USGOV Test 2 Topics

Civil Rights

protections of citizen equality provided by the government

Civil Liberties

individual rights and personal freedoms with which governments may not interfere.

Free Exercise Clause

You are free to practice any religion you wish (that includes choosing not to be religious)

Establishment Clause

The government should not establish a national church, should not favor one religion over another, and should keep the church and state separate

1st Amendment

Right to freedom of speech, press, petition, and protest

4th Amendment

No illegal searches or seizures

Mapp v. Ohio (1961) (4A Court Cases)

Any evidence obtained illegally cannot be used against someone in a criminal trial

United States v. Jones (2012) (4A Court Cases)

GPS can't be placed on your car without a warrant

Florida v. Jardines (2013) (4A Court Cases)

Drug sniffing dog can only sniff outside your home with reasonable suspicion

Maryland v. King (2013) (4A Court Cases)

You can be DNA tested after arrest, regardless if you're guilty or not

Riley v. California (2014) (4A Court Cases)

Police cannot search your cell phone upon arrest without a warrant

5th Amendment

Right to due process of law

Grand Jury (5A)

You cannot be put on trial for a crime without an indictment by a grand jury

Double Jeopardy (5A)

If you are found "not guilty" for a crime, you cannot be put on trial again for that same offense

Self-Incrimination (5A)

Right to remain silent

Eminent Domain (5A)

The government can take private property for public use, but they must give a valid reason and pay a fair price to the owner

14th Amendment

Originally used to give black men legal rights, but has been used to expand legal protections to various groups over time

Exclusionary Rule (4A)

Any evidence obtained illegally cannot be used against someone in a criminal trial.

Political Knowledge of Americans

Generally, very low. Higher education, income, and occupational status tend to have higher levels of knowledge.

Political Ideology

public opinions based on a set of beliefs and values

Beliefs

Unverifiable views on the nature of reality

Values

The basic principles that guide public opinion

Liberalism

Support political and social reform

Liberals generally favor

Progressive taxation, expansion of social services, more vigorous efforts to help the poor and marginalized, protect consumers and environment, reproductive rights for women, marginalized communities need their rights upheld by the 14th A, rights for gays and lesbians, rights of immigrants, rights of the accused, gun control, international orgs like the UN, prefer diplomacy, smaller military presence around the globe

Conservativism

support the social and economic status quo and are suspicious of new political and economic arrangements

Conservatives generally favor

Smaller government, social action in the private sector, local communities, or religious organizations, less economic and environmental regulation, school prayer, traditional family arrangements, law and order, strict abortion laws (or ban), military strength, restricted immigration, heterosexual marriage

Gender Gap

A pattern of different voting behavior and political views between men and women

Shortcuts and Cues

Voters tend to gather information "on the cheap." Get cues and information from friends, social media, relatives, religious leaders, and party leaders

Social Desirability Effect

respondents report what they expect the interviewer wants to hear and not what they truly feel.

Random Digit Dialing

Calling randomly generated phone numbers. Less than 15% of people respond to this technique, and it may not be representative.

Fake News

False and negative stories can go viral before any fact-checking and without respect for the privacy of those involved

Media Ownership

Large global corporations own much of the media offline and online. Six companies own 90% Of American Media

For-Profit News

The US focuses on soft news (celebrities, sports, entertainment), and scandalous stories because that's what people watch.

Agenda-Setting

The media determines which issues should be discussed and which issues are unimportant

Framing

The power of the media to influence how issues and events are interpreted.

Equal Time Rule

the requirement that broadcasters provide candidates for the same political office equal opportunities to communicate their message to the public

How many Americans use a TV?

95% of Americans have a TV. Tens of Millions of Americans watch national and local news programs everyday (mostly older people).

What are the cons of TV Broadcast Media?

Covers relatively few topics without in-depth coverage, often relies on "Sound Bites" which can be politically manipulative, and networks are becoming increasingly biased

Public Media

media funded by the government (Public Broadcasting Service)

How much is US news media is publicly owned?

2%

Newspapers

oldest medium for distributing news. Historically have been responsible for setting the political agenda for the nation

Why were newspapers reliable?

They had to be as objective as possible to attract readers from both sides to maximize profit.

Why have newspapers become less reliable today?

There are less trained experts (journalists) and we've become less objective in our reporting.

Political Party

organized groups that seek influence over the government by electing its members to office.

External Mobilization

when a group of politicians outside of the government organize popular support to win governmental power.

2-Party System

A political system in which only two parties have a realistic chance to control government

Caucus

A normally closed political party business meeting of citizens to select candidates, elect officers, plan strategy, and make decisions regarding legislative matters

Primary Election

Members of the same party campaign against one another to secure their party's nomination

Closed Primary

Vote in the party you belong to

Open Primary

Vote for whichever party you want to

Electoral Realignment

Major shift when one party replaces another as the dominant political force.

When is there electoral realignment?

Happens when there's a major economic or political crisis

Proportional Representation

Seats in congress are determined by the proportion of votes that every party gets.

Does the US use proportional representation?

NO! It uses a winner-takes-all system

Referendum

the practice of referring a measure proposed or passed by a legislature to the vote of the electorate for approval or rejection.

Super PACs

Non-profit independent groups that receive and disperse funds to influence the nomination, election, or defeat of candidates. (Tax exempt status).

Why are Super PACs heavily influential?

They can spend unlimited amounts of money if they don't coordinate directly with campaigns. However, they can still scare people into voting or not voting to best suit their wishes.

Free Exercise Clause