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AP U.S. Government and Politic
A study of who governs and the ends to which they govern.
197
Political Studies
12th Grade
09/05/2007

Additional Political Studies Flashcards

 


 

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Term
Authority
Definition
The right to use power
Term
Power
Definition
The ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person's intentions
Term
Legitimacy
Definition
Political authority conferred by law or by a state or national constitution
Term
Democracy
Definition
The rule of the many
Term
Direct or Participatory Democracy
Definition
A Government in which all or most citizens participate directly
Term
Representative Democracy
Definition
A government in which leaders make decisions by winning a competitive struggle for the popular vote
Term
Elite
Definition
Persons who share a disproportionate share of some valued resource, like money or power
Term
Marxist View
Definition
View that the government is dominated by capitalists
Term
Power Elite View
Definition
View that the government is dominated by a few top leaders, most of whom are outside of government
Term
Bureaucratic View
Definition
View that the government is dominated by appointed officials
Term
Pluralist View
Definition
The belief that competition among all affected interests shapes public policy
Term
Unalienable
Definition
A human right based on nature or God
Term
Articles of Confederation
Definition
A week constitution that governed America during the Revolutionary War
Term
Constitutional Convention
Definition
Meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 that produced a new constitution.
Term
Shays's Rebellion
Definition
A 1787 rebellion in which ex-Revolutionary War soldiers attempted to prevent foreclosures of farms as a result of high interest rates and taxes.
Term
Virginia Plan
Definition
Proposal to create a strong national government
Term
New Jersey Plan
Definition
Proposal to create a weak national government
Term
Great Compromise
Definition
Plan to have a popularly elected House based on state population and a state-selected Senate, with two members for each state
Term
Republic
Definition
A government in which elected officials make the decisions
Term
Judicial Review
Definition
The power of the courts to declare a law unconstitutional
Term
Federalism
Definition
Government authority shared by national and state governments
Term
Checks and Balances
Definition
Authority shared by three branches of government
Term
Enumerated Powers
Definition
Powers given to the national government alone
Term
Reserved Powers
Definition
Powers given to the state government alone
Term
Concurrent Powers
Definition
Powers shared by the state and national government
Term
Separation of Powers
Definition
Constitutional authority is shared by three different branches of government
Term
Faction
Definition
A group with a distinct political interest
Term
Federalists
Definition
Those who favor stronger national government
Term
Antifederalsts
Definition
Those who favor a weaker federal government
Term
Coalition
Definition
An alliance of factions
Term
Habeas Corpus
Definition
An order to produce an arrested person before a judge
Term
Bill of Attainder
Definition
A law that declares a person, without a trial, to be guilty of a crime
Term
Ex Post Facto Law
Definition
A law that makes an act criminal although the act was legal when it was committed
Term
Bill of Rights
Definition
The first ten amendments to the constitution
Term
Amendment
Definition
A new provision in the Constitution that has been ratified by the states
Term
Line-Item Veto
Definition
An executive's ability to block a particular provision of a bill passed by the legislature
Term
Devolution
Definition
The effort to transfer responsibility for many public programs and services from the federal government to the states
Term
Block Grants
Definition
Money from the national government that states can sped within broad guidelines determined by Washington
Term
"Necessary and Proper" Clause
Definition
Section pf the Constitution allowing Congress to pass all laws "necessary and proper" to its duties, and which has permitted Congress to exercise power not specifically given to it (enumerated) by the Constitution
Term
Nullification
Definition
The doctrine that a state can declare null and void a federal law that, in the state's opinion violates the Constitution
Term
Dual Federalism
Definition
Doctrine holding that the national government is supreme in it's sphere, the states are supreme in theirs, and the two spheres should be kept separate
Term
Police Power
Definition
State power to enact laws promoting health, safety and morals
Term
Initiative
Definition
Process that enables voters to put legislative measures directly on the ballot
Term
Referendum
Definition
Procedure enabling voters to reject a measure passed by the legislature
Term
Recall
Definition
Procedure whereby voters can remove an elected official from office
Term
Grants-In-Aid
Definition
Money given by the national government to the states
Term
Categorical Grants
Definition
Federal grants for specific purposes, such as building an airport
Term
Revenue Sharing
Definition
Federal sharing of a fixed percentage of its revenue with the states
Term
Conditions of Aid
Definition
Terms set by the national government that states must meet if they are to receive certain federal funds
Term
Mandates
Definition
Terms set by the national government that states must meet whether or not they accept federal grants
Term
Political Culture
Definition
A coherent way of thinking about how politics and government ought to be carried out.
Term
Civic Duty
Definition
A belief that one has an obligation to participate in civic and political affairs
Term
Civic Competence
Definition
A belief that one can affect government policies
Term
Class Conciousness
Definition
A belief that you are a member of an economic group whose interests are opposed to people in other such groups
Term
Orthodox
Definition
A belief that morality and religion ought to be of decisive importance
Term
Progressive
Definition
A belief that personal freedom and solving problems are more important than religion
Term
Political efficacy
Definition
A belief that you can take part in politics (internal efficacy) or that the government will respond to the citizenry (external efficacy)
Term
Internal Efficacy
Definition
The ability to understand and take part in politics
Term
External Efficacy
Definition
The willingness of the state to respond to the citizenry
Term
Due Process of Law
Definition
Denies the government the right, without due process to deprive people of life, liberty, and property
Term
Equal Process of Law
Definition
A standard of equal treatment that must be observed by the government
Term
Selective Incorporation
Definition
Court cases that apply Bill of Rights to states
Term
Freedom of Expression
Definition
Right of people to speak, publish, and assemble
Term
Freedom of Religion
Definition
People shall be set free to exercise their religion, and government may not establish a religion
Term
Prior Restraint
Definition
Censorship of a publication
Term
Clear-And-Present-Danger Test
Definition
Law should not punish speech unless there was a clear and present danger of producing harmful actions
Term
Libel
Definition
Writing that falsely injures another person
Term
Symbolic Speech
Definition
An act that conveys a political message
Term
Free-Exercise
Definition
First Amendment requirement that law cannot prevent free exercise of religion
Term
Establishment Clause
Definition
First Amendment ban on laws "respecting an establishment of religion"
Term
Wall of Separation
Definition
Court Ruling that government cannot be involved with religion
Term
Exclusionary Rule
Definition
Improperly gathered evidence may not be introduced in a criminal trial
Term
Search Warrant
Definition
A judge's order authorizing a search
Term
Probable Cause
Definition
Reasonable cause for issuing a search warrant or making an arrest; more than mere suspicion
Term
Good-Faith Exception
Definition
An error in gathering evidence sufficiently minor that it may be used in a trial
Term
De Jure Segrigation
Definition
Racial Segregation that is required by law.
Term
De Facto Segrigation
Definition
Racial segregation that occurs in schools, not as a result of the law, but as a result of patterns of residential settlement
Term
Civil Rights
Definition
The rights of people to be treated without unreasonable or unconstitutional differences
Term
Suspect Classifications
Definition
Classifications of people on the basis of their race or ethnicity
Term
Strict Scrutiny
Definition
A Supreme Court test to see of a law denies equal protection because it does not serve a compelling state interest and is not narrowly tailored to achieve that goal
Term
Civil Disobedience
Definition
Opposing a law one considers unjust by peacefully disobeying it and accepting the resultant punishment
Term
Affirmative Action
Definition
Programs designed to increase minority participation in some institution by taking positive steps to appoint more minority-group members
Term
Equality of Result
Definition
Making certain that people achieve the same result
Term
Reverse Discrimination
Definition
Using race or sex to give preferential treatment to some people.
Term
Equal Opportunity
Definition
Giving People an equal chance to succeed
Term
Public Opinion
Definition
How people think or feel about particular things
Term
Poll
Definition
A survey of public opinion
Term
Random Sample
Definition
Method of selecting from a population if which each person has an equal probability of being selected
Term
Sampling Error
Definition
The difference between the results of random samples taken at the same time
Term
Exit Polls
Definition
Polls based on interviews conducted on election day with randomly selected voters
Term
Political Socialization
Definition
Process by which background traits influence one's political views
Term
Gender Gap
Definition
Difference in political views between men and women
Term
Political Ideology
Definition
A more or less consistent set of beliefs about what policies government ought to pursue
Term
Political Elites
Definition
Persons with a disproportionate share of political power
Term
Norm
Definition
A standard of right or proper conduct
Term
Voting-age population
Definition
Citizens who are eligible to vote after reaching the minimum age requirement
Term
Registered voters
Definition
People who are registered to vote
Term
Literacy test
Definition
a requirement that citizens pass a literacy test in order to register to vote
Term
Grandfather clause
Definition
A clause in registration laws allowing people who do not meet registration requirements to vote if they ore their ancestors had voted before 1867
Term
White primacy
Definition
The practice of keeping blacks from voting in the southern states' primaries through arbitrary use of registration requirements and intimidation
Term
Australian ballot
Definition
A government-printed ballot of uniform dimensions to be cast in secret that many states adopted around 1890 to reduce voting fraud associated with party-printed ballots cast in public
Term
Activists
Definition
People who tend to participate in all forms of politics
Term
Political Party
Definition
A group that seeks to elect candidates for public office
Term
Mawgumps or Progressives
Definition
Republican party faction of the 1890s to the 1910s, composed of reformers who opposed patronage
Term
Critical or Realignment
Definition
Periods when a major, lasting shift occurs in the popular coalition supporting on or both parties
Term
Split Ticket
Definition
Voting for candidates of different parties for various offices in the same election
Term
Straight Ticket
Definition
Voting for candidates who are all of the same party
Term
Office-Bloc Ballot
Definition
A ballot listing all the candidates of a given office under the name of that office
Term
Party-Column Ballot
Definition
A ballot listing all candidates of a given party together under the name of that party
Term
National Convention
Definition
A meeting of party delegates held every four years
Term
National Committee
Definition
Delegates who run part affairs between national conventions
Term
Congressional Campaign Committee
Definition
A party committee in Congress that provides funds to members and would-be-members
Term
National Chairman
Definition
Day-to-day party manager
Term
Superdelegates
Definition
Party leaders and elected officials who become delegates to the national convention without having to run in primaries or caucuses
Term
Political Machine
Definition
A party organization that recruits members by dispensing patronage
Term
Idealogical Party
Definition
A party that values principled standards on issues above all else
Term
Solidary Incentives
Definition
The social rewards that lead people to join political organizations
Term
Sponsored Party
Definition
a local or state political party that is largely supported by another organization in the community
Term
Personal Following
Definition
The political support provided to a candidate on the basis of personal popularity and networks
Term
Two-Party System
Definition
An electoral system consisting of two national parties competing in elections
Term
Plurality System
Definition
An electoral system in which the winner is the person who gets the most votes
Term
Caucus
Definition
A meeting of party members to select delegates backing on or another primary candidate
Term
Incumbent
Definition
The person already holding an elective office
Term
Coattails
Definition
The alleged tendency of candidates to win more votes in an election because of the presence at the top of the ticket of a better known candidate, such as the president
Term
Political Action Committee
Definition
A committee set up by the corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations
Term
Malapportionment
Definition
Drawing the boundaries of legislative districts so that they are unequal in population
Term
Gerrymandering
Definition
Drawing the boundaries of legislative districts in bizarre or unusual shapes to favor one party
Term
Sophmore Surge
Definition
An increase in the votes congressional candidates usually get when they first run for reelection
Term
Position Issues
Definition
An issue about which the public is divided and rival candidates or political parties adopt different policy positions.
Term
Valence Issue
Definition
An issue about which the public is united and rival candidates or political parties adopt similar positions in hopes that each will be thought to best represent those widely shared beliefs
Term
General Election
Definition
An election held to chose which candidate will hold office
Term
Primary Election
Definition
An election held to chose candidates for office
Term
Closed Primary
Definition
A primary election in which voting is limited to already registered party members
Term
Open Primary
Definition
A primary election in which voters may chose in which party to vote as they enter the polling place
Term
Blanket Primary
Definition
A primary election in which each voter may vote for candidates from both parties
Term
Runoff Primary
Definition
A second primary election held when no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first primary
Term
Independent Expentidures
Definition
Spending by political action committees, corps, or labor unions that is done to help a party or candidate but is done independently of them
Term
Soft Money
Definition
Funds obtained by political parties that are spent on party activities, such as get-out-the-vote drives, but not on behalf of a specific candidate
Term
527 Organizations
Definition
Organizations that, under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, raise and spend money to advance political causes
Term
Prospective Voting
Definition
Voting for a candidate because you favor his or her ideas for handling issues
Term
Retrospective Voting
Definition
Voting for a candidate because you like his or her past actions in office
Term
Interest Group
Definition
An organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy
Term
Incentive
Definition
Something of value one cannot get without joining an organization
Term
Solidary Incentives
Definition
The social rewards that lead people to join political organizations
Term
Material Incentives
Definition
Money or things valued in monetary terms
Term
Purposive Incentives
Definition
A benefit that comes from serving a cause or principle
Term
Ideological Interest Groups
Definition
Political organizations that attract members be appealing to their political convictions or principles
Term
Public-Interest Lobby
Definition
A political organization whose goals will principally benefit nonmembers.
Term
Social Movement
Definition
A widely shared demand for change in some aspect of the social or political order
Term
Political Cue
Definition
A signal telling a legislator what values are at stake in a vote, and how that issue fits into his or her political views on party agenda
Term
Ratings
Definition
Assessments of a representative's voting record on issues important to an interest group
Term
Blog
Definition
Series, or log, of discussion items on a page of the World Wide Web
Term
Sound bite
Definition
A radio or video clip of someone speaking.
Term
Equal Time Rule
Definition
An FCC rule that if a broadcaster sells time to one candidate, it must sell equal time to other candidates.
Term
Trial Baloon
Definition
Information leaked to the media to test public reaction to a possible policy
Term
Loaded Language
Definition
Words that imply a value judgment, used to persuade a reader without having made a serious arguement
Term
Routine Stories
Definition
Media stories about events that are regularly covered by reporters
Term
Feature Stories
Definition
media stories about events that are not regularly covered by reporters
Term
Insider Stories
Definition
Media stories about events which are not usually made public
Term
Selective Attention
Definition
Paying attention only to those news stories with which one already agrees
Term
Adversarial Press
Definition
The tendency of the national media to be suspicious of officials and eager to reveal unflattering stories about them
Term
Background
Definition
A public official's statement to a reporter that is given on condition that the official not be named
Term
Bicameral Legislature
Definition
A lawmaking body made up of two chambers or parts
Term
Filibuster
Definition
An attempt to defeat a bill in the Senate by talking indefinitely, thus preventing the Senate from taking action to the bill.
Term
Marginal Districts
Definition
Political districts in which candidates elected to the House win in close elections, typically less than 55% of the vote
Term
Safe Districts
Definition
Districts in which incumbents win by margins of 55% or more.
Term
Conservative Coalition
Definition
An alliance between Republicans and conservative Democrats.
Term
Majority Leader
Definition
The legislative leader elected by party members holding the majority of seats in the House or the Senate.
Term
Minority Leader
Definition
The legislative leader elected by party members holding a minority of seats in the House or in the Senate.
Term
Whip
Definition
A senator or representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what the party members are thinking.
Term
Party Polarization
Definition
A vote in which a majority of Democratic legislatures oppose a majority of Republican legislatures.
Term
Caucus
Definition
An association of Congress members created to advance a political ideology or a regional, ethnic, or economic interest.
Term
Standing Committees
Definition
Permanently established legislative committees that consider and are responsible for legislation within a certain subject area.
Term
Select Committees
Definition
Congressional committees appointed for a limited time and purpose.
Term
Joint Committees
Definition
Committees on which both senators and representatives serve.
Term
Conference Committees
Definition
A joint committee appointed to resolve differences in the Senate and House versions of the same bill.
Term
Public Bill
Definition
A legislative bill that deals with matters of general concern.
Term
Private Bill
Definition
A legislative bill that deals only with specific, private, personal, or local matters.
Term
Simple Resolution
Definition
An expression of opinion either in the House or Senate to settle procedural matters in either body.
Term
Concurrent Resolution
Definition
An expression of opinion without the force of law that requires the approval of both the House and the Senate but not the president.
Term
Joint Resolution
Definition
A formal expression of congressional opinion that must be approved by both houses of Congress and by the president; constitutional amendments need not be signed by the president.
Term
Multiple Referral
Definition
A congressional process whereby a bill may be referred to several committees.
Term
Sequential Referral
Definition
A congressional process by which a Speaker may send a bill to a second committee after the first is finished acting.
Term
Discharge Petition
Definition
A device by which any member of the House, after a committee has had the bill for thirty days, may petition to have it brought to the floor.
Term
Closed Rule
Definition
An order from the House Rules Committee that sets a time limit on debate; forbids a bill from being amended on the floor.
Term
Open Rule
Definition
An order from the House Rules Committee that permits a bill to be amended on the floor.
Term
Restrictive Rule
Definition
An order from the House Rules Committee that permits certain kinds of amendments by not others to be made into a bill on the floor.
Term
Quorum
Definition
A roll call in either house of Congress to see whether the minimum number of representatives required to conduct business is present
Term
Quorum Call
Definition
A roll call in either house of Congress to see whether the minimum number of representatives required to conduct business is present.
Term
Cloture Rule
Definition
A rule used by the Senate to end or limit a debate.
Term
Double-Tracking
Definition
A procedure to keep the Senate going during a filibuster in which the disputed bill is shelved temporarily so that the Senate can get on with other business.
Term
Voice Vote
Definition
A congressional voting procedure in which members shout "yea" in approval or "nay" in disapproval, permitting members to vote quickly or anonymously on bills.
Term
Division Vote
Definition
A congressional voting procedure in which members stand and are counted.
Term
Teller Vote
Definition
A congressional voting procedure in which members pass between two tellers, the "yeas" first and the "nays" second.
Term
Roll-Call Vote
Definition
A congressional voting procedure that consists of members answering "yea" or "nay" to their names.
Term
Pork-Barrel Legislation
Definition
Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return.
Term
Franking Privilege
Definition
The ability of members to mail letters to their constituents free of charge by substituting their facsimile signature for postage.
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