AP Government Study Guide Vocabulary Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from AP Government Unit One: Constitutional Underpinnings through Unit Five: The Bureaucracy. Topics include principles of democracy, the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, federalism, political culture, voting behavior, political parties, interest groups, mass media, campaign finance, Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, the Judicial Branch, and economic & foreign policy.

Direct Democracy

Citizens meet and vote directly on government decisions.

Representative Democracy (Republic)

Citizens choose officials who make decisions on government policy.

Direct Democracy

Citizens meet and vote directly on government decisions.

Representative Democracy (Republic)

Citizens choose officials who make decisions on government policy.

Magna Carta (1215)

First attempt to limit the power of the British King, guaranteed all people certain rights.

Social Contract Theory

People enter into a social contract with the government and allow to be ruled.

Consent of the Governed

There are no supreme rulers, all rulers depend on the approval of the people; when governments fail to protect rights, the people have the right to change the government.

Natural Rights

All people are born with certain rights: life, liberty, and property (Jefferson changes property into pursuit of happiness.)

Common Good

Belief in doing what’s best for the nation overall.

Popular Sovereignty

Belief that the ultimate authority rests with the people.

Majority Rule

Belief that government is run based on the will of the majority.

Shays’ Rebellion

Farmer rebellion in Massachusetts 1786-1787 protesting mortgage foreclosures and a terrible economy. Showed how weak the central government was.

3/5 Compromise

Counted slaves as 3/5 of a person to give the south more representatives in Congress.

Connecticut Compromise (Bicameralism)

Established two equal bodies (House of Representatives and Senate) one based on population, one giving all states equal representation.

Federalists

Supported the Constitution because it gave power to a strong central government.

Anti-federalists

Opposed the constitution because they thought the national government would become tyrannical and take power away from the states.

Federalist Paper #10

Written by Madison, discusses the importance of factions; factions are inevitable, but factions are best handled by a large republic.

Federalist Paper #51

Written by Madison, discusses the importance of checks and balances and the separation of powers in the constitution.

Separation of Powers

Each of the three branches of government has its own power and independence.

Checks and Balances

Each branch of government has some power over the others, but retains independence.

Federalism

Separation between powers of the Federal, State, and Local governments.

Confederacy

System of government in which the central government is very weak, and most of the true power lies in individual states.

Unitary System

System of government in which the central government is extremely powerful, and individual states have few powers.

Dual Federalism, aka “Layer Cake” Federalism (1789-1932)

Belief that the state and national governments are supreme within their own sphere of influence.

Cooperative Federalism, aka “Marble Cake” Federalism

Sharing powers between state and federal governments.

Fiscal Federalism

Government’s patterns of spending, taxing, and providing grants to influence state and local governments.

Grants-in-aid

Money given from the federal government to the states.

Categorical grants

Federal grants for specific purposes (building an airport).

Block grants

Broad grants from the federal government that give local/state governments a lot of freedom to spend money as they please without many strings attached.

Revenue sharing

Federal sharing of a fixed percentage of its revenue with the states.

Mandates

Terms set by the federal government that states must meet if they accept federal grants.

Devolution

Process of returning power to the states, this began during New Federalism under presidents Nixon, Reagan, and Bush.

Express powers

Powers listed (enumerated) in the constitution for the Federal government.

Implied powers

Based on necessary and proper clause (elastic clause) – gives congress flexibility to make laws necessary and proper for carrying out express powers, upheld in McCulloch v. Maryland.

Inherent powers

Powers dealing with foreign policy not in constitution, but given to the federal government.

Concurrent Powers

Shared by Federal and State governments - power to tax and spend, establish courts, make laws.

Reserved to States (10th amendment)

Any power not denied nor given to federal government is reserved for state governments (create local governments).

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is superior to state law. (McCulloch vs. Maryland)

Interstate Commerce Clause

Gives Federal Government authority to regulate all of interstate commerce.

Take Care Clause

The President must enforce ALL laws passed by Congress.

Full Faith and Credit

States must honor laws and court rulings of other states.

Privileges and Immunities

Requires states to extend the same privileges and immunities to all citizens, even of other states.

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments to the Constitution that guarantees individual and states’ rights.

Political Culture

A coherent way of thinking about how politics and the government ought to be carried out.

Political Socialization

Manner in which people develop their political views (family, friends, media, current government, education).

Liberal

Large federal government involvement needed to provide for the people (welfare, new deal, great society).

Socialist

Belief in an extremely powerful state to protect people.

Conservative

Belief that limited government is necessary to grow a strong economy, very pro-business anti-regulation.

Libertarianism

Belief in very small government and extreme focus on individual and business rights, no regulation of industry.

Demographics

Characteristics of population on income, education, race, gender.

Redistricting

After every census, the congressional districts are redrawn based on population.

Reapportionment

State legislatures reapportion (resize) state congressional districts after every census.

Gerrymandering

The practice of redistricting in order to benefit a specific party by drawing districts based on the demo of their residents.

Political Efficacy

Belief that you can participate in politics, or that government will respond (my vote counts).

Civic Duty

Belief that one has an obligation to participate in civic and political affairs.

General elections

Held every four years in which president is elected.

Primary elections

A political party’s elections to determine nominee for general election.

Open primaries

People from either party can vote (must choose to vote for either democrats or republicans).

Closed primaries

People can only vote if they are a registered member of the party.

Caucuses

Candidate nomination process in which party members meet to discuss and decide on candidate.

Referendum

People vote on whether or not to accept a law passed by state legislature, or a proposed amendment to the state constitution.

Initiative

People vote on laws and constitutional amendments within state (direct democracy).

Recall

Voters remove elected officials.

Linkage Organizations

Organizations that link the people with government.

Political Parties

Help organize the government, organize election process, fundraise, hold national convention and form party platform, educate voters, and get out the vote.

Realignment

Major change in the core members/beliefs of a political party-either one major party is replaced by another, or the two major parties completely change viewpoints.

Dealignment

When people abandon parties and become independents.

Presidents are elected by the

Electoral College

Interest Group

A collection of people who share a common interest or attitude, and seek to influence government. These groups use fundraising and lobbying to influence the political process.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Form financial branch of interest groups (donate to candidates).

Iron triangle

Close relationship between interest groups, congress, and agencies.

Revolving door

Government officials often retire and move on to work as lobbyists for interest groups.

Lobbying

Activities aimed at influencing public officials (legislators) and trying to promote or defeat certain legislation.

4th estate

: The Media is referred to as the 4th estate (branch) of government because of its huge impact

Media Bias

The media has a tendency to spin the news towards a certain political ideology.

Selective perception

People hear what they want to hear.

Selective exposure

People avoid listening to media with other viewpoints.

Horserace Journalism

Journalists cover elections like a horserace, focusing almost exclusively on the candidate who is doing well at that particular moment.

527 Groups

Tax exempt organization created to influence the nomination/election of a candidate.

Logrolling

When politicians 'trade' votes

Pork Barrel Spending

When Politicians like to add on extra, unrelated programs to bills that will benefit their constituents

Closed Rule

No amendments, time limit on debate

Open Rule

Open to relevant, germane amendments, no time limit

Speaker of the House

Assigns people to a committee that assigns people to committees, directs floor debate, and gives bills to appropriate committee

Filibuster

Kill a bill by continuing to talk

Cloture

A vote by 3/5 of the senate. Required to end debate and a filibuster

Riders

Irrelevant amendments

Standing Committee

Permanent panel with full legislative functions and oversight responsibilities. The members become experts

Subcommittee

Formed to tackle specific tasks within standing committee

Select or Special Committee

Temporary groups with limited purposes (investigation)

Joint Committee

Includes members of both houses to perform housekeeping tasks of studies

Conference Committee

Special type of joint committee that reconciles senate and house versions of a bill

Cabinet

15 most important agencies, these agencies help execute the law

Executive orders

Orders written by president or agency that have the weight of law

Executive privilege

Right of president to keep certain documents private if pertaining to national security

Impoundment

Ability to refuse to spend money appropriated by congress (this was ruled unconstitutional)

Bureaucracy

Administrative system that divides work into specific departments carried out by non-elected officials

Deregulation

Removing government restrictions and regulations; deregulation has occurred recently in the telecommunications and transportation industries

Implementation

Carry out laws, executive orders (homeland security enforces airport security laws)

Administration

Routine administrative work (social security administration sends out social security checks, postal service delivers mail)

Regulation

Issue rules and regulations that impact the public (EPA sets out standards for clean air and water)

Judicial review

Allows judges to interpret the Constitution and deem something unconstitutional