AP US Government & Politics Vocabulary

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary for AP US Government & Politics, providing definitions and concepts to aid in study and retention.

Bully Pulpit

The president's use of his or her prestige and visibility to push an agenda or enthuse the American public.

Veto

A formal decision to reject a bill passed by Congress.

White House Office

A staff of the president who oversees policy interests and do not need to be confirmed by the Senate.

EOP (Executive Office of the President)

The cluster of presidential staff agencies that help the president carry out his responsibilities.

Platform

A statement of purpose and policy objectives drafted and approved by a political party at its national convention.

Electoral College

A group of representatives from each U.S. state who formally elect the President and Vice President.

Party Machine

A group of people who control a political party, often using rewards.

State of the Union

The president's annual statement to Congress and the nation.

Divided Government

Governance divided between the parties, especially when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress.

Conference Committee

A committee appointed by the leaders of each chamber to settle differences on a particular bill passed by each house in different form.

Big Tent

A political party that seeks to attract people with a broad spectrum of viewpoints.

Red Tape

Complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done.

Turnout

The proportion of the voting age public that votes.

Exit Poll

A poll taken at randomly selected polling places after citizens have placed their votes.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review a decision made by a lower court.

Political Efficacy

An indication of a citizen’s trust in government and own belief that he or she can understand and influence political affairs.

Litmus Test

An examination of the political ideology of a nominated judge.

Selective Incorporation

The process by which the Supreme Court has selectively applied the Bill of Rights to state law through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Majority Opinion

A signed statement that presents the views of the majority of supreme court justices regarding a case.

Political Culture

A set of basic values and beliefs about a country or government shared by most citizens.

Amicus Curiae Brief

A 'friend of the court' brief filed by an individual or organization to present arguments.

14th Amendment

An amendment that declared all citizens were entitled to equal protection under the law.

Political Socialization

The process by which people get their sense of political identity, beliefs, and values.

Rule of Law

A set of procedures in which all people are treated equally and consistently under the law.

Spin

Providing an interpretation of an event or campaign to persuade public opinion in favor.

Separation of Powers

A constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Federalist Papers

A series of 85 essays advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Pluralism

Many different interest groups competing against each other.

Bicameralism

A two house legislature.

Reserved Powers

All powers not specifically delegated to the national government by the Constitution.

Mandate

A directive from the national government ordering the states to do something.

Marble Cake

A system in which states and the national government cooperate by sharing powers.

Devolution

Transferring responsibility for policies from the federal government to state and local governments.

Popular Sovereignty

A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.

Referendum

A process where a policy issue is sent to the voters for approval.

Checks & Balances

A constitutional grant of powers enabling each branch of government to check the others.

Grassroots

Ideas originating from citizens up to the government.

Federalism

Division of power between national and state/local governments.

Power to Persuade

A president's ability to convince others to cooperate with the administration's agenda.

Block Grants

Federal money given to states with few strings attached.

Judicial Review

A principle giving courts the power to rule on the constitutionality of laws.

Elastic Clause

A clause stating Congress has the power to make all Laws necessary and proper.

Supremacy Clause

A constitutional doctrine stating the national government prevails in conflicts.

Legitimacy

The government's generally accepted right to rule.

Connecticut Compromise

An agreement to form a bicameral legislature with different representation.

Direct Primary

An election where voters choose party nominees.

Executive Order

A directive issued by the president that has the force of law.

Cleavages

Factors that separate groups.

Motor Voter Law

People can register to vote at a motor vehicle department.

Honeymoon

The period at the beginning of a new president's term of generally positive relations.

Realigning Election

When a party not in power wins by building a new coalition of voters.

Hard Money

Political contributions limited in amount and fully disclosed.

Soft Money

Unlimited and undisclosed amounts of money for party-building purposes.

SuperPacs

Political organizations that raise money but cannot coordinate with candidates.

Coattail Effect

The boost candidates get in an election due to the popularity of others.

501(c)4s

A 'social welfare' organization that engages in political activities.

Horse Race

A contest focused on who is ahead rather than substantive differences.

Free Rider

An individual who benefits from a group's influence without joining.

Lobbying

Engaging in activities aimed at influencing public officials.

Revolving Door

A cycle where individuals transition between government and interest groups.

Iron Triangle

A rigid policy alliance beneficial to all members involved.

Litigation

When people go to court to seek a positive ruling for their cause.

Issue Network

A relationship among interest groups promoting a single issue.

Delegates Pledged

Delegates awarded based on primary results who must vote for pledged candidates.

Incumbent

The current holder of elected office.

Gerrymandering

The drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party.

Earmarks

Special spending projects set aside for individual Congress members.

Cloture

A procedure for terminating debate, especially in the Senate.

Standing Committee

A permanent committee in a legislature focusing on a broad policy area.

Logrolling

A legislator supports a proposal for support on their own policy.

Closed Rule

A procedure in the House limiting debate time and bill amendments.

Franking Privilege

Members of Congress can mail letters to constituents free of charge.

Electoral Mandate

The perception that an election victory signals support for policies.

Pyramid Structure

A clear chain of command within an organization.

Circular Structure

When assistants report directly to the president, risking confusion.

Lame Duck Period

When focus shifts from a politician after losing reelection.

Entitlements

Benefits guaranteed by law to individuals meeting basic requirements.

Oversight

Congress' monitoring of the bureaucracy's administration of policy.

Judicial Restraint

A philosophy where judges strike down actions only if they violate the Constitution.

Writ of Certiorari

An order by a court to hear a case on appeal.

Stare Decisis

A principle that means to let the lower court’s decision stand.

Prior Restraint

Censorship of news material before it is made public.

Due Process Clause

Part of the 5th and 14th Amendments guaranteeing rights from government.

Exclusionary Rule

The requirement that illegally obtained evidence cannot be used in trial.

De Facto Segregation

Segregation that occurs as a result of factors like housing patterns.

Strict Scrutiny

A test applied to see if a law denies equal protection.

Majoritarian Politics

Political leaders feeling constrained to follow the preferences of the majority.

Monetary Policy

A government policy that regulates the economy by controlling money supply.

Fiscal Policy

A government policy that manages the economy by controlling taxing and spending.

Expressed Powers

Constitutional powers specifically given to different branches of government.

Implied Powers

Powers not specifically given but can be implied from the Constitution.

Inherent Powers

Powers that grow out of the existence of the national government.

Polarization

When two opposing sides feel intensely about an issue, making compromise difficult.

Frontloading

The tendency of states to hold primaries early to attract candidate attention.

Merit System

A system for merit-based hiring in federal jobs established as a response to patronage.

Precedent

A legal rule established in previous court decisions used for future cases.

Judicial Activism

The philosophy that the Supreme Court should actively shape national policies.

Senatorial Courtesy

The custom where the president submits names of appointees for approval to state senators.

Apportioning

Dividing how many representatives each state gets based on population.