AP GOV Terms/Vocabulary

Question 1

Limited government

Answer 1

A government’s power cannot be absolute (restrictions).
Opposites of Limited Government: Tyranny, Dictatorship, Authoritarianism, Totalitarianism, etc.

Question 2

Natural rights

Answer 2

All people have certain rights that cannot be taken away. John Locke’s ideas, he believed that all men are born free and equal. “No one can be subjected to a political power of another, without his own consent.”

Question 3

Popular sovereignty

Answer 3

Power belongs to the people, the consent of the governed, and the will of the people must be reflected in the government.

Question 4

Republicanism

Answer 4

People select representatives who are responsible and carry out laws in the public interest

Question 5

Social Contract

Answer 5

Free individuals give up certain rights in return for collective security within the community, resulting in greater freedom (from the chaos of the State of Nature) for all. Jean Jacques Rousseau’s idea, inspired by Hobbes and Locke.

Question 6

Participatory Dem.

Answer 6

Emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society.

Question 7

Pluralist Dem.

Answer 7

Recognizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision-making.

Question 8

Elite Dem.

Answer 8

Emphasizes limited(more filtered) participation in politics and civil society. Elected Representatives act as trustees for the voters.

Question 9

Separation of Powers

Answer 9

Power is shared among three branches to prevent one branch from having too much power. Goal: Limit the effect of the Majority Rule and protect the Minority.

Question 10

Checks & Balances

Answer 10

Give each branch an additional power, → ability to check the other branches. The most important check on the government is the people.

Question 11

Federalism

Answer 11

Balancing State and Federal (National Gov’t) power.

Question 12

Exclusive Powers

Answer 12

Powers delegated by the Constitution to the federal government alone.

Ex: Only the national federal congress can declare war for the nation, and no state can do that.

Question 13

Concurrent Powers

Answer 13

Powers that both national(federal) and state governments share.

Ex: Taxes are withheld both for the federal government and your state government.

Question 14

Mandates (Unfunded vs. Funded)

Answer 14

Mandates: Requirements that direct state or local government to provide additional services to receive federal funds.

Unfunded mandates: Occur when states must comply with federal law but are not provided with funds.
→ Used generally as punishments

Question 15

Revenue Sharing

Answer 15

Taxes collected at the federal level and distributed to state and local governments to help them meet financial needs and deliver public services.

Question 16

Categorical Grant

Answer 16

Give federal money to the states as long as they comply with specific federal standards. If states accept that money, there are strings attached, and the state must use that money for the purpose and in the way that the federal government stipulates. These grants reflect federal values.

Question 17

Block Grant

Answer 17

The federal government gives money to be spent in a broad category, but the states determine exactly how that money is to be spent within those boundaries. Returned some of the power to the states by the federal government. States like block grants a lot more than categorical grants because they have a lot more decision-making power and flexibility when it comes to spending the money.

Question 18

Enumerated Power

Answer 18

Written (listed) in the constitution, reserved solely for the national government.

Question 19

Implied Power

Answer 19

Powers that are not specifically written in the Constitution but are inferred.

Question 20

Necessary and Proper/Elastic Clause

Answer 20

Gives Congress the power to make laws related to carrying out its enumerated powers.

Question 21

Supremacy Clause

Answer 21

Gives the National government and its laws general precedence over state laws.

Question 22

Commerce Clause

Answer 22

Gives the national government the power to regulate interstate commerce.

Question 23

Amendment Process

Answer 23

An amendment is proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths of the states.

Question 24

Great Compromise

Answer 24

A debate on how the people would be represented in the new Congress. The constitution would establish a republican-style government in which representatives of the people did the work of the government, so the main question was: how do we decide how many representatives each state gets?

There were two opposing solutions to this problem:
→ Virginia Plan: Argued that representatives ought to be appointed by population. In this case, bigger states would have more representatives and smaller states would have fewer. The interests of the small states would never prevail. The Virginia Plan favored large states (Virginia was one of the most populous states at the time).
→ New Jersey Plan: Argued that representatives ought to be appointed equally; each state gets one vote. In this case, small states have the advantage over bigger states; big states like Virginia would lose.

The Great Compromise took both of these plans and brought them together in a bicameral legislature, which is a congress with two houses.
→ House of Representatives (Lower House): Representatives would be appointed by population. Big states have more, and small states have less.
→ Senate (Upper House): Representatives would be apportioned equally, with each state, no matter the size, granted to senators.

Question 25

Constituency

Answer 25

A body of voters in a specified area who elect a representative to a legislative body

Question 26

Filibuster

Answer 26

An attempt to stall or kill by talking for a very long time. Designed to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill. The main purpose of the filibuster is to ensure a super-majority when passing any legislation. Cloture can be invoked with 60 votes, so any bill that receives 60 votes is filibuster-proof.

Question 27

Discretionary Spending

Answer 27

Money is formally approved by Congress and the President during the appropriations process each year. Generally, Congress allocates over half of the discretionary budget towards national defense and the rest to fund the administration of other agencies and programs.

Question 28

Mandatory Spending

Answer 28

Government expenditures that are required by existing laws and automatically funded each year, without needing annual congressional approval.

Question 29

Budget Deficit

Answer 29

When money going out (spending) exceeds money coming in (revenue) during a defined period.

Question 30

Pork Barrel Leg.

Answer 30

Bills can change with the addition of Pork Barrel Spending, funds earmarked for a particular representative’s District.

Question 31

Logrolling

Answer 31

One congressman votes for another congressman’s project, hoping they will return the favor.

Question 32

Gerrymandering

Answer 32

Manipulating the boundaries of an electoral constituency to favor one party or class.

Question 33

Redistricting

Answer 33

Redistricting in the United States is the process of drawing electoral district boundaries. For the United States House of Representatives and state legislatures, redistricting occurs after each ten-year census.

Question 34

Reapportionment

Answer 34

Congressional apportionment (or reapportionment) is the process of dividing seats for the House among the 50 states following the decennial census.

Question 35

Divided Gov’t

Answer 35

When opposing parties hold majorities in both houses, OR when the President is from one party and Congress is a majority from the opposing party. A divided party can slow down congressional behavior because of opposing views,

Question 36

Trustee Model

Answer 36

Constituents elect their representatives as 'trustees' for their constituency. Trustees use the intuition and expertise of other elites to make decisions. This model suggests that representatives are trusted to make informed decisions based on their expertise and understanding of complex issues, rather than merely reflecting public opinion. This model can lead to conflicts between elected officials and their constituents when representatives prioritize what they believe is best for the community over popular demand.

Question 37

Delegate Model

Answer 37

Constituents elect their representatives as delegates for their constituency. They decide on topics to work on and implement campaigns. Constituents seek out delegates who will create platforms and make resources available for them. This model suggests that elected officials should primarily act as mouthpieces for their constituents' wishes, prioritizing those preferences when making decisions. This model emphasizes responsiveness and accountability, requiring lawmakers to reflect the views and interests of the people they represent.

Question 38

Politico Model

Answer 38

A hybrid of Trustee and Delegate models and involves representatives acting as delegates and trustees, depending on the issue.

Question 39

Roles of the Pres

Answer 39

Chief of State: Ceremonial head of the United States Chief Executive: The most powerful office in the world Chief Administrator: $4.5 trillion spent/year Chief Diplomat: Foreign policy spokesperson Treaties (Senate approval), Agreements (without Senate Approval) Commander in Chief: Chief of the armed forces Chief Legislator: Influences public policy Influence through Vetoes (4% of the time) Chief of Party: Political party leader Chief Citizen: Represents the people

Question 40

Veto

Answer 40

The President also has the option to veto the Bill by refusing to sign the Bill.

Question 41

Overturning a Veto

Answer 41

If the President vetoes the Bill, it is returned to Congress. Congress can choose to override a Veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both Houses, making the Bill a law.

Question 42

Executive Order

Answer 42

A written directive from the president that instructs federal agencies to take specific actions. Executive orders have the force of law, but they can't override federal laws. (Implied Power).

Question 43

Executive Agreement

Answer 43

An executive agreement is an agreement between the heads of government of two or more nations that has not been ratified by the legislature, as treaties are ratified. Executive agreements are considered politically binding to distinguish them from legally binding treaties.

Question 44

Signing Statement

Answer 44

A written pronouncement issued by the President of the United States upon the signing or veto of a bill. 1. Constitutional: Asserts that the law is constitutionally defective in order to guide executive agencies in limiting its implementation 2. Political: defines vague terms in the law to guide executive agencies in their implementation as written 3. Rhetorical: uses the signing of the bill to mobilize political constituencies.

Question 45

Bully Pulpit

Answer 45

A public office or position of authority that provides its occupant with an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue.

Question 46

Stare Decisis

Answer 46

The principle that governs this emphasis on precedent. A Latin term that means "let the decision stand." The Court always considers past precedents, which are bound by the principle of Stare Decisis. Precedents can be overturned, but it’s a monumental deal. Ex: Brown v. Board of Education (1954) was a precedent itself of the precedent established in Plessy v. Ferguson, which upheld racial segregation

Question 47

Judicial Restraint

Answer 47

Limit Judicial power; only strike down unconstitutional laws. Follow a strict interpretation of the Constitution. Believes judges should also follow precedent. “Justices should not declare a law unconstitutional when it merely violates their idea of what the Constitution means in a contemporary context, but only when the law clearly and directly contradicts the document. To do otherwise is ‘legislating from the bench.’”

Question 48

Judicial Activism

Answer 48

Judge(s) strike down a law Loosely interprets and applies the Constitution based on ongoing changes and values. Decisions are often made to protect minority rights or to meet needs not met by various acts of Congress. Activism can be either liberal or conservative (if you consider a liberal congress’s law being declared unconstitutional by a conservative court) Strict Construction = Original intent of the Founding Fathers

Question 49

Iron Triangle

Question 50

Congressional Oversight

Question 51

Discretionary and Rulemaking Authority

Question 52

Civil Liberties

Answer 52

Basic rights and freedoms that are guaranteed (through Bill of Rights or Judicial Interpretation)

Question 53

Civil Rights

Answer 53

Basic right of freedom from discrimination based on certain characteristics (treatment of an individual, protection aspect, 14th Amendment)

Question 54

Symbolic Speech

Answer 54

Nonverbal expressions of ideas that are protected under the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech.

Question 55

Protected Speech

Answer 55

Spoken, Written, and Symbolic Speech: The First Amendment protects a wide array of expression, from what you say to what you write, wear, or perform. Symbolic Speech: Acts of expression, like burning a flag or protesting, are also protected. Political Speech: The ability to criticize the government is central to the First Amendment's protection. Hate Speech: While offensive, hate speech is generally protected, though it can be restricted if it incites violence. Exceptions to

Question 56

Unprotected Speech

Answer 56

Defamatory: Libel – false printed statement to hurt someone’s reputation. Slander – false spoken statement to hurt someone’s reputation. Obscene (Jacobellis v Ohio): It depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by state law. It lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value. Miller Test: A three-part legal standard used to determine whether something is legally obscene. It is used by federal and state courts to assess obscenity.

Question 57

Defamatory Speech

Answer 57

Libel – false printed statement to hurt someone’s reputation. Slander – false spoken statement to hurt someone’s reputation.

Question 58

Selective Incorp.

Answer 58

The Bill of Rights applies to all states not just the Federal government.

Question 59

Due Process

Answer 59

The Due Process Clause is a constitutional provision that prevents the government from taking away life, liberty, or property without due process of law. It appears in both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.

Question 60

Equal Protection

Answer 60

The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits states from denying any person within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. This means that states cannot treat people who are similarly situated differently under the law.

Question 61

Exclusionary Rule

Answer 61

The exclusionary rule is a legal principle that prevents the government from using evidence obtained unconstitutionally. The rule applies to evidence obtained through illegal searches and seizures, or in violation of a defendant's Fifth or Sixth Amendment rights.

Question 62

Miranda Rule

Answer 62

Requires law enforcement to inform suspects in custody of their constitutional rights before interrogation. These rights, known as Miranda rights, protect against self-incrimination and ensure the right to counsel. The warnings must include the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and the right to have an attorney appointed if they cannot afford one.

Question 63

Establishment Clause

Answer 63

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…” You can’t be forced to practice a certain religion. No state-sponsored “established” religion.

Question 64

Free Exercise Clause

Answer 64

“…or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” You can’t be stopped from practicing whatever religion you want.

Question 65

Prior Restraint

Answer 65

The government PREVENTING material from being published before it is published. Typically unconstitutional. Near v. Minnesota set the precedent and incorporated freedom of the press to the states.

Question 66

Rights of the Accused

Answer 66

Formal charges presented, against double jeopardy and self-incrimination.

Question 67

Individualism

Answer 67

An emphasis on self-reliance and independence.

Question 68

Equality of Opportunity

Answer 68

Equal footing to go after life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness regardless of characteristics. → Americans generally believe there are no hierarchies amongst use.

Question 69

Free Enterprise

Answer 69

Little government intervention in economy as possible. → Americans generally believe in free market and forces of supply and demand.

Question 70

Rule of Law

Answer 70

Every citizen is equal under the law, no special privileges. → Americans generally believe ours is a government of laws not of men.

Question 71

Political Socialization

Answer 71

The process through which an individual acquires his or her particular political orientation.

Question 72

Political Ideology

Answer 72

A certain set of ethical ideals or principles that explain how society should work. Liberal - Push for new reforms in order to make society more just and equitable (Progressing society forward) Conservative - Cherish established institutions and seek to preserve them for the good of society

Question 73

Liberal

Answer 73

Push for new reforms in order to make society more just and equitable (Progressing society forward).

Question 74

Conservative

Answer 74

Cherish established institutions and seek to preserve them for the good of society.

Question 75

Democrat

Answer 75

The Democratic Party platforms generally align more closely to liberal ideological positions.

Question 76

Republican

Answer 76

The Republican Party platforms generally align more closely to conservative ideological positions.

Question 77

Libertarian

Answer 77

Libertarians believe the only purpose of government is the protection of life, liberty, and property. They stand for peace and freedom. Have liberal ideas, but conservative reasoning to defend their policies. Ex: They support same-sex marriage only becasue they believe that the government should be less involved.

Question 78

Keynesian Economics

Answer 78

People get money through work programs, stimulus checks, and tax breaks → People buy products and services → Businesses sell goods and services, make profits, and hire more workers. Liberals tend to support this because $ direct to those who need it!

Question 79

Supply Side Economics

Answer 79

Business get tax breaks → Businesses produce goods, and services and hire more workers → Workers use their income from their jobs to buy goods and services. Conservatives tend to support this because reduced taxation and government regulation will allow market to correct itself in the long run (businesse to reinvest profits and for people to work harder).

Question 80

Monetary Policy

Answer 80

Actions taken by the Federal Reserve to influence interest rates which affect broader economic conditions.

Question 81

Fiscal Policy

Answer 81

Actions taken by Congress and the president to influence economic conditions.

Question 82

Generational Effect

Answer 82

How major world events that are experienced by a generation impact our values shared by people of similar age groups who lived through them. People who grew up in similar time periods (Generations) tend to have more in common with others of that generation than with other generations.

Question 83

Life Cycle Effect

Answer 83

Where you are in the stage of your life impacts what you value.

Question 84

Opinion Poll

Answer 84

An assessment of public opinion obtained by questioning a representative sample. Like an Ideology Quiz.

Question 85

Tracking Poll

Answer 85

Trace the level of support for a candidate or a particular issue throughout a campaign.

Question 86

Benchmark Poll

Answer 86

Taken at the beginning of a campaign to gauge a candidate’s popularity and determine which issues are most important.

Question 87

Exit Poll

Answer 87

Poll taken at a polling place after an individual has voted. These polls typically ask how an individual just voted and are used to predict the outcome of elections.

Question 88

Rational Choice Voting

Answer 88

Voting in your best interest.

Question 89

Retrospective Voting

Answer 89

Voting based on candidates past actions(track-record). Less concern about future campaign promises than with job performance. Often strong economic positions benefit incumbents.

Question 90

Prospective Voting

Answer 90

Voting based on a candidates potential actions. Prospective voters are persuaded by lofty promises and compelling visions of the future.

Question 91

Party Line Voting

Answer 91

Voting purely for candidates of their political party. Simplifies the voting process; Don’t need to know every issue, just your party affiliations. Voting by party loyalty goes up by age. Polarization has lead to decline in split ticketing.

Question 92

Demographics

Answer 92

Statistical data about the characteristic of a population. Age, gender, education, race, ethnicity, etc.

Question 93

Critical Elections

Answer 93

Electiosn that signify a change in political attitudes and behavior, often leaading to a major shift in the political landscape.

Question 94

Realignment

Answer 94

Realignment refers to a significant and lasting shift in the political landscape, particularly in the party system, where the alignment of voters and parties changes dramatically. This process often involves a transformation in party loyalty, ideology, and the demographic composition of political support, leading to new coalitions and a redefined electoral map.

Question 95

Proportional System

Answer 95

Proportional representation is an electoral system in which seats in a legislative body are allocated based on the proportion of votes each political party receives.

Question 96

Winner-Take-All System

Answer 96

A winner-take-all (or winner-takes-all) electoral system is one where a voting bloc can win all seats in a legislature or electoral district, denying representation to any political minorities.

Question 97

Party Coalition

Answer 97

A coalition government, or coalition cabinet, is a government by political parties that enter into a power-sharing arrangement of the executive. Coalition governments usually occur when no single party has achieved an absolute majority after an election.

Question 98

Linkage Institution

Answer 98

Societal structure that connects people to their government or the political process: - Political parties - Elections - Media - Interest Groups - People → government officials → policy-making - Polls connect the people to the government.

Question 99

General Election

Answer 99

An election where voters choose among candidates from different political parties to fill public offices.

Question 100

Midterm Election

Answer 100

Apart from general elections and by-elections, a midterm election refers to a type of election where the people can elect their representatives and other subnational officeholders in the middle of the term of the executive.

Question 101

Open/Closed Primary

Answer 101

Closed: Must register with a party to vote. Encourages party loyalty. Open: A voter does not have to register with a specific party to vote.

Question 102

Party Caucus

Answer 102

A gathering of party members who voice their preference for a particular candidate to win the nomination (discuss, debate, vote publicly). Meetings run by political parties at a county or district level, where members discuss various issues and usually select a candidate or decide on policy. - A gathering of party members who voice their preference for a particular candidate to win the nomination (discuss, debate, vote publicly) - Caucus only for Presidential elections

Question 103

Primary Election

Answer 103

An election held by political parties to select their candidates for the general election. A candidate first has to earn their party’s nomination to make it the general election where they will face the candidate of the other party.

Question 104

Incumbency Advantage

Answer 104

Incumbent: Candidate already in office who will run for another term Incumbent Advantage: All the tools available to office-holders can be used to run a successful campaign for another term - Incumbents have won nearly 80% of their reelection campaigns

Question 105

Bipartisan

Answer 105

Invovling the agreement or cooperation of two different political (major) parties that usually oppose each other. Bipartisan efforts are seen as a way to bridge ideological divides and create policies.

Question 106

Political Action Committee

Answer 106

Raise money to spend on preferred candidate campaign.

Question 107

Super PAC

Answer 107

Raise and spend unlimited amounts of money on independent expenditures.

Question 108

Independent Expenditure

Answer 108

Funds spent by individuals, groups, or organizations (super like PACs) to advocate for or against political candidates. They are made independently of candidate campaigns with no direct communication or agreement with the candidates. - Ads - Events - Separate from election campaigns, no collaboration

Question 109

Horse Race Journalism

Answer 109

Focus on competitive aspects of the elections in polls rather than substantive issues. It emphasizes polling data and popularity/public perception rather than a candidates policies or qualifications.

Question 110

Third Parties

Answer 110

Parties that operate alongside two major parties; Democrats and Republicans. They mostly have specific ideologies or issues that may not be fully addressed by two-party systems. By advocating for certain issues, they can push major parties to adopt certain policies or stances. Even though they never really win elections, third parties can influence election outcomes. - Libertarian Party - Green Party - American Independent Party