AP Gov Crash Course Key Terms
527 Group - ✅✅ -a tax-exempt organization created to influence the political
process
not regulated by the Federal Election Commission because they do no
coordinate their activities with a candidate or party
affirmative action - ✅✅ -a policy requiring federal agencies, universities, and
most employers to take positive steps to remedy the effects of past discrimination
amicus curiae brief - ✅✅-brief filed by an interest group or party to influence a
Court decision
appellate jurisdiction - ✅✅-the authority of a court to hear an appeal from a
lower court
bill of attainder -✅✅ -a legislative act that provides for the punishment of a
person without a court trial
block grant -✅✅ -funds granted to the states for a broadly defined purpose
shifts resources from the federal govt to the states
bureaucracy - ✅✅-a large, complex organization of appointed officials
categorical grant - ✅✅-funds provided for a specific and clearly defined
purpose
Checks and balances - ✅✅-system in which each branch can limit the power of
the other two
✅✅
civil liberties - -legal and constitutional rights that protect individuals from
arbitrary act of govt
include freedom of speech and fair trial
civil rights - ✅✅ -policies designed to protect people against arbitrary or
discriminatory treatment by govt officials or individuals
includes laws prohibiting racial and gender discrimination
, clause where implied powers are derived from (2 ways to say it) - ✅✅-elastic or
necessary and proper clause
clear and present danger test - ✅✅
-judicial interpretation of the first
amendment that govt may not ban speech unless it poses an imminent threat to
society
closed primary - ✅✅ -a primary in which voters are required to identify a party
preference before the election and are not allowed to split the ticket
cloture -✅✅ -a senate motion to end a filibuster
requires a three fifths vote
conference committees - ✅✅-temporary bodies that are formed to resolve
differences between House and Senate versions of a bill
congressional redistricting - ✅✅ -the reallocation of the number of
representatives each state has in the House
cooperative federalism - ✅✅ -situations in which the national and state govts
work together to complete projects
✅✅
critical election - -an election when significant groups of voters change their
traditional patterns of party loyalty
delegate role of representation - ✅✅ -when Congress members cast votes
based on the wishes of their constituents
devolution - ✅✅ -a movement to transfer the responsibilities of governing from
the federal govt to the state and local govts
divided government - ✅✅ -a govt in which one party controls the presidency
while another party controls Congress
entitlement program - ✅✅ -a govt-sponsored program that provides mandated
benefits to those who meet eligibility requirements
527 Group - ✅✅ -a tax-exempt organization created to influence the political
process
not regulated by the Federal Election Commission because they do no
coordinate their activities with a candidate or party
affirmative action - ✅✅ -a policy requiring federal agencies, universities, and
most employers to take positive steps to remedy the effects of past discrimination
amicus curiae brief - ✅✅-brief filed by an interest group or party to influence a
Court decision
appellate jurisdiction - ✅✅-the authority of a court to hear an appeal from a
lower court
bill of attainder -✅✅ -a legislative act that provides for the punishment of a
person without a court trial
block grant -✅✅ -funds granted to the states for a broadly defined purpose
shifts resources from the federal govt to the states
bureaucracy - ✅✅-a large, complex organization of appointed officials
categorical grant - ✅✅-funds provided for a specific and clearly defined
purpose
Checks and balances - ✅✅-system in which each branch can limit the power of
the other two
✅✅
civil liberties - -legal and constitutional rights that protect individuals from
arbitrary act of govt
include freedom of speech and fair trial
civil rights - ✅✅ -policies designed to protect people against arbitrary or
discriminatory treatment by govt officials or individuals
includes laws prohibiting racial and gender discrimination
, clause where implied powers are derived from (2 ways to say it) - ✅✅-elastic or
necessary and proper clause
clear and present danger test - ✅✅
-judicial interpretation of the first
amendment that govt may not ban speech unless it poses an imminent threat to
society
closed primary - ✅✅ -a primary in which voters are required to identify a party
preference before the election and are not allowed to split the ticket
cloture -✅✅ -a senate motion to end a filibuster
requires a three fifths vote
conference committees - ✅✅-temporary bodies that are formed to resolve
differences between House and Senate versions of a bill
congressional redistricting - ✅✅ -the reallocation of the number of
representatives each state has in the House
cooperative federalism - ✅✅ -situations in which the national and state govts
work together to complete projects
✅✅
critical election - -an election when significant groups of voters change their
traditional patterns of party loyalty
delegate role of representation - ✅✅ -when Congress members cast votes
based on the wishes of their constituents
devolution - ✅✅ -a movement to transfer the responsibilities of governing from
the federal govt to the state and local govts
divided government - ✅✅ -a govt in which one party controls the presidency
while another party controls Congress
entitlement program - ✅✅ -a govt-sponsored program that provides mandated
benefits to those who meet eligibility requirements
