AP Gov Political Jargon

Question 1

“The Hill”

Answer 1

Another name that refers to the U.S. Congress

Question 2

Bipartisan

Answer 2

When two political parties who usually oppose
each other are involved in an agreement or
cooperation

Question 3

Blue State

Answer 3

A state within the U.S. that usually supports the

Democratic Party

Question 4

Bully Pulpit

Answer 4

A public office or position that offered a platform in

which the occupant could speak out on an issue

Question 5

Coattails Effect

Answer 5

Also known as the down-ballot effect. When a popular political candidate attracts votes for another candidate of the same party

Question 6

Conservative

Answer 6

Political and social philosophy promoting traditional social institutions

Question 7

Constitution

Answer 7

The basic and fundamental law of a state that dictates how a state will be organized

Question 8

Demographics

Answer 8

Statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it

Question 9

Earmark

Answer 9

Government funds determined by a legislator for a specific reason, often to further one’s own interest

Question 10

Entitlements

Answer 10

Programs that are government funded and provide benefits to those who are eligible

Question 11

Flip-flopper

Answer 11

A reversal of a position

Question 12

Free-Rider Problem

Answer 12

The problem in that those who benefit from resources, public goods, or service do not pay for them.

Question 13

Gender Gap

Answer 13

Term that refers to the pattern that women are more likely to support a Democratic candidate

Question 14

Gerrymandering

Answer 14

Deliberate rearrangement of the boundaries of congressional districts to influence the outcome of elections

Question 15

GOP

Answer 15

Stands for “Grand Old Party” Symbol of the Republican Party

Question 16

Grassroots

Answer 16

Type of social movement/organization that relies on high levels of participation to promote social change

Question 17

Gridlock

Answer 17

Situation in which it is difficult to pass a law

Question 18

Independent Expenditure

Answer 18

Political campaign funded to advocate for the election or defeat of a candidate, must remain independent from the candidates

Question 19

Inside the Beltway

Answer 19

Refers to the highway that surround DC. Refers to issues strictly specific to the federal government

Question 20

K Street

Answer 20

Major thoroughfare in D.C. Popular center for lobbyists and advocate groups

Question 21

Lameduck

Answer 21

Official in the final period of office often having less influence due to their limited time left

Question 22

Liberal

Answer 22

Political doctrine that takes protecting and enhancing the freedom of the individual to be the central problem of politics

Question 23

Libertarian

Answer 23

Political view that seeks to maximize political freedom and emphasizes freedom of choice

Question 24

Litigation

Answer 24

Process of taking legal action

Question 25

Lobbyist

Answer 25

Someone who attempts to influence the actions, policies, and/or decisions of an official

Question 26

Logrolling

Answer 26

Also known as vote trading, The act of voting/agreeing on a proposition. Usually trying to secure votes for bills that will benefit their home districts

Question 27

Mandate

Answer 27

The authority to carry out a policy or course of action usually given by the elected official

Question 28

Partisan

Answer 28

Used to refer to politicians who strongly support their party's policies and are slow to compromise

Question 29

Party Platform

Answer 29

A set of fundamental goals of a political party

Question 30

Polarization

Answer 30

A person's stance on a certain subject is most likely to be strictly defined by their identification with a political party

Question 31

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Answer 31

Committee organized for the purpose of raising money to using that money to defeat/elect candidates

Question 32

Political Culture

Answer 32

Widely shared and agreed thoughts that determines the relationship between citizens and government/relationship between citizens.

Question 33

Political Efficacy

Answer 33

A citizen's belief and trust in government and their belief that they can influence politics

Question 34

Political Socialization

Answer 34

Ongoing process in which people develop and form their political ideas and values

Question 35

Political Suicide

Answer 35

When a politician or party loses widespread support from voters because an action was proposed that is seen as unfavorable by the public

Question 36

Pork Barrel Spending

Answer 36

Allocated government spending with the primary intent of bringing money to a representative's district

Question 37

POTUS

Answer 37

Short for "President of the United States"

Question 38

Rank and File

Answer 38

Ordinary members of an organization

Question 39

Red State

Answer 39

A state that generally votes/sides Republican

Question 40

Red Tape

Answer 40

Overly conforming to regulation/excessive bureaucracy

Question 41

Safe Seat

Answer 41

Electoral district that is likely to be retained with a large majority

Question 42

SCOTUS

Answer 42

"Supreme Court of the United States"

Question 43

Sound Bite

Answer 43

A small clip from a speech or statement

Question 44

Spin Control

Answer 44

An attempt to manipulate the outcome of event by changing the way it is viewed by others

Question 45

Stump Speech

Answer 45

A standardized speech usually used by a politician running for office is scheduled for many appearances

Question 46

Super PAC

Answer 46

Political action committee that is allowed to give unlimited amounts of money to a candidate/political party and the money comes from individual donors, labor unions, and nonprofits

Question 47

Superdelegate

Answer 47

Unelected delegate who is free to support any candidate for the presidential nomination

Question 48

Swing State

Answer 48

An important state that doesn't necessarily lean left or right that is considered to be very important in a presidential election

Question 49

Talking Points

Answer 49

Statements meant to support a specific side on an issue

Question 50

Whistle Blower

Answer 50

Someone who reports misconduct/illegal activity within one's own company or organization