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AP U.S. Government and Politics > Key Terms > Flashcards

Key Terms Flashcards

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0
Q

Checks and balances

A

System in which each branch of government can limit the other 2 branches (senate has power to reject presidential appointments to the Supreme Court)

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1
Q

Majority rule

A
  • fundamental democratic principle requiring that the majority’s view be respected
  • Constitution limits this with electoral college, life tenure for Supreme Court justices, and the selection of senators by state legislators
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2
Q

Unitary system

A

System of govt in which all power is invested in a central govt

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3
Q

Federalism

A

System of govt where power is divided by a written constitution between a central govt and regional govts (two+ levels of govt have rule over same geographic area)

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4
Q

Expressed powers

A

Powers specifically granted to the federal govt by the constitution (ie. enumerated powers) - Congress has right to coin money, impose taxes, and regulate interstate commerce

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5
Q

Implied powers

A

Powers of the federal govt that go beyond those enumerated in the constitution (derived from elastic/necessary and proper clause)

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6
Q

Reserved powers

A

Powers not specifically granted to the national govt or denied to the states (10th Amendment)

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7
Q

Cooperative federalism

A

Situations in which the national and state govts work together to complete projects (fiscal federalism)

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8
Q

Categorical grant

A

Funds provided for a specific and clearly defined purpose

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9
Q

Block grant

A

Funds granted to the states for a broadly defined purpose (contribute to state govt employment)

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10
Q

Mandates

A

Rules telling states what they must do to comply with federal guidelines (unfunded - state and local govts to provide services or comply with regulations without the provision of funds)

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11
Q

Devolution

A

A movement to transfer the responsibilities of governing from the federal govt to state and local govts

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12
Q

Political culture

A

Widely shared political beliefs and values (usa: individual liberty, political equality, legal equality, the rule of law, and limited govt)

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13
Q

Political socialization

A

Political values are formed and passed from one generation to the next (agent is family)

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14
Q

Public opinion

A

Attitudes toward institutions, leaders, political issues, and events

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15
Q

Political ideology

A

A cohesive set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and the role of govt

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16
Q

Political efficacy

A

The belief that one’s political participation makes a difference

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17
Q

Split-ticket voting

A

Voting for candidates of different parties for different offices in the same election

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18
Q

Political party

A

A group of citizens who organize to win elections, hold public offices, operate govts, and determine public policy

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19
Q

Plurality election

A

Winning candidate is person who received more votes than anyone else, but less than half the total

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20
Q

Single-member district

A

An electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office - leads to legislatures dominated by two parties

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21
Q

Party era

A

A historical period dominated by one party

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22
Q

Critical election

A

An election when significant groups of voters change their traditional patterns of party loyalty

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23
Q

Party realignment

A

The majority party is displaced by the minority party, ushering in a new party era

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24
Q

Divided govt

A

A govt in which one party controls the presidency while another party controls Congress (since 1970’s)

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25
Q

Interest group

A

An organization of people whose members share views on specific interests and attempt to influence public policy to their benefit (do not elect people to office)

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26
Q

Political action committee (PAC)

A

Formed by business, labor, or other interest groups to raise money and make contributions to the campaigns of political candidates whom they support

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27
Q

Free riders

A

People who benefit from an interest group without making any contributions

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28
Q

Power elite theory

A

The theory that a small number of very wealthy individuals, powerful corporate interest groups, and large financial institutions dominate key policy areas

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29
Q

Pluralist theory

A

Many interest groups compete for power in a large number of policy areas

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30
Q

Hyperpluralist theory

A

Govt policy is weakened and often contradictory because there are so many competing interest groups

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31
Q

Mass media

A

Means of communication such as newspapers, radio, tv, and the Internet that can reach large, widely dispersed audiences

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32
Q

Linkage institutions

A

Connect citizens to govt (mass media, interest groups, and political parties)

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33
Q

Horse-race journalism

A

The tendency of the media to cover campaigns by emphasizing how candidates stand in the polls instead of where they stand on issues

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34
Q

Congressional redistricting

A

The reallocation of the number of representatives each state has in the House of Reps

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35
Q

Gerrymandering

A

The legislative process by which the majority party in each state legislature redraws congressional districts to ensure the max number of seats for its candidates

36
Q

Incumbent

A

An officeholder who is seeking reelection, most important factor in determining the outcome of congressional elections

37
Q

Franking privilege

A

The right of members of Congress to mail newsletters to their constituents at the govt’s expense

38
Q

Standing committees

A

Permanent subject-matter congressional committees that handle legislation and oversee the bureaucracy

39
Q

Conference committees

A

Temporary bodies that are formed to resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a bill

40
Q

House rules committee

A

Set the guidelines for floor debate. Gives each bill a rule that places the bill on the legislative calendar, limits time for debate, and determines the type of amendments that will be allowed

41
Q

House ways and means committee

A

House committee that handles tax bills

42
Q

Seniority

A

Unwritten rule in both houses of Congress reserving committee chairs to members of the committee with the longest records of continuous service

43
Q

Filibuster

A

A way of delaying or preventing action on a bill by using long speeches and unlimited debate to “talk a bill to death”

44
Q

Cloture

A

A senate motion to end a filibuster, 3/5 vote

45
Q

Logrolling

A

Tactic of mutual aid and vote trading among legislators

46
Q

Oversight

A

Congressional review of the activities of an executive agency, department, or office

47
Q

Delegate role of representation

A

When members of Congress cast votes based on the wishes of their constituents

48
Q

Closed primary

A

A primary in which voters are required to identify a party preference before the election and are not allowed to split their ticket

49
Q

Front loading

A

The recent pattern of states holding primaries early in order to maximize their media attention and political influence

50
Q

Soft money

A

Contributions to political parties for party-building activities, circumvent limits on hard money

51
Q

527 group

A

A tax-exempt organization created to influence the political process; not regulated by the Federal Election Commission because they do not coordinate their activities with a candidate or party

52
Q

Veto

A

The president’s constitutional power to reject a bill passed by Congress, may override the veto with a 2/3s vote in each chamber

53
Q

Line-item veto

A

The power to veto specific dollar amounts or line items from major congressional spending bills, Supreme Court struck this down as an unconstitutional expansion of the president’s veto power

54
Q

Executive agreement

A

A pact between the president and a head of a foreign state (do not have to be approved by the Senate), not part of law and not binding for future presidents

55
Q

Executive privilege

A

President’s power to refuse to disclose confidential info

56
Q

Lame-duck period

A

The president’s term is about to come to an end = less influence

57
Q

Bureaucracy

A

A large, complex organization of appointed officials

58
Q

Executive order

A

A directive, order, or regulation issued by the president. Based on constitutional or statutory authority and have the force of law

59
Q

Iron triangle

A

An alliance among an administrative agency, an interest group, and a congressional committee. Each member provides key services, info, or policy for the others.

60
Q

Issue network

A

Includes policy experts, media pundits, congressional staff members, and interest groups who regularly debate an issue

61
Q

Policy agenda

A

A set of issues and problems that policy makers consider important, mass media plays important role in influencing issues which receive public attention

62
Q

Appellate jurisdiction

A

The authority of a court to hear an appeal from a lower court

63
Q

Senatorial courtesy

A

An unwritten tradition whereby the Senate will not confirm nominations for lower court positions that are opposed by a senator of the president’s own party from the state in which the nominee is to serve

64
Q

Writ of certiorari

A

An order by the Supreme Court directing a lower court to send up the record in a given case for its review

65
Q

Rule of four

A

The SC will hear a case if four justices agree to do so

66
Q

Solicitor general

A

Responsible for handling all appeals on behalf of the U.S. govt to the SC

67
Q

Amicus curiae brief

A

A friend of the court brief filed by interest group or interest party to influence a SC decision

68
Q

State decisis

A

“Let the decision stand” - vast majority of Supreme Court decisions based on precedents established in earlier cases

69
Q

Judicial restraint

A

Philosophy that the SC should use precedent and the Framers’ original intent to decide cases

70
Q

Judicial activism

A

SC must correct injustices when other branches of govt or states refuse to do so

71
Q

Monetary policy

A

Regulating the money supply, controlling inflation, and adjusting interest rates (controlled by Federal Reserve Board)

72
Q

Fiscal policy

A

Raising and lowering the taxes and govt spending programs, controlled by executive and legislative branches

73
Q

Entitlement program

A

Govt-sponsored program that provides mandated benefits to those who meet eligibility requirements (Social Security and Medicare)

74
Q

Office of management and budget (OMB)

A

Preparing the budget that the president submits to Congress

75
Q

Civil liberties

A

Legal and constitutional rights that protect individuals from arbitrary acts of govt (freedom of speech and fair trial)

76
Q

Civil rights

A

Policies designed to protect people against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by govt officials or individuals

77
Q

Selective incorporation

A

Case-by-case process by which liberties listed in the Bill of Rights have been applied to the states using the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

78
Q

Establishment clause

A

A provision of the First Amendment the prohibits Congress from establishing an official govt-sponsored religion

79
Q

Free exercise clause

A

Each person the right to believe what he wants. But, religion cannot make an act legal that would otherwise be illegal (First Amendment)

80
Q

Clear and present danger test

A

Judicial interpretation of the 1st Amend that govt may not ban speech unless it possesses an imminent threat to society

81
Q

Writ of habeas corpus

A

Court order that a prisoner be brought before a court and that the court offices show cause why the prisoner should not be released

82
Q

Bill of attainder

A

Provides for the punishment of a person without a court trial

83
Q

Ex post facto law

A

A law applied to an act committed before the law was enacted

84
Q

Exclusionary rule

A

SC guideline that prohibits evidence obtained by illegal searches or seizures from being admitted in court

85
Q

Miranda warnings

A

Police must read to suspects prior to questioning that advises them of their rights

86
Q

Strict scrutiny

A

SC rule that classification by race and ethnic background is inherently suspect and must be justified by a “compelling public interest”

87
Q

Affirmative action

A

Requiring federal agencies, universities, and most employers to take positive steps to remedy the effects of past discrimination

AP U.S. Government and Politics (20 decks)

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