Politcal Jargon Flashcards
“The Hill”
A short name for Capital Hill.A term for the legislative branch of the US government, as White House is for the executive branch.
Bipartisan
Containing the support of two conflicting views
Blue State
Refers to the states where the democratic candidate carried the electoral vote
Bully Pulpit
An office or job that gives members an opportunity to speak their opinions freely
Coattails Effect
When a Leading Political Party official attempts to gain votes for a candidate in the same party
Conservative
A person whose political views favor more local, limited govt, less govt regulations, conformity to social norms &values; rough on criminals
Constituent
a person represented by a legislator or other elected/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
When the Congress provides funds for only certain projects
Entitlements
right to benefits that ought to be provided by government or, to opponents of the growth of federal spending, a euphemism for “welfare.” Due to its abuses, now generally used pejoratively
Flip-flopper
a U-turn, or reversal of position, a sudden shift in opinion
Free-Rider Problem
The problem faced by unions and other groups when people do not join because they can benefit from the group’s activities without actually joining.
Gender Gap
A term that refers to the regular patterns by which women are more likely to support Democratic candidates. Women tend to be significantly less conservative than men and are more likely to support spending on social services and to oppose higher levels of military spending.
Gerrymandering
drawing of political lines by the party in power so as to perpetuate its power; designing a district to fit a voting pattern.
GOP
Grand Old Party. The Republican Party, commonly referred to as GOP (abbreviation for Grand Old Party), is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States.
Grassroots
When people volunteer for a local party for the election
Gridlock
The inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government
Independent Expenditure
Spending by political action committees, corporations, or labor unions that is done to help a party or candidate but is done independently of them.
Inside the Beltway
A way to characterize issues for the US Government
K Street
K Street is 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 officeholder whose power is diminished because he is soon to leave office, as a result of defeat or statutory limitation. The “lame-duck” amendment was finally ratified in 1933 as the 20th Amendment. Previously the incoming President was forced to wait until March to assume office while the old Congress - some of whose members had been retired at the last election - met in December and held nominal legislative powers until March
Liberal
One who favors more government regulation of business and support for social welfare but less regulation of private social conduct
Libertarian
One who is conservitive on economic issues, liberal on personal conduct issues
Litigation
Pursuing a case or claim through the judicial process.
Lobbyist
A person who is brought in to try to persuade legislatures
Logrolling
mutual aid among politicians, especially legislators who must vote on many items of economic importance in individual states and districts. The classic description of the theory is attributed to Simon Camerson, Pennsylvania who served as Lincoln’s first Secretary of War: “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.”
Mandate
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.
Partisan
Political actions or decisions that benefit a particular party
Party Platform
A political party’s statement of its goals and policies for the next four years
Polarization
When two opposing sides feel intensely about an issue that is difficult to compromise on
Political Action Committee (PAC)
An organization formed to collect money and provide financial support for political candidates
Political Culture
A coherent way of thinking about how politics and government ought to be carried out
Political Efficacy
A belief that you can take part in politics (internal) or that the government will respond to the citizenry (external).
Political Socialization
The process through which an individuals learn a set of political attitudes and form opinions about social issues. Families and the educational system are two of the most important forces in the political socialization process.
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
When the government spends money on political projects
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
Refers to states where the Republican candidate carried the electoral vote
Red Tape
More rules than necessary that are repeatedly stated in different ways to stop decision making
Safe Seat
A district that returns a legislator with 55 percent of the vote or more.
SCOTUS
The Supreme Court of the United States
Sound Bite
A clip of an interview that was recorded
Spin Control
A type of propaganda when they are providing a prejudice view of the situation to lure in the public
Stump Speech
A name for a speech given by a politician running for office
Super PAC
Political-action committee that is allowed to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money from corporations, unions, individuals and associations. Some nonprofit groups are allowed to contribute to super PACs without disclosing where their money came from; The most important difference between a super PAC and traditional candidate PAC is in who can contribute, and in how much they can give.
Superdelegate
National party leaders who automatically get a delegate slot at the Democratic national convention.
Swing State
When a certain state has about an equal amount of votes for both candidates
Talking Points
A succinct statement designed to support persuasively one side taken on an issue and something that someone tends to be repeated in a debate or speech
Whistle Blower
An employee who exposes unethical or illegal conduct within the federal government or one of its contractors
