GOVT 2305 – Intro to American Government Midterm Two Review Sheet

Political Culture

The shared set of beliefs, values, and norms about politics and government.

Political culture influences citizens’ views of government legitimacy and shapes expectations for government actions. Understanding this helps explain why Americans prioritize values like freedom, equality, and democracy.

Alexis de Tocqueville

French political thinker who wrote 'Democracy in America,' examining unique American political culture that emphasized liberty, individualism, and civic participation.

Tocqueville’s observations highlight early American values that continue to define U.S. politics, like mistrust of centralized power and a strong emphasis on community and voluntary associations.

Social Capital and Robert Putnam’s “Bowling Alone”

Putnam argued that social capital (the networks of trust and social connections among people) is critical for a thriving democracy but is declining in modern America.

Lower levels of social capital reduce civic engagement and weaken democratic processes, as fewer people participate in social groups or take part in public life.

Political Socialization

The process by which individuals acquire beliefs, values, and attitudes about politics.

Basic beliefs + information = opinion → action.

This gradual process helps create stability in the political system by instilling common values across generations.

Agents of Political Socialization

Factors that influence political attitudes including family, media, school, peers, institutions, and dramatic experiences.

Different agents contribute to political attitudes that shape voting behavior, policy preferences, and general trust in government.

Partisanship

Loyalty to a political party, influencing voting behavior and policy views.

Partisanship reflects how individuals align with political parties, often leading to polarized views but also creating cohesion within parties.

Single-Member District (SMD) System vs. Proportional Representation

• SMD systems (like in the U.S.) lead to two-party dominance due to Duverger’s Law, while proportional representation systems support multi-party diversity.

  • Significance: SMD promotes stability but limits representation, often discouraging third parties and new ideas from gaining influence.

• Representation vs. Stability - Proportional systems offer greater representation, while SMD systems provide government stability.

  • Significance: Balancing representation with stable governance is crucial, as too many parties can fragment governance, while too few can ignore diverse perspectives.

Interest Groups (IGs)

Organizations that seek to influence policies and represent specific issues, differing from political parties.

Collective Action Problems

Issues that arise in mobilizing members, particularly with 'free riders' who benefit without contributing.

Iron Triangle

A close relationship between congressional committees, bureaucracies, and interest groups influencing policy.

The Declaration of Independence

Established principles of natural rights and justified independence from Britain.

Articles of Confederation

Created a weak central government, leading to issues like ineffective tax collection and weak national defense.

Federalist Papers

A series of writings advocating for the ratification of the Constitution, highlighting factions and checks and balances.

Elastic Clause

Allows Congress to pass laws 'necessary and proper' for executing its powers.

Judicial Review (Marbury v. Madison)

Established the Supreme Court's power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution protecting individual freedoms.

The Miller Test

A standard for determining obscene material that is not protected by the First Amendment.

Lemon Test

A guideline for determining the constitutionality of religious involvement in government.

Roe v. Wade

Landmark case establishing a right to privacy in reproductive choices.

The PATRIOT Act

Legislation that expanded government surveillance, raising privacy concerns.