MONSTER VOCAB LIST

Natural rights: Fundamental freedoms inherent to all humans (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness).

Popular sovereignty: Government's authority comes from the consent of the governed.

Republicanism: A representative government where officials are elected by the people.

Social contract: An agreement where people give up some freedoms for government protection.

Declaration of Independence: Document declaring American independence from Britain in 1776.

Philadelphia Convention: 1787 meeting to create the U.S. Constitution.

Participatory democracy: Citizens have direct involvement in decision-making.

Pluralist democracy: Power is distributed among many groups.

Elite democracy: Power is concentrated in the hands of a few, typically wealthy individuals.

Shays's Rebellion: 1786 uprising protesting economic injustices, revealing the Articles' weaknesses.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise: Created a bicameral Congress with House representation by population and equal Senate representation.

Electoral College: System for electing the president, using state-appointed electors.

Three-Fifths Compromise: Counted slaves as three-fifths of a person for representation.

Importation (slavery) compromise: Delayed banning the slave trade until 1808.

Separation of powers: Division of government powers among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and balances: Each branch can limit the power of the others.

Federalism: Power is divided between national and state governments.

Exclusive powers: Powers only the national government can exercise.

Implied powers: Powers not explicitly stated but necessary to execute enumerated powers.

Concurrent powers: Powers shared by national and state governments.

Categorical grants: Federal funds given for specific purposes with conditions.

Block grants: Federal funds given for broad purposes with more state discretion.

Mandates (unfunded): Federal requirements without provided funding.

Revenue sharing: Distribution of federal funds to state governments.

Commerce clause: Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce.

Enumerated powers: Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution.

Necessary and proper clause: Allows Congress to pass laws essential to executing its powers.

Bicameralism: A two-house legislature system (e.g., Senate and House).

Speaker of the House: Leader of the House of Representatives.

President of the Senate: Vice president's role in breaking Senate ties.

Senate Majority Leader: Senate's chief spokesperson and legislative leader.

Filibuster: Extended debate to block Senate votes.

Cloture: Senate procedure to end debate (requires 60 votes).

Holds: Senators delaying a bill or nomination.

Unanimous Consent: Senate agreement to set rules without opposition.

Rules Committee: House body setting debate terms for bills.

Committee of the Whole: House operates informally to debate/amend bills.

Discharge petitions: Forcing a bill out of committee for a House vote.

Discretionary spending: Federal spending through appropriations (e.g., defense).

Mandatory spending: Required federal spending (e.g., Social Security).

Entitlement programs: Benefits guaranteed by law (e.g., Medicare).

Budget deficit: When expenses exceed revenue.

Pork barrel legislation: Funding local projects to gain votes.

Logrolling: Exchanging legislative favors among lawmakers.

Oversight: Congress monitoring executive branch actions.

Constituency: Voters represented by an official.

Partisanship: Strong allegiance to one's political party.

Bipartisan: Cooperation between political parties.

Gridlock: Inability to act due to political stalemate.

Lame Duck: Official in the final term with limited influence.

Gerrymandering: Drawing voting districts for political advantage.

Reapportionment: Redistributing House seats after the census.

Redistricting: Redrawing district boundaries based on population shifts.

Divided government: Different parties control different branches.

Trustee: Representative acting on personal judgment.

Delegate: Representative acting based on constituents' wishes.

Politico: Representative balancing trustee and delegate roles.

Veto: President rejects a bill (pocket veto: indirect by inaction).

Commander in Chief: President's role as military leader.

Executive order: President's directive with legal force.

Executive Agreement: International deal by the president without Senate approval.

Signing statements: President's comments when signing bills.

Nomination and confirmation: Process to approve presidential appointments.

Treaty negotiation and ratification: President negotiates treaties, Senate approves.

22nd Amendment: Limits presidents to two terms.

Bully pulpit: President uses public attention to influence policy.

Judicial review: Courts can invalidate unconstitutional laws/actions.

Precedent/stare decisis: Courts follow prior rulings.

Judicial activism: Judges make bold policy decisions.

Judicial restraint: Judges avoid overriding legislative decisions.

Patronage: Government jobs awarded based on loyalty, not merit.

Civil liberties: Basic freedoms protected from government interference.

Civil rights: Protections from discrimination.

Bill of Rights: First 10 Amendments guaranteeing freedoms.

Selective incorporation: Applying Bill of Rights to states via the 14th Amendment.

Establishment clause: Prohibits government-established religion.

Free exercise clause: Protects individuals' religious practices.

Symbolic speech: Nonverbal expression protected by the First Amendment.

Defamatory speech (Libel/Slander): False statements harming reputation.

"Clear and present danger": Speech restriction test for public safety.

Due process clause: Guarantees fair treatment under the law.

Miranda Rights: Rights read to suspects during arrest.

Patriot Act: Expanded surveillance powers post-9/11.

Exclusionary rule: Bars illegally obtained evidence in court.

Equal protection clause: Prevents discriminatory state actions.

National Organization for Women: Advocates for women's rights.

Civil Rights Act 1964: Outlawed segregation and job discrimination.

Voting Rights Act 1965: Ended voting discrimination practices.

Title IX: Prohibits sex-based discrimination in education.

"Separate but equal": Doctrine allowing segregation, overturned by Brown v. Board.

Individualism: Emphasis on personal independence.

Free Enterprise: Economic system with minimal government interference.

Rule of Law: No one is above the law.

Limited Government: Government restricted to protect individual freedoms.

Equality of Opportunity: Fair chance for everyone to succeed.

Political ideology: Beliefs about government and policy roles.

Demographics: Statistical data on populations.

Political culture: Shared beliefs and values about government.

Political socialization: Process of developing political beliefs.

Scientific polling: Systematic method for measuring public opinion.

Party platform: A political party's stated principles and policies.

Liberal ideology: Supports progressive change and government in the economy.

Conservative ideology: Favors tradition and limited government in economics.

Fiscal Policy: Government use of taxes and spending to influence the economy.

Monetary Policy: Central bank control of the money supply and interest rates.

Keynesianism: Advocates government spending to boost the economy.

Supply-Side Theory: Promotes tax cuts to encourage investment.

Suffrage/Franchise: The right to vote.

Rational choice theory: Voting based on self-interest.

Retrospective voting: Judging candidates by past performance.

Prospective voting: Judging candidates by future promises.

Party-line voting: Voting strictly along party lines.

Political efficacy: Belief in one's influence on politics.

Midterm election: Congressional elections held between presidential terms.

Linkage institution: Connects people to the government (e.g., media, parties).

Political party: Group seeking to influence government via elections.

Interest group: Organization promoting a specific cause or policy.

Party Coalition: Groups united to support a party.

Critical election: Election signaling a major party realignment.

Political realignment: Shift in party loyalties over time.

Proportional electoral system: Seats assigned based on vote percentages.

Winner-take-all electoral system: Highest vote-getter wins all representation.

Iron triangles: Stable alliances between agencies, Congress, and interest groups.

Issue networks: Loose coalitions working on specific policies.

Free rider problem: Benefiting from a group's efforts without contributing.

Single issue groups: Groups focused on one policy area.

Participatory democracy: Citizens actively involved in decision-making.

Pluralist democracy: Many groups compete to influence policy.

Elite democracy: Power is held by a few wealthy or influential individuals.

Open Primary: Any voter can participate.

Closed Primary: Only party members can vote.

Caucuses: Meetings to select candidates or decide policies.

Party convention: Party gathering to nominate candidates and set platforms.

General election: Final election for public office.

Electoral College: Electors formally select the president.

Incumbency advantage: Benefits that help current officeholders win reelection.

Federal Election Commission: Regulates campaign finance.

Federal Elections Campaign Act: Law regulating campaign donations and spending.

McCain-Feingold: Limited "soft money" and campaign ads.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010): Allowed unlimited independent political spending.

PACs: Committees raising money for candidates under limits.

SuperPACs: Committees spending unlimited funds independently.

Independent expenditures: Spending uncoordinated with campaigns.

Media: Channels that distribute news and information.

Social media: Online platforms for sharing and engagement.

Watchdog: Media exposing wrongdoing.

Gatekeeper: Media deciding which stories get coverage.

Horse race journalism: Focus on campaign competition over issues.

"Fake news": False or misleading news stories.