Heads-Up Vocabulary AP Government

Establishment Clause

separates the religion and the government

Hyperpluralist Theory

when pluralism results in gridlock

Imperial President

president who expanded executive power too far (trump)

Strict Construction

literal interpretation of the constitution

Entitlement spending

mandatory government funding for programs with guaranteed benefits (social security, medicare)

Frontloading

when state move their presidential primary or caucus to an earlier date in the election year

Super Tuesday

the date there most of the U.S. states hold primary elections and caucuses.

Exit poll

A poll taken when citizens exit a polling stations

Selective Benefits

incentives only available to members of interest groups (meant to get rid of free-riders)

Line item veto

executive power → allows chief executive to veto parts of a bill but unconstitutional for president (only governors can do it)

Devolution

The transfer of power, funding and responsibilities from a central government to subnational or local authorities.

One Person, One Vote

The argument for the Shaw v. Reno case.

Original Jurisdiction

court’s authority to hear case for the first time

Equal Time Rule

Requires broadcast stations to provide equal airtime opportunities to all legally qualified candidates

Gatekeeper

people who control access to what is shown to the public

Regressive Tax

A tax system that imposes a higher percentage burden of income on low income earners than on high income earners

Sampling error

When taking a poll the error, due to bias and other factors. (4% and below is a good error for the poll to be reliable)

PAC

Stands for Political Action Committees, they contribute from individuals, often representing businesses, to raise and spend money to support or defeat political candidates or legislation .

Super PAC

funding organization that can accept unlimited amounts of contributions from anyone to spend on ads supporting or opposing federal candidates.

Citizens United v. FEC

Ruling mentioned that they cannot give money directly to candidates or coordinate with campaigns.

Quid pro quo

“something for something”, an exchange of favors (ex. Public official does a political act in exchange for campaign contribution)

Plurality

the candidate with the most votes win

Spoiler Effect

When a third party takes most of the votes, leading to voters being “stolen” from another party

Partisan

When a supporter of a person, group, or political party, often exhibiting a one-side allegiance

Due Process

Found in the 14/15th amendments and prohibits all levels of government from depriving individuals of “life, liberty or property” without fair legal procedures.

Elitist Theory

all the power is held in the hands of the filthy rich (ewww)

Divided Government

when one political party controls congress while the other holds the presidency

Plea Bargaining

When a defendant pleads guilty to avoid a trial or a lenient sentence

Political efficacy

how much people believe their vote will make a difference

Judicial Review

the SC has the right to review legislative and executive actions and can determine them unconstitutional

Judicial Activism

A judicial philosophy where judges allow personal, social or political views to influence court decisions, often overturning established precedents or legislative acts

Electoral College

way to elect president/vp → electors based on congressional representation vote

Pocket Veto

non-overridable power allowing a prescient to kill a bill by taking no action when congress adjoins the 10-day period given to sign it. Congress is not in session so congress can’t override it.

Open Primary

anyone can vote for president (no party affiliation)

Minority Majority

where minority groups consists a majority of the population

Lobbying

Attempt to influence government decisions or legislation by factions or interest groups.

Franking Privilege

allows members of congress to send official mail without paying for postage

Apportionment

dividing house of representative seats to each of the states based on population

Incumbency Advantage

electoral edge held by current officeholders over challengers.

Cooperative Federalism

marble cake → system where national and state governments share power and work together

Judicial Restraint

judges limit their powers by deferring to the legislative and executive branches (adhere to precedent, avoid policy making)

Super Delegates

Unpledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention, they are seated automatically and can vote for any candidate they choose

Unfunded Mandates

actions required by the federal government that the state governments must do without federal funding (ex. Americans with disabilities)

Confirmation Process

advice and consent→ senate reviews/votes presidential nominees and judicial positions

Block Grants

A fixed sum grant from the federal government to state or local governments

Amendment Process

Can happen in two ways: Congressional Proposal (⅔ of states needed to be ratified) or National Convention (¾ of states needed to be ratified).

Separate but Equal

doctrine established in plessy v. ferguson ruled that racial segregation was not a violation of the 14th amendment if black/white facilities deemed “equal”

Socio-Economic Status

an economic and sociological combined measure of an individual or family

Commerce clause

grants congress power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states

Straight Ticket Voting

When a voter votes solely based on party affiliation

Amicus Curiae

“Friend of the Court” is a persona or organization, but not a partr of the lawsuit, who provides voluntary information to the appellate level.

Appellate

to be worried about the decision of a case and to intervene

Presidential Disability

if president = disabled, power is transferred to Vice President (stated by 25th amendment)

Shay’s Rebellion

armed farmers faced with high taxes marched on courts to protest & called the reformation of the Articles of Confederation to action

Split Ticket Voting

When a voter votes for not a single party but multiple when given a choice

Origination Clause

Requires that all bills for raising revenue originate in the House of Reps.

Dual Federalism

layer cake → when federal and state governments operation in separate, non-overlapping spheres of authority

Gerrymanding

When a state changes its district to gain a certain factor (race, party etc.)

House Rules Committee

act as the gatekeeper for legislation determining which bills reach the house floor and what conditions they are debated upon.

Independent Regulatory Commissions

federal agency created by congress who regulate specific activities, economic or otherwise (ex. Federal reserve system: supervises banking industry, FCC: oversees communications)

Grassroots

Astroturf

FAKE GRASSroots secretly funded by corporations or political people

Straw Poll

Unofficial vote to quickly gauge group opinion, or popularity of a topic (not accurate)

Free-Rider Problem

people who benefit from interest groups without membership (parasite esque)

Congressional Oversight

Supervision of federal agencies and programs implementation by Congress.

Conference Committee

temporary joint committee of senate/house appointed to reconcile different versions of a bill, makes sure same legislation passes both chambers before reaching president

Dark Money

Political spending meant to influence the decision of a voter, the source of the money is unknown

Congressional Budget Office

They provide objective budgetary and economic analysis to Congress

Independent Expenditure

political campaign communication that expressly advocates for an election or the defeat of a candidate

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the state and national governments

Iron Triangles

three way system meant to describe the relationship between committees, bureaucratic agencies and special interest groups.

Pluralist Theory

The theory that political power is dispersed among diverse and interest groups

Federal Reserve Board

governing body of US banking system

Establishment Clause

prohibits federal government from establishing official state religion

Executive agreements

international pact made by president with foreign head of state without senate ratification (not a treaty)

Grants-in-Aid

A form of financial assistance from the government that don’t have to be repaid

Categorical

Are very specific and can be used for narrowly defined purposes

Block

Are under broadly defined funding for general policy areas

Project

Awarded for specific, time round projects like scientific research or construction

Formula

based on a formula

Earmark

Funds explicitly specified by congress in appropriation for a particular project

Federalism

power is divided between the federal and state governments

Free Exercise Clause

prohibits government from interfering with individual’s practice of their religion

Congressional Recess

house/senate pauses official legislative business and voting for temporary period

Caucus

private meeting run by political parties to select candidates, discuss policy, and choose delegates for conventions

Primary

Elections to determine which candidates will run in an upcoming general election

Recess Appointment

allows president to temporarily fill vacancies without senate confirmation when senate is in recess

Pork Barrel Legislation

appropriates federal funds for localized projects typically to secure political support

Demographics

Data and characteristics used to describe a specific population or group

Down Ballot

people who are trying to get elected for less important political jobs

Party Identification

What party a person identifies with

Random Sample

random people chosen from a larger population where every member has an exactly equal chance of being selected.

Endorsement

official support given by government person to an individual, organization, etc → signals public trust

Continuing Resolution

is a temporary funding measure passed by congress to keep federal agencies operating when regular bills haven been signed into law by the start of the fiscal year.

District Court

primary trial courts, cases heard in a district court will be heard by judge/jury

Special Interest Group

An organization of people or entities that share a common goal or concern and work together to influence public policy

Equal Protection

14 Amendment, treat everyone in the same manner

Fiscal Federalism

the study of how taxing and spending power are divided among federal and state governments

Constituent Services

assistance provided by elected officials to the people they represent

Appellate Jurisdiction

is the legal authority of a higher court to review and modify a decision made by a lower court