The Ultimate Guide to AP United States Government and Politics (opy)

Enlightenment

An 18th-century philosophical movement emphasizing reason over tradition in solving social problems.

Social Contract

An agreement where individuals sacrifice some freedoms to a government in exchange for protection.

Natural Rights

Rights inherent to all individuals, including life, liberty, and property, as proposed by John Locke.

Separation of Powers

A principle of governance where the government is divided into three branches, each with separate powers and responsibilities.

Checks and Balances

A system ensuring that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by providing mechanisms for each branch to limit the powers of the others.

Federalism

A system of governance where power is divided between a national government and various state governments.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that government derives its power from the consent of the governed.

Republicanism

A political ideology centered on the belief in a system of government in which power resides in elected individuals representing the citizen body.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to review and invalidate laws and actions of the legislative and executive branches that violate the Constitution.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, which guarantee individual rights and freedoms.

Civic Participation

The active engagement of citizens in the political process, including voting, lobbying, and community organizing.

Amendment

A formal change or addition to the Constitution.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another.

Line-item Veto

The power of an executive to veto specific provisions of a bill without vetoing the entire bill; declared unconstitutional.

Electoral College

A body of elected representatives who formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States.

Civil Liberties

Constitutional protections against government actions that infringe on individual rights.

Civil Rights

Legal protections against discrimination based on race, gender, or other minority identities.

Public Opinion

The collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on certain issues.

Interest Groups

Organizations of people with shared political interests who seek to influence public policy.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Organizations that raise money privately to influence elections or legislation.

Super PAC

A type of independent political action committee that can raise unlimited sums of money but cannot coordinate directly with candidates.

Incumbent Advantage

The electoral advantage that current officeholders enjoy over challengers.

Amicus Curiae

A legal term for 'friend of the court,' referring to someone who is not a party to a case and submits information or advice to the court.

Defensive Spending

Expenditures made to secure various political interests against future uncertainties.

Judicial Activism

An approach to judicial review that seeks to develop and expand the law to protect civil rights.

Judicial Restraint

An approach to judicial review that emphasizes limiting the powers of judges in striking down laws.