Untitled Flashcards Set

Social Contract

The theory that individuals give up some freedoms and submit to authority in exchange for protection of their remaining rights.

Natural Rights

The rights fundamental to all people, typically including life, liberty, and property.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Elitism

A political theory that advocates the wealthy and powerful influence policy and political decisions.

Pluralism

A political theory that emphasizes the diversity and competition among various interest groups in society.

Participatory

A political theory that emphasizes the importance of direct participation by citizens in the political process.

Shay’s Rebellion

An armed uprising in 1786–1787 by Massachusetts farmers protesting economic injustices and lack of government response.

Great Compromise

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature.

3/5 Compromise

A compromise reached that defined slaves as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.

Anti-Federalists vs Federalists concerns

Debate between those favoring a strong national government (Federalists) and those preferring more power for the states (Anti-Federalists).

Judicial review

The power of the courts to examine and invalidate actions of the legislative and executive branches.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in the Constitution stating that federal law takes precedence over state law.

Commerce Clause

A clause that gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among states.

Elastic/Necessary and Proper Clause

The clause that grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper to carry out its duties.

Amendment Process

The procedure by which changes may be made to the Constitution.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but assumed to exist due to their necessity in performing enumerated powers.

Shared Powers

Powers that are held jointly by the national and state governments.

10th Amendment

The amendment stating that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states.

Limited Government

The principle that the government powers are restricted by law, typically through a constitution.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Checks and Balances

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

Rule of Law

The principle that law should govern a nation, as opposed to being governed by arbitrary decisions of individual government officials.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Dual Federalism vs. Cooperative Federalism

A distinction between a system where both state and federal governments operate within their own spheres (Dual) and a system in which they work together (Cooperative).

Fiscal Federalism

The division of governmental functions and financial relations among levels of government.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided for a specific purpose and restricted in their use.

Block Grants

Federal funds provided to states with relatively few restrictions on how they may be spent.

Crossover Sanctions

Conditions set by the federal government on one program that are tied to funding for a separate program.

Crosscutting Requirements

Conditions imposed by the federal government on grants that apply to all federal funds.

Project vs Formula Grants

Project grants are awarded based on competitive applications, while formula grants are distributed based on a predetermined formula.

Civil Liberties

Basic freedoms that are guaranteed by law.

Civil Rights

The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

Due Process

The legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person.

1st Amendment

Protects freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition.

Establishment Clause

Prohibits the government from establishing an official religion.

Free Exercise Clause

Protects citizens' right to practice their religion as they wish.

Speech Time, Place, and Manner Restrictions

Regulations concerning when, where, and how speech may occur.

Prior Restraint

Government action that prevents communication or speech before it occurs.

Political Socialization

The process by which individuals learn and develop their political attitudes and beliefs.

Political Culture

The set of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments that shape the political behavior of a society.

Political Efficacy

The belief that one's political participation makes a difference.

Public Opinion

The collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on a particular issue.

Opinion Polls

Surveys conducted to gauge public opinion on various topics.

Tracking Polls

Polls that measure changes in public opinion over time.

Exit Polls

Polls conducted as voters leave the polling place to predict election outcomes.

Straw Polls

An informal survey used to gauge public opinion.

Random Sample

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of being selected.

Sampling Error

The error that arises from the sampling process due to the size of the sample.

Scientific Poll

A poll that is conducted using rigorous statistical methods.

Margin of Error

A measure of the accuracy of a public opinion poll.

Keynesian Economics

An economic theory that advocates for increased government expenditures and lower taxes to stimulate demand.

Supply-side Economics

An economic theory that emphasizes lowering taxes to encourage investment and production.

Monetary Policy

The process by which the monetary authority of a country controls the supply of money.

Fiscal Policy

The use of government spending and tax policies to influence economic conditions.

Federal Reserve

The central banking system of the United States responsible for implementing monetary policy.

Linkage Institution

An organization that connects citizens to the government, such as media, political parties, and interest groups.

Party Conventions

Large gatherings of party members to nominate candidates and establish party platforms.

Regional Realignments

Significant shifts in party power or allegiance in specific geographical areas.

Third Party Candidate

A candidate who seeks election but is not affiliated with the two major political parties.

Independent Candidate

A candidate who runs for office without party affiliation.

Demographic Coalition

Groups of individuals with shared characteristics that combine interests in politics.

Party Coalition

A grouping of various groups and interests that work together to achieve a common political goal.

Voter Turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election.

Voter Behavior

The actions and attitudes of voters in the electoral process.

Rational Choice Voting

The theory that voters make decisions based on their preferences and interests.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on the past performance of a candidate or party.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on the anticipated future performance of a candidate or party.

Party-Line Voting

Voting for candidates of only one political party.

Campaign Consultants

Professionals hired to advise political campaigns on strategies and techniques.

Horse Race Journalism

Media coverage that focuses on political campaigns as competitions rather than as debates over issues.

Hard Money

Political contributions that are regulated by law through the Federal Election Commission.

Soft Money

Unregulated contributions to political parties for party-building activities.

Dark Money

Political spending by organizations that are not required to disclose their donors.

Attack Ads

Political advertisements that criticize an opponent's character or actions.

“Stand by Your Ad” provision

A requirement that candidates must appear in their ads and take responsibility for them.

Independent Expenditures

Funds spent by groups or individuals to support a candidate or campaign without coordination with that candidate.

PAC

Political Action Committee; a type of organization that raises funds to elect or defeat candidates.

Super PAC

A type of independent political action committee that can raise unlimited funds from individuals or organizations.

Interest Group

An organization of people with shared interests that seeks to influence public policy.

Lobbying

Influencing legislators or other public officials in favor of a specific cause.

Grassroots Lobbying

Lobbying that involves influencing public opinion to affect legislation.

Free-Rider Problem

The challenge faced by groups when individuals can benefit from resources without contributing to the cost.

House and Senate Leadership

The organizational hierarchy that manages legislative functions and represents the majority and minority parties.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block legislation by extending debate.

Incumbent Advantage

The advantage held by current officeholders in elections.

Role of congressional staff

Assist in the legislative process, constituent services, and research.

Types and Functions of Committees

Groups within Congress that specialize in specific areas of legislation and conduct hearings.

Budgetary Process

The procedure by which government budgets are created, debated, and approved.

Mandatory vs discretionary spending

Mandatory spending is required by law; discretionary spending is decided by annual appropriations.

Entitlement programs

Government programs that provide benefits to individuals who meet certain eligibility criteria.

Debt ceiling

The limit set by Congress on the amount of national debt that can be incurred.

Historical trend

Patterns or changes over time in political behavior, policies, or demographics.

Revenue vs expenditures

Revenue refers to government income, while expenditures are the spending of government funds.

16th Amendment

The amendment that allows the federal government to collect income tax.

Election Process

The series of steps through which candidates are nominated and elected to office.

Caucuses

Meetings of party members to select candidates or decide policy.

Types of primaries

Various methods by which political parties select candidates for the general election.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another.

Policy-making

The process of creating laws and policies that govern a society.