Supreme Court Cases
What did Marbury v. Madison establish?
Judicial Review
Basic rights that people are born with and cannot be taken away by the government.
They include life, liberty, and property (or “pursuit of happiness” in the Declaration of Independence).
Natural Rights
Federal funds given to states or local governments to use for broad purposes (like education or health care).
States have more freedom in how they spend the money compared to other types of grants.
Block Grants
Refers to the citizens' feeling that they can have an influence on the political system.
Political efficacy
The act of setting boundaries for electoral districts so as to favor political interests within legislative bodies or hurt the political interests of an opposing group.
Gerrymandering
What 2 clauses were used in Mcculloch v. Maryland and how?
Necessary and Proper Clause - Bank can be created
Supremacy Clause - Maryland can't tax bank
Key parts of the Constitution that require each branch of the federal government to acquire the consent of the other two branches in order to act
Checks and Balances
Authority held by Congress to review, monitor, and supervise federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation. This authority is implied in the Constitution, public laws, and House and Senate rules.
Congressional Oversight
The process by which individuals learn and acquire a political lens.
Political socialization
The act of attempting to influence the actions, policies, or decisions of government officials.
Lobbying
Explain Tinker v Des Moines
Students have freedom of speech rights as long as it isn't disrupting the learning environment.
An agreement between a government and the people, in which the people consent to be governed so long as the government protects the natural rights of the people
Social contract
An instance in which one political party controls the executive branch, and another political party controls one or both houses of Congress.
Divided Government
Percentage of eligible voters who vote.
Voting Turnout
When people move between government jobs and private-sector jobs (like corporations or interest groups).
Example:
Revolving Door
Explain result of Gideon v. Wainwright
Your 6th amendment right gives you a right to a lawyer even if you can't afford one.
System of government where power is divided between a national government and state governments.
Federalism
A power enacted by the U.S. president allowing that office to pass a rule or regulation as law.
Executive Order
The central bank of the United States that manages the nation’s money supply and helps keep the economy stable.
Federal Reserve
Organizations that collect and donate money to political campaigns to support candidates or policies.
Have limits on spending
Key AP idea:
Political Action Committees (Pacs)
Explain Brown v. Board of Education
Segregation of Public Schools based on race became illegal because it violated the 14th amendment Equal protection Clause.
The idea that the power of government comes from the people.
Citizens give government its authority through voting and participation.
Popular sovereignty
A situation when there is difficulty in passing laws that satisfy the needs of the people, often due to a divided government.
Set of beliefs about government and policy.
Political ideology
Groups that can raise and spend unlimited money to influence elections, but they cannot coordinate directly with candidates or campaigns.
Key AP idea:
Super Pacs
Explain Engle v. Vitale
Public schools (as government institutions) cannot sponsor or lead prayer, even if it is voluntary or not tied to a specific religion.
Violates Establishment Clause
Powers held by the President that aren't explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, but which are sometimes necessary in order for the President to fulfill the duties of the office
Inherent powers
Relationship among Congress (particularly sub-committees of Congress), government agencies, and interest groups that helps create U.S. policy.
Iron Triangle
What is the biggest factor in political socialization?
Family
Any structure that connects people to the government by turning public opinion into political action.
Key AP idea:
They help citizens communicate with leaders and influence policy.
Linkage Institution
Explain Wisconsin v Yoder
The government must allow exceptions to school laws when they seriously interfere with religious beliefs.
Free Exercise Clause
Powers held by the federal government that are mentioned by name in the U.S. Constitution
Enumerated powers
A practice used by members of Congress in which two or more members of Congress agree to vote on each other's bills.
Logrolling
A survey of voters immediately after they leave the voting booth asking how they voted and why.
It is used to:
Exit Poll
When a voter makes decisions based on what they believe will give them the most personal benefit.
Key AP idea:
Rational Choice Voting
Explain US v Lopez
The Court limited Congress’s power under the Commerce Clause—it cannot regulate non-economic local activities like guns in schools.
Also known as "marble cake federalism." This is a political system wherein federal, state, and local governments share responsibility in governing the people, and they work together cooperatively to solve problems
Cooperative federalism:
Powers given exclusively to the states or the people by the 10th amendment of the Constitution. These powers are not shared with the federal government.
Reserved Powers
Survey that measures public opinion over time, usually by asking the same or similar questions repeatedly (often daily or weekly).
It is used to:
Tracking Poll
When voters decide whether to support a candidate based on how things have gone in the past.
Key AP idea:
Retrospective Voting
Explain Baker v Carr
It allowed courts to handle redistricting cases and led to the rule of “one person, one vote.”
Equal Protection Clause - 14th Amendment
The idea that people elect representatives to make laws and govern for them.
It is a form of democracy where citizens do not rule directly, but through elected leaders.
Republicanism
A legal doctrine that requires judges to follow the precedents established in prior court decisions and historical court cases.
Stare decisis
Any political party in the U.S. that is not one of the two major parties (Democratic or Republican).
They often:
Third Party
When voters decide based on what they think a candidate will do in the future.
Key AP idea:
In simple terms:
People vote based on future promises and goals.
Prospective Voting
Explain Citizens United v FEC
The Court ruled that limits on independent political spending by corporations and unions are unconstitutional under the First Amendment (free speech).
The division of government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
Each branch has its own powers so no single branch becomes too powerful.
Separation of Powers
President’s power to refuse to share certain communications or information with Congress, the courts, or the public.
It is used to protect confidential presidential discussions and decision-making.
Executive Privilege
Changes in political beliefs and voting behavior that happen as people age and move through different stages of life.
Example:
Lifecycle effects
When a voter consistently votes for candidates from one political party in all or most elections.
Key AP idea:
Party Line Voting
Explain Shaw v Reno
The Court ruled that racial gerrymandering can violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment if race is the main factor in drawing districts without strong justification.
The idea that government power is restricted by laws and the Constitution.
Government leaders cannot do whatever they want—they must follow rules that protect citizens’ rights.
Limited Government
The process where federal agencies create specific rules and regulations to carry out laws passed by Congress.
In simple terms:
Congress passes a law, and agencies figure out the details of how to enforce it.
Bureaucratic rulemaking
Political attitudes and behaviors that are shaped by major events experienced by a specific generation when they are young.
Example:
Generational effects
Temporary ballot used when there is a question about a voter’s eligibility (like missing ID or registration issues).
Key AP idea:
In simple terms:
It’s a “wait and check later” ballot.
Provisional Ballot
Explain Schenck v United States
Free speech is not protected if it creates a serious, immediate danger (especially in wartime).
Form of democracy where citizens actively take part in government decisions, not just vote for representatives.
This can include voting, protests, town halls, and public involvement in policy-making.
Participatory Democracy
President rejects a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law unless Congress overrides it.
Veto
Type of biased polling where questions are designed to influence or “push” a respondent toward a particular opinion, rather than measure their true views.
Example:
“Would you still vote for Candidate A if you knew they were accused of corruption?” (even if the claim is unproven)
Push Polling
Ballot that allows a voter to vote without going to the polling place on Election Day.
Key AP idea:
In simple terms:
It’s a vote submitted from a distance instead of in person.
Absentee Ballot
Explain NYT v US
The government cannot stop newspapers from publishing information unless there is a very strong justification, and freedom of the press is strongly protected.
Prior Restraint
Freedom of Press
System where many different interest groups influence government decisions.
Power is spread out among groups, and policies are made through competition and compromise between them.
Pluralist Democracy
The House of Representatives formally charges a government official (like the president) with misconduct.
The Senate then holds a trial to decide whether to remove them from office.
Impeachment
Formal set of beliefs, goals, and policy positions supported by a political party or candidate.
It includes what the party says it will do if elected (like healthcare, taxes, education, etc.).
Political Platform
When people do not care about politics or government and choose not to participate.
Key AP idea:
In simple terms:
People feel disconnected and uninterested in politics.
Political Apathy
Explain Mcdonald v Chicago
The Court ruled that the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments through the 14th Amendment (Due Process Clause).
The idea that a small group of wealthy or powerful people mostly influence government decisions.
Even though citizens vote, real power is often held by elites like business leaders, politicians, and experts.
Elite Democracy
Tactic used in the U.S. Senate where a senator or group of senators talks for a very long time to delay or block a vote on a bill.
It works because the Senate allows extended debate, so legislation can be stalled unless action is taken to stop it.
Filibuster
The increase in prices over time, which reduces the purchasing power of money.
In simple terms:
You need more money to buy the same things.
Inflation
When people benefit from a group’s efforts without contributing to it.
Key AP idea:
In simple terms:
People get the benefits but don’t help pay or participate.
Free Rider Problem