AP Gov Final

Ms Seligman

selective incorporation

The process where the Supreme Court applies Bill of Rights protections to the states through the 14th Amendment.

separation of church & state

The principle that government must maintain an independent boundary from religious institutions.

bureaucratic agencies

Government organizations that implement and enforce federal laws and policies.

separation of powers

The division of government into three branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

political efficacy

A citizen’s belief that they can influence political affairs.

suffrage

The right to vote in political elections.

campaign finance reform

Efforts to change how money is raised and spent in political campaigns.

imperial presidency

A U.S. presidency characterized by greater power than the Constitution allows.

divided government

When different political parties control the presidency and Congress.

checks and balances

A system where each branch of government can limit the power of the others.

executive privilege

The president’s right to withhold information from Congress or courts.

political socialization

The process by which individuals develop their political beliefs and values.

judicial review

The Supreme Court’s power to declare laws or actions unconstitutional.

judicial litmus test

A single-issue test used to determine a judicial nominee's acceptability.

linkage institutions

Structures like media, elections, and parties that connect citizens to government.

federalism

Different models showing how power is shared between federal and state governments (cooperative, dual, fiscal, layer cake, marble cake, devolution, states’ rights).

gerrymandering, redistricting, & reapportionment

Manipulating district lines for advantage, redrawing districts, and reallocating congressional seats based on population.

social safety net

Government programs that provide economic assistance to citizens (e.g., welfare, food stamps).

elite and class theory

The idea that society is divided and an upper-class elite rules.

candidate-centered politics

Elections that focus more on candidates' personalities than on party affiliation.

separate but equal

Doctrine that justified racial segregation, overturned by Brown v. Board of Education.

impeachment

The process of charging a government official with wrongdoing and possibly removing them from office.

gender gap

Differences in political opinions or behaviors between men and women.

media bias

The perception that the media reports news in a partial or prejudiced way.

Congressional committee system

Subgroups in Congress (joint, conference, standing, select) that handle specific duties.

balanced budget

When government revenues equal government spending.

push-polling

A disguised campaign technique that tries to influence voters by polling them.

affirmative action

Policies that favor historically marginalized groups in education and employment.

line-item veto

Presidential power to reject specific parts of a bill (ruled unconstitutional at the federal level).

sampling error

The margin of error inherent in poll results.

casework

Services provided by members of Congress to help constituents solve problems.

tyranny of the majority

When the majority uses its power to oppress minority groups.

symbolic speech

Nonverbal communication protected under the First Amendment.

senatorial courtesy

Custom where the Senate defers to a senator’s opinion from the nominee’s home state.

coattails

When a popular political leader helps attract votes for other candidates of the same party.

grassroots

Political movement driven by the people, starting at the local level.

gridlock

When government can't act due to conflicting interests.

iron triangle

The relationship between bureaucracies, Congress, and interest groups.

impoundment

The president’s refusal to spend money appropriated by Congress.

government corporation

A government agency that operates like a business (e.g., USPS).

Jim Crow

Laws enforcing racial segregation in the South after Reconstruction.

bicameral

A legislature divided into two houses (e.g., House and Senate).

appropriations

Congressional legislation that authorizes government spending.

logrolling

The trading of votes among legislators to ensure passage of projects.

sequestration

Automatic spending cuts to federal government programs.

workfare

Welfare programs requiring recipients to work in exchange for benefits.

double jeopardy

Being tried twice for the same crime, prohibited by the 5th Amendment.

filibuster

Prolonged Senate debate to delay or prevent a vote.

cloture

A Senate motion to end a filibuster requiring 60 votes.

franking privilege

Members of Congress can send mail to constituents for free.

hyperpluralism

Theory that too many competing groups weaken government.

bully pulpit

The president’s use of their position to influence public opinion.

earmarks/pork/riders

Government spending added to bills for local projects.

trial balloons

Leaked information to test public reaction.

red tape

Excessive bureaucracy or formalities slowing down action.

tobacco lobby

Groups advocating for the tobacco industry’s interests.

electorate

All eligible voters in a country.

constituents

People politicians have been elected to represent.

whips

Party leaders who ensure members vote according to party lines.

Hobbes, Locke, & Rousseau

Philosophers who influenced ideas about government and individual rights.

frontrunner

The leading candidate in an election race.

favorite son

A political figure supported strongly by their home state.

lobbyist

Someone who tries to influence legislators on behalf of a group.

special interest group

An organization that advocates for a specific issue or cause.

incumbent

A current officeholder running for re-election.

soccer mom

Stereotypical suburban mother seen as an influential voter.

commander-in-chief

The president’s role as leader of the armed forces.

talking heads, pundits, & spin doctors

Media commentators who interpret news events.

Framers

The group who wrote the U.S. Constitution.

lame duck

An official still in office after losing an election.

Religious Right

Conservative Christian political factions.

Speaker of the House

The leader of the House of Representatives.

Reform Party/Tea Party

Political movements advocating for reform or smaller government.

literacy laws

Used historically to restrict voting rights, especially for African Americans.

poll taxes

Fees charged to vote, used to suppress minorities.

winner take all

Electoral system where the highest vote-getter wins everything.

nominating conventions

Meetings where political parties formally choose candidates.

convention bump

A candidate’s temporary surge in poll numbers after their convention.

voter turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who actually vote.

issue ads

Political ads focusing on issues rather than specific candidates.

Super Tuesday

A day when many states hold primary elections.

party platforms

A political party’s formal statement of beliefs and goals.

sound bites

Short, catchy quotes or phrases from politicians.

photo ops

Staged opportunities for politicians to be photographed for positive media coverage.

matching funds

Public money given to candidates who meet fundraising requirements.

superdelegates

Unpledged Democratic Party leaders who can support any candidate at the national convention.

split ticket voting

Voting for candidates from different parties on the same ballot.

superPACs

Groups that can raise unlimited money to support candidates indirectly.

Electoral College

The body that officially elects the president based on state-by-state results.

AARP

American Association of Retired Persons.

FEC

Federal Election Commission.

NRA

National Rifle Association.

PAC

Political Action Committee.

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act.

FOIA

Freedom of Information Act.

NAACP

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

NAFTA

North American Free Trade Agreement.

SALT

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks.

GATT

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

DOMA

Defense of Marriage Act.