Ap Government 1St Semester Exam Review

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Pluralist Theory (Pluralism)

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A theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies.

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Hyper-Pluralism

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A theory of Govt. and politics contending that groups are so strong that govt. is weakened. Hyperpluralism is an extreme, exaggerated, or perverted form of Pluralism.

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Elite-Class Theory

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A theory of Govt. and politics contending elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization.

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Political Participation

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All the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue. The most common, is voting.

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Constitutional Convention

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A method of amending a state constitution in which voters may approve the calling of a convention of state citizens to propose amendments to the state constitution; the proposals are submitted to state voters for approval.

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John Locke

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Lived during 1632-1704 and Defended the claim that all men are created = .

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Natural Rights

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Rights inherent in all human beings, not dependent on govts., which include life, liberty, and property.

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Implied Powers

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Powers of the federal govt. that go beyond those enumerated in the Constitution.

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Full Faith and Credit

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A clause in Article IV, Section 1, of the Constitution requiring each state to recognize the official documents and civil judgements rendered by the courts of other states.

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Dual Federalism

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A system of Govt. in which both the states and the national govt. remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies.

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Cooperative Federalism

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A system of Govt. in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national govt.

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Exit Polls

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Public opinion surveys used by major media pollsters to predict electoral winners with speed and precision.

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Electoral College

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A unique American institution created by the Constitution that provides for the selection of the president by electors chosen by the state parties.

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Political Parties

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A " Team of Men and women seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election."

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Mandate Theory of Elections

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The idea that the winning candidate has a mandate from the people to carry out his or her platforms and politics.

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Labor Union

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An organization of workers intended to engage in collective bargaining

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Interest Groups

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An organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals.

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Casework

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Help constituents get what they think they have a right to get.

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Pork Barrel

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The mighty list of federal projects, grants, and contracts available in a congressional district.

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Virginia Plan

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The proposal at the Constiutional Convention that called for representation of each state in Congress in proportion to that state's share of the U.S. population.

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New Jersey Plan

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The proposal at the Constituional Convention that called for equal re presentation of each state in Congress.

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Caucus (Congressional)

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A group of members of Congress sharing some interest or characteristic.

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Caucus (State Party)

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A meeting of all state party leaders for selecting delegates to the national party convention.

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Referendum

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A state level method of direct legislation that gives voters a chance to approve or disapprove legislation or a constitutional amendment proposed by the state legislature.

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Trial Balloons

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An intentional news leak for the purpose of assessing the political reaction.

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Party Platform

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A political party's statement of its goals and policies for the next four years.

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Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

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An office that grew out of the Bureau of the Budget, created in 1921, consisting of a handful of political appointees and hundreds of skilled professionals.

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Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

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A counterweight to the president's Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

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Articles of Confederation

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The first constitution of the United States, adopted by Congress in 1777 and enacted in 1781.