Political Jargon Flashcards
Government
“The Hill”
An American political newspaper and website published in Washington, D.C (1994)
Bipartisan
the agreement or cooperation of two political parties who oppose each other
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
(aka down-ballot 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
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
Funds set aside for a specific purpose
Entitlements
benefits guaranteed by law to individuals by the federal government, such as social security
Flip-fopper
a sudden reversal, unexpected change in a policy, value, or belief
Free-Rider Problem
occurs when those who benefit from resources, public goods, or services do not pay for them
Gender Gap
The differences between men and women
Gerrymandering
manipulate the boundaries of an electoral constituency
GOP
The Grand Old Party is one of the two major political parties in the U.S
Grassroots
the most basic level of an activity or organization
Grindlock
deadlock or political stalemate refers to a situation when there is difficulty passing laws that satisfy the needs of the people
Independent Expenditure
a political campaign communication that expressly advocates for the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate that is not made in cooperation
Inside the Beltway
The area inside the Capital Beltway encircling Washington, D.C
K Street
K Street is a major thoroughfare in the United States capital of Washington, D.C. where lobbyists, and advocacy groups often gather
Lameduck
an official in the final period of office
Liberal
open to new behavior or opinions
Libertarian
political philosophies and movements that uphold liberty as a core principle
Litigation
the process of taking legal action
Lobbyist
a person who takes part in an organized attempt to influence legislators
Logrolling
the trading of favors
Mandate
an official order or commission
Partisan
a committed member of a political party
Party Platform
a political party’s formal statement of its basic principles, objectives, and positions on major 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 manifestation of the psychological and subjective dimensions of politics
Political Efficacy
is the citizens’ faith and trust in government
Political Socialization
the process by which people form their ideas about politics
Political Suicide
an action one makes, destroying political chances
Pork Barrel Spending
a metaphor for the appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative’s district
POTUS
The U.S president
Rank and File
the ordinary members of an organization as opposed to its leaders
Red State
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 U.S Supreme Court
Sound Bite
A piece of a person speaking during a video or speech. Sig- The use of sound bites in this day and time is to make fun of politicians
Spin Control
the act or practice of attempting to manipulate the way an event is interpreted by others
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 un-elected 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 and argument
Whistle Blower
a person who informs others of corruption or wrongdoing
