1. Need to know AP US Government and Politics Vocabulary

2. I Constitution Underpinning
Separation of Power: divisions of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches
Divided Government: Governance divided between the parties, especially when one holds the presidency and one controls one or both houses of congress
Democracy: a government ruled by the people, directly or indirectly
Direct democracy: citizens vote on laws directly
Representative democracy: also called a Republic; power in the hands of the few
Federalism: support of a strong central government
Constitutionalism: term applied to arguments-checks and balances and federalism

3. II Political Beliefs and Behaviors
Political Culture: assumptions, attitudes, and patterns of behaviors people have toward the government and politics
Natural Rights: rights of all people to dignity and worth
Political Ideology: consistent pattern or belief about political values and the role of government
Political Socialization: process by which we develop our political attitudes
Reinforcing Cleavages: divisions within society that reinforce one another, making groups more similar
Cross Cutting Cleavage: divisions within society that cut across demographic categories to produce groups that are more different

4. III Political Parties and Interest Groups
Interest Group: people who share a common interest and seek to influence the government usually work within the government and use tactic such as lobbying
Lobbying: engaging in activities aimed at influencing public official
Iron Triangle: mutually supporting relationship among interest groups, committees and government agencies that share a common policy concern
Political Action Committee (PAC): political aim of an interest group that is legally entitled to raise funds on a voluntary basis
Patronage: dispensing of government jobs to persons who belong to the winning political party

5. III Political Parties and Interest Groups Continued
Party Column Ballot: type of ballot that encourages voting by listing all the party’s candidates in a column under the party name
Office Block Ballot: ballot which all candidates are listed under the office for which they are running
Direct Primary: election which voters choose party nominees
Open Primary: primary election which any voter may vote
Closed Primary: primary election where only people registered in the party may vote

6. IV Institutions and Bureaucracy
Gerrymandering: drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party, group, or incumbent
Incumbent: the current holder of an office
Enumerated Powers: powers explicitly given to congress in the constitution
Majority Leader: legislative leader selected by majority party
Minority Leader: legislative leader selected by minority party
Whip: party leader who is the liaison between the leadership and the rank-and-file in the legislature

7. IV Institutions and Bureaucracy Continued
Filibuster: procedural practice in the Senate whereby a Senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays procedure
Cloture: procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters
Standing Committee: a permanent committee established in a legislature
Pocket Veto: a veto from the President
Override: congress reserves president veto, requires 2/3 majority
Executive Privilege: the right to keep executive communications confidential
Office of Management and Budget: presidential staff agency that serves as a clearing house for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies
Executive agreement: agreement between the president and other world leaders

8. V Public Policy
Proportional Representative: an electoral district in which voters choose one representative
Winner-take-all system: election system in which the candidate with the most votes wins
Electoral College: electoral system used in electing president
Caucus: meeting of local party members to choose party officials
National Party Convention: national meeting of delegates elected in primaries etc.
Soft Money: contributions to a state or local party building
Issue Advocacy: promoting a position or an issue for an interest group or individual, but not a candidate

9. VI Civil Rights and Liberties
Judicial Review: the act in which a court can challenge a law that they believe unconstitutional
Judicial Activism: judicial ruling based on consideration and not law
Stare Decisis: legal principle which judges are obligated to respect prior decisions
Habeas Corpus: a prisoner can be released under unlawful detention
Judicial Restraint: judges limit the exercise of their own power
Amicus Curae: “friend of the court” someone who offers information to help the court