high levels of membership participation to promote social change.
Gridlock
The inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government.
Independent Expenditure
A political campaign communication that expressly advocates for the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate that is not made in cooperation, consultation or concert with or at the request or suggestion of a candidate.
Inside the Beltway
An idiom that refers to the highway that has surrounded Washington D.C. since 1964.
Political Suicide
Concept by which a politician or political party loses widespread support and confidence from the voting public by proposing actions that are seen as unfavorable or that might threaten the status.
Lameduck
A politician who is still in office after having lost a reelection bid.
Liberal
A liberal today generally supports political and social reform, extensive government intervention in the economy, the expansion of federal social services, more vigorous efforts on behalf of the poor, minorities, and omen; and greater concern for consumers and the environment.
Libertarian
These people are conservative on economic matters and liberal on social ones. The common theme is that they want a small weak government–one that has little control over either the economy or the personal lives of citizens.
Litigation
When people go to court in order to get a positive ruling for their cause. If there is a law that hurts a certain group of people, they can go to court and say that it is unlawful, and that it impinges on their rights. Civil rights groups like the NAACP use litigation to force lawmakers to bring forth fair regulations as guaranteed in the constitution.
