AP Government Key Terms

Vocabulary flashcards for AP Government review.

Natural Rights

Rights all people are born with, such as life, liberty, and property.

Social Contract

People agree to give up some freedom for government protection.

Popular Sovereignty

Power comes from the people.

Republicanism

Electing representatives to make laws.

Limited Government

Government power is restricted by law.

Participatory Democracy

Broad citizen participation in politics.

Pluralist Democracy

Power is spread among competing interest groups.

Elite Democracy

Small group of elites dominate policymaking.

Federalist

Supported strong central government (e.g., Hamilton).

Anti-Federalist

Wanted strong state governments, opposed Constitution.

Federalist No. 10

Warns about factions, supports large republic.

Brutus No. 1

Argues against large republic, prefers local control.

Shays’ Rebellion

Exposed need for stronger federal government due to weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Great Compromise

Bicameral legislature (House = population, Senate = equal).

⅗ Compromise

Counted 3 of every 5 slaves for representation.

Separation of Powers

Legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and Balances

Each branch limits the others.

Federalism

Shared power between national and state governments.

Delegated Powers

Powers given to the federal government.

Reserved Powers

Powers kept by the states.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by federal and state governments.

Dual Federalism

Separate powers for national and state governments (layer cake).

Cooperative Federalism

Powers shared between levels of government (marble cake).

Revenue Sharing

Federal money given to states with little restriction.

Grants-in-Aid

Federal money given to states for specific purposes.

Categorical Grants

Federal money for specific purpose with conditions.

Block Grants

Federal money for a broad purpose with fewer rules.

Mandates

Federal requirements imposed on states (sometimes unfunded).

Commerce Clause

Congress can regulate trade.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Congress can pass laws to carry out its powers.

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is above state law.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly granted to the federal government in the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not directly stated but inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Filibuster

Delay tactic in Senate.

Cloture

Ends a filibuster with 60 votes.

Holds

Prevent a vote or bill in Senate.

Unanimous Consent

Speed up Senate business with no objections.

Conference Committee

Resolves House and Senate bill differences.

Standing Committees

Permanent, handle bills in specific areas.

Discretionary Spending

Optional spending (e.g., defense, education).

Mandatory Spending

Required by law (e.g., Social Security).

Entitlement Programs

Benefits to those who qualify (e.g., Medicare).

Speaker of the House

Presiding officer, sets agenda.

Majority/Minority Leaders

Guide party policy.

Partisan Voting

Members of Congress vote strictly in line with their political party.

Political Polarization

The growing ideological gap between political parties, often leading to more extreme viewpoints.

Gridlock

A standstill in Congress where little or no legislation is passed.

Divided Government

One party controls the presidency and the other controls one or both chambers of Congress.

Lame Duck President

A president with limited influence, typically nearing the end of their term.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to favor one party over another.

Redistricting

The redrawing of congressional district boundaries, usually after a census.

Trustee Model

A representative uses their own judgment to make decisions they believe are in the best interest of the people.

Delegate Model

A representative acts directly on the wishes of their constituents, voting how they believe their voters want.

Politico Model

A hybrid model where representatives use their own judgment or follow their constituents' preferences depending on the situation.

Veto

President rejects a bill.

Pocket Veto

President doesn’t sign and Congress adjourns.

Executive Agreements

Like treaties, but no Senate approval.

Signing Statements

President interprets law upon signing.

Judicial Review

Courts can declare laws unconstitutional (Marbury v. Madison).

Precedent

A legal principle established in a previous case that courts use to decide similar future cases.

Stare Decisis

let the decision stand

Life Tenure

Supreme Court justices serve for life, which protects them from political pressure.

Judicial Activism

Courts make bold decisions.

Judicial Restraint

Courts defer to elected branches.

Bureaucracy

Implements laws and policies.

Civil Service

Government jobs given based on qualifications, not politics.

Merit System

Hiring based on ability and exams.

Political Patronage

Giving jobs as political rewards.

Cabinet Departments

Major agencies (e.g., Education).

Executive Agencies

Specific focus (e.g., NASA).

Regulatory Commissions

Oversee industries (e.g., FCC).

Government Corporations

Government-run businesses (e.g., USPS).

Discretionary Authority

Decide how to implement laws.

Rule-Making Authority

Create regulations.

Civil Liberties

Freedoms protected from government.

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments protect liberties from abuses of the federal gov.

Establishment Clause

Government can’t establish religion.

Free Exercise Clause

Practice religion freely.

Symbolic Speech

Nonverbal actions that express an opinion (wearing an armband, burning a flag)

Unprotected Speech

Libel, slander, obscenity not protected.

Prior Restraint

Government prevents speech or publication before it occurs.

Due Process Clause (14th Amendment)

Protects rights from state abuse.

Equal Protection Clause

Laws must treat people equally.

Civil Rights

Protection from unequal treatment.

Affirmative Action

Policies intended to address workplace and educational disparities.

Individualism

Personal responsibility and freedom.

Equality of Opportunity

Equal chance to succeed.

Free Enterprise

Economic system with limited government.

Rule of Law

Everyone follows the law.

Limited Government

Restrict government power.

Political Socialization

How people form political beliefs.

Conservative

Small gov, low taxes, traditional values.

Liberal

Bigger gov, social programs, progressive change.

Libertarian

Max freedom, limited gov in all areas (social, economic).

Fiscal Policy

Gov taxing and spending decisions.

Monetary Policy

Federal Reserve controls money supply and interest rates.

Rational Choice

Vote based on benefit.

Retrospective

Vote based on past performance.

Linkage Institution

connect people to the government and influence public policy

Political party

Mobilize voters, nominate candidates, create platform