Political Jargon terms Flashcards
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“The Hill”
- the US Congress 2. the hill in Washington D.C. where the Capitol building stands
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 tendency for a popular political party leader to attract votes for other candidates of the same party in an election. For example, the party of a victorious presidential candidate will often win many seats in Congress as well; these congressmen are voted into office “on the coattails” of the president.
Conservative
a person who is averse to change and holds to traditional values and attitudes, typically in relation to politics.
Constituent
being a voting member of a community or organization and having the power to appoint or elect.
“the constituent body has a right of veto”
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 person, especially a politician, who suddenly changes his or her opinion or policy He described his opponent as a flip-flopper.
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
manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor one party or class.
GOP
short for Grand Old Party, is a nickname for the Republican Party of the United States.
Grassroots
ordinary people regarded as the main body of an organization’s membership.
Gridlock
refers to a situation when there is difficulty passing laws that satisfy the needs of the people. A government is gridlocked when the ratio between bills passed and the agenda of the legislature decreases.
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
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
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.
Lame duck
an official (especially the president) in the final period of office, after the election of a successor
Liberal
open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values
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
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 set of beliefs that are accepted as characteristic of a particular political party and presented to the public to help the public know the principles and values for which that party stands.
Polarization
division into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs.
Political Action Committee (PAC)
is an organization that pools campaign contributions from members and donates those funds to campaign for or against candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation.
Political Culture
is 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. It encompasses both the political ideals and the operating norms of a polity.
Political Efficacy
is the citizens’ faith and trust in government and their belief that they can understand and influence political affairs.
Political Socialization
is the process by which people form their ideas about politics.
Political Suicide
is 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
is 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 President of the United States.
Rank and File
1 : the enlisted personnel of an armed force. 2 : the individuals who constitute the body of an organization, society, or nation as distinguished from the leaders.
Red State
a 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 Supreme Court of the United States.
Sound Bite
a short extract from a recorded interview, chosen for its pungency or appropriateness.
Spin Control
the act or practice of attempting to manipulate the way an event is interpreted by others.
Stump Speech
is a standard speech used by a politician running for office. Typically a candidate who schedules many appearances prepares a short standardized stump speech that is repeated verbatim to each audience, before opening to questions.
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 unelected 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 or argument.
Whistle Blower
a person who informs on a person or organization engaged in an illicit activity.
