Monster Definitions: AP Government Key Terms and Foundational Documents

Comprehensive review flashcards covering key AP Government terms, constitutional clauses, powers, amendments, and foundational documents from the 'Monster Definitions' study review.

Trustee model

A representation model where representatives use their own judgment even if constituents disagree.

Unfunded mandate

A federal rule that makes states spend their own money to follow it.

Necessary and Proper Clause (N&P Clause)

The constitutional clause allowing Congress to make laws needed to carry out its other powers.

Lame duck president

The time when a president who lost reelection or finished a second term is still in office before the new president takes over.

Supremacy Clause

The principle that national laws and treaties are higher than state laws.

Imperial presidency

A presidency that uses more power than the Constitution allows.

Interest group

A group of people who share a political goal and work to influence policy.

Executive order

A directive from the president that has the force of law.

Commerce Clause

The constitutional power allowing Congress to regulate trade with foreign nations and between states.

Select committee

A temporary congressional committee created for a specific purpose, often investigations.

Bicameral

A two-house lawmaking body.

Veto

The president's formal power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Reserved powers

Powers kept by the states.

Riders

Non-related amendments added to a bill, often to help a member's own interests.

Single-member districts

A system where each district elects one member to the House of Representatives.

Casework

When congressional staff help a constituent solve a problem.

Cloture

A Senate vote of 60 members to end a filibuster.

Pocket veto

When a president doesn't sign a bill within 10 days and Congress is not in session, causing the bill to die.

Mandatory spending

Federal spending required by law, like entitlement programs and interest on the national debt.

Expressed powers

Powers directly written in the Constitution, such as Congress's power to tax.

Initiative

A process allowing citizens to put a measure directly on the ballot.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic to delay or block a vote by talking for a long time.

Discretionary spending

The part of the federal budget that Congress decides on each year.

Incumbent

Someone who currently holds office and is running for reelection.

Conference committee

A joint committee that resolves differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Federalist No. 51 (Fed 51)

An explanation of how checks and balances and separation of powers protect liberty.

Standing committee

A permanent congressional committee focused on a specific policy area.

Separation of powers

The division of government into branches so no branch becomes too powerful.

Implied powers

Powers needed to carry out expressed powers, like creating a national bank.

Executive agreement

A less formal agreement with another country that does not require Senate approval.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by both the national and state governments, like taxing.

Pork barrel spending

Government funds set aside for specific projects in a member's district.

Logrolling

When members of Congress trade votes to help each other's bills pass.

Politico model

A model where lawmakers consider many factors and vote based on what makes political sense at the time.

14th Amendment

Guarantees citizenship by birth or naturalization and requires states to give equal protection and certain rights to all citizens.

Political culture

The beliefs and attitudes that shape political views.

Elite democracy

A model of democracy where a small, educated, wealthy group influences political decisions.

Pluralism

The idea that many different groups compete to influence government policy.

10th Amendment

The amendment that reserves powers not given to the national government for the states.

Redistricting

Redrawing congressional district boundaries based on new census data.

Federalism

A system where national and state governments share power, with states keeping some protected powers.

Franking privilege

The free mail and electronic signature privilege for members of Congress.

Constituent

A person who lives in a representative's district.

Bully pulpit

The president's powerful public platform that allows them to shape public opinion and pressure Congress.

Midterm election

An election where voters choose members of Congress but not the president.

Treaty

A formal agreement with another country that requires approval by two-thirds of the Senate.

Devolution

When the national government gives more power back to the states.

Block grant

Federal money given to states with very few rules on how it must be used.

Gerrymandering

Redrawing district lines to help a political party or group.

Brutus

The Anti-Federalist argument for a small, decentralized republic and warning that a large government would threaten liberty.

Delegate model

A representation model where representatives vote based on what constituents want.

Popular sovereignty

The idea that the people are the ultimate source of government power.

Iron triangle

A close relationship among interest groups, government agencies, and congressional committees in a policy area.

Categorical grants

Federal money with strict rules on how it must be used.

Cooperative federalism

A system where states and the national government share powers and responsibilities related to funding and programs.

Fiscal federalism

Federal spending, taxing, and grants that shape federal-state relationships.

Federalist No. 10 (Fed 10)

The argument that a large republic helps control factions by including many competing interests.

Cabinet

The president's advisory group made up of department heads and other selected officials.

Executive privilege

The president's right to keep certain communications secret from other branches.

Inherent powers

Powers a government has simply because it exists as a country, such as acquiring territory.

President pro tempore (President pro tem)

The senator who presides when the vice president is absent, usually the longest-serving member of the majority party.

House Rules Committee

The House committee that decides how bills are handled—committee assignments, debate time, and voting schedule.

Entitlements

Government benefits people receive by law if they qualify, like Social Security.

Divided government

When the president's party is different from the party that controls one or both houses of Congress.

Oversight

Congressional hearings and investigations to check how well a government agency is doing its job.

22nd Amendment

The limit that a president can serve only two terms or a total of ten years.

Federalist No. 39 (Fed 39)

The US government as a hybrid republic, drawing its structure from a combination of state-based power (federal) and national authority (national).