AP US Government Course Description Vocab

Limited Government

A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

Natural Rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

Popular Sovereignty

A government in which the people rule by their own consent. Rule by the people

Republicanism

A form of government in which people elect representatives to create and enforce laws

Social Contract

A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their natural rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.

participatory democracy

emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society

pluralist democracy

group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision making

elite democracy

emphasizes limited participation in politics and civil society

Shay's Rebellion

Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government.

Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise)

Agreement during the Constitutional Convention that Congress should be composed of a Senate, in which States would be represented equally, and a House, in which representation would be based on a State's population.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Compromise between northern and southern states at the Constitutional Convention that three-fifths of the enslaved population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the House of Representatives.

Electoral College

a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.

writ of habeas corpus

A court order requiring explanation to a judge why a prisoner is being held in custody. Government may not restrict

Separation of Powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Impeachment

An action by the House of Representatives to accuse the president, vice president, or other civil officers of the United States of committing "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." Senate holds trial to decide to remove from office or not.

Federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

exclusive powers

Those powers that can be exercised by the National Government alone

concurrent powers

powers shared by the national and state governments

enumerated powers

Powers specifically given to Congress in the Constitution; including the power to collect taxes, coin money, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, and declare war.

implied powers

powers that Congress has that are not stated explicitly in the constitution

reserved powers

Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states belong to the states and the people. Tenth Amendment

Federal Mandates (unfunded)

A requirement in federal legislation that forces states and municipalities to comply with certain rule; how federal governments become more involved in affairs of the states; in return for receiving federal money/aid

categorical grants

Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes, or "categories," of state and local spending. They come with strings attached, such as nondiscrimination provisions.

block grants

federal grants-in-aid that allow states considerable discretion in how the funds are spent

Tenth Amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Fourteenth Amendment

granted citizenship to all persons "born or naturalized in the United States," including formerly enslaved people, and provided all citizens with "equal protection under the laws," extending the provisions of the Bill of Rights to the states. States cannot deny due process

Commerce Clause

Clause stating that Congress can regulate interstate and international commerce.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

A clause in Article I, section 8, of the Constitution that gives Congress the power to do whatever it deems necessary and constitutional to meet its enumerated obligations; the basis for the implied powers.

Supremacy Clause

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.

Federalists

A term used to describe supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption.

Speaker of the House

An office mandated by the Constitution. The Speaker is chosen in practice by the majority party, has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed to the presidency should that office become vacant.

Senate Majority Leader

The chief spokesperson of the majority party in the Senate, who directs the legislative program and party strategy.

President of the Senate

the presiding officer of a senate; the vice president of the United States. Tie-breaking vote if needed.

President Pro Tempore

Officer of the Senate selected by the majority party to act as chair in the absence of the vice president. Usually the longest-tenured Senator from majority party.

Party whips (House and Senate)

Assistant floor leaders; transmits information to party members; keeps track of how party members will vote; gathers information; tries to persuade party members vote

Filibuster

A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.

Cloture

A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate. 2/3 vote needed to end for a bill.St

standing committee

A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area

Holds (Senate Only)

a parliamentary procedure permitted by the Standing Rules of the United States Senate which allows one or more Senators to prevent a motion from reaching a vote on the Senate floor.

unanimous consent

an agreement by every senator to the terms of debate on a given piece of legislation

House Rules Committee

An institution unique to the House of Representatives that reviews all bills (except revenue, budget, and appropriations bills) coming from a House committee before they go to the full House. Decides the rules for debate, amendments, etc.

House Ways and Means Committee

Important House standing committee responsible for initiating all taxation bills.

discharge petition

Petition that, if signed by majority of the House of Representatives' members, will force a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration.

Committee of the Whole

consists of all members of the House and meets in the House chamber but is governed by different rules, making it easier to consider complex and controversial legislation

mandatory spending

Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress.

discretionary spending

Federal spending on programs that are controlled through the regular budget process, government can increase/limit this spending

entitlement programs

Government benefits that certain qualified individuals are entitled to by law, regardless of need.

pork-barrel legislation

laws passed by Congress that appropriate money for local federal projects

log rolling

a legislator supports a proposal favored by another in return for support of his or hers

Redistricting

The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population.

Gerrymandering

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.

majority-minority districts

In the context of determining representative districts, the process by which a majority of the population is from the minority.

Gridlock

the inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government

party polarization

When political parties move farther away from each other ideologically and also move away from the center

divided government

one party controls the White House/Executive and another party controls one or both houses of Congress

trustee model

Legislators should consider the will of the people but act in ways that they believe are best for the long-term interest of the nation

Delegate Model

The view that an elected representative should represent the opinions of his or her constituents

Politico Model

Role played by elected representatives who act as trustees or as delegates, depending on the issue.

Veto

a constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body.

pocket veto

president's power to kill a bill, if Congress is not in session, by not signing it for 10 days

executive order

a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law.

executive agreement

A formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does not require Senate approval.

Signing statements

A formal document that explains why a president is signing a particular bill into law. These statements may contain objections to the bill and promises not to implement key sections.

22nd Amendment

Amendment that created a two-term limit on presidents.

Bully Pulpit

the ability to use the office of the presidency to promote a particular program and/or to influence Congress to accept legislative proposals

bargaining and persuasion

an informal tool used by the president to persuade members of Congress to support his or her policy initiatives

precedent

a court decision that is considered as authority for deciding subsequent cases involving identical or similar facts, or similar legal issues. Incorporated into the doctrine of stare decisis and requires courts to apply the law in the same manner to cases with the same facts.

stare decisis

Let the decision stand; decisions are based on precedents from previous cases, or keeping lower court decisions

Judicial Review

Allows the court to determine the constitutionality of laws

judicial activism

A judicial philosophy in which judges make bold policy decisions, even charting new constitutional ground. Advocates of this approach emphasize that the courts can correct pressing needs, especially those unmet by the majoritarian political process.

judicial restraint

A judicial philosophy in which judges play minimal policymaking roles, leaving that duty strictly to the legislatures

Originalism

A view that the Constitution should be interpreted according to the original intentions or original meaning of the Framers. Conservatives support this view.

Iron Triangle

an informal association of federal agency, congressional committee, and interest group that is said to have heavy influence over policy making.

Bureaucracy

A system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials

Patronage

(politics) granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support

merit system

A system of public employment in which selection and promotion depend on demonstrated performance rather than political patronage. Civil Service exams

Independent Regulatory Agencies

Federal regulatory agencies that are independent, thus not fully under the power of the president. Ex. Federal Trade Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission.

regulation

the use of governmental authority to control or change some practice in the private sector

Deregulation

The lifting of government restrictions on business, industry, and professional activities.

bureaucratic discretion

bureaucrats' use of their own judgement in interpreting and carrying out the laws of Congress

legislative oversight

Congress's monitoring of the bureaucracy and its administration of policy, performed mainly through hearings.

Power of the Purse

The constitutional power of Congress to raise and spend money. Congress can use this as a negative or checking power over the other branches by freezing or cutting their funding.

Formal Powers of the President

Veto power, command armed forces, pardoning power, appointment powers, make treaties, convene Congress

Informal powers of the President

The power to go public, power of persuasion, make executive agreements, issue executive orders, issue signing statements, bully pulpit

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution

Civil Liberties

Constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens

civil rights

Policies designed to protect people against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by government officials or individuals.

First Amendment

5 freedoms: speech, press, religion, assembly, petition

Establishment Clause

Clause in the First Amendment that says the government may not establish an official religion.

Free Exercise Clause

A First Amendment provision that prohibits government from interfering with the practice of religion.

symbolic speech

nonverbal communication, such as burning a flag or wearing an armband. The Supreme Court has accorded some symbolic speech protection under the first amendment.

clear and present danger test

Interpretation of the First Amendment that holds that the government cannot interfere with speech unless the speech presents a clear and present danger that it will lead to evil or illegal acts.

prior restraint

A government preventing material from being published. Unconstitutional, unless national security issue

selective incorporation

The process by which provisions of the Bill of Rights are brought within the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment and so applied to state and local governments.

Second Amendment

Right to bear arms

Eighth Amendment

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

exclusionary rule

improperly gathered evidence may not be introduced in a criminal trial

Fifth Amendment

A constitutional amendment designed to protect the rights of persons accused of crimes, including protection against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and punishment without due process of law.