AP Gov Review

Representative Democracy

A system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy where citizens have a direct role in decision-making.

Pluralist Democracy

A form of democracy where various interest groups influence political decisions.

Elite Democracy

A model of democracy where a small group of highly educated and wealthy individuals hold most political power.

Natural Rights

Rights that every individual possesses by virtue of being human, such as life, liberty, and property.

Social Contract

A theory by which individuals consent to surrender some of their freedoms in exchange for protection of their remaining rights.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Limited Government

A political system where governmental powers are restricted, often by a constitution.

The Declaration of Independence

A document written in 1776 declaring the American colonies' independence from Britain.

The Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781, creating a loose confederation of states.

Shays’ Rebellion

A 1786-87 uprising in Massachusetts led by Daniel Shays, protesting economic injustices.

The Constitution of the United States

The supreme law of the land, ratified in 1787, that established the framework of the U.S. government.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches (executive, legislative, and judicial).

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches.

Republicanism

A form of government in which elected representatives govern on behalf of the people.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that created a bicameral legislature.

Three-Fifths Compromise

A compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention where slaves were counted as three-fifths of a person for representation.

Electoral College

A group of electors chosen to elect the president and vice president of the U.S.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in Article VI of the Constitution stating that federal law takes precedence over state law.

Federalists

Supporters of the U.S. Constitution during the ratification debates.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the U.S. Constitution who feared a powerful central government.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central government and regional governments.

Brutus No. 1

An Anti-Federalist essay arguing against the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Federalist No. 10

A Federalist essay by James Madison arguing that a large republic would best control factions.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

Exclusive Powers

Powers that are only granted to the federal government and cannot be exercised by the states.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but necessary to carry out enumerated powers.

10th Amendment

An amendment stating that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.

Reserved Powers

Powers that are not specifically granted to the federal government and are reserved for the states.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal government and the states.

Commerce Clause

A clause in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution that grants Congress the power to regulate commerce.

Necessary and Proper Clause

A clause in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution that grants Congress the power to make laws necessary to carry out its powers.

Categorical Grants

Federal grants given for a specific purpose with strict guidelines.

Policymaking

The process of creating laws and regulations that affect society.

Mandates

Requirements imposed by the federal government on state and local governments.

Block Grants

Federal grants given to states with fewer restrictions.

Revenue Sharing

A process where the federal government distributes revenue to state and local governments.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

This case established that the federal government has implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

This case marked a limit on the scope of the Commerce Clause regarding gun regulation.

Individualism

A belief in the importance of individual rights and personal autonomy.

Equality of Opportunity

The principle that all individuals should have the same chances to succeed, regardless of their background.

Free Enterprise

An economic system where private individuals or businesses operate for profit with minimal government regulation.

Rule of Law

The principle that all individuals and institutions, including the government, are accountable to the law.

Globalization of U.S. Political Culture

The spread and influence of U.S. political ideas across the world.

Political Socialization

The process through which individuals acquire their political beliefs, values, and behaviors.

Political Ideology

A set of beliefs about the role of government and the policies that should guide society.

Liberal Ideological Positions on Economic Policy

Liberals favor government intervention in the economy to promote equality.

Conservative Ideological Positions on Economic Policy

Conservatives favor limited government intervention in the economy.

Liberal Ideological Positions on Social Policy

Liberals generally support expanding civil rights and liberties.

Conservative Ideological Positions on Social Policy

Conservatives emphasize traditional values and limit the role of government in social issues.

Public Opinion

The collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on political issues.

Scientific Polling

The use of statistical methods to gauge public opinion.

Opinion Polls

Surveys designed to measure public opinion on specific issues.

Benchmark Polls

Initial polls used to gather baseline data on a candidate's or issue's popularity.

Tracking Polls

Polls that are conducted repeatedly over a period of time to track changes in public opinion.

Exit Polls

Polls taken immediately after voters cast their ballots.

Polling Methodology

The process and techniques used in conducting polls.

Accurate Sampling Methods

Techniques used to select a representative sample of the population.

Neutral Framing of Questions

Crafting survey questions in a way that does not lead respondents toward a particular answer.

Accurate Reporting

Presenting poll results in a way that reflects the responses without exaggeration.

14th Amendment

A constitutional amendment that grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.

15th Amendment

A constitutional amendment that prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

17th Amendment

A constitutional amendment that established the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people.

19th Amendment

A constitutional amendment that granted women the right to vote.

24th Amendment

A constitutional amendment that abolished the poll tax as a requirement for voting in federal elections.

26th Amendment

A constitutional amendment that lowered the voting age to 18.

Demographic Factors That Influence Voter Turnout

Characteristics such as age, income, education, and race that affect voting likelihood.

Structural Barriers Influence on Voter Turnout

Institutional and procedural obstacles that reduce voter participation.

Rational Choice Voting

A theory of voting where individuals make decisions based on self-interest.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on the past performance of a candidate or party.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on the potential future performance of a candidate or party.

Straight Ticket Voting

Voting for all candidates of a single party.

Linkage Institutions

Organizations that connect people to the government and political process.

Interest Groups

Organized groups that attempt to influence public policy.

Free Riders

People who benefit from an interest group’s efforts without contributing.

Single Issue Groups

Interest groups that focus on one specific issue.

Lobbying

The act of attempting to influence government policy through direct contact.

Traditional News Media

Conventional media outlets, such as newspapers, radio, and television.

Investigative Journalism

Journalism that seeks to uncover and expose wrongdoing.

Social Media

Online platforms where users can share content, ideas, and opinions.

Horse-Race Journalism

News coverage that focuses on who is ahead in a political race.

Impeachment

A process used to remove a president or other federal officials from office.

Power of the Purse

The constitutional power of Congress to raise and spend money.

Congressional Oversight

The review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies by Congress.

Bill Markup

The process by which a congressional committee revises a bill before voting.

Committee of the Whole

A parliamentary procedure in which the entire House acts as a committee.

Discharge Petition

A petition signed by House members to bring a bill out of committee.

Unanimous Consent

A procedural agreement in the Senate where no member objects to a particular action.

Hold in the Senate

A tactic used by a Senator to delay or prevent a vote.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block legislation by extending debate.

Cloture

A procedure used in the Senate to end a filibuster and limit further debate.

Conference Committee

A temporary committee formed to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Mandatory Spending

Federal spending required by law, such as Social Security and Medicare.

Discretionary Spending

Federal spending that is determined through the annual appropriations process.

Entitlement Programs

Government programs that provide benefits to individuals who meet certain eligibility criteria.

Veto and Pocket Veto

A veto is the president’s power to reject a bill; a pocket veto occurs when the president does not sign a bill within 10 days while Congress is adjourned.

Pork-Barrel Legislation

Legislation allocating government spending for localized projects.

Logrolling

The practice of trading votes between lawmakers to pass legislation.

Partisanship

Strong allegiance to one’s political party.

Polarization

The increasing ideological divide between political parties.