AP Gov Vocab-All

agents of socialization

Families, schools, television, peer groups, and other influences that contribute to political socialization by shaping formal and especially informal learning about politics.

blanket primaries

Elections to select party nominees in which voters are presented with a list of candidates from all the parties. Voters can then select some Democrats and some Republicans if they like. See also primaries

categorical grants

Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes, or "categories." of state and local spending. They come with strings attached, such as nondiscrimination provisions. Compare block grants.

caucus

A system for selecting convention delegates used in about a dozen states in which voters must attend an open meeting to express their presidential preference.

caucus (congressional)

A group of members of congress sharing some interest or characteristic. Most are composed of members from both parties and from both houses.

caucus (state party)

A meeting of all state party leaders for selecting delegates to the national party convention. Caucuses are usually organized as a pyramid.

civic duty

The belief that in order to support democratic government, a citizen should always vote.

civil disobedience

A form of political participation that reflects a conscious decision to break a law believed to be immoral and to suffer the consequences. See also protest.

civil liberties

constitutionally established guarantees and freedoms that protect citizens, opinions, and property against arbitrary (random or targeted) government interference and applies to everyone equally

civil rights

efforts to regulate how private citizens or gov’t agencies treat marginalized groups

closed primaries

Elections to select party nominees in which only people who have registered in advance with the party can vote for that party's candidates, thus encouraging greater party loyalty. See also primaries.

coalition

A group of individuals with a common interest upon which every political party depends. See also New Deal Coalition.

coalition government

When two or more parties join together to form a majority in a national legislature. This form of government is quite common in the multiparty systems of Europe.

committee chairs

The most important influencers of the congressional agenda. They play dominant roles in scheduling hearings, hiring staff, appointing subcommittees, and managing committee bills when they are brought before the full house.

consent of the governed

The idea that government derives its authority by sanction of the people.

cooperative federalism

A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government.

courts of appeals

Appellate courts empowered to review all final decisions of district courts, except in rare cases. In addition, they also hear appeals to orders of many federal regulatory agencies.

critical election

An electoral "earthquake" where new issues emerge, new coalitions replace old ones, and the majority party is often displaced by the minority party. Critical election periods are sometimes marked by a national crisis and may require more than one election to bring about a new party era.

democracy

A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public's preferences.

devolution

Transferring responsibility for policies from the federal government to state and local governments.

dual federalism

A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies.

due process clause

Part of the Fourteenth Amendment guaranteeing that persons cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property by the United States or state governments without due process of law.

Eighth Amendment

The constitutional amendment that forbids cruel and unusual punishment.

elastic clause

The final paragraph of Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which authorizes Congress to pass all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out the enumerated powers.

Electoral College

A unique American institution created by the Constitution, providing for the selection of the president by electors chosen by the state parties. Although the electoral college vote usually reflects a popular majority, less populated states are over represented and the winner-take-all rule concentrates campaigns on close states.

elitism

A theory of American democracy contending that an upper=class elite holds the power and makes policy, regardless of the formal governmental organization.

Engel v. Vitale

The 1962 Supreme Court decision holding that state officials violated the First Amendment when they wrote a prayer to be recited by New York's schoolchildren.

entitlement programs

Government programs providing benefits to qualified individuals regardless of need.

entitlements

Policies for which Congress has obligated itself to pay X level of benefits to Y number of recipients. Social Security benefits are an example.

equal protection of the laws

Part of the Fourteenth Amendment emphasizing that the laws must provide equivalent "protection" to all people.

Equal Rights Amendment

A constitutional amendment passed by Congress in 1972 stating that "equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex." The amendment failed to acquire the necessary support from three-fourths of the state legislatures.

establishment clause

Part of the First Amendment stating that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."

exclusionary rule

The rule that evidence cannot be introduced into a trial if it was not constitutionally obtained. The rule prohibits use of evidence obtained through unreasonable search and seizure.

executive orders

Regulations originating with the executive branch. Executive orders are one method presidents can use to control the bureaucracy.

exit poll

Public opinion surveys used by major media pollsters to predict electoral winners with speed and precision.

extradition

A legal process whereby a state surrenders a person charged with a crime to the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed.

factions

Groups such as parties or interest groups, which according to James Madison arose from the unequal distribution of property or wealth and had the potential to cause instability in government.

federalism

A way of organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government have formal authority over the same land and people. It is a system of shared power between units of government.

Fifteenth Amendment

The constitutional amendment adopted in 1870 to extend suffrage to African Americans.

Fifth Amendment

• DUE PROCESS (No infringement of life, liberty, property without) → applies to FEDERAL gov’t

• No double jeopardy

• Right to remain silent (not compelled to be a witness against yourself)

• Eminent domain - No taking land without fair compensation

• Grand jury** (not incorporated) 

  • Miranda Rights

First Amendment

• RAPPS

  • Religion (establishment and free exercise), Assembly (protest), Press (“heavy presumption against prior restraint”), Petition, Speech 

  • Schenck v. US, Tinker v. Des Moines, Wisconsin v. Yoder, Engel v. Vitale

fiscal federalism

The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system; it is the cornerstone of the national government's relations with state and local governments.

fiscal policy

Use of the federal budget-taxes, spending, and borrowing- to influence the economy; along with monetary policy, a main tool by which the government can attempt to steer the economy. Fiscal policy is almost entirely determined by Congress and the president.

free exercise clause

A First Amendment provision that prohibits government from interfering with the practice of religion.

free-rider problem

For a group , the problem of people not joining because they can benefit from the group's activities without joining.

frontloading

The recent tendency of states to hold primaries early in the calendar in order to capitalize on media attention.

full faith and credit

A clause in Article IV of the Constitution requiring each state to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of all other states.

Gibbons v. Ogden

A landmark case decided in 1824 in which the Supreme Court interpreted very broadly the clause in Article !, Section 8, of the Constitution giving Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce as encompassing virtually every form of commercial activity.

Gideon v. Wainwright

The 1963 Supreme Court decision holding that anyone, however poor, accused of a felony where imprisonment may be imposed has a right to a lawyer.

Gitlow v. New York

The 1925 Supreme Court decision holding that freedoms of press and speech are "fundamental personal rights an liberties protected by the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment from impairment by the states" as well as by the federal government.

House Rules Committee

The committee in the House of Representatives that reviews most bills coming from a House committee before they go to the full House.

hyperpluralism

A theory of American democracy contending that groups are so strong that government, which gives in to the many different groups are so strong that government, which gives in to the many different groups, is thereby weakened.

impeachment

the political equivalent of an indictment in criminal law, prescribed by the Constitution. The House of Representatives may impeach the president by a majority vote for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

incorporation doctrine

The legal concept under which the Supreme Court has nationalized the Bill of Rights by making most of its provisions applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

interest group

An organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals. Interest groups pursue their goals in many arenas.

judicial activism

An approach to decision making in which judges sometimes make bold policy decisions, even charting new constitutional ground.

judicial implementation

How and whether court decisions are translated into actual policy, thereby affecting the behavior of others. The courts rely on other units of government to enforce their decisions.

judicial restraint

An approach to decision making in which judges play minimal policy making roles and defer to legislatures whenever possible.

legislative oversight

Congress's monitoring of the bureaucracy and its administration of policy, performed mainly through hearings.

limited government

The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens.

linkage institutions

The political channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the policy agenda. In the United States, linkage institutions include elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

lobbying

attempting to influence government decision-making, legislation, or regulations by communicating directly or indirectly with officials on behalf of a client or organization

means-tested programs

government programs providing benefits only to individuals who qualify based on specific needs.

narrowcasting

Media programming on cable TV (e.g., on MTV, ESPN, or C-SPAN) or the Internet that is focused on a particular interest and aimed at a particular audience, in contrast to broadcasting.

national party convention

The supreme power within each of the parties. The convention meets every four years to nominate the party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates and to write the party's platform.

Nineteenth Amendment

The constitutional amendment adopted in 1920 that guarantees women the right to vote.

open primaries

Elections to select party nominees in which voters can decide on Election Day whether they want to participate in the Democratic or Republican contests.

original jurisdiction

The jurisdiction of courts that hear a case first, usually in a trial. These are the courts that determine the facts about a case.

originalissm (judicial restraint)

A view that the Constitution should be interpreted according to the original intentions or original meaning of the Framers. Many conservatives support this view.

pluralism

A theory of American democracy emphasizing that the policymaking process is very open to the participation of all groups with shared interests, with no single group usually dominating. Pluralists tend to believe that as a result, public interest generally prevails.

pocket veto

A type of veto occurring when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president and the president simply lets the bill die by neither signing nor vetoing it.

political action committees

Groups that raise money from individuals and then distribute it int he form of contributions to candidates that the group supports. PACs must register with the FEC and report their donations and contributions to it. Individual contributions to a PAC are limited to $5,000 per year and a PAC may give up to $5,000 to a candidate for each election.

political efficacy

The belief that one's political participation really matters-that one's vote can actually make a difference.

political socialization

The process through which individuals in a society acquire political attitudes, views, and knowledge, based on inputs from family, schools, the media, and others.

pork barrel

Federal projects, grants, and contracts available to state and local governments, businesses, colleges, and other institutions in a congressional district.

prior restraint

Government actions preventing material from being published. Prior restraint is usually prohibited by the First Amendment, as confirmed in Near v. Minnesota.

privileges and immunities

The provision of the Constitution according citizens of each state the privileges of citizens of other states.

rational-choice theory

A popular theory in political science to explain the actions of voters as well as politicians. it assumes that individuals act in their own best interest, carefully weighing the costs and benefits of possible alternatives.

self-incrimination

The situation occurring when an individual accused of a crime is compelled to be a witness against himself or herself in court. The Fifth Amendment forbids involuntary self-incrimination.

Sixteenth Amendment

The constitutional amendment adopted in the 1913 that explicitly permitted Congress to levy an income tax.

Sixth Amendment

• Speedy, public trial by an impartial jury, right to an attorney

  • Selectively incorporated by Gideon v. Wainwright 

stare decisis

A Latin phrase meaning "let the decision stand." Most cases reaching appellate courts are settled on this principle.

Super PACs

Independent expenditure-only PACs are known as Super PACs because they may accept donations of any size and can endorse candidates. Their contributions and expenditures must be periodically reported to the FEC.

superdelegates

National party leaders who automatically get a delegate slot at the national party convention.

supply-side economics

An economic theory, first applied during the Reagan administration, holding that the key task for fiscal policy is to stimulate the supply of goods, as by cutting tax rates.

supremacy clause

The clause in Article VI fo the Constitution that makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws as long as the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.

symbolic speech

Nonverbal communication, such as burning a flag or wearing an armband. The Supreme Court has accorded some symbolic speech protection under the First Amendment.

Tenth Amendment

Reserves all powers not delegated to the US to the states and the people (Federalism)

Thriteenth Amendment

The constitutional amendment ratified after the Civil War that forbade slavery and involuntary servitude.

ticket splitting

Voting with one party for one office and with another party for other offices. It has become the norm in American voting behavior.

Twenty-fifth Amemdnemnt

Ratified in 1967, this amendment permits the vice president to become acting president if the vice president and the president's cabinet determine that the president is disabled, and it outlines how a recuperated president can reclaim the job.

Twenty-fourth Amendment

The constitutional amendment passed in 1964 that declared poll taxes void in federal elections.

Twenty-second Amendment

Ratified in 1951, this amendment limits presidents to two terms of office.

second amendment

• A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed

  • Selectively incorporated by McDonald v. Chicago

fourth amendment

No unreasonable search and seizure without a warrant (Exclusionary rule)

seventh amendment

Jury trial for any federal lawsuit over $20

ninth amendment

Unenumerated (not listed) rights may also exist

fourteenth amendment

• All born in the US are citizens

• States may not deny due process (life, liberty, property) → basis for selective incorporation (Roe v. Wade)

• Equal protection → basis for anti-discrimination (Shaw, Baker, Brown)

Article I

Legislative Branch

• Section 8 - Enumerated powers, ending with Necessary and Proper Clause

Article II

Executive Branch