AP US Government Exam Review Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing key vocabulary and concepts for the AP US Government exam.

Sovereignty

The principle that ultimate political authority rests with the people.

Participatory Democracy

A system of government in which eligible citizens participate in decision-making.

Pluralist Democracy

A system of government recognizing and accommodating diverse interest groups.

Elite Democracy

A system of government where decision-making power is concentrated in the hands of a small number of influential individuals or groups.

Checks and Balances

Limits on the powers of each branch of government.

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Agreement creating a bicameral Congress with representation based on population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Electoral College

System established as a compromise between a popular vote and legislative election of the President.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Compromise on counting slaves for representation and taxation.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for the federal government (e.g., declaring war, coining money).

Simple Majority

The minimum number of members who must be present for business to be conducted in Congress

Supermajority

A vote requiring more than a simple majority, used for actions like passing constitutional amendments.

Filibuster

Senate tactic to delay or block a vote on a bill.

Cloture

A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate.

Pork-barrel Spending

Government spending that benefits a specific group of people.

Logrolling

Trading of favors, such as vote trading, by legislators to obtain passage of actions of interest to each legislative member.

Judicial Review

The power of the judiciary to review the actions of other branches of government and declare them unconstitutional.

Bill of Rights

Guarantees fundamental rights and liberties to individuals.

Freedom of Speech and of the Press

The ability to communicate one's opinions and ideas without fear of government censorship or punishment.

Right to Bear Arms

The right of an individual to possess firearms for self-defense.

Selective Incorporation

The process by which the Supreme Court has applied the Bill of Rights to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Due Process Clause

Guarantee that government must act fairly and follow established rules in legal proceedings.

Miranda Clause

Requires police to inform suspects of their constitutional rights before questioning.

Equal Protection Clause

Guarantees that all people receive equal treatment under the law.

Political Socialization

Process by which people form their political values and beliefs.

Opinion Polls

Surveys used to gauge public opinion on specific issues.

Benchmark Polls

Initial polls conducted in a political campaign.

Liberal

Political ideology favoring government intervention in the economy and expansion of individual rights.

Conservative

Political ideology favoring limited government intervention and free markets.

Libertarian

Political ideology opposing government intervention beyond protection of private property.

Rational Choice Voting

Voting based on what is perceived to be in one's own best interest.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on past performance of incumbents or the government.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on predictions of how a party or candidate will perform in the future.

Party-Line Voting

Voting based solely on party affiliation.

Political Efficacy

The belief that one's actions can influence government policy.

Linkage Institutions

Channels connecting individuals with government, including political parties, interest groups, and the media.

Incumbency Advantage

Advantage held by a current officeholder in an election.

Open and Closed Primaries

Elections to select candidates to run in the general election.

Caucuses

Meetings of party members to select candidates and develop platforms.

Party Convention

Meetings where delegates nominate candidates for office.

Delegates

Individuals chosen to represent their constituents at a party convention.

Natural Rights

Unalienable rights; rights that cannot be taken away.

Consent of Governed

Government authority comes from the consent of the people.

Separation of Powers

Division of power among different branches of government.

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments.

Ambition must counteract ambition

The belief that "ambition must be made to counteract ambition."

Civil Disobedience

Civil disobedience strategy against unjust laws.

Judicial Review (Marbury v. Madison)

Supreme Court's power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Federal Supremacy

Federal law is supreme over state law.

"Clear and Present Danger" Test

Speech can be restricted if it presents a "clear and present danger."

School Segregation Unconstitutional

School segregation is unconstitutional.

"One person, one vote"

"One person, one vote" principle.

School Prayer

School prayer is unconstitutional.

Right to Attorney

Right to an attorney applies to state courts.

Student Speech Rights

Students have free speech rights at school.

Prior Restraint Unconstitutional

Prior restraint (censorship) is presumed unconstitutional.

Religious Exemption from Education

Religious exemptions from compulsory education are possible.

Racial Gerrymandering

Racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional.

Commerce Clause Limits

The Commerce Clause has limits.

Right To Bear Arms

the right to bear arms applies to states

Corporate Political Spending

Corporate political spending is protected speech.

Double Jeopardy

Protection from being prosecuted for the same crime twice.

Eminent Domain

The government's power to take private property for public use, with just compensation.

Jury trial in civil cases

Guarantees a trial by jury in civil cases exceeding a specific dollar amount.

Unenumerated Rights

Rights not specifically listed in the Constitution are retained by the people.