Untitled Flashcards Set

Political Culture

A set of shared beliefs, values, and norms that define the relationship between citizens and their government.

Alexis de Tocqueville

A political thinker who observed American political culture and highlighted values like liberty, individualism, and civic duty as foundational to U.S. democracy.

Social Capital

The social networks and trust that facilitate cooperation among individuals, which Robert Putnam argued has been declining in America.

Political Socialization

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

Agents of Political Socialization

Factors that influence political socialization, including family, media, schools, peers, and institutions.

Direct Influence

A type of political socialization characterized by explicit teaching of political values.

Indirect Influence

A type of political socialization where individuals observe and absorb values from family and society.

Single-Member District (SMD) Plurality System

An electoral system where one representative is elected per district, leading to two-party dominance.

Proportional Representation

An electoral system where parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive, encouraging multiparty systems.

Interest Groups

Organizations that aim to influence policy on specific issues without running candidates.

The Declaration of Independence

A document that articulated natural rights and announced the independence of the U.S. from Britain.

The Articles of Confederation

America’s first governing document that created a weak central government.

Federalist Papers

A collection of essays advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, particularly emphasizing the need to manage factionalism.

Elastic Clause

The provision in the U.S. Constitution that allows for the federal government to adapt its powers to meet new needs.

Judicial Review

The Supreme Court's authority to interpret the Constitution and invalidate laws that are contrary to it.

The Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, protecting individual rights and freedoms.

First Amendment Freedoms

Five fundamental freedoms, including speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Miller Test

A standard used by the courts to determine whether speech or expression can be classified as obscene.

Lemon Test

A three-pronged test used to assess whether a law violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Roe v. Wade

The landmark Supreme Court case that recognized a woman's constitutional right to have an abortion.