AP Government Unit 2

best study method is: learn -> answer with terms and multiple choice only, then go to written after completing it once (this helps with long-term memorization)

Oversight

Congress monitoring the executive branch to ensure laws are properly implemented.

Apportionment

Distribution of House seats among states based on population.

Redistricting

Redrawing congressional district boundaries within a state.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to favor a political party or group.

Malapportionment

Unequal population in districts, giving some voters more representation.

Incumbency advantage (effect)

Electoral benefits enjoyed by current officeholders (REELECTION, name recognition, fundraising).

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Organization that raises and donates limited money to political campaigns.

Committee chair

Majority-party member who leads a congressional committee.

Discharge petition

House procedure to force a bill out of committee and onto the floor.

House Rules Committee

Sets debate rules for House bills (time limits, amendments).

Filibuster

Senate tactic of extending debate to block or delay a vote.

Cloture vote

60-vote requirement in the Senate to end a filibuster.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Prepares the president’s budget and oversees federal agencies.

Gridlock

Inability of government to act due to partisan conflict.

Divided government

When different parties control the presidency and Congress.

Executive privilege

President’s ability to keep communications confidential.

Executive agreement

International agreement made by the president without Senate approval.

Executive order

Presidential directive that has the force of law.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Agencies that support the president (OMB, NSC, etc.).

Bully pulpit

President’s platform to speak directly to the public and shape policy.

Original jurisdiction

Court’s power to hear a case first.

Appellate jurisdiction

Court’s power to review decisions of lower courts.

Federalist 78

Hamilton’s essay defending an independent judiciary and judicial review.

Judicial review

Power of courts to strike down unconstitutional laws or actions.

Stare decisis

“Let the decision stand”; using precedent to decide cases.

Judicial activism

Philosophy favoring bold judicial decisions and overturning precedent.

Judicial restraint

Philosophy favoring limited judicial power and deference to elected branches.

Majority opinion

Official decision of the Court.

Concurring opinion

Judge agrees but for different reasons.

Dissenting opinion

Judge disagrees with the majority.

Patronage

Hiring based on political loyalty (spoils system).

Merit system

Hiring based on qualifications, exams, and skill.

Iron triangle

Stable relationship between interest groups, Congress, and bureaucracy.

Issue network

Looser, temporary alliance of various actors influencing policy.

Regulation

Rules made by agencies to enforce laws.

Implementation

Bureaucracy carrying out and enforcing laws and policies.