AP Government - Unit 1 Test(TERMS)|
Verified Questions and Answers|
2024/2025
What is **political efficacy**?
- The belief that one's political participation makes a difference and that the government
listens to its citizens.
basic functions of government national defense, preserve order, establish and maintain a legal
system, provide services, socialize new generations
What is a **bicameral legislature**?
- A legislature divided into two chambers, such as the U.S. Congress, which consists of the
Senate and the House of Representatives.
What is an **iron triangle**?
- A close relationship between a government agency, a congressional committee, and an
interest group that helps shape policy.
Who is **John Locke**?
- An Enlightenment philosopher whose ideas about natural rights and the social contract
heavily influenced the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence.
1
,What is **pluralism**?
- A theory of government that holds that open, multiple, and competing groups can check the
power of any one group and shape public policy.
What is the **rule of law**?
- The principle that all people and institutions, including government officials, are subject to
and accountable under the law.
What is **elite theory**?
- The theory that a small group of wealthy and influential people dominates the
policymaking process in a democracy.
What is the **social contract**?
- A political theory that individuals give up certain freedoms in exchange for government
protection, and that the legitimacy of the government is based on the consent of the governed.
What is **gerrymandering**?
- The process of redrawing legislative boundaries to benefit a particular political party, often
resulting in oddly shaped districts.
What is **judicial activism**?
- A philosophy of judicial decision-making where judges are more likely to overturn
precedents and interpret the Constitution in a way that reflects contemporary values.
2
, What is **federalism**?
- A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and smaller
political units, such as states or provinces.
What is **devolution**?
- The transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states,
reflecting a shift towards state control over certain policies.
What is **habeas corpus**?
- A legal principle that requires authorities to show legal cause for holding someone in
detention, protecting against unlawful imprisonment.
What is **lobbying**?
- The process by which interest groups seek to influence government policy by persuading
legislators or other public officials.
What is the **separation of powers**?
- A constitutional principle dividing government powers among the legislative, executive,
and judicial branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
What is an **electoral mandate**?
3
Verified Questions and Answers|
2024/2025
What is **political efficacy**?
- The belief that one's political participation makes a difference and that the government
listens to its citizens.
basic functions of government national defense, preserve order, establish and maintain a legal
system, provide services, socialize new generations
What is a **bicameral legislature**?
- A legislature divided into two chambers, such as the U.S. Congress, which consists of the
Senate and the House of Representatives.
What is an **iron triangle**?
- A close relationship between a government agency, a congressional committee, and an
interest group that helps shape policy.
Who is **John Locke**?
- An Enlightenment philosopher whose ideas about natural rights and the social contract
heavily influenced the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence.
1
,What is **pluralism**?
- A theory of government that holds that open, multiple, and competing groups can check the
power of any one group and shape public policy.
What is the **rule of law**?
- The principle that all people and institutions, including government officials, are subject to
and accountable under the law.
What is **elite theory**?
- The theory that a small group of wealthy and influential people dominates the
policymaking process in a democracy.
What is the **social contract**?
- A political theory that individuals give up certain freedoms in exchange for government
protection, and that the legitimacy of the government is based on the consent of the governed.
What is **gerrymandering**?
- The process of redrawing legislative boundaries to benefit a particular political party, often
resulting in oddly shaped districts.
What is **judicial activism**?
- A philosophy of judicial decision-making where judges are more likely to overturn
precedents and interpret the Constitution in a way that reflects contemporary values.
2
, What is **federalism**?
- A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and smaller
political units, such as states or provinces.
What is **devolution**?
- The transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states,
reflecting a shift towards state control over certain policies.
What is **habeas corpus**?
- A legal principle that requires authorities to show legal cause for holding someone in
detention, protecting against unlawful imprisonment.
What is **lobbying**?
- The process by which interest groups seek to influence government policy by persuading
legislators or other public officials.
What is the **separation of powers**?
- A constitutional principle dividing government powers among the legislative, executive,
and judicial branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
What is an **electoral mandate**?
3
