AP GOV - IMPORTANT TERMS ONLY

Political Socialization

How one acquires their political beliefs.

Exit polls

Done outside of elections or on Election Day. MOST RELIABLE. Used to predict the outcome of an election.

Agenda setting

The process of forming the list of issues to be addressed by the media.

Gatekeeper

Role in agenda setting.

Scorekeeper

Horse race journalism.

Watchdog

Exposes government corruption/wrongdoings.

Political participation

Voting, media.

Direct Democracy

Citizens directly vote on all issues.

Indirect Democracy/Republic

Elected officials vote for us.

Conservatives

One who favors limited government intervention.

Liberals

One who favors greater government intervention.

Moderates

Middle of the road view.

Political Identification

How someone will vote.

Declaration of Independence

Last of reasons why separating.

Articles of Confederation

Not very good - gave no power to fed. government.

Constitution

Gave more power to fed gov but still protected states.

Federalist Papers

Essays promoting the ratification of the Constitution.

Brutus No. 1

Anti-Feds; encouraged people to reject the constitution and keep the articles.

Checks and balances

Government branches check each other so no one gets too powerful.

Formal Amendment Processes

House or Senate with 2/3 of members agreeing; ¾ of states agreeing.

Informal Amendment Processes

Judicial Interpretation, Social and Cultural Change, Congressional Actions, Presidential Actions/Executive orders.

Marbury v. Madison

Established Judicial review.

Federalism

How the federal government and state governments work together.

Dual Federalism

State and fed. work separately.

Cooperative Federalism

State and fed. work together.

Block Grants

Less restrictive, devolution revolution.

Categorical Grants

Very specific, precise formula based off states population.

Commerce Clause

Fed. government has final say over economy.

Political Party

Bring together diverse interests, mobilizing voters, and facilitating the electoral process.

Interest Groups

Influence legislation and policy decisions.

Party Platform

Serious issues political parties want to focus on.

Linkage Institutions

Link people to government.

Iron Triangle

Bureaucracy, Interest Groups, and Congress.

PACs

Limited donations to candidates.

Super PACs

Unlimited funding for or against a candidate but not coordinated with them.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Ruled Super PACs legal.

Election Process

Process of how someone gets elected.

Caucuses

Room voting, to determine a candidate.

Primaries

Like general election voting, to determine a candidate.

Electoral College

How the president is elected.

Incumbency

Already in office.

Motor Voter Laws

Allow people to register to vote at DMV's.

Selective Incorporation

Incorporates Bill of Rights to states.

14th Amendment

Due Process of Law and Equal protection of Law.

Bill of Rights

1st 10 Amendments.

Establishment Clause

Separation of Church and State.

Free Exercise Clause

Provides freedom of worship.

1st Amendment

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

2nd Amendment

Right to bear arms.

4th Amendment

No searches or seizures w/o probable cause or warrant.

5th Amendment

Self-Incrimination and Double Jeopardy Protections.

6th Amendment

Right to Counsel.

8th Amendment

No Cruel and Unusual Punishments.

Right to Privacy

Established in Roe v. Wade (overturned in 2022).

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Ends School Segregation and Violates Equal Protection Clause.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Outlawed all forms of discrimination.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

No literacy tests and no poll taxes.

24th Amendment

No poll taxes.

19th Amendment (1920)

Women's right to vote.

MLK's Letter From a Birmingham Jail

Argues that peaceful civil disobedience is necessary and justified to confront unjust laws and achieve racial justice.

Title IX (1972)

Equal Education and Sporting Opportunities (High School and College).

Americans with Disabilities Act

Legal protection against discrimination.

Affirmative Action

A positive approach to a social ill, or it is to reverse discrimination.