Key Concepts in Political Science and Government

Critical Thinking

The ability to analyze information objectively and make reasoned judgments.

Obstacle to Critical Thinking

Biased information or leaders making misleading statements.

Political Science

The study of the parts of government and their politics.

Political Culture

Widely shared beliefs, values, and norms about how citizens relate to governments.

Liberty

The principle that individuals should be free to act as they choose, provided they do not infringe on the rights of others.

Individualism

The belief in the importance of individual rights and responsibilities.

Equality

All individuals are equal in their moral worth and are entitled to equal treatment under the law.

Self-Government

People are the ultimate source of authority.

Marbury v. Madison

Gave Congress the power to grant laws that are 'unconstitutional.'

Judicial Review

The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Direct Elections

Citizens directly vote for their leaders.

Separation of Powers

Division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

Checks and Balances

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

Constitutionalism

The principle that government should be limited by a constitution.

Democracy

A system of government by the whole population, typically through elected representatives.

Limit on American Ideals

Racial immigration and limited voting rights.

States with 35% College Degrees

9 states had 35% or more adults with college degrees.

Country with Highest Support for Helping the Needy

Italy.

Limited Government

A government with strict legal limits on the use of power.

Colonial Influence on American Government

Built a sense of self-government and resentment towards outside control.

Colonial Reaction to British Taxes

Protest and rebellion.

John Locke's Inalienable Rights

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Influence on Declaration of Independence

Inspired freedom from British control.

Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation

Weak central government, no taxation power.

Shays' Rebellion Impact

Showed how easily the government could be challenged.

Great Compromise Outcome

Senate has 2 representatives per state.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Allowed taxation and representation of slaves as 3/5 of a person.

Anti-Federalist Arguments

Believed the federal government would become too powerful.

Purpose of Bill of Rights

Limit government power and protect freedoms.

Sovereignty

Supreme and final governing authority.

Unitary System

The national government is sovereign.

Devolution

Shifting power from national to state/local governments.

Expressed Powers

Powers specifically granted in the Constitution.

Equal Protection Clause

Forbids states from denying equal protection under the law.

Affirmative Action

Policies that provide equal opportunities for disadvantaged groups.

Feminization of Poverty

Most single-parent families are women-led and often below the poverty line.

Lau v. Nichols

Led to bilingual education in some schools.

Sedition Act of 1798

Banned speaking against the government.

Establishment Clause

Government can't favor or promote religion.

Eighth Amendment

Bans cruel and unusual punishment.

Arizona

Police must inform suspects of their rights before interrogation.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Ruled states can't tax the federal government.

Shared Powers (State & National)

Law enforcement, transportation, banking.

Cooperative Federalism

National, state, and local governments work together.

Brown v. Board (1954)

Ended forced segregation.

Voting Rights Act (1965)

Prohibited voting discrimination.

Civil Rights Act (1964)

Gave Black Americans more legal rights.

Indian Bill of Rights (1968)

Extended civil rights to Native Americans.

14th Amendment

Applied Bill of Rights to the states.

Burwell v. Hobby Lobby

Allowed religious exemption for corporations.

Griswold v. Connecticut

Established a right to privacy.

Schenck v. U.S.

Protected free speech unless it posed a clear danger.

Political Socialization

Process where individuals develop political beliefs.

Party Identification

Emotional loyalty to a political party.

Ideology

General belief about the role of government.

Identity Politics

Aligning politically based on group identity.

Sampling Error

The accuracy range of a poll.

Nonopinion

When people are uninformed or unsure in polls.

Manufactured Consent

Manipulating public agreement through media.

News

Reports of timely and compelling events.

Framing

How news stories are shaped or presented.

Objective Journalism

Reporting facts and both sides of debates.

Fairness Doctrine

Required equal coverage of opposing views.

Signaling Function

Alerts the public to important developments.

Low-Choice Media System

Limited media outlets (e.g., 1980s).

High-Choice Media System

Many sources of news today.

Political Socialization Characteristics

Influenced strongly by childhood and religion.

Primary Socializing Agents

Family, school, church.

Party Identification Majority

Republican or Democrat.

Least Blue State Region

Plains and Rocky Mountains.

Polling Errors Sources

Lack of phones, unclear questions, misinformation.

Partisan Talk Shows Origin

Emerged after the Fairness Doctrine ended.

Straight-Ticket Voting

Voting for one party across all positions.

Proportional Representation

Parties gain seats based on vote share.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on future policies.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on past performance.

Iron Triangles

Relationship between bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups.

Issue Networks

Loosely connected policy experts and interest groups.

Interest Group Example

National Rifle Association.

Inside Lobbying Tactics

Direct interaction with officials.

Outside Lobbying Tactics

Mobilizing public opinion.

PAC Contributions

Mostly go to incumbents.

Creation of Super PACs

Result of Citizens United v. FEC.

Top 3 Lobbying Groups

(User must fill with current info).

Jefferson's Party Stance

Favored limited government and agrarian democracy.

U.S. Party System

Two-party system.

Minor Third Parties

(User must list based on class content).

Origin of Political Parties

Political feud.

Andrew Jackson's Party Role

Strengthened Democratic Party.

Characteristics of Party Realignment

Shift in party support and issues.

Realigning Election Dates

(User must provide specific years).

Minimum Partisan Vote %

Rarely below a certain percent (User should clarify).

Example of Single-Issue Party

(e.g., Prohibition Party).