AP U.S. Government and Politics Review

AP U.S. Government and Politics Review Flashcards

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives (Rule by the People), who are the source of all political power.

Limited Government

A political system in which legalized force is restricted through delegated and enumerated powers.

Checks and Balances

A system in which the different parts of a government have powers that affect and control the other parts so that no part can become too powerful.

Separation of Powers

The principle or system of vesting in separate branches the executive, legislative, and judicial powers of a government.

Federalism

A system of government in which entities such as states or provinces share power with a national government.

Political Socialization

The process by which people form their ideas about politics and acquire political values.

Public Opinion

The aggregate of individual attitudes or beliefs held by the adult population.

Ideology

A system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.

Voting Behavior

How people vote, influenced by factors like party identification, candidate characteristics, and issues.

Party Systems

Refers to the categorization of the number and competitiveness of political parties in a country's political system.

PACs (Political Action Committees)

Organizations that raise and spend money to elect and defeat candidates.

Lobbying

The act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government.

Media Influence

The effect of media content on audience members' opinions and behaviors.

Bicameralism

A legislature composed of two houses or chambers.

Committee System

A system within a legislature, like the U.S. Congress, where specialized groups handle specific areas of proposed laws.

Judicial Review

The power of the judiciary to declare laws unconstitutional.

Policymaking Process

The steps through which a policy is created, from agenda setting to evaluation.

Civil Rights

The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

Civil Liberties

Individual rights protected by law from unjust governmental or other interference.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing civil rights and liberties to the individual.

Selective Incorporation

A constitutional doctrine through which selected provisions of the Bill of Rights are made applicable to the states through the Due Process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Equal Protection

A clause in the Fourteenth Amendment that prohibits states from denying any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Due Process

Fair treatment through the normal judicial system, especially as a citizen's entitlement.

Natural Rights

Rights that all people are born with, according to John Locke, including the rights to life, liberty, and property.

Social Contract

An implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Implied Powers

Powers authorized by the Constitution that, while not stated, seem implied by powers that are expressly stated, established in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819).

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that the Constitution, federal laws made pursuant to it, and treaties made under its authority, constitute the supreme Law of the Land, established in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819).

Clear and Present Danger

Doctrine adopted by the Supreme Court to determine under what circumstances limits can be placed on First Amendment freedoms of speech, press, or assembly, established in Schenck v. United States (1919).

Desegregation

The ending of a policy of racial segregation, established in Brown v. Board of Education (1954).

One person, one vote

Principle that each person's vote should carry the same weight in legislative redistricting, established in Baker v. Carr (1961).

Establishment Clause

The clause in the First Amendment of the US Constitution that prohibits the establishment of religion by Congress, established in Engel v. Vitale (1962).

Right to an attorney

Guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment, established in Gideon v. Wainwright (1963).

Symbolic Speech

Actions that purposefully and discernibly convey a particular message or statement to those viewing it, established in Tinker v. Des Moines (1969).

Prior Restraint

Government action prohibiting speech or other expression before it can take place, established in New York Times Co. v. U.S. (1971).

Free exercise of religion

A First Amendment provision that prohibits government from interfering with the practice of religion, established in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972).

Right to privacy

The right to personal autonomy and freedom from governmental intrusion, especially in areas such as reproductive health, established in Roe v. Wade (1973).

Racial Gerrymandering

Drawing electoral district lines to discriminate against a racial group, established in Shaw v. Reno (1993).

Commerce Clause

Grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes, limited in U.S. v. Lopez (1995).

Second Amendment

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed, applies to states in McDonald v. Chicago (2010).

Political Spending

Money spent to influence political outcomes, considered free speech in Citizens United v. FEC (2010).