AP U.S. Government Vocabulary and Concepts

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from AP U.S. Government, designed to facilitate review and understanding for exam preparation.

Limited government

A principle asserting that a government's power is not absolute and is limited by laws and a constitution.

Natural rights

Basic rights that all people possess and that cannot be taken away.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that the power of government is derived from the consent of the governed.

Republicanism

A political principle in which the people's will is reflected in government through elected representatives.

Social contract

An implicit agreement among individuals in a society to sacrifice some freedoms for social order.

Representative democracy

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

Participatory democracy

A model emphasizing broad participation in political decision-making.

Pluralist democracy

A model that emphasizes group-based activism in influencing political decisions.

Elite democracy

A model that emphasizes limited participation and elite decision-making in politics.

Declaration of Independence

A document asserting independence from Britain, articulating natural rights and popular sovereignty.

U.S. Constitution

The supreme law of the United States establishing a system of limited government.

Federalist 10

An essay by Madison arguing for a large republic to control factions.

Brutus 1

An anti-Federalist essay asserting fears of a large centralized government infringing on liberty.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the U.S. that established a weak national government.

Anti-Federalist

Opponents of the U.S. Constitution who favored stronger state governments.

Federalist

Supporters of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution advocating for a stronger national government.

Democracy

A system of government where power is vested in the people.

Faction

A group within a larger organization that seeks to promote its own interests.

Shays’s Rebellion

An armed uprising protesting economic injustices that highlighted weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

An agreement creating a bicameral legislature with representation based on population and equal by state.

Electoral College

The body that formally elects the President of the United States.

3/5ths Compromise

A formula for counting enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.

Constitutional Convention

A gathering in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation resulting in the U.S. Constitution.

Article V / Amendment process

The process for amending the Constitution requiring supermajority approval in Congress and states.

Ratification

Giving formal consent to the U.S. Constitution, requiring approval from nine of thirteen states.

Separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent abuse of power.

Checks and balances

A system ensuring that no branch of government becomes too powerful.

Federalist 51

An essay explaining how checks and balances control government power.

Impeachment

The process by which a legislative body formally charges a government official with misconduct.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between national and state governments.

Enumerated powers

Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

Implied powers

Powers not specifically stated in the Constitution but inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Reserved powers

Powers not delegated to the federal government, reserved for the states.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by both national and state governments.

Revenue sharing

Distribution of a portion of federal tax revenues to state and local governments.

Categorical grants

Federal funds provided to states for specific purposes.

Block grants

Federal funds provided to states with fewer restrictions on how they can be spent.

Mandates

Requirements imposed by the federal government on state governments.

Tenth Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government for the states.

Fourteenth Amendment

Extends equal protection and due process rights to all persons under state law.

Commerce clause

Gives Congress the power to regulate interstate and international commerce.

Necessary & Proper clause / Elastic clause

Gives Congress the authority to pass laws required to carry out its enumerated powers.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that federal law takes precedence over state laws.

Formal power

Powers explicitly granted to government branches by the Constitution.

Informal power

Powers that are not explicitly listed in the Constitution but are implied.

Bicameral

Having two legislative chambers.

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress with equal representation from each state.

House

The lower chamber of Congress, representing the population of each state.

Federal budget

The government's financial plan, detailing all expected spending and revenues.

Oversight

Congress's ability to monitor the executive branch's implementation of laws.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives.

Bill

A proposed law presented to Congress.

Committee

A group within Congress formed to review legislation.

Committee hearing

The process where committees gather information and evidence before making decisions.

Mark up

The process of making amendments to a bill in committee.

Rules Committee

A House committee that establishes rules for debate on bills.

Committee of the Whole

A House committee that includes all members and expedites debate on a bill.

Discharge petition

A procedure to force a bill out of committee and onto the floor for a vote.

Unanimous consent

Agreement by every Senator for a bill to be brought to the floor.

Hold

A Senator's request to delay a vote on a bill.

Filibuster

A tactic employed to prolong debate and delay legislative action.

Cloture

A procedure to end debate and force a vote in the Senate.

Conference committee

A temporary committee created to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill.

Mandatory spending

Required government spending on certain programs.

Entitlements

Programs guaranteeing benefits to qualified individuals.

Social Security

A federal program providing retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to eligible individuals.

Medicare

A federal health insurance program for individuals aged 65 and older.

Medicaid

A government program providing health coverage to low-income individuals and families.

Discretionary spending

Government spending that is not mandatory and is determined yearly.

Infrastructure

Public systems and facilities, such as transportation, utilities, and communication systems.

Pork barrel

Government spending for localized projects to bring money to a representative's district.

Logrolling

The practice of exchanging favors in politics, usually by legislative votes.

Partisan voting

When legislators vote according to their party affiliation.

Polarization

The divergence of political attitudes to ideological extremes.

Gridlock

A situation where little to no legislation is passed due to disagreement.

Reapportionment

Redistribution of congressional seats based on the U.S. Census.

Redistricting

Redrawing the boundaries of congressional districts following reapportionment.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to favor one political party.

Divided government

A situation where one party controls the presidency and another controls one or both houses of Congress.

Lame duck

An elected official whose successor has already been elected.

Trustee representative

A legislator who acts according to their own judgment rather than the preferences of constituents.

Delegate representative

A legislator who mirrors the views and wishes of their constituents.

Politico representative

A blend of both trustee and delegate roles in representation.

Policy agenda

A list of issues that political officials prioritize for public policymaking.

Cabinet

Advisers to the President, consisting of heads of executive departments.

Executive Office of the President

Agencies that directly support the work of the President.

Veto

The power of the President to reject laws passed by Congress.

Pocket veto

The ability of the President to indirectly veto a bill by not signing it before Congress adjourns.

Line item veto

A proposed power of the President to reject specific provisions of a bill.

Commander in Chief

The President's role as head of military forces.

Executive agreement

An informal agreement between the President and another country.

Treaty

A formal agreement between countries requiring Senate approval.

Bargaining and persuasion

Methods used by the President to influence Congress.

Executive order

A directive issued by the President to manage federal operations.

Signing statement

A statement issued by the President regarding the interpretation of legislation he signs.

Senate confirmation

The process by which the Senate approves appointments made by the President.

Congressional agenda

A list of policies Congress is considering at any given time.

Federalist 70

An argument for a unified executive branch as essential for government effectiveness.

22nd Amendment

Limits the President to two terms in office.

State of the Union

The President's annual address explaining their legislative agenda.