MONSTER VOCAB LIST

Monster Vocab for Mr. Fletcher Woolsey's AP Government Class

Natural rights

Fundamental freedoms inherent to all humans (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness).

Popular sovereignty

Government's authority comes from the consent of the governed.

Republicanism

A representative government where officials are elected by the people.

Social contract

An agreement where people give up some freedoms for government protection.

Declaration of Independence

Document declaring American independence from Britain in 1776.

Philadelphia Convention

1787 meeting to create the U.S. Constitution.

Participatory democracy

Citizens have direct involvement in decision-making.

Pluralist democracy

Power is distributed among many groups.

Elite democracy

Power is concentrated in the hands of a few, typically wealthy individuals.

Shays's Rebellion

1786 uprising protesting economic injustices, revealing the Articles' weaknesses.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Created a bicameral Congress with House representation by population and equal Senate representation.

Electoral College

System for electing the president, using state-appointed electors.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted slaves as three-fifths of a person for representation.

Importation (slavery) compromise

Delayed banning the slave trade until 1808.

Separation of powers

Division of government powers among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and balances

Each branch can limit the power of the others.

Federalism

Power is divided between national and state governments.

Exclusive powers

Powers only the national government can exercise.

Implied powers

Powers not explicitly stated but necessary to execute enumerated powers.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by national and state governments.

Categorical grants

Federal funds given for specific purposes with conditions.

Block grants

Federal funds given for broad purposes with more state discretion.

Mandates (unfunded)

Federal requirements without provided funding.

Revenue sharing

Distribution of federal funds to state governments.

Commerce clause

Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce.

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution.

Necessary and proper clause

Allows Congress to pass laws essential to executing its powers.

Bicameralism

A two-house legislature system (e.g., Senate and House).

Speaker of the House

Leader of the House of Representatives.

President of the Senate

Vice president's role in breaking Senate ties.

Senate Majority Leader

Senate's chief spokesperson and legislative leader.

Filibuster

Extended debate to block Senate votes.

Cloture

Senate procedure to end debate (requires 60 votes).

Holds

Senators delaying a bill or nomination.

Unanimous Consent

Senate agreement to set rules without opposition.

Rules Committee

House body setting debate terms for bills.

Committee of the Whole

House operates informally to debate/amend bills.

Discharge petitions

Forcing a bill out of committee for a House vote.

Discretionary spending

Federal spending through appropriations (e.g., defense).

Mandatory spending

Required federal spending (e.g., Social Security).

Entitlement programs

Benefits guaranteed by law (e.g., Medicare).

Budget deficit

When expenses exceed revenue.

Pork barrel legislation

Funding local projects to gain votes.

Logrolling

Exchanging legislative favors among lawmakers.

Oversight

Congress monitoring executive branch actions.

Constituency

Voters represented by an official.

Partisanship

Strong allegiance to one's political party.

Bipartisan

Cooperation between political parties.

Gridlock

Inability to act due to political stalemate.

Lame Duck

Official in the final term with limited influence.

Gerrymandering

Drawing voting districts for political advantage.

Reapportionment

Redistributing House seats after the census.

Redistricting

Redrawing district boundaries based on population shifts.

Divided government

Different parties control different branches.

Trustee

Representative acting on personal judgment.

Delegate

Representative acting based on constituents' wishes.

Politico

Representative balancing trustee and delegate roles.

Veto

President rejects a bill (pocket veto: indirect by inaction).

Commander in Chief

President's role as military leader.

Executive order

President's directive with legal force.

Executive Agreement

International deal by the president without Senate approval.

Signing statements

President's comments when signing bills.

Nomination and confirmation

Process to approve presidential appointments.

Treaty negotiation and ratification

President negotiates treaties, Senate approves.

22nd Amendment

Limits presidents to two terms.

Bully pulpit

President uses public attention to influence policy.

Judicial review

Courts can invalidate unconstitutional laws/actions.

Precedent/stare decisis

Courts follow prior rulings.

Judicial activism

Judges make bold policy decisions.

Judicial restraint

Judges avoid overriding legislative decisions.

Patronage

Government jobs awarded based on loyalty, not merit.

Civil liberties

Basic freedoms protected from government interference.

Civil rights

Protections from discrimination.

Bill of Rights

First 10 Amendments guaranteeing freedoms.

Selective incorporation

Applying Bill of Rights to states via the 14th Amendment.

Establishment clause

Prohibits government-established religion.

Free exercise clause

Protects individuals' religious practices.

Symbolic speech

Nonverbal expression protected by the First Amendment.

Defamatory speech (Libel/Slander)

False statements harming reputation.

Clear and present danger

Speech restriction test for public safety.

Due process clause

Guarantees fair treatment under the law.

Miranda Rights

Rights read to suspects during arrest.

Patriot Act

Expanded surveillance powers post-9/11.

Exclusionary rule

Bars illegally obtained evidence in court.

Equal protection clause

Prevents discriminatory state actions.

National Organization for Women

Advocates for women's rights.

Civil Rights Act 1964

Outlawed segregation and job discrimination.

Voting Rights Act 1965

Ended voting discrimination practices.

Title IX

Prohibits sex-based discrimination in education.

Separate but equal

Doctrine allowing segregation, overturned by Brown v. Board.

Individualism

Emphasis on personal independence.

Free Enterprise

Economic system with minimal government interference.

Rule of Law

No one is above the law.

Limited Government

Government restricted to protect individual freedoms.

Equality of Opportunity

Fair chance for everyone to succeed.

Political ideology

Beliefs about government and policy roles.

Demographics

Statistical data on populations.

Political culture

Shared beliefs and values about government.

Political socialization

Process of developing political beliefs.

Scientific polling

Systematic method for measuring public opinion.