AP Gov Terms

Pluralist View / Pluralism

The belief that effective public policy is the result of competition among multiple different interests and groups.

Indirect (Representative) Democracy

A model of democracy in which the people are represented by leaders they elected.

Direct (Participatory) Democracy

A government in which the people govern themselves and individually vote on matters of policy.

Elite Democracy

 

Model of democracy in which a small number of people, usually those who are wealthy or have a large share of influence, control political decisions.

Natural Rights

Rights inherent to all people that are not dependent on the government.

Articles of Confederation

The constitution that administered America's first government, which was characterized by the loose league of friendship between states and a weak central government. 

Constitutional Convention

Meeting of delegates in 1787 that was initially called to revise the Articles of Confederation, but ultimately led to the formation of the nation's current Constitution. 

Shay's Rebellion

An uprising that brought attention to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. 

Virginia Plan

Constitutional convention proposal to create a stronger national government with a bicameral legislature. 

New Jersey Plan

Constitutional convention proposal that maintained a unicameral legislature and was preferred by smaller states. 

Great Compromise

Agreement to have a popularly elected House based on state population and a state selected Senate, with equal membership for each state.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement that slaves would be counted as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of representation and taxation

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Social Contract

Agreement in which the government derives their power from the consent of the governed and in exchange, the people agree to limit their rights and participate in an ordered society. 

Federalism

System in which power is divided between national and state or local governments. 

Federalist Papers

A collection of essays/articles designed to rally support for the ratification of the Constitution.

Faction

A group with distinct political interests; highlighted in Federalist #10.

Federalists

Those citizens who favored a stronger national government and generally supported the ratification of the Constitution. 

Anti-Federalists

 

Those citizens who favored a weaker national government and generally opposed the ratification of the Constitution. 

Checks and Balances

Constitutional principle that grants each branch some ability to limit the authority of the other branches. 

Separation of Powers

The Constitutional principle that divides the powers of government into three distinct branches. 

Popular Sovereignty

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

Amendment

A new addition to the Constitution that has been proposed by Congress and ratified by the states. 

Limited Government

The government is restrained in their lawful use of power and may only exercise those powers assigned to it in the constitution. 

Expressed Powers

Powers written into the Constitution that have been given to the national government

Reserved Powers

Powers given to the state governments alone

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the national and state governments

Implied Powers

Powers given to the federal government that have been reasonably inferred from the Constitution

Necessary and proper clause

Section of the Constitution allowing Congress to pass all laws essential to carrying out its expressed duties. This provision allows the national government to carry out implied powers

Nullification

The doctrine that a state can void a federal law that, in the state's opinion, violates the Constitution

Commerce Clause

Constitutional provision that gives the federal government the power to regulate interstate and foreign trade

United States v. Lopez

Ruling that declared the national government's power under the commerce clause does not permit it to regulate matters not directly related to interstate commerce; in this case, banning firearms in a school zone

McCulloch v. Maryland

Ruling that declared the feral government had the power to establish a national bank under the "necessary and proper" clause 

Unitary

System in which power is centralized in one body. State or regional governments derive authority from the central government.

Confederal / Confederate System

System in which power is help by a loose union of independent states. The central government is weak in relation to the power of the states.

Initiative

Process that permits voters to put state legislative measures directly on the ballot.

Referendum

Procedure that allows voters to reject a measure passed by the state legislature.

Recall

Procedure whereby voters can remove an elected official from office.

Federal Revenue Sharing

The distribution of a percentage of federal tax income to state and local governments.

Categorical Grants

Federal grants given to states for specific purposes, often with strings attached, such as building an airport or a highway. 

Block Grants

Federal grants given to states for broader purposes, such as healthcare or education.

Conditions of aid

Strings attached by the national government that states must meet if they are to receive certain federal funds. 

Mandates

Terms set by the national government that states are required to meet whether or not they accept federal grants.

14th Amendment

This constitutional provision provides guarantee of citizenship, as well as equal protection which have been the sources of incorporation for key protections in the Bill of Rights.

10th Amendment

Provision that states all powers not given to the federal government in the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved for the states. 

Gerrymandering

The practice of drawing districts in unusual shapes for the political advantage of one political party or group.

Unified Government

Occurs when the same party controls the White House and both houses of Congress

Logrolling

Practice of legislators trading mutual support for their legislative proposals

Discharge Petition

A device used to force a bill that has been stuck in committee for over thirty days, out onto the floor

Redistricting

The redrawing of legislative district lines after the census has been taken, to accommodate population shifts and ensure equal representation.

Majority Leader

The legislative leader elected by party members holding the majority of seats in the House or the Senate

Trustee

Descriptive of elected representatives who use their best judgment when making legislative voting decisions

Whip

A senator or representative who assists the party leader by staying informed about the voting decisions of other members

Standing Committees

Permanently established legislative committees that review and consider bills in both the House and Senate

Cloture Rule

A process used by the Senate to end or limit debate/filibusters

Bicameral Legislature

A lawmaking body made up of two chambers or houses

Quorum

The minimum number of members who must be present for business to be conducted in Congress

Constituency

The individuals who live in the area an elected official is representing

Earmark

"Hidden" congressional provisions that designate money for specific projects or programs

Select Committees

Congressional committees appointed for a limited time and usually for an investigative purpose

Franking Privilege

The ability of congressional members to mail letters to their constituents free of charge by using their signature for postage

Pork Barrel Legislation

Legislation that provides benefits to constituents in a particular district or state in the hope of winning their votes in return. For example: providing funding to build a bridge in a particular city. 

Conference Committees

A joint committee appointed to iron out the differences in the Senate and House versions of the same bill

Party Polarization

A strong division in the views of Republicans and Democrats on the legislative agenda

Filibuster

An attempt to stall or defeat a bill in the Senate by talking for an extended period of time

Appropriation

A legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency

Iron Triangle

A mutually beneficial relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group.

Formal Power

Authority given to the president that is specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

Bureaucracy

A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials

Merit System

Procedure of hiring and promoting government employees on the basis of their abilities and competence rather than political favors.

Executive Office of the President

 

The part of the executive branch that supports the president in his responsibilities, from security to trade.

Discretionary authority / Bureaucratic Discretion

The extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by the laws of Congress.

Civil Service

The part of the government that fulfills the daily functions of the bureaucracy. These government workers are hired on the basis of merit. 

Signing Statement

Issued by the president after passing a bill into law; reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it out to be enforced.

Pendleton Act

The law that created a merit-based system for the hiring of members of the civil service.

Congressional Oversight

The authority of Congress to conduct hearings, investigations, and budget reviews regarding the actions executive branch.

Executive Order

A directive that carries the weight of law that is given by the president without the consent of Congress.

Independent Regulatory Commissions

Agencies that are responsible for monitoring large government sectors, such as the Federal Reserve, and are not subject to control by either Congress of the President.

State of the Union

An annual address given by the president to Congress in which the president outlines his legislative agenda. 

25th Amendment

This provision of the Constitution states the process for presidential succession and disability.

Gridlock

The inability of the government to act because opposing parties control different parts of the government and cannot agree on a course of action. 

Cabinet

 

The heads of the fifteen executive branch departments that also serve as advisors to the president.

Bully Pulpit

The president's use of his position and visibility to guide or influence the American Public.

Pocket Veto

When a bill fails to become law, because the president did not sign it within 10 days before Congress adjourned.

Lame Duck

An official still in office after he or she has lost a bid for re-election or has reached his/her term limit.

Executive Agreement

A pact between the president and the head of a foreign nation. Unlike treaties, they do not require Senate consent and may only last for the duration of a president's term. 

Issue Network

A link of policy experts, interest groups, think tanks, congressional staff members, media pundits, etc. who regularly debate an issue. 

Line-Item Veto

The power to cancel specific dollar amounts within a bill. While the Supreme Court has ruled presidents may not use these, state governors still can. 

Government Corporations

A government agency that carries out business-like functions, such as the US Postal Service.

Office of Management and Budget

This part of the bureaucracy helps the president prepare the budget for the fiscal year. 

Judicial Restraint

 

The view that judges should decide cases strictly on the basis of the language of laws and the Constitution

Judicial Activism

The view that judges should apply the principles and provisions of the Constitution to modern circumstances

Constitutional Courts

Federal courts authorized by Article III of the Constitution that keeps judges in office for life during good behavior

District Courts

The lowest federal courts that have original jurisdiction over most federal cases

Courts of Appeals

Federal courts that hear appeals from district courts. They review each case for possible errors.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the US, made up of nine justices

Legislative Courts

Courts created by Congress for specialized purposes, such as the U.S. Tax Court

Litmus test

A consideration of the political ideology of a nominated judge

Writ of Certiorari

An order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up a case for review

Marbury v. Madison

Landmark Supreme Court Case that established the court's power of judicial review