Political Science Exam Review Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards for reviewing key concepts in political science related to Congress, the presidency, and the judicial system.

Political Parties

Organizations that seek to gain political power by electing candidates to public office.

Party Affiliation

The political party with which an individual identifies, influencing their behavior in Congress.

Party Polarization

The divergence of political attitudes to ideological extremes in political parties.

Legislative Agenda

A list of priorities or policy goals that a party or legislative body aims to achieve.

Campaign Strategies

Techniques used by candidates to raise funds, garner votes, and promote their candidacy.

Incumbency

The holding of an office or the period during which one is held.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party.

First-Past-The-Post

An electoral system in which the candidate who receives the most votes wins.

Congressional Committees

Sub-groups within Congress that specialize in specific areas of legislation.

Specialization

The process by which members of committees focus on specific areas, increasing expertise.

Power Dynamics

The relationships of authority and influence within a committee.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic to delay proceedings or prevent a vote on a bill by extending debate.

Amendments

Proposals to change the text of a bill under consideration in Congress.

Conference Committee

A temporary committee formed to reconcile differences in legislation passed by both chambers.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful.

Impeachment

A constitutional process for removing a president or other government officials from office.

Interest Groups

Organizations that advocate for specific policies and influence legislation.

Bully Pulpit

The platform a president can use to advocate for their agenda through media.

Executive Orders

Rules or regulations issued by the president that carry the weight of law without congressional approval.

Commander in Chief

The role of the president as head of the armed forces.

Express Powers

Specific powers granted to the president by the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers that are not explicitly stated but are necessary for the president to fulfill their duties.

Veto Power

The president's authority to reject legislation passed by Congress.

Pardons

An act of forgiveness for an offense or crime, typically granted by the president.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Case Law

Law established by the outcome of former court cases.

Civil Liberties

Individual rights protected by law from unjust governmental interference.

Roe v. Wade

The landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion based on the right to privacy.

Dobbs v. Jackson

A Supreme Court case that overturned Roe v. Wade, allowing states to impose abortion restrictions.

Attitudinal Model

A theory that justices base their decisions on personal beliefs and ideologies.

Legal Model

A theory that justices decide cases based on statutes and the Constitution.

Political Questions

Issues that the courts deem more appropriate for resolution by other branches of government.

Executive Action

Actions taken by the president without legislation from Congress.

Going Public

A presidential strategy of appealing directly to the public for support.

Political Ideology

A coherent set of beliefs about politics and public policy.

Judicial Activism

A philosophy that encourages judges to interpret the Constitution broadly and consider societal implications.

Judicial Restraint

A philosophy that urges judges to limit their own power and uphold laws as written.

Writ of Certiorari

A formal request for the Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision.

Rule of Four

The principle that allows four justices to grant a writ of certiorari.

Majority Opinion

The official statement of the court's decision agreed upon by more than half the justices.

Dissents

Opinions written by justices who disagree with the majority decision.

Concurring Opinions

Opinions written by justices who agree with the majority decision but for different reasons.