AP GOV

Representative democracy

A system of government in which officials are chosen to represent the people.

Participatory democracy

A model of democracy where citizens actively engage in decision-making.

Natural rights

The rights inherent to all human beings, often perceived as life, liberty, and property.

Social contract

An implicit agreement among individuals to create a society and abide by its rules.

Limited government

A principle that restricts governmental power to protect individual rights.

The Declaration of Independence

The 1776 document declaring the American colonies' independence from British rule.

Separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

Checks and balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent units.

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Judicial review

The power of the courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the Constitution.

Civil liberties

Individual rights protected by law from governmental infringement.

Establishment Clause

The clause in the First Amendment prohibiting the establishment of religion by Congress.

Schenck v. United States (1919)

A Supreme Court case that upheld the conviction of a socialist who urged resistance to the draft.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

A Supreme Court case that held that the Sixth Amendment requires states to provide counsel in criminal cases.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

A landmark piece of federal legislation aimed at eliminating various barriers to voting.

Brown v. Board of Education (1964)

The Supreme Court case that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Affirmative action

Policies that take factors including race, color, religion, sex, or national origin into account to benefit an underrepresented group.

Pluralist democracy

A model of democracy that recognizes the role of diverse groups and interests in influencing policy.

Elite democracy

A model of democracy in which elected representatives make decisions and act on behalf of the majority.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

The Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States, which ultimately proved ineffective.

Shays’ Rebellion

A 1786 uprising of Massachusetts farmers protesting economic injustices and the lack of government response.

The Constitution of the United States

The supreme law of the United States, established in 1787, outlining the framework for the government.

Republicanism

An ideology centered on the belief that a government should be based on the consent of the governed.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention that created a bicameral legislature.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement counting three-fifths of the slave population for legislative representation.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution, which formally elects the President and Vice President.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in the Constitution stating that federal law takes precedence over state laws.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong national government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who favored stronger state governments.

Exclusive powers

Powers that are solely granted to either the federal or state governments.

Implied powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but necessary for the government to function.

10th Amendment

The amendment stating that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states.

Reserved powers

Powers that are not specifically delegated to the federal government and are reserved for the states.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by both the federal government and the state governments.

Commerce Clause

The clause giving Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states.

Necessary and Proper Clause

The clause allowing Congress to make laws required for the exercise of its enumerated powers.

Categorical grants

Federal funds provided for a specific purpose, often with strict regulations.

Policymaking

The process by which governments create laws and policies.

Mandates

Requirements imposed by the federal government on state and local governments.

Block grants

Federal grants that allow states considerable freedom in how to spend the funds.

Revenue sharing

A policy under which the federal government shares a percentage of its revenue with state and local governments.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

A Supreme Court case that established the supremacy of federal law and the implied powers of Congress.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

A Supreme Court case that limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause.

Individualism

A social theory that emphasizes the importance of individual rights and liberties.

Equality of opportunity

The idea that all individuals should have the same opportunities to succeed.

Free enterprise

An economic system where private businesses operate competitively with minimal government intervention.

Rule of law

The principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to the law.

Globalization of U.S. political culture

The process where American cultural and political values are spread around the world.

Political socialization

The lifelong process through which people form their ideas about politics.

Political ideology

A set of beliefs about politics and the role of government.

Public opinion

The collective preferences and attitudes of citizens concerning political issues.

Scientific polling

The use of statistical methods to measure public opinion.

Benchmark polls

Initial surveys conducted to gather data on how a candidate is performing.

Tracking polls

Polls that measure changes in public opinion over time.

Exit polls

Surveys of voters taken immediately after they exit the polling station.

Polling methodology

The processes and techniques employed to conduct reliable polls.

Accurate sampling methods

Techniques used to select a representative group for polling.

Neutral framing of questions

A practice ensuring questions in polls do not lead respondents.

Accurate reporting

The practice of providing truthful and unbiased information about poll results.

14th Amendment

The amendment granting citizenship and equal protection under the laws.

15th Amendment

The amendment prohibiting the denial of the right to vote based on race.

17th Amendment

The amendment that established the direct election of U.S. senators.

19th Amendment

The amendment granting women the right to vote.

24th Amendment

The amendment outlawing poll taxes in federal elections.

26th Amendment

The amendment that lowered the voting age to 18.

Demographic factors that influence voter turnout

Characteristics such as age, race, and education that affect participation in elections.

Structural barriers influence on voter turnout

Obstacles like registration requirements or polling place accessibility that affect voter engagement.

Rational choice voting

Voting based on the expected outcomes and personal benefits of a candidate’s policies.

Retrospective voting

Evaluating candidates based on their past performance.

Prospective voting

Voting based on the expected future performance of a candidate.

Straight ticket voting

Voting for all candidates of one party in an election.

Linkage institutions

Structures that connect citizens to the government, such as political parties, interest groups, and the media.

Interest groups

Organizations that seek to influence public policy in a specific area.

Free riders

Individuals who benefit from resources or services without paying for them.

Single issue groups

Interest groups that focus on one specific area or policy.

Lobbying

The act of attempting to influence government officials on behalf of a group.

Traditional news media

Established forms of media such as newspapers and television news.

Investigative journalism

Journalism aimed at uncovering the truth behind public issues.

Social media

Platforms that allow users to create and share content or engage with others.

Horse-race journalism

Reporting that focuses on who is winning or losing in politics rather than on policy issues.

New media

Digital forms of media that rely on the internet and mobile technology.

Political commentary

Opinions and analysis about political events and issues.

Media Conglomerates

Large corporations that own numerous media outlets.

Political parties

Organizations that recruit, nominate, and elect candidates to office.

Party platform

A formal set of principles and goals supported by a political party.

Campaigns

Organized efforts to influence the decision-making process within a specific group.

Incumbency advantage phenomenon

The tendency for current officeholders to win reelection due to advantages over challengers.

Open and closed primaries

Types of primary elections that allow or restrict participation by party affiliation.

Caucuses

Meetings of party members to select candidates or decide policy.

Party conventions

Gatherings where political parties select their nominees for president.

General elections (presidential and midterm)

Elections held to fill offices, with presidential elections occurring every four years.

Party coalitions

Alliances of various groups within a party that support a common agenda.

Third-party

Political parties other than the two dominant parties in a political system.

Campaign finance

The funding of political campaigns.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, 2002

A law regulating the financing of political campaigns.

Political Action Committees

Organizations that raise money to support or oppose candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC) (2010)

A Supreme Court case that ruled that political spending is a form of protected speech.

Impeachment

The process of charging a public official with misconduct in office.