APGOVSUM18.Semia.Sims Flashcards
“The Hill”
A nickname for capitol hill
Bipartisan
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 coattail effect or down-ballot effect is the tendency for a popular political party leader to attract votes for other candidates of the same party in an election.
Conservative
Generally believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional American values and a strong national defense.
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
Entitlements
those benefits guaranteed by law paid to individuals by the fed gov, such as social security
Flip-flopper
a U-turn, or reversal of position, a sudden shift in opinion
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 discrepancy in opportunities, status, attitudes, etc., between men and women.
Gerrymandering
achieve (a result) by manipulating the boundaries of an electoral constituency.
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
the most basic level of an activity or organization.
Gridlock
a situation, typically one involving opposing parties, in which no progress can be made.
Independent Expenditure
in elections in the United States, is 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, candidate’s authorized committee or political party.[1] If a candidate, his/her agent, his/her authorized committee, his/her party, or an “agent” for one of these groups becomes “materially involved”, the expenditure is not independent.
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.
Lameduck
an elected official or group continuing to hold political office during the period between the election and the inauguration of a successor.
Liberal
a person who believes that government should be active in supporting social and political change
Libertarian
a person who believes in the doctrine of free will.
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
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).
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. Most PACs represent business, labor or ideological interests. PACs can give $5,000 to a candidate committee per election (primary, general or special).
Political Culture
The widely shared beliefs, values, and norms about how citizens relate to governments and to one another. Social capital – Democratic and civic habits of discussion, compromise, and respect for differences, which grow out of participation in voluntary organizations.
Political Efficacy
the citizens’ faith and trust in government and their belief that they can understand and influence political affairs. It is commonly measured by surveys and is used as an indicator for the broader health of civil society.
Political Socialization
the process by which people form their ideas about politics. This lesson explains political socialization and discusses the means through which Americans form their political values.
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 unfavourable or that might threaten the status quo
Pork Barrel Spending
The appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured primarily to bring money to a representative’s district; term is used in derogatory fashion to attack opponents
POTUS
the President of the United States.
Rank and File
Party members who are more active than the average voter but not a party leader
Red State
a US state that predominantly votes for or supports the Republican Party.
Red Tape
Collection or sequence of forms and procedures required to gain bureaucratic approval for something, especially when oppressively complex and time-consuming; hinders or prevents action or decision making
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; a brief memorable comment that can easily be fit into news broadcasts
Spin Control
the act or practice of attempting to manipulate the way an event is interpreted by others. political spin control.
Stump Speech
A standard speech used by a politician running for office while on campaign trail
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
Democratic: a delegate to the DNC who is seated automatically and can vote for whomever they want (includes distinguished party leaders, and elected officials (democratic congressmen and governors); their votes are not based on the vote of the American people
Republican: delegates to the RNC who are seated automatically, HOWEVER they are limited to 3 per state consisting of the state chairsperson and two district-level committee members; they are obliged to vote for their state’s popular vote
Swing State
A state that does not consistently vote republican or democratic in presidential elections; such states receive a large share of attention during campaigns
Talking Points
A statement designed to support persuasively one side taken on an issue
Whistle Blower
A person who exposes any kind of information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct within an organization that is either private or public
