APGOVSUM18 POLITICAL JARGON

Question 1

“The Hill”

Answer 1

It is a hill in which the United States Capital building is on. This is where The House of Representatives and the Senate gather.

Question 2

Bipartisan

Answer 2

When support from two political parties that contradict each other is given.

Question 3

Blue State

Answer 3

A state in the United States that votes or supports the Democratic Party.

Question 4

Bully Pulpit

Answer 4

A public office or position of authority that provides its occupant with an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue.

Question 5

Coattails Effect

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Conservative

Answer 6

Someone who favors more limited and local government, less government regulations of markets, and more social conformity to traditional norms and values.

Question 7

Constituent

Answer 7

One of the persons represented by a legislator or other elected or appointed official.

Question 8

Demographics

Answer 8

Characteristics of a population, including age, sex, and race. Demographics are often used to determine changes in the make-up of a population.

Question 9

Earmark

Answer 9

“Hidden” congressional provision that directs federal government to fund specific project or exempts specific people or groups from paying specific federal taxes or fees.

Question 10

Entitlements

Answer 10

Benefits guaranteed by law paid to individuals by the federal government, such as social security.

Question 11

Flip-Flopper

Answer 11

A person, especially a politician, who suddenly changes his or her opinion or policy.

Question 12

Free-Rider Problem

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Gender Gap

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Gerrymandering

Answer 14

The deliberate rearrangement of the boundaries of congressional districts to influence the outcome of elections.

Question 15

GOP

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Grassroots

Answer 16

A type of social movement organization that relies on high levels of membership participation to promote social change.

Question 17

Gridlock

Answer 17

The inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government.

Question 18

Independent Expenditure

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Inside the Beltway

Answer 19

An idiom that refers to the highway that has surrounded Washington D.C. since 1964.

Question 20

Political Suicide

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Lameduck

Answer 21

A politician who is still in office after having lost a reelection bid.

Question 22

Liberal

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Libertarian

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Litigation

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Lobbyist

Answer 25

A form of advocacy with the intention of influencing decisions made by the government by individuals or more usually by lobby groups; it includes all attempts to influence legislators and officials, whether by other legislators, constituents, or organized groups.

Question 26

Logrolling

Answer 26

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 27

Mandate

Answer 27

Requirements that direct states and local governments to provide additional services under the threat of penalties or as a condition of the the receipt of federal grant money. For example the drinking age within states.

Question 28

Partisan

Answer 28

A committed member of a political party.

Question 29

Party Platform

Answer 29

Refers to a political party’s formal statement of its basic principles, objectives, and positions on major issues. It is a list of the actions which a political party supports in order to appeal to the general public for the purpose of attracting vote.

Question 30

Polarizarion

Answer 30

Cases in which an individual’s stance on a given issue, policy, or person is more likely to be strictly defined by their identification with a particular political party (e.g., Democrat or Republican) or ideology (e.g., liberal or conservative).

Question 31

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Answer 31

Individuals who organize to influence the government’s programs and policies.

Question 32

Political Culture

Answer 32

Set of attitudes, beliefs and sentiments that give order and meaning to a political process and which provide the underlying assumptions and rules that govern behavior in the political system.

Question 33

Swing State

Answer 33

A state in which no candidate has overwhelming support, meaning that any of the major candidates have a reasonable chance of winning the state’s electoral college votes.

Question 34

Talking Points

Answer 34

Statements designed to persuasively support one side taken on an issue.

Question 35

Whistle Blower

Answer 35

An employee who exposes unethical or illegal conduct within the federal government or one of its contractors.

Question 36

POTUS

Answer 36

Stands for “President Of The United States.