US Government AP Review

Terms & concepts for the AP US Gov. test

Political Spectrum

A way to identify your views on government ranging from liberal to conservative.

Liberal view of the Constitution

Loose construction & interprets the Constitution flexibly; interpretation changes as modern society evolves; Asks “What are our standards today?”

Conservative view of the Constitution

Favors strict construction & interpretation; interpretation should stay constant through the years; Asks “What did the Founding Fathers mean?”

Authoritarian

More government intervention; Individual decision making is reckless and chaotic; Generally (not exclusively) a right-wing ideology.

Libertarian

Individual liberty is the primary value; Government should have very little control; Right-wing economically, left-wing socially.

Liberals

Favors more government control for economic issues and less government control for social issues.

Conservatives

Favors more government control for social issues and less government control for economic issues.

Agents of Socialization

A combination of social groups and institutions that impact our ideological development.

Family

Most influential agent of socialization.

Demographics

A particular group of a population usually supported by statistical data. Generally speaking, impacts our political ideology.

Period Effects

When individuals are influenced by broad trends that shape the experience of society as a whole.

Ex) Legalization and support of same-sex marriage.

Random sample

No yes/no questions

Little to no leading questions

Key characteristics of a good poll.

Margin of Error in Polls

The amount of error in the results of a poll, reflecting the degree to which the poll's results may differ from the true values for the entire population. This statistic helps measure the reliability of the poll results.

Fiscal Policy

The use of government spending and taxation to influence the economy. Determined by Congress and the President.

Monetary Policy

A set of actions to control a nation’s overall money supply and achieve economic growth. Include revising interest rates and changing bank reserve requirements. Either expansionary or contractionary. Determined by the FED.

Supply-side “Trickle-down economics”

An economic theory that suggests lowering taxes on businesses and the wealthy stimulates investment and boosts economic growth, ultimately benefiting all layers of society. Aligns with the conservative ideology.

Demand-side “Keynesian economics”

An economic theory that advocates for increased government spending and lower taxes to stimulate demand and drive economic growth. It emphasizes the role of consumers and their spending in the economy. Aligns with the liberal ideology.

It slows legislation down.

What is one key reason for having a bicameral legislature?

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state, often referring to the power of a country to control its own territory and make decisions free from external interference.

1. Keeping order

2. Protecting the country

3. Providing services

4. Making economic decisions

What are the 4 roles of government?

Who votes

All/most people (D) & Select voting class (R)

Key difference between Democracy & Republic.

Social Contract

People willingly give up freedoms in order to gain protections and stability from their government.

Consent of the Governed

People are ruled by a leader (or system) that they consent to. They can, and should, revolt if that ruler becomes a tyrant.

Rule of Law

Nobody is above the law, even those holding power.

Natural Rights

Everyone is born with these rights simply because they are human; all people are entitled to them. Life, Liberty, and Property.

Popular Sovereignty

Civil Liberties

14th Amendment

Establishment Clause

Right to Privacy

Not specifically granted in the Bill of Rights, but through SCOTUS decisions, has been widely accepted as applying to all American citizens.

The Privacy Amendments

Just Laws vs Unjust Laws

Civil Servants

Dual Court System

Legitimacy

Elastic Clause

Supremacy Clause

Formal Powers of the President

Informal Powers of the President

Gerrymandering

22nd Amendment

25th Amendment

War Powers Resolution of 1973

House of Representatives | Senate

Who impeaches the president? Who removes a president from office?

Standing Committee

Permanent panels for bills to be sent before being voted on in congress

Subcommittee

A smaller division of a standing committee that does most of the work.

Select Committee

aka “Special committees” are set up for a specific purpose, often for a limited time period.

Joint Committee

A committee that is formed by members of both chambers.

Conference Committee

Rules Committee (H&S)

House Judiciary Committee

Senate Judiciary Committee

Ways and Means Committee (House only)