AP Government Exam Review

Flashcards of key vocabulary and concepts from lecture notes.

Declaration of Independence

Document declaring the 13 American colonies independent from Great Britain.

Pluralist democracy

Political system where many groups compete for power, preventing any one group from dominating.

Brutus 1

Anti-Federalist paper arguing against a strong central government.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Loose union, lack of central authority, inability to tax or regulate commerce effectively.

Ratifying amendments to the US Constitution

Process by which amendments are added to the Constitution (Article V).

Checks on the federal bureaucracy

Mechanisms by which other branches of government limit the power of the bureaucracy.

Categorical grants

Federal grants with specific instructions to state government on how the money should be spent.

Implied powers of Congress

Powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution, but necessary to execute enumerated powers.

Dual Federalism

System where powers are divided between state and federal governments.

Enumerated powers of Congress

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for the federal government.

Conference committees

Temporary committees formed to reconcile differences in House and Senate versions of a bill.

Redistricting

Who draws congressional district lines

Partisanship

Strong allegiance to one's political party, often leading to unwillingness to compromise.

Federalist 70

Essay arguing for a strong, unitary executive leader.

Bully pulpit

The President's use of his visibility and prestige to influence the public agenda.

Federalist 78

Essay discussing the importance of an independent judiciary with the power of judicial review.

Marbury v. Madison

Established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.

Stare decisis

Legal principle of following precedents in deciding similar cases.

Commerce Clause

Constitutional provision granting Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce.

Appointment of federal judges

Process of the President nominating and the Senate confirming federal judges.

Bureaucratic implementation

The process by which a bureaucracy puts policies into action.

Bureaucratic rulemaking

The process by which regulatory agencies write regulations.

Checks on the President

Powers of other branches to limit presidential authority.

Congressional oversight

The power of Congress to monitor and investigate the actions of the executive branch.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Supreme Court case protecting students' free speech rights in schools.

Engle v. Vitale

Supreme Court case prohibiting mandatory prayer in public schools.

Forms of protected speech vs unprotected speech

Distinction between speech that is constitutionally protected and speech that is not.

New York Times v. US

Supreme Court case protecting freedom of the press.

McDonald v. Chicago

Supreme Court case applying the Second Amendment to the states.

4th Amendment protections

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

SCOTUS interpretation of the 14th Amendment (incorporation)

Application of the Bill of Rights to the states through the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Supreme Court case guaranteeing the right to an attorney for indigent defendants.

Equal Protection Clause

14th Amendment provision guaranteeing equal rights under the law.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Landmark legislation outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Brown v. Board of Education

Supreme Court case ruling segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

American Core Values - Individualism

Emphasis on personal responsibility, self-reliance, and individual rights.

Agents of Political Socialization

Factors that shape an individual's political beliefs (e.g., family, school, media).

Political Socialization

The process by which people form their ideas about politics.

Elements of a proper public opinion survey

Clear questions, random sampling, representative sample, unbiased language.

Impact of public polls

Influence on policy decisions, elections, and political discourse.

Conservative policy

Policy generally emphasizes traditional values and limited government.

Entitlements

Government programs providing guaranteed benefits to certain groups.

Conservative ideology

Political philosophy emphasizing individual liberty, limited government, and free markets.

Effects of Divided Government

Gridlock, compromise, increased oversight.

Rational Choice Voting

Voting based on what is perceived to be in the citizen's individual interest.

Political Efficacy

Belief that one's actions can influence government policy.

Linkage Institutions

Channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the government's policy agenda. (e.g., elections, political parties, interest groups, media).

Candidate-centered elections

Elections focused on the individual candidates rather than party affiliation.

Third/Minor Parties

Parties outside the two major parties, often focusing on specific issues.

Iron Triangles

Alliances between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees.

Lobbying

Trying to influence government policy by contacting public officials.

Winner-take-all aspect of the Electoral College

Candidate winning the most votes in a state wins all of that state's electoral votes.

Open vs. Closed Primary

Election determining party candidates where any registered voter can participate (open) vs. only registered party members (closed).

Citizens United

Supreme Court case removing restrictions on corporate and union spending in political campaigns.

Horse race journalism

Focus on media attention on polling data and campaign strategy.