AP Gov Vocab

• What does the Lemon Test determine?

  Whether a government law or action meets the requirements of the establishment clause
• What is slander?

  A false statement, usually made orally, which defames another person
• What is libel?

  A category of defamation that includes defamatory statements that are published or broadcast
• What does secular mean in the context of government?

  A movement towards the separation of religion and government
• What does parochial refer to in terms of government?

  Government in which religion and government is not separated
• What is selective incorporation?

  Part of an amendment is applied to states
• What is total incorporation?

  The entire amendment is applied
• What is prior restraint?

  Government cannot prohibit the publication of something before it is published
• What does infringement mean?

  A violation, a breach, or an unauthorized act
• What is affirmative action?

  To ensure equal employment opportunities for applicants and employees
• What is de facto segregation?

  Racial separation that occurs "as a matter of fact"
• What is de jure segregation?

  Separation enforced by law
• What does the Wall of Separation refer to?

  An interpretation of the establishment clause that allows no government involvement with religion
• What is a social movement?

  An organized effort to change laws, policies, or practices by people without power
• What is social order?

  The structured arrangement of norms, values, roles, and institutions within a society
• What is the Exclusionary Rule?

  A requirement that evidence found during an illegal search cannot be used in court
• What is defamation?

  The action of damaging the good reputation of someone
• What does render mean in a legal context?

  To make a decision or provide a judgment
• What is symbolic speech?

  Nonverbal, non-written forms of communication
• What is counsel?

  Legal advisors or representatives who provide legal advice
• What is a constituency?

  A body of voters in a specified area who elect a representative
• What is a partisan election?

  An election where candidates declare their political party allegiance
• What does bipartisan mean?

  Any political act in which both major parties agree
• What is a discharge petition?

  A means of bringing a bill out of committee for consideration
• What are vetoes?

  The power of the President to block legislation by refusing to sign it
• What are pocket vetoes?

  When a bill fails to become law because the president does not sign it within ten days
• What are executive orders?

  A declaration by the president that has the force of law
• What are executive agreements?

  An international agreement entered into by the President without Senate consent
• What is a lame duck president?

  A president after a successor has been elected
• How long does a congressional term last?

  2 years
• What is a congressional session?

  The time when Congress assembles and conducts business
• What is presidential succession?

  The scheme by which a presidential vacancy is filled
• What is a divided government?

  A government designed with separation of powers and adversarial political parties
• What is the Reapportionment Act of 1929?

  A bill that established a permanent method for apportioning House seats
• What is an Iron Triangle?

  The relationship between Congress, bureaucracy, and interest groups
• What is government gridlock?

  The situation when legislation faces difficulties due to party control differences
• What is the War Powers Act?

  A law that checks the president's power to commit armed conflict without Congress consent
• What is the Bully Pulpit?


  A position that provides an opportunity to be listened to and convince others
• What does the Lemon Test determine?

  The Lemon Test determines whether a government law or action meets the requirements of the establishment clause
• What is slander?

  Slander is a false statement, usually made orally, which defames another person