APGOVSUM18.Jimmy.Dimas Flashcards
“The Hill”
Local language for Capitol Hill, an area of D.C. where you can find the United States Capitol, office buildings for the Senate and the House, and the Supreme Court building
Bipartism
Of or involving the agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each other’s policies
Blue State
A US state that predominantly votes for 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 consequence of one popular candidate in an election drawing votes for other members of the same political party
Conservative
A person who is averse to change and holds to traditional values and attitudes, typically in relation to politics
Constituent
Being a voting member of a community or organization and having the power to appoint or elect
Demographics
Statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.
Earmark
A congressional directive that funds should be spent on a specific project
Entitlements
A government program that provides benefits to any individual meeting certain eligibility requirements
Flip-flopper
A person, especially a politician, who suddenly changes his or her opinion or policy
Free-Rider Problem
Occurs when those who benefit from resources, public goods, or services do not pay for them, which results in an under provision of those goods or services
Gender Gap
The discrepancy in opportunities, status, attitudes, etc., between men and women
Gerrymandering
To divide (a territorial unit) into election districts to give one political party an electoral majority in a large number of districts while concentrating the voting strength of the opposition in as few districts as possible
GOP
The Republican Party, also referred to as the GOP (abbreviation for Grand Old Party), is one of the two major political parties in the United States, the other being its historic rival, the Democratic Party
Grassroots
Ordinary people regarded as the main body of an organization’s membership
Gridlock
The inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government. divided government. when one part controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress. unified government
Independent Expenditure
An expenditure for a communication that: Expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified federal candidate; and. Is not coordinated with a candidate, candidate’s committee, party committee or their agents
Inside the Beltway
An American idiom used to characterize matters that are, or seem to be, important primarily to officials of the U.S. federal government, to its contractors and lobbyists, and to the corporate media who cover them—as opposed to the interests and priorities of the general U.S. population
K Street
A major thoroughfare in the United States capital of Washington, D.C. known as a center for numerous think tanks, lobbyists, and advocacy groups
Lame duck
An official (especially the president) in the final period of office, after the election of a successor
Liberal
Favoring maximum individual liberty in political and social reform
Libertarian
A person who upholds the principles of individual liberty especially of thought and action
Litigation
The process of taking legal action
Lobbyist
A person who takes part in an organized attempt to influence legislators
Logrolling
The practice of exchanging favors, especially in politics by reciprocal voting for each other’s proposed legislation
Mandate
An official order or commission to do something
Partisan
A strong supporter of a party, cause, or person
Party Platform
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
Polarization
Division into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs
Political Action Committee (PAC)
A popular term for a political committee organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates
Political Culture
The set of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments which give order and meaning to a political process and which provide the underlying assumptions and rules that govern behavior in the political system. It encompasses both the political ideals and the operating norms of a polity
Political Efficacy
The citizens’ faith and trust in government and their belief that they can understand and influence political affairs
Political Socialization
The process by which people form their ideas about politics
Political Suicide
A 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 quo
Pork Barrel Spending
The act of using government funds on local projects that are primarily used to bring more money to a specific representative’s district. Basically the politician tries to benefits his/her constituents in order to maintain their support and vote
POTUS
The President of the United States
Rank and File
The ordinary members of an organization as opposed to its leaders
Red State
A US state that predominantly votes for or supports the Republican Party
Red Tape
Excessive bureaucracy or adherence to rules and formalities, especially in public business
Safe Seat
A legislative seat that is likely to be retained with a large majority in an election
SCOTUS
The Supreme Court of the United States
Sound Bite
A short extract from a recorded interview, chosen for its pungency or appropriateness
Stump Speech
A standard speech used by a politician running for office
Super PAC
A type of independent political action committee which may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, and individuals but is not permitted to contribute to or coordinate directly with parties or candidates
Superdelegate
(In the Democratic Party) an unelected delegate who is free to support any candidate for the presidential nomination at the party’s national convention
Swing State
A US state where the two major political parties have similar levels of support among voters, viewed as important in determining the overall result of a presidential election
Talking Points
A topic that invites discussion or argument
Whistle Blower
A person who informs on a person or organization engaged in an illicit activity
Spin Control
Controlling or changing the way a matter is considered, often in politics
