Key Vocab AP Gov (Buran Canvas)

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a national government and state governments.

Fiscal Federalism

The use of federal funding (grants and mandates) to influence state and local governments.

Cooperative federalism

A model in which national, state, and local governments share powers and responsibilities.

Block grants

Large sums of federal money given to states with broad guidelines on how to spend it.

Categorical grants

Federal funds given for specific purposes with strict rules and regulations.

Unfunded mandate

A federal requirement that states must follow without receiving funding.

Devolution

The transfer of power from the federal government to state and local governments.

Demographic

Characteristics of a population such as age, race, or income used to analyze political behavior.

Political socialization

The process by which individuals form their political beliefs and values.

Political culture

Shared beliefs and values about government held by a society.

Political efficacy

The belief that one’s participation in politics matters.

Gender gap

The difference in political opinions and voting behavior between men and women.

Single-member districts

Electoral districts that elect one representative.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing district boundaries after the census.

Gerrymandering

Drawing district lines to benefit a political party or group.

Critical elections

Elections that lead to major changes in party dominance.

Realignment

A long-term shift in voter loyalty to a political party.

Dealignment

A decline in party loyalty among voters.

Divided government

When different political parties control different branches of government.

Open primary

A primary election where voters can choose which party’s election to participate in.

Closed primary

A primary election limited to registered party members.

Caucus

A local meeting where party members select candidates or delegates.

General election

The election where voters choose between party nominees.

Midterm election

Elections held in the middle of a president’s term.

PAC & Super PAC

Organizations that raise and spend money to influence elections; Super PACs can raise unlimited funds but cannot coordinate with candidates.

Independent expenditures

Spending on political communication that is not coordinated with a candidate.

Retrospective voter

A voter who bases decisions on a candidate’s past performance.

Policy agenda

The issues that policymakers focus on.

Horse race journalism

Media coverage that focuses on who is winning rather than policy issues.

Issue network (iron triangle)

The relationship between interest groups, government agencies, and congressional committees that influence policy.

Political party

An organization that seeks to influence government by electing its members.

Party polarization

The increasing ideological divide between political parties.

Interest group

An organization that seeks to influence public policy.

Pluralism

A theory that power is distributed among many competing groups.

Lobbying

Efforts to influence government decisions.

Grassroots lobbying

Encouraging the public to contact officials about an issue.

Expressed powers

Powers directly stated in the Constitution.

Implied powers

Powers not stated but inferred from the Constitution.

Franking privilege

The ability of members of Congress to send mail without postage.

Pork barrel

Government spending for projects that benefit a specific district.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic to delay or block legislation through extended debate.

Casework

Helping constituents solve problems with government agencies.

Oversight

Congressional review of executive branch actions.

Motion for cloture

A Senate vote to end a filibuster, requiring 60 votes.

Incumbency

Holding a political office.

Logrolling

Exchanging support for each other’s legislative proposals.

Inherent powers

Powers derived from the president’s role as chief executive.

White House staff

Advisors and aides who assist the president.

Executive order

A directive from the president that has the force of law.

Pocket veto

A veto that occurs when the president takes no action on a bill and Congress adjourns.

Lame duck period

The time after an election when officials are still in office but about to leave.

Amicus curiae

A brief filed by someone not directly involved in a case to provide information.

Stare decisis

The principle of following precedent in court decisions.

Original intent

Interpreting the Constitution based on the framers’ intended meaning.

Judicial review

The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Judicial activism

A philosophy where judges interpret the Constitution broadly.

Writ of certiorari

An order by the Supreme Court to review a lower court case.

Litigation

The process of taking a case to court.

Uncontrollable spending

Spending that cannot easily be changed because it is set by law.

Entitlements

Government programs that guarantee benefits to eligible individuals.

Mandatory spending

Spending required by existing laws.

Monetary policy

The Federal Reserve’s control of money supply and interest rates.

Fiscal policy

Government use of spending and taxation to influence the economy.

Selective incorporation

The process of applying Bill of Rights protections to states through the 14th Amendment.

Suffrage

The right to vote.