AP Government Key terms exam
questions and answers10
majority rule - ANSWERS-A fundamental democratic principle requiring that the majority's view
be respected. Constit. contains provisions limiting this, like electoral college.
checks and balances - ANSWERS-System in which each branch of government can limit the
power of the other two branches. For example, Senate can reject pres. nomin. to Sup.Ct.
unitary system - ANSWERS-System of government in which all power is invested in a central
government.
federalism - ANSWERS-A system of gov't in which power is divided by a written constit. b/n a
central gov't and regional gov'ts. As a result, two or more lvls of gov't have formal authority
over same area &ppl
expressed powers - ANSWERS-Powers specifically granted to the federal gov't by the Constit. For
ex,. Constit. gives Congress power to coin money.
implied powers - ANSWERS-Powers of the fed gov't that go beyond those enumerated in the
Constit. Derived from elastic or necessary and proper clause.
reserved powers - ANSWERS-Powers not specifically granted to the national gov't or denied to
the states. Held by states thru 10th Amend.
cooperative federalism - ANSWERS-Situations in which the natn'l and state gov'ts work together
to complete projs. Aka fiscal federalism.
, categorical grant - ANSWERS-Funds provided for a spec. and clearly defined purpose.
block grant - ANSWERS-Funds granted to the states for a broadly defined purpose. Shift
resources to states, so contrib. to growing # of state & local gov't employees.
mandates - ANSWERS-Rules telling states what they must do to comply w/fed. guidelines.
Unfunded ones require state and local gov'ts to provide services or comply w/regul. w/o the
provision of funds.
devolution - ANSWERS-A movement to transfer the responsibilities of gov'ing from the fed. gov't
to state and local gov'ts.
political culture - ANSWERS-A set of widely shared political beliefs and values.
political socialization - ANSWERS-The process by which polit. values are formed and passed.
public opinion - ANSWERS-Attitudes about institutions, leaders, polit. issues, and events.
political ideology - ANSWERS-A cohesive set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and the role
of gov't.
political efficacy - ANSWERS-The belief that one's polit. partic. makes a diff.
split ticket voting - ANSWERS-Voting for candidates of diff. parties for diff. office in the same
election. Recent elections have witnessed sig. increase in this as the # of indep. voters.
political party - ANSWERS-A group of citizens who org. to win elections, hold public offices,
operate gov'ts and determine public policy.
questions and answers10
majority rule - ANSWERS-A fundamental democratic principle requiring that the majority's view
be respected. Constit. contains provisions limiting this, like electoral college.
checks and balances - ANSWERS-System in which each branch of government can limit the
power of the other two branches. For example, Senate can reject pres. nomin. to Sup.Ct.
unitary system - ANSWERS-System of government in which all power is invested in a central
government.
federalism - ANSWERS-A system of gov't in which power is divided by a written constit. b/n a
central gov't and regional gov'ts. As a result, two or more lvls of gov't have formal authority
over same area &ppl
expressed powers - ANSWERS-Powers specifically granted to the federal gov't by the Constit. For
ex,. Constit. gives Congress power to coin money.
implied powers - ANSWERS-Powers of the fed gov't that go beyond those enumerated in the
Constit. Derived from elastic or necessary and proper clause.
reserved powers - ANSWERS-Powers not specifically granted to the national gov't or denied to
the states. Held by states thru 10th Amend.
cooperative federalism - ANSWERS-Situations in which the natn'l and state gov'ts work together
to complete projs. Aka fiscal federalism.
, categorical grant - ANSWERS-Funds provided for a spec. and clearly defined purpose.
block grant - ANSWERS-Funds granted to the states for a broadly defined purpose. Shift
resources to states, so contrib. to growing # of state & local gov't employees.
mandates - ANSWERS-Rules telling states what they must do to comply w/fed. guidelines.
Unfunded ones require state and local gov'ts to provide services or comply w/regul. w/o the
provision of funds.
devolution - ANSWERS-A movement to transfer the responsibilities of gov'ing from the fed. gov't
to state and local gov'ts.
political culture - ANSWERS-A set of widely shared political beliefs and values.
political socialization - ANSWERS-The process by which polit. values are formed and passed.
public opinion - ANSWERS-Attitudes about institutions, leaders, polit. issues, and events.
political ideology - ANSWERS-A cohesive set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and the role
of gov't.
political efficacy - ANSWERS-The belief that one's polit. partic. makes a diff.
split ticket voting - ANSWERS-Voting for candidates of diff. parties for diff. office in the same
election. Recent elections have witnessed sig. increase in this as the # of indep. voters.
political party - ANSWERS-A group of citizens who org. to win elections, hold public offices,
operate gov'ts and determine public policy.
