AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP Exam Review Words Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
13814099356political socializationthe process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions (lifelong)0
13814106017Slanderthe action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.1
13814107040LibelA written defamation of a person's character, reputation, business, or property rights.2
13814109209Amendment 21 (1933)Repealed prohibition and the 18th Amendment Only amendment to be proposed by 2/3 of the states.3
13814115465precedentan earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances.4
13814120335Keynesian economicsEconomic theory based on the principles of John Maynard Keynes stating that government spending should increase during business slumps and be curbed during booms.5
13814122033enumerated powersThe powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution.6
13814123686concurrent powersPowers held jointly by the national and state governments.7
13814125483pork barrelthe use of government funds for projects designed to please voters or legislators and win votes.8
13814127383CaseworkActivities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals; cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get people what they think they have a right to get9
13814130095Retrospective Modela decision-making model that focuses on how decision makers attempt to rationalize their choices after they are made10
13814131691Formal Powers of the PresidentVeto power, command armed forces, pardoning power, appointment powers, make treaties, convene Congress11
13814133070Informal Powers of the PresidentThe power to go public, power of persuasion, make executive agreements, issue executive orders, issue signing statements, create & use bureaucracy, personality and leadership, and make legislative proposals.12
13814134352trustee modela model of representation in which a member of the House or Senate follows his or her own conscience when deciding issue positions13
13814137876Elastic ClauseArticle I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which allows Congress to make all laws that are "necessary and proper" to carry out the powers of the Constitution.14
13814139803Necessary and Proper ClauseClause of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) setting forth the implied powers of Congress. It states that Congress, in addition to its express powers, has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government15
13814141007Supremacy ClauseArticle 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.16
13814142473Free Exercise ClauseA First Amendment provision that prohibits government from interfering with the practice of religion.17
13814144129Establishment ClauseClause in the First Amendment that says the government may not establish an official religion.18
13814147064mandatory spendingFederal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress.19
13814149203discretionary spendingFederal spending on programs that are controlled through the regular budget process20
1381415184714th AmendmentDeclares that all persons born in the U.S. are citizens and are guaranteed equal protection of the laws21
13814153860Amending the ConstitutionNeeds approval of two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of the states22
13814155126Americans with Disabilities ActPassed by Congress in 1991, this act banned discrimination against the disabled in employment and mandated easy access to all public and commercial buildings.23
13814156941amicus curiae briefLiterally, a "friend of the court" brief, filed by an individual or organization to present arguments in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case.24
13814157651Articles of ConfederationA weak constitution that governed America during/after the Revolutionary War.25
13814159854ConstitutionA document which spells out the principles by which a government runs and the fundamental laws that govern a society26
13814160999Best budget predictorthe budget for last year plus or minus a small increment representing the rate of growth or shrinkage of revenues27
13814162518block grantsFederal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services28
13814163615Brown v. Board of Education1954 - The Supreme Court overruled Plessy v. Ferguson, declared that racially segregated facilities are inherently unequal and ordered all public schools desegregated.29
13814165547Bureaucratic advantage over presidentbureaucrats usually have continuity of service in the executive branch that the president lacks30
13814166654Candidate Centered CampaignsElection campaigns and other political processes in which candidates, not political parties, have most of the initiative and influence.31
13814168003categorical grants-in-aidFunds given by Congress to states and localities and that are earmarked by law for specific categories, such as education or crime prevention32
13814169797categorical grantsFederal grants for specific purposes, such as building an airport33
13814171812Changes in presidential election processes (since 1960)Popular vote does not equal electoral vote34
13814182797Checks and BalancesA system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power35
13814184461Civil Rights Act of 1964outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin36
13814186632Civil Rights Act of 1950first civil rights legislation- equal rights in public places37
13814188552Clear and Present DangerInterpretation 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.38
13814189914closed ruleA procedural rule in the House of Representatives that prohibits any amendments to bills or provides that only members of the committee reporting the bill may offer amendments.39
13814191208Cloture MotionCan end a filibuster - bring a bill to a vote40
13814194706Commerce ClauseThe clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations.41
13814198008committee chairsThe most important influencers of the congressional agenda. They play dominant roles in scheduling hearings, hiring staff, appointing subcommittees, and managing committee bills when they are brought before the full house.42
13814199692conference committeeCommittee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form.43
13819636149Conneticut CompromiseBicameral Congress; House is based on state population, Senate with equal representation44
13819640550Virginia Plan"Large state" proposal for the new constitution, calling for proportional representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress. The plan favored larger states and thus prompted smaller states to come back with their own plan for apportioning representation.45
13819642961New Jersey PlanA constitutional proposal that would have given each state one vote in a new congress46
138196476743/5 Compromisethe decision at the Constitutional convention to count slaves as 3/5 of a person for the purpose of deciding the population and determining how many seats each state would have in Congress47
13819655174enumerated powersPowers given to the national government alone (listed in Constitutions)48
13819675098delegated powersPowers specifically given to the federal government by the US Constitution, for example, the authority to print money.49
13819677873concurrent powersPowers held jointly by the national and state governments.50
13819683682reserved powersPowers given to the state government alone51
13819695222executive privilegeThe power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.52
13819700329Affirmative ActionA policy designed to redress past discrimination against women and minority groups through measures to improve their economic and educational opportunities53
13819707406selective incorporationThe 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.54
13819717235RecessionA slowdown in a nation's economy55
13819725343discount rateThe interest rate on the loans that the Fed makes to banks56
13819733110reserve requirementthe percentage of deposits that banking institutions must hold in reserve57
13819733111free enterpriseEconomic system in which individuals and businesses are allowed to compete for profit with a minimum of government interference58
13819736825equality of opportunitygiving people an equal chance to succeed59
13819741209Congressional Incumbency AdvantageCongressmen have an advantage as incumbents because the people are already familiar with them and so are more likely to vote for them60
13819784776Congressional OversightPower used by Congress to gather information useful for the formation of legislation, review the operations and budgets of executive departments and independent regulatory agencies, conduct investigations through committee hearings, and bring to the public's attention the need for public policy61
13819789656Congressional PowersArticle 2 Section 8 of constitution gives the legislature or congress 27 expressed powers. A few are: Declare War Raise and fund army Regulate trade and commerce Levy taxes Borrow Money Investigate activities Impeach President Make laws for execution of expressed powers Many implied powers as well62
13819800483standing committeeA permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area63
13819813227Constituent ServicesServices a congressperson provides for his/her constituents (ex., helping with government claims like social security & veterans benefits)64
13819816993Cooperative FederalismA system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. They may also share costs, administration, and even blame for programs that work poorly.65
13819825422Core Valuesthe primary or dominant values that are accepted throughout the organization66
13819832794political culturean overall set of values widely shared within a society67
13819836711corporate lobbyistsCorporations often hire consulting firms to do their lobbying. Since a business' first priority is running its business, it often doesn't have the internal expertise or connections needed to find the right government official and fully examine all the issues and concerns that need to be addressed.68
13819841413critical electionAn election when significant groups of voters change their traditional patterns of party loyalty.69
13819846826Delegatesrepresentatives70
13819854629Devolutionthe transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states71
13819863901convention systemopen meeting of political parties to select candidate, takes over caucus system72
13819869568district courtsthe lowest federal courts; federal trials can be held only here73
13819874025appellate courtA court having jurisdiction to review cases and issues that were originally tried in lower courts.74
13819878577divided governmentone party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress75
13819886062GerrymanderingProcess of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.76
13819886063Griswold v. ConnecticutEstablished that there is an implied right to privacy in the U.S. Constitution77
13819892203Gitlow v. New Yorkestablished selective incorporation of the Bill of rights; states cannot deny freedom of speech; protected through the 14th amendment78
13819892246Roe v. Wade(1973) legalized abortion on the basis of a woman's right to privacy79
13819895497NYT v. SullivanLibel and slander are not protected, and you need to prove malicious intent.80
13819899179Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)1966 law that allows citizens to obtain copies of most public records81
13819902782Group voting tendenciesCertain racial, economical, and gender groups are more likely to vote for a certain political party. In general, Jewish, Women, and Non-white people are more likely to vote Democrat while Wealthy men are more likely to vote Republican.82
13819908917horse race journalismnews coverage that focuses on who is ahead rather than on the issues83
13819916589Impeachment ProcessConstitutional process for removing executive officers & judges for "treason, high crimes & misdemeanors" (whatever Congress thinks is impeachable). Two stages: (1) House decides to impeach (accuse) target (simple majority); (2) Senate holds trial to convict (2/3 majority). Andy Johnson and Bill Clinton were impeached but not convicted. Nixon resigned as Articles of Impeachment were being drafted!84
13819922747imprisonment without trialAgainst Civil rights, being held without being charges (Due Process)85
13819926869incorportation doctrineThe legal concept under which the Supreme Court has nationalized the Bill of Rights by making most of its provisions applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.86
13819930384Incumbency reelection rateIncumbency reelection rate is generally much higher than rookie politicians. Allows politicians to say they have made progress.87
13819936651independent regulatory commissionA government agency or commission with regulatory power whose independence is protected by Congress.88
13819943823Independent Regulatory AgenciesFederal regulatory agencies that are independent, thus not fully under the power of the president. Ex. Federal Trade Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission.89
13819953838independent regulatory commissionA government agency or commission with regulatory power whose independence is protected by Congress.90
13819956958BiasA particular preference or point of view that is personal, rather than scientific.91
13819956959interest groupAn organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy92
13819968394political partyA group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy93
13819968395Iron TriangleA close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group94
13819972742judicial activismAn interpretation of the U.S. constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence judicial decisions (particularly decisions of the Supreme Court)95
13819977165judicial activismAn interpretation of the U.S. constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence judicial decisions (particularly decisions of the Supreme Court)96
13819977167judicial restraintA judicial philosophy in which judges play minimal policymaking roles, leaving that duty strictly to the legislatures97
13819979912Judicial ReviewAllows the court to determine the constitutionality of laws98
13819983914Marbury v. MadisonThis case establishes the Supreme Court's power of Judicial Review99

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!