AP Government and Politics – Key Constitutional Knowledge & Political Ideologies

Vocabulary flashcards covering every amendment, major checks and balances concepts, key majority thresholds, bureaucratic terms, and the spectrum of American political ideologies as outlined in the AP Government summer assignment notes.

1st Amendment

Protects freedom of speech, press, petition, assembly, and free exercise of religion.

2nd Amendment

Protects the individual right to keep and bear arms.

3rd Amendment

Prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes during peacetime.

4th Amendment

Bans unreasonable searches and seizures and sets requirements for search warrants.

5th Amendment

Guarantees due process, protects against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and includes eminent domain clause.

6th Amendment

Provides the right to a speedy and public trial, impartial jury, counsel, and to confront witnesses.

7th Amendment

Ensures the right to a jury trial in federal civil (non-criminal) cases.

8th Amendment

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail or fines.

9th Amendment

States that rights not listed in the Constitution are still retained by the people.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the national government for the states or the people.

11th Amendment

Citizens cannot sue a state in federal court without that state’s consent.

12th Amendment

Creates separate Electoral College ballots for President and Vice-President.

13th Amendment

Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude.

14th Amendment

Defines citizenship, contains privileges and immunities, due process, and equal protection clauses.

15th Amendment

Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous servitude (grants Black men suffrage).

16th Amendment

Authorizes Congress to levy a federal income tax.

17th Amendment

Establishes direct election of U.S. senators by the people.

18th Amendment

Imposes national prohibition of alcohol (later repealed).

19th Amendment

Grants women the right to vote (women’s suffrage).

20th Amendment

Moves inauguration dates; sets presidential succession if the President-elect dies before taking office.

21st Amendment

Repeals the 18th Amendment and ends national prohibition.

22nd Amendment

Limits the President to two four-year terms or a maximum of ten years in office.

23rd Amendment

Grants Washington, D.C., three electoral votes in presidential elections.

24th Amendment

Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections.

25th Amendment

Details presidential succession and procedures for presidential disability.

26th Amendment

Lowers the voting age in all elections to 18 years old.

27th Amendment

Bars congressional pay raises from taking effect until after the next election.

Checks and Balances

System in which each branch of government can limit the powers of the others to prevent tyranny.

Legislative Oversight Hearings

Congressionally held sessions to review and monitor actions of the executive branch and bureaucracy.

Presidential Veto

Power of the President to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Veto Override

Requires a two-thirds vote in each chamber of Congress to enact a bill over a presidential veto.

Impeachment (House)

Simple majority vote in the House of Representatives to formally accuse a federal official of wrongdoing.

Impeachment Trial (Senate)

Senate acts as jury; a two-thirds vote is required to convict and remove an impeached official.

Senate Treaty Ratification

Requires a two-thirds vote of the Senate to approve international treaties negotiated by the President.

Senate Confirmation

Simple majority vote in the Senate to approve presidential appointments (judges, cabinet, etc.).

Judicial Review

Power of the courts to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional.

Executive Order

Directive issued by the President that has the force of law without congressional approval.

Executive Agreement

International agreement made by the President without Senate ratification, typically on routine matters.

Bully Pulpit

President’s use of media attention to influence the public and Congress on policy issues.

Bureaucratic Discretion

Authority granted to federal agencies to interpret and implement laws using expert judgment.

Bureaucratic Rulemaking

Process by which agencies create regulations that carry the force of law to implement statutes.

Congressional Oversight

Power of Congress to monitor, review, and supervise federal agencies, programs, and policy implementation.

Presidential Pardon

Executive power to forgive federal crimes and eliminate or reduce punishments.

Simple Majority

One vote more than half of the votes cast; required to pass ordinary legislation in each chamber.

Two-Thirds Majority

Threshold needed for actions like veto overrides, proposing constitutional amendments, and Senate treaty approval.

Three-Fourths Majority

Fraction of states (38 of 50) required to ratify constitutional amendments.

270 Electoral Votes

Simple majority of the Electoral College needed to win the U.S. presidency.

Political Ideology

Coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and the role of government.

Liberal Ideology

Belief system favoring active government in economic regulation and social welfare but limited regulation of personal behavior.

Conservative Ideology

Belief system advocating limited economic regulation, strong traditional values, and restrained social welfare programs.

Libertarian Ideology

Belief in minimal government intervention in both economic affairs and personal choices; prioritizes individual liberty.

Political Culture

Shared set of values, beliefs, and norms regarding politics and government within a society.

Political Socialization

Process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values through agents like family, school, and media.

Echo Chamber

Situation in which people consume information only from sources that reinforce their existing views, limiting exposure to opposing ideas.

Party Platform

Official statement of a political party’s policy positions and principles.

Culture War

Deep political and social conflict between conservative (traditional) and liberal (change-oriented) value systems.

Polarization

Increasing ideological distance and hostility between political parties or groups, leading to more extreme positions.

Federalism (Liberal View)

Preference for stronger national government powers to address policy issues.

Federalism (Conservative View)

Preference for states’ rights and decentralization of power away from the federal government.

Social Welfare Programs

Government initiatives designed to assist citizens with housing, food, healthcare, and income support.

Affirmative Action

Policies that provide advantages to historically disadvantaged groups to promote equal opportunity.

Pro-Choice

Position supporting legal access to abortion and reproductive rights (typically liberal).

Pro-Life

Position opposing abortion and advocating legal protections for unborn fetuses (typically conservative).

Gun Control (Liberal)

Support for restrictions on firearm purchases and ownership to enhance public safety.

Gun Rights (Conservative)

Opposition to government restrictions on firearm ownership; emphasis on 2nd Amendment protections.

Environmental Regulation (Liberal)

Government action to limit pollution, protect ecosystems, and address climate change.

Market Solutions (Conservative)

Belief that free-market forces solve most economic and environmental problems more efficiently than regulation.

Social Media Polarization

Tendency of users to interact with like-minded individuals online, reinforcing partisan attitudes.

Agents of Socialization

Institutions and influences—family, schools, peers, media—that shape political attitudes and values.

Bureaucratic Reorganization

President’s ability (with congressional approval) to restructure federal agencies to improve efficiency or shift policy focus.

Congressional Power of the Purse

Authority of Congress to raise and allocate funds, including for the bureaucracy and executive initiatives.

Executive Convening of Congress

President’s constitutional power to call special sessions of Congress.

Constitutional Amendment Proposal

Requires two-thirds vote in each chamber of Congress or a convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures.

Constitutional Amendment Ratification

Requires approval of three-fourths of state legislatures or ratifying conventions in three-fourths of states.

Judicial Independence

Concept that federal judges hold life tenure to protect them from political pressure, enabling impartial rulings.

State of the Union Address

Annual presidential speech to Congress outlining policy agenda, leveraging the bully pulpit.

Selective Media Exposure

Practice of choosing news sources that match one’s ideology, contributing to echo chambers.

Public Opinion

Collective attitudes and beliefs of the citizenry on issues and candidates at a given time.

Democratic Party

Major U.S. political party generally aligned with liberal ideology.

Republican Party

Major U.S. political party generally aligned with conservative ideology.

Free-Market Healthcare

Conservative preference for private-sector delivery of health services with minimal government involvement.

Universal Healthcare

Liberal preference for expanded government role to guarantee healthcare access for all citizens.

National Security (Conservative)

Emphasis on higher military spending and strong defense posture.

Diplomacy & Foreign Aid (Liberal)

Preference for international cooperation, foreign assistance, and reduced military expenditures.

School Vouchers

Policy allowing parents to use public funds for private or religious education (favored by many conservatives).

Public Education Funding

Government support for K-12 schools, often favored for expansion by liberals.