AP U.S. Government & Politics – Master Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering foundational concepts, institutions, civil liberties, political behavior, and public policy for AP U.S. Government & Politics.

Administrative discretion

Flexibility granted to bureaucrats to decide how to implement legislation through rules and regulations.

Agenda setting

The process of identifying issues that require government attention and placing them on the policy agenda.

Affirmative action

Programs that give preference to historically disadvantaged groups in employment, education, and contracting.

Amendment

A formal change or addition to a bill, law, or the U.S. Constitution.

Amicus curiae brief

A ‘friend of the court’ brief filed by a third party to present additional arguments in a court case.

Appellate courts

Courts that review decisions of lower courts to correct errors in law application.

Appellate jurisdiction

Authority of a court to review and possibly overturn decisions of lower courts.

Apportionment

Allocation of seats in the House of Representatives among states based on population.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. constitution (1781-1789) that created a weak central government with a unicameral legislature.

At-large election

Election in which all voters in a jurisdiction vote for a representative, rather than by district.

Bicameral legislature

A legislature with two separate chambers, such as the U.S. Congress (House and Senate).

Bill

A proposed law presented to a legislature for consideration.

Bill of attainder

Law that punishes a person without a trial; prohibited by the Constitution.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual liberties.

Blanket primary

Primary in which voters may choose candidates from any party for each office.

Block grant

Federal money given to states for broad purposes with few restrictions.

Bully pulpit

The president’s use of visibility and prestige to influence public opinion and policy.

Bureaucracy

An administrative system with hierarchical structure, job specialization, and rules to manage government operations.

Cabinet

Group of presidential advisers heading executive departments and helping implement policy.

Casework

Services that legislators provide to individual constituents.

Categorical grant

Federal funds for specific purposes, often requiring state matching funds and compliance with guidelines.

Checks and balances

System allowing each government branch to limit the powers of the others.

Civil liberties

Constitutional freedoms that protect individuals from government interference.

Civil rights

Government actions aimed at ensuring equal protection and preventing discrimination.

Cloture

Senate procedure requiring 60 votes to end a filibuster and proceed to a vote.

Commerce and slave trade compromise

Constitutional Convention deal prohibiting export taxes and banning any slave-trade ban for 20 years.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by both federal and state governments (e.g., taxing, building roads).

Concurrent jurisdiction

Authority for both state and federal courts to hear certain cases.

Concurring opinion

Supreme Court opinion agreeing with the majority outcome but for different legal reasons.

Conference committee

Joint committee that reconciles House and Senate versions of a bill.

Connecticut (Great) Compromise

Created a bicameral Congress with proportional House representation and equal Senate representation.

Constituent

A resident of a district or state represented by an elected official.

Constitution

Foundational document outlining the structure, powers, and limits of U.S. government.

Constitutional courts

Federal courts established under Article III, including district courts and courts of appeals.

Cooperative federalism

Model in which federal and state governments work together (‘marble-cake’) on policy areas.

Critical election

Election that signals a sharp change in party loyalty and begins a new party era.

De facto segregation

Segregation resulting from social or economic conditions, not by law.

De jure segregation

Segregation enforced by law.

Delegate (representation)

Representative who votes according to the preferences of constituents.

Direct democracy

System where citizens make policy decisions directly rather than through representatives.

Discharge petition

House procedure to force a bill out of committee with 218 signatures.

Discretionary spending

Federal spending set through annual appropriations bills (non-entitlement programs).

Dist​rict courts

Trial-level federal courts where most federal cases begin.

Double jeopardy

Constitutional protection against being tried twice for the same offense.

Due process

Constitutional guarantee of fair legal procedures (5th and 14th Amendments).

Earmark

Provision in legislation designating funds for a specific project or district.

Elastic clause

Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 allowing Congress to pass laws ‘necessary and proper’ to carry out its powers.

Elite theory

Idea that a small, wealthy, and educated group holds most political power.

Eminent domain

Government power to take private property for public use with just compensation.

Entitlement

Government program guaranteeing benefits to those who qualify by law (e.g., Social Security).

Equality of opportunity

Value that each person should have the same chance to succeed.

Establishment clause

First Amendment provision prohibiting government establishment of religion.

Exclusionary rule

Doctrine that illegally obtained evidence is inadmissible in court.

Ex post facto law

Law that criminalizes actions retroactively; forbidden by the Constitution.

Executive agreement

International agreement made by the president without Senate approval.

Executive order

Presidential directive that has the force of law without congressional approval.

Executive privilege

Claim that the president can withhold information from other branches for confidentiality.

Expressed powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution.

Faction (interest group)

Group of individuals united by a common interest seeking to influence government.

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments.

Federalist Papers

Essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay supporting Constitution ratification.

Filibuster

Senate tactic of prolonged debate to delay or block a vote on a bill.

Fiscal policy

Government use of taxation and spending to influence the economy.

Floor leaders

Party leaders who direct legislative strategy in each chamber of Congress.

Frank​ing privilege

Right of members of Congress to mail official material to constituents free of charge.

Free exercise clause

First Amendment protection of individuals’ right to practice religion freely.

Free rider problem

Benefit obtained by individuals who do not contribute to a group’s efforts.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating legislative district boundaries to favor one party or group.

Good-faith exception

Allows evidence collected with a defective warrant if police acted on good faith belief it was valid.

Gridlock

Political stalemate where opposing forces prevent legislative action.

Habeas corpus (writ)

Court order requiring authorities to justify a prisoner’s detention.

Hard money

Contributions given directly to a candidate and regulated by the FEC.

Hate speech

Speech that attacks a person or group on protected characteristics and creates a hostile environment.

Hyperpluralism

Theory that too many strong competing groups create policy gridlock.

Impoundment

Presidential refusal to spend funds appropriated by Congress (curtailed by 1974 Budget Act).

Incrementalism

Budget-making approach that uses last year’s budget as a base plus small increases.

Incorporation (selective)

Application of Bill of Rights protections to the states via the 14th Amendment.

Inherent powers

Powers implied for the national government or presidency by virtue of sovereignty or office.

Informal powers (presidential)

Powers of persuasion, bargaining, and public appeal not specified in the Constitution.

Initiative

Process allowing citizens to propose legislation by petition and place it on the ballot.

Interest group

Organization of individuals sharing policy goals who try to influence government.

Iron triangle

Stable relationship among a bureaucratic agency, congressional committee, and interest group.

Issue network

Looser, more temporary alliance of policymakers, experts, and advocates on policy issues.

Judicial activism

Philosophy that courts should interpret the Constitution broadly and shape public policy.

Judicial restraint

Philosophy that courts should defer to elected branches and avoid policy-making.

Judicial review

Power of courts to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional (Marbury v. Madison).

Keynesian economics

Theory favoring government spending during recessions to stimulate demand.

Lemon test

Three-part test for laws dealing with religion: secular purpose, neither advance nor inhibit religion, no excessive entanglement.

Libel

False written statement that harms a person’s reputation.

Limited government

Principle that government powers are restricted by a constitution or other authority.

Line-item veto

Presidential power to strike specific spending items from bills; declared unconstitutional at federal level.

Lobbying

Attempting to influence policymakers through persuasion and information.

Logrolling

Mutual agreement among legislators to support each other’s bills.

Loose constructionist

Person who interprets the Constitution broadly, allowing implied powers.

Majority leader

Head of the majority party in the House or Senate, guiding legislation.

Majority-minority district

Electoral district in which a minority group comprises a majority of the population.

Mandate (federal)

Requirement that states or localities comply with federal rules or face penalties.

Mandatory spending

Federal spending required by law, primarily entitlements like Social Security and Medicare.

Markup

Committee session in which legislators rewrite and amend a bill.

Mass media

Means of communication that reach large audiences, such as TV, newspapers, and the internet.