AP Gov Final

Political Ideology

Certain ideas, beliefs, values, and opinions regarding political systems.

A Right

Legal entitlement or freedom granted by the government.

A Privilege

Something that can be given and taken away.

Interest Group

An organized group of people who share a common concern and work to influence that concern into public policy.

Lobbying

Seeking to influence a politician or public official on an issue.

Liberal

A supporter of political policies that promote civil liberties, individual rights, and democracy, typically favoring a left-leaning agenda.

Conservative

A supporter of political policies that promote traditional values, typically favoring a right-leaning agenda.

Libertarianism

A political philosophy that advocates for individualism, free market, and minimal governmental intervention.

Voter Turnout

The participation rate of eligible voters in an election.

Rational Choice Voting

Voting based on what a citizen believes is in their best interest.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on a political official’s past performance.

Prospective Voting

Voting for a candidate who promises to enact policies favored by the voter in the future.

Party-line Voting / Straight Ticket Voting

Voting for candidates who belong only to one political party for all offices on the ballot.

Split-ticket Voting

Voting for candidates from different parties in the same election.

Incumbent

A political official who is currently in office.

Socioeconomic Status

The social standing or class of an individual or group.

Deficit Spending

Spending more money than one has.

Fiscal Policy

The use of government spending and taxation to influence the economy, promoting growth and stability.

Monetary Policy

Adjustments made by the Federal Reserve regarding the money supply and interest rates to achieve economic stability.

Domestic Policy

Public policy overseeing administrative decisions related to issues within a country’s borders.

Political Efficacy

A person's belief that they can make effective political change.

PAC (Political Action Committees)

Political committees established and run by organizations that can contribute a specific amount to candidates.

Super PAC

Political committee that can spend unlimited amounts of money but cannot donate directly to politicians or political parties.

Electoral College

The process of selecting the president through electors pledged to vote for a nominee.

Elector

A person appointed to vote for president and vice president in the Electoral College.

Nomination

Part of the process of selecting a candidate for public office.

Delegate

A person authorized to represent others, specifically an elected representative sent to a conference.

Primary Election

An election where political parties select their candidates for the general election.

Open Primary

A primary election allowing all registered voters to choose a candidate from any political party.

Closed Primary

A primary election where only registered party members can vote.

Caucus

A closed meeting of a political party group to select presidential candidates or decide on policy.

Swing State

A state in the Electoral College that can be won by either Democratic or Republican candidates.

Laissez-faire

A policy of minimal governmental interference in the economic affairs of individuals and society.

Fiscal Policy

The government's use of spending and taxation to influence the economy.

Command Economy

An economy where production, investment, prices, and incomes are centrally controlled by the government.

Mixed Economy

An economy that combines elements of both free market and socialistic systems.

Unemployment Rate

The percentage of the labor force that is unemployed.

Inflation

A general increase in prices and a decrease in the purchasing value of money.

Consumer Price Index

A measure that examines the average change over time in the prices paid by consumers for goods and services.

Trade Policy

A government's regulations and agreements governing international trade.

Social Security

A government insurance system that provides benefits to retired individuals.

23rd Amendment

Gave citizens of Washington D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections.

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age to 18.

Electoral College System

The mechanism established by the Constitution for the indirect election of the president and vice president of the United States.

National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC)

Agreement among states to award their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote.

Winner-take-all System

A system where the presidential candidate winning a state by even one vote receives all of that state's electoral votes.

Difficulties for Third Parties

Challenges that third parties face in gaining electoral votes and recognition.

Ranked Choice Voting

An electoral system where voters rank candidates by preference.

Policy-making

The process where Presidents must gain support from the majority in the Senate and House to push their agenda.

Conservative Economic Ideology

Supports lower regulations, lower taxes for middle and higher income, and limited government spending on social equality.

Liberal Economic Ideology

Supports increased regulations, higher taxes for the rich, and promotes social and economic equality through government programs.

Libertarian Economic Ideology

Advocates for minimal government regulation and spending, focusing on individual liberty.

Keynesian Economics

An economic theory that suggests government intervention is necessary to stimulate growth during recessions.

Supply-side Economics

An economic theory advocating for tax cuts to stimulate the economy.