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AP Government
AP Exam Review
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| The Constitution | Foundational document (1787) that establishes the structure, powers, and limits of the U.S. government and guarantees basic rights; it is the supreme law of the land. |
| Popular Sovereignty | The principle that government authority comes from the people, who consent to be governed and can change leadership through elections. |
| Consent of the Governed | The idea that a government’s legitimacy depends on the approval and participation of its citizens, typically through voting. |
| Checks and Balances | A system where each branch of government can limit the powers of the others to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. |
| Limited Government | The concept that government power is restricted by the Constitution and laws to protect individual freedoms. |
| Participatory Democracy | A model of democracy where citizens actively engage in political processes beyond voting, such as protests and civic involvement. |
| Pluralist Democracy | A system where many groups compete for influence, ensuring no single group dominates government decision-making. |
| Elite Democracy | A theory that a small, educated, or wealthy group holds most political power and makes decisions for society. |
| Federalists | Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong national government and ratification in 1787–88. |
| Anti-Federalists | Opponents of the Constitution who feared a strong central government and demanded protections like the Bill of Rights. |
| Federalist No. 10 | An essay by James Madison arguing that a large republic can control factions by dispersing their influence. |
| Brutus No. 1 | An Anti-Federalist paper warning that a strong national government would threaten states’ rights and individual liberty. |
| Articles of Confederation | The first U.S. government framework with weak central authority, lacking power to tax or enforce laws effectively. |
| Electoral College | A system where electors chosen by states formally select the president and vice president. |
| 3/5 Compromise | Agreement counting enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation. |
| Commerce & Slave Trade Compromise | Allowed Congress to regulate trade but prohibited banning the slave trade until 1808. |
| Connecticut Compromise | Created a bicameral legislature: House based on population, Senate with equal representation. |
| Bill of Rights | First 10 amendments protecting individual freedoms like speech, religion, and due process. |
| Enumerated Powers | Specific powers granted to Congress in Article I, such as taxing, regulating commerce, and declaring war. |
| Necessary and Proper Clause | Allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers (elastic clause). |
| Reserved Powers | Powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states under the Tenth Amendment. |
| Concurrent Powers | Powers shared by federal and state governments, like taxing and enforcing laws. |
| Due Process Clause | Guarantees fair legal procedures before the government can deprive life, liberty, or property. |
| Commerce Clause | Gives Congress power to regulate interstate commerce, expanding federal authority. |
| Equal Protection Clause | Requires states to treat individuals equally under the law; central to civil rights cases. |
| Supremacy Clause | Establishes that federal law overrides conflicting state laws. |
| Swing State | A state where voters are evenly divided, making it competitive in elections. |
| Primary Elections | Elections within a party to choose its candidates for the general election. |
| Republicans | A major political party generally favoring limited government and free-market policies. |
| Democrats | A major political party generally supporting expanded government roles in social welfare and equality. |
| Libertarian | A minor party emphasizing individual liberty, minimal government, and free markets. |
| Special Interest Group | Organizations that advocate for specific policies or issues to influence government decisions. |
| Political Party | An organized group seeking to gain power by electing candidates and shaping policy agendas. |
| The Media | Sources of information that influence public opinion and political agendas through news coverage. |
| Rational Choice Voting | Voting based on self-interest and which candidate offers the greatest personal benefit. |
| Prospective Voting | Choosing candidates based on their future plans and promises. |
| Retrospective Voting | Evaluating candidates based on their past performance in office. |
| Straight-Ticket Voting | Voting for all candidates from one political party on the ballot. |
| Gerrymandering | Drawing district boundaries to advantage a political party or group. |
| The Supreme Court | The highest court in the U.S., with final authority on constitutional interpretation. |
| Selective Incorporation | The process of applying Bill of Rights protections to states through the 14th Amendment. |
| Civil Liberties | Basic freedoms protected from government interference, like speech and religion. |
| Civil Rights | Protections against discrimination ensuring equal treatment under the law. |
| Due Process | Legal requirement that laws and procedures be fair and applied consistently. |
| Habeas Corpus | The right to challenge unlawful detention before a court. |
| Civil Rights Act of 1964 | Law banning discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. |
| Voting Rights Act of 1965 | Law prohibiting racial discrimination in voting practices. |
| Title IX | Federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in education programs receiving federal funding. |
| The Senate | Upper chamber of Congress with equal state representation and roles in confirmations and treaties. |
| House of Representatives | Lower chamber based on population, responsible for initiating revenue bills. |
| Filibuster | A Senate tactic of extended debate to delay or block legislation. |
| Rules Committee | House committee that determines how bills are debated and amended. |
| Mandatory Spending | Government spending required by law, like Social Security. |
| Discretionary Spending | Spending determined annually through appropriations, like defense or education. |
| Pork-Barrel Legislation | Government spending on local projects to benefit a legislator’s district. |
| Logroll Legislation | Practice where lawmakers trade support for each other’s bills. |
| Oversight Committee | Congressional committees that monitor executive branch actions. |
| Iron Triangle | Stable relationship among Congress, bureaucracy, and interest groups to shape policy. |
| The Federal Bureaucracy | Government agencies that implement and enforce laws and policies. |
| Veto | Presidential power to reject legislation passed by Congress. |
| Pocket Veto | A veto that occurs when the president takes no action and Congress adjourns. |
| Executive Order | A directive from the president managing operations of the federal government. |
| Senate Confirmations | Senate approval of presidential appointments as a check on executive power. |
Created by:
chianti