Political Culture and Institutions

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts in political culture and institutions as outlined in the lecture notes.

Political Culture

Shared beliefs about government such as liberty, equality, civic duty, and individualism.

Political Socialization

The process of acquiring political beliefs, primarily influenced by family, schools, peers, media, religion, and significant events.

Scientific Polling

A method of polling that involves random sampling, a representative sample, neutral wording, and a proper margin of error (MOE).

Poll Reliability

Factors such as small sample size, biased questions, and nonresponse bias that can hurt the validity of a poll, with ±3% MOE considered common.

Party Coalitions

Groups that tend to support a political party, such as women and African Americans for Democrats or men and evangelicals for Republicans.

Primary Election

An intra-party election to select a nominee, focusing on appealing to core voters.

General Election

The election where the winner takes office, typically appealing to moderates and independents.

Incumbency Advantage

The benefits held by current officeholders, such as name recognition, fundraising, and casework, leading to high reelection rates in the House.

Gerrymandering

The practice of partisan map-drawing, as seen in cases like Baker v. Carr and Shaw v. Reno.

Iron Triangle

The relationship between interest groups, Congress, and bureaucracy that shapes policy.

Federalism

The division of power between national and state governments.

Bill of Rights Purpose

To protect civil liberties, a collection of rights demanded by the Anti-Federalists.

Marbury v. Madison

Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Established the concept of implied powers and the supremacy clause.

Gibbons v. Ogden

Expanded the commerce clause and federal power.

House Traits

The House of Representatives has 435 members, 2-year terms, initiates revenue bills, and has more rules and partisanship.

Senate Traits

The Senate has 100 members, 6-year terms, confirms treaties, tries impeachments, and allows for more debate.