AP United States Government and Politics Vocabulary Review

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms, foundational documents, constitutional clauses, and political theories from the AP U.S. Government and Politics curriculum.

Committee of Five

The group consisting of Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Sherman, and Livingston who were responsible for drafting the Declaration of Independence.

Natural Rights (John Locke)

The principle that all men are born free and equal, possessing innate and God-given rights to life, health, and possessions.

Social Contract (Jean-Jaques Rousseau)

The idea that free individuals give up certain rights in return for collective security within a community, resulting in greater freedom for all.

Mayflower Compact

The first representative government created by Europeans in the Americas, serving as an example of a social contract.

Republicanism

A political system where the people elect representatives who are responsible for making and carrying out laws.

Constitutional monarchy

A form of government where the ruler gains power through inheritance, but formal restrictions limit their power, often to ceremonial status.

Oligarchy

A form of government characterized by rule by a few individuals.

Aristocracy

Rule by the elite, usually determined by social status or wealth.

Participatory Democracy

A theory of democracy emphasizing broad participation in politics and civil society, such as direct democracy where people vote on laws directly.

Pluralist Democracy

A theory where interest groups influence policymaking, though the theory of Hyperpluralism suggests too many groups can weaken government.

Elite Democracy

A theory of democracy where power is concentrated with a few individuals, often the wealthy, and elected representatives act as trustees.

Federalist No. $10$

An essay by James Madison claiming that a representative republic successfully controls the effects of the factions.

Brutus No. $1$

An Anti-Federalist essay expressing concern that a large republic would leave states powerless and that the country is too large to be united under one republic.

$3/5$ Compromise

A constitutional agreement where slaves were counted as $\frac{3}{5}$ of a person for representation purposes.

Electoral College

The body responsible for choosing the president, where the number of electors equals the total number of Congressmen for each state.

Article $V$

The section of the Constitution describing the amending process, typically requiring a $\frac{2}{3}$ vote of Congress and ratification by $\frac{3}{4}$ of state legislatures.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

A provision in Article $IV$ requiring states to recognize public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.

Supremacy Clause

Article $VI$, which establishes the U.S. Constitution and federal laws as the supreme law of the land.

$10^{th}$ Amendment

The amendment that reserves all powers not delegated to the national government to the states or the people.

Fiscal Federalism

A system addressing how economics increases the power of the national government by providing funding for programs at state and local levels.

Cooperative Federalism

A system where states and the national government share responsibility for public policy.

Devolution

The process of taking power from the federal government and returning it to state and local governments.

Categorical Grants

The main source of federal money distributed to states, often coming with strings attached such as non-discrimination provisions.

Formula Grants

Grants distributed based on specific needs such as population, income, or employment programs.

Mandates

Requirements that direct state or local governments to provide additional services as a condition for receiving federal funds.

Enumerated Powers

Expressed powers specifically granted to Congress in Article $I$, Section $8$ of the Constitution.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Also known as the Elastic Clause, it allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its expressed powers.

Mandatory Spending

Government expenditures required by law for entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Discretionary Spending

Spending that Congress debates and approves annually to determine funding for areas like defense, education, and infrastructure.

Logrolling

A practice where one congressman votes for another's policy in exchange for a return favor, often described as quid pro quo.

Pork Barrel Spending

Money set aside within a bill specifically for a project in a congressman's home district.

Gerrymandering

The practice of drawing legislative district lines to benefit a specific political party.

Trustee Role

A voting model where a representative votes based on their own knowledge and judgment rather than constituent demands.

Delegate Role

A voting model where a representative acts as an agent for their constituents, voting based on the interests of those who elected them.

President Pro Tempore

The officer who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President, usually the longest-serving member of the majority party.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to stall the legislative process and prevent a vote by talking a bill to death.

Cloture

A Senate vote, requiring a majority of $60$ members, used to stop a filibuster.

Pocket Veto

A type of veto occurring when the president does not sign a bill during the last $10$ days of a congressional session.

Federalist No. $70$

An essay by Alexander Hamilton justifying the need for a single, unified executive to ensure efficiency and accountability.

Federalist No. $78$

An essay by Alexander Hamilton arguing for an independent judiciary with life terms to defend the Constitution and rule of law.

Judicial Review

The power established in Marbury v. Madison allowing the Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of legislative and executive acts.

Stare Decisis

A legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent; literally 'letting a decision stand.'

Judicial Activism

The belief that the Supreme Court should overturn current precedent or invalidate acts to protect minority rights or make social changes.

Judicial Restraint

The belief that the Court should adhere strictly to the Constitution and precedent, leaving legislating to the legislature.

Iron Triangles

A mutually beneficial relationship between bureaucratic agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups.

Merit System

A civil service system bolstered by the Pendleton Act where government jobs are granted based on written exams rather than party loyalty.

Establishment Clause

A $1^{st}$ Amendment provision stating 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,' preventing a state religion.

Free Exercise Clause

A $1^{st}$ Amendment provision preventing the government from stopping individuals from practicing their chosen religion.

Prior Restraint

The government's attempt to prevent material from being published, which was ruled largely unconstitutional in New York Times Co. v. U.S.

Exclusionary Rule

A legal rule from Mapp v. Ohio stating that evidence obtained through illegal searches is inadmissible in court.

Individualism

A political core value where individuals possess the freedom to make choices as they wish.

Rule of Law

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

Keynesian Economics

An economic theory suggesting that government intervention and spending are key to saving a hurting economy.

Supply-Side Economics (Hayek)

An economic theory favoring laissez-faire policies and saving as the path to a healthy economy.

$19^{th}$ Amendment

The constitutional amendment that established women's suffrage.

$26^{th}$ Amendment

The amendment that lowered the voting age to $18$ years or older.

Linkage Institutions

Groups that connect the people to the government, including political parties, interest groups, elections, and the media.

Super PAC

Political action committees that can receive unlimited contributions but cannot have a direct connection to a candidate.

Horse Race Elections

Political coverage that focuses on who is ahead in the polls rather than substantial policy issues.