AP GOV- Killer vocab 4/13

501©4s

a “social welfare” organization that may engage in political activities by collecting unlimited and undisclosed amounts of money

527s

an issue advocacy group that is organized to raise unlimited amounts of money for the purpose of influencing the political process

Amicus Curiae Brief

a “friend of the Court” brief, filed by an individual or organization to present arguments in addition to those presented by immediate parties to a case

Benchmark polls

polls that are conducted by candidates for public office usually early on in the election process to gage citizen’s concerns and opinions about said candidate

Big tent

a political party that seems to attract people with a broad spectrum of viewpoints and place them under one banner

block grants

a fixed-sum federal grant awarded to state or local governments for broadly defined functions

bully pulpit

the president’s use of his or her prestidge and visibility to push an agenda or get the American public enthused about an issue

Categorical grants

federal money given to state with strings attached and specific rules about how the money can be used

checks and balances

a constitutional system that prevents any one branch of government (executive, legislative, or judicial) from becoming too powerful by granting each branch specific powers to limit or override the others

civil liberties

individual legal and constitutional protections against the government

civil rights

legally enforceable guarantees of equal treatment and protection from discrimination, created by statutes and constitutional amendments

closed primary

partisan, meaning Democrats and Republicans each hold a separate primary election to determine their nominees for the general election.

cloture

a formal, parliamentary procedure—most notably used in the U.S. Senate (Rule XXII)—to end extended debate or a filibuster on a bill or nomination, forcing an immediate vote

coattail effect

tendency for a popular political party leader to attract votes for other candidates of the same party

concurrent powers

powers shared by state and federal governments

conference committee

a committee appointed by the leaders of each chamber to settle differences on a particular bill passed by each house in different form

connecticut compromise

a 1787 agreement between large and small states at the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature, blending the Virginia and New Jersey plans

delegate

a person chosen to represent or act on behalf of a group, particularly at a conference or in government

devolution

the transfer or delegation of power, authority, or responsibility from a central government to regional or local authorities

discharge petitions

a procedural tool in the U.S. House of Representatives used to force a bill out of a committee and onto the floor for a vote, bypassing leadership obstruction

discretionary authority

the power granted to government agencies, officials, or managers to make decisions and take actions based on their own judgment, rather than strictly by predefined rules

discretionary spending

non-essential, flexible expenses that individuals, businesses, or governments make after covering necessary costs

divided government

governance divided between the parties, especially when one party holds the presidency and the other party controls one or both houses of congress

due process clause

constitutional guarantee found in both the Fifth (federal) and Fourteenth (state) Amendments, prohibiting the government from depriving any person of "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law".

earmarks

a legislative provision that directs federal funds to specific projects, organizations, or locations, often bypassing competitive bidding

electoral mandate

the authority granted by voters to an elected official or party, allowing them to act as representatives and carry out their proposed policies

elite democracy

a model of governance where political power is concentrated in the hands of a small, privileged group—typically the wealthy, well-educated, or highly informed—who make decisions on behalf of the population

entitlements

legal rights to benefits, such as Social Security, Medicare, or pensions, guaranteed by law or contract to individuals who meet specific eligibility requirements

enumerated powers

powers specifically granted to the national government in the constitution

equal protection clause

part of the Fourteenth Amendment (1868), mandates that states treat individuals in similar situations equally under the law.

establishment clause

, stating that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion". It prohibits the government from creating an official state church, favoring one religion over another, or favoring religion over non-religion

executive office of the president (EOP)

personal staff of the president who oversees policy interests and do not need to be confirmed by the senate

exclusionary rule

a legal principle preventing the government from using evidence gathered in violation of the U.S. Constitution—specifically the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable searches and Fifth Amendment rights—in a criminal trial

executive orders

a directive issued by the President of the United States to federal agencies and officials, having the binding force of law upon the executive branch without requiring Congressional approval

exit poll

a poll taken at randomly selected polling places after citizens have placed their votes

federalism

a system of government that divides power between a central national government and regional state governments, both of which possess autonomy and derive their authority from a constitution

federalist #10

an essay in The Federalist Papers that advocates for the U.S. Constitution's ratification by arguing that a large, representative republic best protects against the dangers of "factions" (interest groups) that can threaten minority rights and public good

fiscal policy

the government's use of taxation and spending to influence economic conditions, such as demand, employment, inflation, and overall growth

free exercise clause

prohibits the government from interfering with an individual's right to practice their religion as they please

free rider

an individual or organization that consumes or benefits from a public good, service, or shared resource without paying for it or contributing to its cost

gerrymandering

the practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries to give one political party or group an unfair advantage

hard money

refers to short-term, asset-based loans secured by real estate, typically used by investors for fast financing rather than traditional bank mortgages.

horse race

a style of political reporting during elections that focuses on polling data, public perception, and candidate strategy rather than substantive policy issues

implied powers

political or legal authorities not explicitly stated in the U.S. Constitution but assumed to exist because they are necessary to implement the enumerated powers

implementation

this involves the bureaucracy translating the goals and objectives of a policy into an operating, ongoing program

incumbant

the current holder of an office, position, or role, most commonly used in politics to describe an official running for re-election

inherent powers

are authority possessed by government, particularly the executive branch, without being explicitly stated in the Constitution

iron triangles

a mutually beneficial, three-way relationship between congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and special interest groups.

issue networks

fluid, informal alliances of interest groups, congressional staff, bureaucrats, think tanks, and media experts who collaborate to influence public policy on specific issues

judicial activism

a judicial philosophy where judges allow personal views, policy preferences, or societal implications to influence decisions, rather than strictly adhering to precedent or original legal meaning

judicial restraint

a legal philosophy that limits the power of judges to strike down laws, encouraging them to defer to the legislative and executive branches except in clear cases of constitutional violation

judicial review

the power of the judiciary to examine the actions of the legislative, executive, and administrative branches of government to determine whether they are consistent with the constitution

keynesian economic theory

a macroeconomic theory asserting that active government intervention, particularly through fiscal policy (spending and taxation), is necessary to manage economic instability, boost aggregate demand, and reduce unemployment during recessions

litigation

the formal process of resolving legal disputes through the public court system, initiated by filing a lawsuit to have a judge or jury decide the outcome

lobbying

the act of attempting to influence the actions, policies, or decisions of government officials, such as legislators or regulatory agency members

logrolling

the political practice of exchanging favors, specifically vote-trading among legislators to ensure the passage of actions or bills that benefit each party, even if they lack broad support

majority opinion

a judicial ruling in an appellate case, such as at the U.S. Supreme Court, that is joined by more than half of the judges or justices hearing the case

mandate

an authoritative command, order, or authorization to act, often issued by a superior court, government, or electorate

mandatory spending

spending required by existing laws that is “locked in” the budget

merit system

a personnel management framework that hires, promotes, and retains employees based on competence, ability, and performance rather than political patronage or seniority

monetary policy

actions by a central bank (like the Federal Reserve) to manage the money supply and interest rates to achieve economic goals, such as price stability (controlling inflation) and maximum employment

necessary and proper clause

empowers Congress to make all laws "necessary and proper" for executing its enumerated powers and all other powers vested in the government

open primary

type of primary where voters do not have to affiliate with a political party in advance in order to vote

oversight

the active supervision and management of a process (watchful care) or an unintentional error/omission caused by carelessness

participatory democracy

a model of governance emphasizing direct, active involvement of citizens in decision-making, rather than relying solely on elected representatives

party machine

a group of people who control a political party, often through loyalty and rewards

pluralist democracy

a political system where power is dispersed among various organized groups—such as interest groups, unions, and associations—rather than concentrated in a single entity

polarization

the restriction of a wave's vibrations to a single plane (in physics) or the division of a group into two sharp, opposing factions (in social contexts)

political efficacy

an indication of a citizen’s trust in government and own belief that he or she can understand and influence political affairs

political socialization

the lifelong process through which individuals acquire their political attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors

politico

an informal, often derogatory term for a politician, political activist, or someone heavily involved in behind-the-scenes political maneuvering

popular sovereignty

the political principle that a government's legitimacy and authority are created and sustained by the consent of its people, who are the source of all political power

pork barreling

the appropriation of government funds for localized, often unnecessary projects that serve the special interests of politicians to secure local voter support and re-election

precedent

a previous action, decision, or ruling that serves as a guide, example, or justification for1 similar, future situations

prior restraint

a form of government censorship that prohibits speech or other expression before it can take place, rather than punishing it afterward.

prospective voting theory

voting based on predictions of how a party or candidate will perform in the future

rational choice theory

a framework in economics and social sciences positing that individuals use rational calculations to make decisions that maximize their personal advantage or utility

realigning election

a turning point in American politics where a durable, long-term shift occurs in voter coalitions, creating a new party system that lasts for decades

red tape

complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done

referendum

a direct public vote where citizens approve or disapprove of proposed laws, constitutional amendments, or specific policy questions

reserved powers

political powers, not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution, that are reserved exclusively to individual states or the people under the Tenth Amendment

retrospective voting theory

a type of electoral behavior where voters make decisions based on the performance of the incumbent candidate or party in office

revolving door

the movement of individuals between roles as public officials/legislators and jobs in the private sector as lobbyists, consultants, or strategists.

rule of law

a foundational principle where all people, institutions, and governments are equally accountable to publicly promulgated, independently adjudicated laws

rules committee

committee in the house that’s sets the limit for debates and whether amendments can be added on the floor

selective incorporation

the process by which the supreme court has selectively applied the bill of rights to state law through the 14th amendment

seperation of powers

a constitutional doctrine that divides government responsibilities into three distinct branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent the concentration of power and protect liberty

signing statements

a written document issued by the U.S. President upon signing legislation into law, detailing their interpretation of the statute or instructing executive branch officials on its implementation

soft money

unregulated, unlimited contributions made to national political parties for "party-building" activities—such as voter registration drives or generic issue ads—rather than directly to a candidate's campaign

standing committee

a permanent panel within a legislature or organization, appointed to manage ongoing, specific policy areas or business functions

stare decisis

It is a fundamental principle requiring courts to follow established precedents—previous rulings and legal doctrines—when deciding similar cases, ensuring stability, predictability, and fairness in the law

state of the union

the presidents annual statement to Congress and the nation

super delegates

elected officials, and party activists who automatically attend the national convention and are free to vote for any candidate, regardless of primary results

SuperPacs

a U.S. political committee that can raise and spend unlimited sums of money from individuals, corporations, and unions to advocate for or against political candidates

supply side economic theory

posits that reducing taxes, deregulating industries, and promoting free trade are the primary drivers of economic growth

supremacy clause

found in Article VI, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution, establishes that the Constitution, federal laws made pursuant to it, and treaties are the "supreme Law of the Land"

tracking polls

continuous, longitudinal surveys that measure shifts in public opinion or behavior by repeatedly asking the same set of questions to a changing sample of people over days or weeks

trustee

a person or organization (like a bank) legally authorized to hold, manage, and invest assets within a trust for the benefit of another party, known as the beneficiary

ways and means committee

the oldest and primary tax-writing committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, established in 1789. It has jurisdiction over all revenue-raising measures, including taxes, tariffs, Social Security, Medicare, and social service programs

writ of certiorari

a formal, discretionary order issued by a higher court (most commonly the U.S. Supreme Court) to a lower court, demanding the record of a case for review