AP US Gov Master Vocab List

Natural rights

Fundamental liberties inherent to all people, including life, liberty, and property, which governments must protect.

Popular sovereignty

Political authority originating from the people, who give consent to the government.

Republicanism

A system in which citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions.

Social contract

An agreement in which individuals consent to be governed in exchange for protection of their rights.

Declaration of Independence

A founding document asserting independence from Britain and grounding government legitimacy in natural rights.

Philadelphia Convention

The 1787 meeting that replaced the Articles of Confederation with the U.S. Constitution.

Participatory democracy

A democracy model emphasizing widespread political participation and direct citizen involvement.

Pluralist democracy

A democracy model where many competing groups influence policy, preventing domination by any single faction.

Elite democracy

A democracy model where political power is concentrated among a small, educated, and wealthy group.

Shay's Rebellion

An armed uprising that exposed weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation and pushed leaders toward revising the system.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

An agreement creating a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House.

Electoral College

A body that formally selects the president through electors chosen by states.

Three-Fifths Compromise

A compromise counting a portion of enslaved people for representation and taxation.

Importation (slavery) compromise

An agreement allowing Congress to halt the international slave trade after 1808.

Separation of powers

A constitutional principle dividing government responsibilities among the branches.

Checks and balances

A system allowing each branch to limit the others to prevent abuse of power.

Federalism

A structure dividing power between national and state governments.

Exclusive powers

Powers given solely to one level of government, usually the national government.

Implied powers

Powers not explicitly listed but reasonably inferred from the Constitution.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments.

Categorical grants

Federal funds provided to states for specific, narrowly defined purposes.

Block grants

Federal funds given to states with broad flexibility in how they are used.

Mandates (unfunded)

Federal requirements imposed on states, sometimes without funding to implement them.

Revenue Sharing

A system where the federal government and states once shared tax revenue, later largely phased out.

Commerce clause

A clause allowing Congress to regulate interstate and international trade.

Enumerated powers

Powers directly stated in the Constitution for the federal government.

Impied powers

Powers reasonably inferred from enumerated powers, allowing flexibility.

Necessary and proper clause

A constitutional clause granting Congress authority to pass laws needed to carry out its listed powers.

Checks and balances

A system that enables each branch of government to limit the actions of the others.

Bicameralism

A two-house legislature, typically consisting of a House and Senate.

Speaker of the House

Presiding officer of the House who controls the agenda, committee assignments, and floor debate.

President of the Senate

The official who presides over the Senate, held by the vice president of the United States.

Senate Majority Leader

The most powerful senator who controls the agenda and strategy of the majority party.

Filibuster

A tactic allowing senators to speak indefinitely to delay or block a vote.

Cloture

A procedure requiring 60 senators to end debate on a bill.

Holds

A notice that a senator intends to block or delay consideration of a measure.

Unanimous Consent

An agreement in the Senate that sets terms for debate, requiring no objections from any senator.

Rules Committee

A powerful House committee that sets debate rules and schedules bills for the floor.

Committee of the Whole

A House procedure allowing all members to debate as one large committee with looser rules.

Discharge petitions

A petition that forces a bill out of committee and onto the House floor with enough member signatures.

Discretionary spending

Spending that Congress controls through annual appropriations bills.

Mandatory spending

Spending required by law for programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Entitlement Programs

Government programs guaranteeing benefits to eligible individuals.

Budget deficit

The amount by which government spending exceeds government revenue in a given year.

Pork barrel legislation

Legislation that directs funds to a member’s district for local projects.

Logrolling

Mutual support among legislators who agree to vote for each other’s proposals.

Oversight

The process by which Congress monitors the executive branch to ensure laws are properly implemented.

Constituency

The voters and groups represented by an elected official.

Partisanship

Strong loyalty to a political party that shapes voting behavior.

Bipartisan

Cooperation between members of different political parties.

Grdilock

A situation where political conflict prevents the government from acting.

Lame Duck

A period after an official has lost reelection but remains in office until the term ends.

Gerrymandering

The drawing of legislative districts to favor one party or group.

Reapportionment

The reallocation of House seats among the states based on census results.

Redistricting

The redrawing of district boundaries within states after reapportionment.

Divided government

A situation where different parties control the presidency and Congress.

Trustee

A representation approach where officials use their own judgment in decision-making.

Delegate

A representation approach where officials follow the preferences of their constituents.

Politico

A representation approach combining trustee and delegate roles based on circumstances.

Veto (including pocket veto)

A formal rejection of legislation by the president, including the option of taking no action at the end of a session.

Commander in Chief

The president’s constitutional role as leader of the armed forces.

Executive order

A directive issued by the president that has the force of law without congressional approval.

Executive Agreement

An agreement between the president and another country that does not require Senate ratification.

Signing statements

A written statement explaining how the president interprets and intends to enforce a law.

Nomination and confirmation

The process by which the president selects officials and the Senate approves them.

Treaty negotioation and ratification

The president’s authority to negotiate international agreements and the Senate’s power to approve them with a two-thirds vote.

22nd Amendment

A constitutional amendment limiting presidents to two elected terms.

Bully pulpit

A presidential tool for influencing public opinion and pressuring Congress.

Judicial review

The power of courts to declare laws or actions unconstitutional.

Precedent/stare decisis

A legal principle where courts follow previous decisions to maintain consistency.

Judicial activism

A judicial philosophy favoring bold decisions that may reinterpret the Constitution.

Judicial restraint

A judicial philosophy favoring limited court action and deference to elected branches.

Patronage

A system of rewarding political supporters with government jobs, historically common before civil service reforms.

Civil Liberties

Freedoms protected from government interference, such as speech and religion.

Civil Rights

Protections against unequal treatment by government, ensuring equal access to rights.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments protecting civil liberties from federal government infringement.

Judicial review

The power of the Supreme Court to overturn government actions that violate the Constitution.

Selective incorporation

The process by which the Bill of Rights is applied to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Establishment clause

A clause prohibiting government from establishing an official religion.

Free exercise clause

A clause protecting individuals’ right to practice their religion freely.

Symbolic speech

Nonverbal actions intended to convey a message that receive First Amendment protection.

Defamatory Speech (Libel and Slander)

False statements that harm someone’s reputation, whether written or spoken.

"Clear and present danger"

A standard allowing restrictions on speech that presents an immediate threat or serious harm.

Due process clause

A clause preventing government from depriving individuals of life, liberty, or property without fair procedures.

Miranda Rights

The requirement that police inform suspects of their rights before questioning.

Patriot Act

A law expanding government surveillance powers to combat terrorism.

Exclusionary rule

A rule excluding illegally obtained evidence from being used in court.

Equal protection clause

A clause guaranteeing equal legal treatment under the law for all persons.

National Organization for Women

An advocacy organization promoting women’s rights and gender equality.

Civil Rights Act 1964

A landmark law banning discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Voting Rights Act 1965

A law protecting voting rights by eliminating barriers such as literacy tests.

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972

A law prohibiting sex discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funding.

"Seperate but Equal"

A doctrine allowing segregation as long as facilities were “equal,” later overturned.

Individualism

A belief that individuals are responsible for their own success and should have freedom to pursue their goals.

Free Enterprise

An economic system with private ownership and limited government interference in markets.

Rule of Law

The idea that all individuals and institutions are subject to the law and treated equally under it.

Limited government

A principle requiring government power to be restricted by the Constitution and individual rights.

Equality of Opportunity

The belief that all people should have a fair chance to succeed regardless of background.

Political ideology

A consistent set of political values and beliefs about government and policy.

Demographics

The statistical characteristics of a population, such as age, race, gender, or income.