AP Government & Statistics Vocabulary Reference

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards for AP Government based on the provided lecture notes, including key constitutional clauses, presidential powers, and economic theories.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to strike down laws or executive actions that violate the Constitution; established in Marbury v. Madison ($1803$).

Implied Powers

Powers not listed in the Constitution but suggested by the Necessary and Proper (elastic) clause; confirmed in McCulloch v. Maryland.

Elastic Clause

Language in Article I, Section $8$ allowing Congress to make "all laws necessary and proper" to execute its enumerated powers.

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress power to regulate interstate commerce; used to justify most federal economic regulation.

Veto

The president's formal rejection of a bill, which Congress can override with a $\frac{2}{3}$ vote in both houses.

Pocket Veto

If Congress adjourns within $10$ days of sending a bill and the president does nothing, the bill dies and cannot be overridden.

Executive Order

A directive from the president that carries the force of law within the executive branch; does not require Congress.

Executive Agreement

A deal between the president and a foreign government; does not need Senate ratification.

Iron Triangle

A stable, mutually beneficial relationship among a congressional committee, a federal agency, and an interest group.

Bureaucratic Capture

When the industry an agency regulates ends up controlling that agency by shaping its rules in the industry's favor.

Delegate Model

A representative model where a representative votes exactly how their constituents want, even if they personally disagree.

Trustee Model

A representative model where a representative uses their own judgment to vote in what they believe is the best interest of constituents.

Filibuster

A Senate-only tactic where a senator speaks indefinitely to delay or block a vote; requires $60$ votes (cloture) to end.

Cloture

The Senate procedure to end a filibuster; requires $60$ votes.

War Powers Resolution ($1973$)

A law requiring the president to notify Congress within $48$ hours of deploying troops and withdraw them within $60$ days without approval.

Gerrymandering

The practice of drawing district boundaries to favor one party through methods such as Packing or Cracking.

Linkage Institutions

Structures connecting citizens to government, such as political parties, interest groups, the media, and elections.

Party Realignment

A major, lasting shift in which groups support which political party.

Party Dealignment

A trend where voters weaken their party ties and identify as independent.

PAC (Political Action Committee)

An organization that donates directly to candidates, capped at $5,000$ per election.

Super PAC

An independent expenditure organization that can spend unlimited money on ads but cannot donate directly to candidates.

Issue Network

A loose, fluid web of experts, interest groups, and officials who influence policy.

Retrospective Voting

Choosing a candidate by judging their past performance, especially economic performance.

Prospective Voting

Choosing a candidate based on what they promise to do in the future.

Open Primary

An election in which any registered voter can vote in either party's primary regardless of registration.

Closed Primary

An election in which only voters registered with that specific party can vote in its primary.

Electoral College

A system consisting of $538$ total electors where $270$ are needed to win; most states use winner-take-all rules.

Federalism

A division of power between a national government and state governments where both have independent authority.

Dual Federalism

Also known as "layer cake" federalism, where national and state governments operate in clearly separate spheres.

Cooperative Federalism

Also known as "marble cake" federalism, where national and state governments share power and work together.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution as belonging to Congress.

Reserved Powers

Powers kept by the states under the $10$th Amendment.

Concurrent Powers

Powers held by both federal and state governments simultaneously, such as taxation.

Categorical Grant

Federal money given to states for a specific, narrow purpose with strict rules.

Block Grant

Federal money given to states with broad, flexible guidelines.

Unfunded Mandate

A federal requirement for states to implement a policy without providing funding.

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that the authority of a government comes from the people.

Social Contract Theory

The theory that people give up some freedom to a government in exchange for the protection of natural rights.

Natural Rights (Locke)

Rights that exist before government, defined by Locke as life, liberty, and property.

Great Compromise

An agreement that created a bicameral Congress consisting of the House (population-based) and the Senate (equal representation).

Faction

A group of citizens united by a common interest that may be hostile to the rights of others.

Selective Incorporation

The process of applying Bill of Rights protections to state governments one case at a time via the $14$th Amendment.

Establishment Clause

A First Amendment provision stating that Congress cannot establish an official religion.

Free Exercise Clause

A First Amendment provision stating that the government cannot prohibit the practice of religion.

Prior Restraint

Government censorship of material before it is published; presumed unconstitutional.

Clear and Present Danger

The standard that government can suppress speech which creates an imminent threat.

Symbolic Speech

Non-verbal expression communicating a political message, such as flag burning.

Equal Protection Clause ($14$th Amendment)

A constitutional provision stating that government cannot deny any person equal protection under the law.

Miranda Rights

The requirement that police must inform suspects of their rights before custodial interrogation.

Right to Privacy

An unenumerated right inferred from the Due Process Clause that served as the basis for Roe v. Wade.

Political Ideology

A consistent set of values and beliefs about the proper role of government.

Liberal (U.S.)

A political stance that favors more government involvement in the economy and less in personal or social life.

Conservative (U.S.)

A political stance that favors less government involvement in the economy and more in maintaining social or moral order.

Political Socialization

The process by which people form their political beliefs, where family is the strongest agent.

Keynesian Economics

The theory that government should stimulate demand during recessions through spending and tax cuts.

Supply-Side Economics

The theory that growth comes from cutting taxes on producers and reducing regulation.