POLS 1100 Introduction to American Government Final Exam Study Guide

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key concepts from American government, including power theories, constitutional foundations, federalism, the three branches of government, political behavior, and civil rights.

Political Science

The study of power.

Elitist theory of power

A theory of power that suggests a small group of influential individuals holds most of the political power.

Majoritarian theory of power

A theory of power asserting that the majority of citizens determine government policy.

Pluralist theory of power

A theory of power suggesting that political power is distributed among a wide range of diverse interest groups.

Social contract theory

A theory regarding the origin of society and the legitimacy of the authority of the state over the individual, often associated with Locke, Hobbes, and Rousseau.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people, who are the source of all political power.

Tyranny of the majority

A situation in which a government or other authority democratically supported by a majority of its population takes action that oppresses a minority group.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written to encourage the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Supremacy Clause

A constitutional provision establishing that the Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land.

Necessary and Proper Clause

A clause in the Constitution that grants Congress the power to pass all laws requisite for carrying out its enumerated list of powers.

Federalism

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

Enumerated powers

The specific powers granted to Congress by the Constitution as listed in Article I.

Implied powers

Powers of the federal government that go beyond those explicitly stated in the Constitution, justified by the Necessary and Proper Clause.

10th Amendment

The amendment stating that powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people.

Fiscal federalism

The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system; the cornerstone of the national government's relations with state and local governments.

Article I

The section of the Constitution that establishes the Legislative branch of the government (Congress).

Filibuster

A procedural move in the Senate used to block or delay action on a bill or other matter by debating it at length.

Cloture

A procedure for ending a debate, such as a filibuster, and taking a vote; requires a three-fifths majority in the Senate.

Article II

The section of the Constitution that establishes the Executive branch of the government (President/Bureaucracy).

Honeymoon period

The early period of a president's term when they typically enjoy high public approval and cooperation from Congress.

Lame duck period

The period of time between an election and the inauguration of the successor, during which an outgoing official's political influence is diminished.

Article III

The section of the Constitution that establishes the Judicial branch of the government (Federal Courts).

Writ of Certiorari

A formal petition used to ask the Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision.

Judicial review

The power of the courts to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional.

Political Socialization

The process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values from various agents such as family, school, and media.

Political ideology

A consistent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and the role of government.

Linkage institution

A structure within a society that connects the people to the government, such as political parties, interest groups, and news media.

Yellow journalism

Sensationalized or exaggerated news reporting used to attract readers and influence public opinion.

Agenda setting

The process by which the news media decide which topics are deserving of public attention.

Free rider

An individual who benefits from a collective good without contributing to its achievement.

Selective incorporation

The process by which certain protections of the Bill of Rights are applied to the states through the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause.

Brown vs. Board of Education

The landmark Supreme Court case that ruled racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional.

Proportional Representation

Electoral system that elects multiple representatives in each district from people who voted them

Incorporation doctrine

the constitutional principle that applies most of the U.S. Bill of Rights to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause

Appointed judges/ life tenure

federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, are appointed for life under Article III of the Constitution

Agents of political socialization

the individuals, groups, and institutions that shape a person’s political beliefs, values, and behaviors throughout their life (family, education, peer groups, religion)

Scientific polling

a structured method of measuring public opinion using statistical techniques to ensure accuracy and representativeness.

Roles of news media

Shaping public opinion, watchdog role, signaling, cultural influencers using newspapers, radio, or television

Two-party political system

a political arrangement in which two major political parties dominate electoral competition and alternate in governing

Interest groups

Inside lobbying

Outside lobbying

Economic groups

Citizen groups