ap gov monster vocab

Amicus curiae

A legal term referring to a "friend of the court," typically a person or organization that provides expertise or arguments in support of one side in a case without being a party to the case itself.

Block grants

Funds provided by the federal government to state and local governments for a specific purpose with minimal restrictions on how they can be spent, giving states more flexibility.

Bully pulpit

The influential platform and visibility that a political leader, particularly the President, has to shape public opinion and promote their agenda.

Casework

The assistance provided by elected officials or their staff to constituents in dealing with government agencies and solving individual problems or issues.

Categorical grants

Federal funds allocated to state or local governments for a specific purpose, often with strict guidelines and conditions on how they can be used.

Caucus

A meeting or gathering of members of a political party or interest group to discuss and coordinate their actions, often during the early stages of an election.

Closed primary

A type of primary election in which only registered members of a specific political party can vote to choose their party's candidate for an office.

Cooperative federalism

Collaboration between federal and state governments in policy areas.

Critical elections

Elections that result in significant shifts in political power.

Dealignment

Voters becoming less loyal to a specific political party.

Demographics

Statistical data about the population, used in political analysis.

Devolution

Transfer of powers from federal to state or local governments.

Divided government

When different parties control executive and legislative branches.

Entitlements

Government programs providing benefits based on specific criteria. (Social Security and Medicare)

Executive order

Directive issued by the President with force of law

Expressed powers

Powers explicitly granted to the federal government

Federalism

System of government with shared power between central and state governments

Filibuster

Tactic used in the Senate to delay or block legislation

Fiscal federalism

Division of financial responsibilities between federal and state governments

Fiscal policy

Government policies related to taxation and spending that influence the economy

Franking privilege

Right of Congress members to send mail without postage costs

Gender gap

Difference in political attitudes and voting behavior between men and women

General election

Election where voters choose public officials for a specific term

Gerrymandering

Manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a political party

Grassroots lobbying

Efforts by individuals or interest groups to influence public policy at the local level

Horse race journalism

Media coverage of political campaigns focusing on poll numbers and tactics

Implied powers

Powers inferred from the Constitution's language.

Incumbent

Current officeholder seeking re-election.

Independent expenditures

Spending to support/oppose a candidate independently.

Inherent powers

Powers inherent to the office of the President.

Interest group

Organized group influencing public policy.

Issue network (iron triangle)

Collaboration between interest groups, committees, agencies.

Judicial activism

Judges interpret laws based on personal beliefs.

Judicial review

Courts review and invalidate inconsistent government actions.

Lame duck period

Time between election and new officeholder's inauguration.

Litigation

Taking legal action to resolve disputes or enforce rights.

Lobbying

Influencing government officials and policy decisions.

Logrolling

Legislators supporting each other's proposed laws/policies.

Mandatory spending

Government spending required by law, not subject to annual budget decisions.

Midterm election

Election in the middle of a President's term, involving congressional and state-level races.

Monetary policy

Government policies related to money supply, interest rates, and economy management.

Motion for cloture

U.S. Senate procedure to end filibuster and bring debate to a vote with a supermajority of senators.

Open primary

Primary election where voters can choose any party's candidate.

Original intent

Judicial philosophy interpreting Constitution based on framers' intentions.

Oversight

Congress monitoring and reviewing executive branch and agencies.

PAC

Political Action Committee raising money for candidates and campaigns.

Party polarization

Growing ideological division between major political parties.

Pluralism

Political theory emphasizing diverse interest groups' influence.

Pocket veto

Presidential power to indirectly veto legislation.

Policy agenda

Set of important issues subject to government action.

Political culture

Shared values and beliefs shaping political engagement.

Political efficacy

Belief in ability to influence political decisions and outcomes.

Political party

Organized group with shared beliefs seeking political influence.

Political socialization

Process of acquiring political beliefs through various influences.

Pork barrel spending

Government spending benefiting specific districts or states to gain political support.

Realignment

A significant and lasting shift in the political alignment and voting patterns of a population, often leading to changes in party dominance.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, typically after a census, to ensure equal representation and accommodate population changes.

Selective incorporation

Process of applying Bill of Rights to state governments.

Single-member districts

Electoral districts with one representative. (U.S. House of Representatives)

Stare decisis

Using previous court decisions as precedents.

Suffrage

The right to vote in political elections.

Super PAC

Political action committee with unlimited spending.

Uncontrollable spending

Government expenditures not easily controlled.

Unfunded mandate

Federal requirement without necessary funding.

White House staff

Advisors and assistants to the President. (Cabinets)

Writ of certiorari

Supreme Court order to review lower court decision.

What does Federalist 78 discuss?

Role of judiciary, judicial independence, power of judicial review.

What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Weak central government, inability to tax or regulate trade, no executive or judicial branches.

What did the Declaration of Independence assert?

Colonies' right to self-governance, equality, unalienable rights.

What were the concerns raised in Brutus 1?

Power of federal government, erosion of state sovereignty, individual liberties.

What did MLK advocate for in his Letter from a Birmingham Jail?

Nonviolent civil disobedience, combat racial injustice.

What does the Constitution outline?

Structure and powers of federal government, separation of powers, federal system.

What does Federalist 10 discuss?

Problem of factions, benefits of a large, diverse republic.

What does Federalist 51 emphasize?

Checks and balances, separation of powers between branches.

What does Federalist 70 advocate for?

Strong, energetic executive branch, single president.

What does the 1st Amendment guarantee?

Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

What does the 2nd Amendment protect?

The right to bear arms.

What does the 3rd Amendment prohibit?

Quartering of soldiers in private homes during peacetime.

What does the 4th Amendment protect against?

Unreasonable searches and seizures, requires search warrants.

What does the 5th Amendment ensure?

Due process of law, protection against self-incrimination, protection against double jeopardy.

What does the 6th Amendment guarantee?

Right to a fair and speedy trial, including the right to legal counsel.

What does the 7th Amendment preserve?

Right to a jury trial in civil cases.

What does the 8th Amendment prohibit?

Cruel and unusual punishment, excessive bail or fines.

What does the 9th Amendment affirm?

Rights not mentioned in the Constitution are retained by the people.

What does the 10th Amendment reserve?

Powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

What does the 11th Amendment limit?

Lawsuits against states by citizens of other states.

What does the 12th Amendment change?

Procedure for electing the President and Vice President.

What does the 13th Amendment abolish?

Slavery in the United States.

What does the 14th Amendment define?

Citizenship, guarantees equal protection under the law, prohibits states from depriving individuals of life, liberty, or property without due process.

What does the 15th Amendment prohibit?

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

What does the 16th Amendment grant?

Congress the power to levy income taxes.

What does the 17th Amendment establish?

Direct election of U.S. Senators by the people of each state.

What does the 18th Amendment prohibit?

Manufacture, sale, or transportation of alcoholic beverages.

What does the 19th Amendment grant?

Women the right to vote.

What does the 20th Amendment set?

Dates for the inauguration of the President and the start of congressional terms.

What does the 21st Amendment do?

Repeals the 18th Amendment, ending Prohibition (1933).

What does the 22nd Amendment do?

Limits the President to two terms in office (1951).

What does the 23rd Amendment do?

Grants the residents of Washington, D.C., the right to vote in presidential elections (1961).

What does the 24th Amendment do?

Prohibits the use of poll taxes in federal elections (1964).

What does the 25th Amendment do?

Outlines the presidential line of succession and procedures for presidential disability (1967).