Political Jargon Flashcards
“The Hill”
The Hill is a top U.S political website, read by the White House and more lawmakers than any other site - Vital for policy, politics and elections, and campaigns
Bipartisan
Of or involving the agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each other policies.
Blue State
A U.S. 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 tendency for a popular political party leader to attract votes for other candidates of the same party in an election
Conservative
Holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change or innovation, typically in relation to politics or religion
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
The belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment
Flip-flopper
A U-turn, or reversal of position, a sudden shift in opinion
Free-Rider Problem
Occurs when those who benefit from resources, public goods, or services do not pay for them, which results in an underprovision of those goods or services.
Gender Gap
The differences between women and men, especially as reflected in social, political, intellectual, cultural, or economic attainments or attitudes
Gerrymandering
The act of altering political boundaries in order to give an unfair advantage to one political party or group of people.
GOP
One of the two major political parties in the United States, the other being its historic rival, the Democratic Party.
Grassroots
The common or ordinary people, especially as contrasted with leadership or elite of a political party social organization,etc, the rank and file
Gridlock
A situation when there is difficulty passing laws that satisfy the needs of the people
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
An idiom that refers to the highway that has surrounded Washington D.C since 1964
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
A politician who is still in office after having lost a reelection bid
Liberal
One who favors more government regulation of business and support for social welfare but less regulation of private conduct issues
Libertarian
One who is conservative on economic issues, liberal on personal conduct issues
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 others proposed legislation
Mandate
The authority to carry out a policy or course of action, regarded as given by the electorate to a candidate or party that is victorious in an election
Partisan
A strong supporter of a party, cause,or person
Party Platform
A formal set of principle goals which are supported by a political party or individual candidate, in order to appeal to the general public, for the ultimate purpose of garnering the general public’s support and votes about complicated topics or issues
Polarization
Division into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs.
Political Action Committee (PAC)
An organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, especially at the federal level.
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.
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 from 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
is the allocation of federal funds to local projects at the will of a congressperson, also sometimes called earmarking
POTUS
The president of the United States
Rank and File
The ordinary members of an organization as opposed to its leaders
Red State
A U.S. state that predominantly votes for or supports the republican party
Red Tape
Refers to excessive regulation of rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and 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 piece of a person speaking during a video or speech
Spin Control
A form of propaganda, achieved through providing an interpretation of an event or campaign to persuade public opinion in favor or against a certain organization or public figure:10th Amendment
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 which parties or candidates
Superdelegate
An un-elected delegate who is free to support any candidate for the presidential nomination at the party’s national convention.(democratic Party)
Swing State
a U.S 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
