unit 5 vocab ap gov

14th amendment

An amendment to the United States Constitution that grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and guarantees equal protection under the law, often cited in civil rights cases.

15th amendment

Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

17th amendment

Established direct election of United States Senators by popular vote, altering the way Senators were chosen from state legislatures.

19th amendment

Granted women the right to vote, prohibiting any US citizen from being denied the right to vote based on sex.

24th amendment

Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections, ensuring that no citizen is denied the right to vote based on their ability to pay.

26th amendment

Lowered voting age to 18 years.

rational choice voting

A voting theory that suggests individuals make electoral choices based on a rational evaluation of their personal benefits and interests.

retrospective voting

a voting theory based on the past performance of candidates, where voters assess how well incumbents have governed.

prospective voting

a voting method where voters consider candidates' promises and future policies before making a decision.

straight ticket voting

the practice of voting for all candidates of one political party in an election.

linkage insitituion

Organizations that connect citizens to government, such as political parties, interest groups, and the media.

political parties

Organizations that seek to gain political power by electing their members to public office.

interest groups

Organizations that seek to influence government policy and decisions to benefit their members or causes.

elections

Processes through which citizens vote to select leaders and decide on policies.

media

The means of communication that reach large audiences, including television, radio, newspapers, and the internet, shaping public opinion and political discourse.

third parties

Political parties that are not one of the two major parties (Democrats and Republicans) in the U.S. They often promote specific issues and can influence election outcomes.

winner take all system

An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins all the delegates or electoral votes from that state.

proportinal system

An electoral system where parties gain seats in the legislature in proportion to the number of votes they receive.

free riders

Individuals who benefit from resources or services without contributing to their cost or efforts.

single issue groups

organized groups that focus exclusively on one cause, often influencing policy and elections.

incumbency advantage

The electoral edge afforded to those already in office, which includes factors like name recognition, fundraising ability, and established voter support.

open primary

A primary election where voters can choose candidates regardless of their party affiliation.

closed primary

A type of primary election where only registered party members can vote to choose their party's candidate.

cacucses

A method used to select delegates for a political party's convention through local gatherings.

electoral college

A body of electors established by the United States Constitution, responsible for electing the President and Vice President of the United States.

general election

An election held to choose among candidates from different parties for various offices, typically held in November.

midterm election

An election that occurs halfway through a president's term, usually for congressional seats.

bipartisan campaign finance reform act of 2002

Legislation aimed at regulating campaign financing, limiting contributions, and increasing transparency in political donations.

1st amendment

The constitutional amendment that protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

citizens united v FEC 2010

A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled limiting independent expenditures for political communications by corporations and unions violates the First Amendment.

PACS

Political Action Committees that raise and spend money to influence elections.

Supper PACS

Political action committees that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money for political campaigns but cannot coordinate directly with candidates.

marbury v madisom

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review in the United States.

mcullough v maralynd

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principles of federalism and the supremacy of federal legislation over state laws, affirming the constitutionality of the Bank of the United States.

baker v carr

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of one person, one vote, addressing issues of legislative redistricting and representation.

shaw v reno

A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled redistricting plans must comply with the Voting Rights Act and that race can be a factor in drawing electoral district boundaries.

us v lopez

A landmark Supreme Court case in which the Court ruled that the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause.

declaration of independence

A document adopted in 1776, proclaiming the thirteen American colonies' separation from British rule and articulating the principles of individual rights and government by consent.

articles of confederation

The first constitution of the United States, created in 1781, that established a system of government which was later replaced by the Constitution due to its weaknesses in central authority.

brutus 1

An influential anti-Federalist paper arguing against the ratification of the Constitution. It emphasizes the dangers of a large central government and the need for a decentralized political system.

fed 10

A Federalist Paper written by James Madison that argues for a large republic to control factions and protect minority rights. It addresses the dangers of majority rule and factionalism.

fed 51

A Federalist paper written by James Madison, advocating for a system of checks and balances within the government to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

fed 70

a Federalist Paper written by Alexander Hamilton that argues for a strong executive branch and a unitary executive to ensure energy and decisiveness in governance.

What is Federalist No. 78?

an essay written by Alexander Hamilton that discusses the role of the judiciary in the new American government and argues for the independence of the judiciary.