AP GOV Monster Vocab

Natural rights

The idea that all individuals have inherent rights that cannot be taken away.

Popular sovereignty

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

Republicanism

A form of government in which representatives are elected by the citizenry.

Social contract

The theory that individuals consent to form a government that provides protection and welfare.

Declaration of Independence

The document in which the American colonies declared their freedom from British rule.

Philadelphia Convention

The 1787 meeting where the U.S. Constitution was drafted.

Participatory democracy

A model of democracy in which citizens have the power to decide on policy and politicians are responsible for implementing those policies.

Pluralist democracy

A model of democracy that recognizes multiple competing interests and groups.

Elite democracy

A model of democracy where a select group of elites makes decisions for the greater population.

Shays’s Rebellion

An armed uprising in 1786-1787 led by Daniel Shays to protest economic injustices and the lack of government response.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

The agreement that established a bicameral legislature in the U.S. with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Electoral College

The body that elects the President and Vice President of the United States.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement that counted three out of every five enslaved individuals as a part of the population for representation and taxation.

Importation (slavery) compromise

An agreement that allowed for the continuation of the slave trade until 1808.

Separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Checks and balances

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

Federalism

The distribution of power between a central government and regional governments.

Exclusive powers

Powers that are reserved for one level of government.

Implied powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are inferred to be necessary.

Concurrent powers

Powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments.

Categorical grants

Federal funds provided for a specific purpose.

Block grants

Federal funds provided to state or local governments for general purposes.

Mandates (unfunded)

Requirements imposed by the federal government on state and local governments without federal funding.

Revenue Sharing

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

Commerce clause

The clause in the Constitution granting Congress the power to regulate commerce.

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Necessary and proper clause

The clause that allows Congress to pass laws deemed necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.

Bicameralism

The practice of having two legislative or parliamentary chambers.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer in the House of Representatives.

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States who presides over the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader

The leader of the majority party in the Senate.

Filibuster

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

Cloture

A procedure for ending a filibuster, requiring a supermajority vote.

Holds

A tactic used to prevent a motion from reaching the Senate floor.

Unanimous Consent

An agreement in the Senate that allows for expedited consideration of a bill if no Senator objects.

Rules Committee

The committee responsible for determining the rules for debate and amendment on legislation in the House.

Committee of the Whole

A committee that comprises all House members, used for discussion of bills.

Discharge petitions

Petitions that can bring a bill out of committee for a vote.

Discretionary spending

Government spending that can be adjusted in the budget.

Mandatory spending

Government spending that is required by law.

Entitlement Programs

Programs that provide benefits to individuals who meet certain criteria.

Budget Deficit

When the government's expenditures exceed its revenues.

Pork barrel legislation

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

Logrolling

The practice of exchanging favors for mutual benefit in politics.

Oversight

The monitoring of federal agencies and programs by Congress.

Constituency

The body of voters represented by a particular politician.

Partisanship

Strong allegiance to one's own political party.

Bipartisan

Involving two political parties.

Gridlock

A situation in which there is difficulty passing laws due to evenly divided votes.

Lame Duck

An elected official whose successor has already been elected.

Gerrymandering

The practice of drawing district boundaries to favor a particular political party.

Reapportionment

The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives after each census.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing legislative district boundaries.

Divided government

A situation in which one party controls the presidency while another controls one or both houses of Congress.

Trustee

A representative who makes decisions based on their own judgment.

Delegate

A representative who acts according to the wishes of their constituents.

Politico

A representative who acts as both a delegate and a trustee.

Veto (including pocket veto)

The power of the president to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Commander in Chief

The role of the president as the head of the military.

Executive order

A directive issued by the president to manage the operations of the federal government.

Executive Agreement

An agreement between the president and other countries that does not require Senate approval.

Signing statements

Comments issued by the president when signing a bill into law.

Nomination and confirmation

The process by which the president appoints officials and the Senate approves them.

Treaty negotiation and ratification

The process by which the president negotiates treaties with other countries, subject to Senate approval.

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms in office.

Bully pulpit

The president's use of their platform to advocate for their agenda.

Judicial review

The power of the courts to assess whether a law is compliant with the Constitution.

Precedent/stare decisis

The legal principle of determining points in litigation according to past decisions.

Judicial activism

Judicial rulings that are suspected of being based on personal opinions rather than existing law.

Judicial restraint

The theory that courts should limit the exercise of their own power.

Patronage

The support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid provided by a patron.

Civil liberties

Individual rights protected by law from unjust governmental interference.

Civil rights

The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee individual freedoms.

Selective incorporation

The legal doctrine that ensures that certain rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights are applied to state governments.

Establishment clause

The clause in the First Amendment prohibiting the establishment of religion by Congress.

Free exercise clause

The clause in the First Amendment protecting the rights of individuals to practice their religion.

Symbolic speech

Actions that purposefully and discernibly convey a particular message or statement to those viewing it.

Defamatory Speech (Libel and Slander)

False statements that damage a person's reputation, with libel being written and slander being spoken.

“Clear and present danger”

A legal standard used to determine whether speech is protected under the First Amendment.

Due process clause

The clause in the Constitution that guarantees fair treatment through the normal judicial system.

Miranda Rights

The rights of individuals taken into custody to be informed of their rights to silence and legal counsel.

Patriot Act

A law that enhances the government’s abilities to surveil and intercept communications.

Exclusionary rule

The legal principle that prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in a criminal trial.

Equal protection clause

Part of the 14th Amendment that mandates that individuals in similar situations be treated equally by the law.

National Organization for Women

A feminist organization committed to promoting women's rights and equality.

Civil Rights Act 1964

Landmark legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Voting Rights Act 1965

Legislation that prohibited racial discrimination in voting.

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972

A federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.

“Separate but equal”

A legal doctrine that justified and upheld racial segregation as long as the facilities were equal.

Individualism

A social theory favoring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control.

Free Enterprise

An economic system where private business operates in competition and free of state control.

Rule of Law

The principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to the law.

Limited Government

The concept that governmental power should be restricted to protect individual rights.

Equality of Opportunity

The idea that individuals should have equal chances for advancement and success.

Political ideology

A set of beliefs about politics and government.

Demographics

Statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.

Political culture

The set of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments that shape the behavior of a political entity.

Political socialization

The process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and attitudes.

Scientific polling

The use of scientific methods to conduct surveys and analyze data about public opinion.