Political Science 001 – Final Examination Study Guide

100 vocabulary flashcards covering major terms, cases, and concepts from the Political Science 001 final examination study guide.

Political Socialization

The lifelong process through which individuals form their political attitudes, values, and beliefs.

Family and Social Environment

Primary agents of political socialization where early attitudes and party loyalties are often shaped.

Education (Agent of Socialization)

Schools and universities that transmit civic knowledge and democratic norms influencing political beliefs.

Media (Agent of Socialization)

News outlets, television, and digital platforms that inform the public and frame political issues.

Religion (Agent of Socialization)

Faith‐based communities and doctrines that help shape moral perspectives and policy preferences.

Opinion Leaders

Influential individuals whose views guide others’ political attitudes (e.g., pundits, activists, celebrities).

Public Opinion

The aggregate of individual views about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events.

Random Sample

A polling method where every member of the population has an equal chance of selection.

Representative Sample

A subset of the population whose demographics reflect those of the entire group being studied.

Voting Behavior

Patterns in how and why people vote, influenced by socialization and contextual factors.

Perception of Candidates

Voters’ impressions of a candidate’s character, competence, and integrity.

Issue Preference

The importance voters attach to specific policy concerns when deciding how to vote.

Party Identification

A long‐term psychological attachment to a political party that guides voting choices.

Political Party

A group of activists who organize to win elections, operate government, and shape public policy.

Functions of Political Parties

Winning elections, operating government, and developing public policy agendas.

Filling Gaps Left by the Constitution

Party role of providing structure and organization not explicitly detailed in the Constitution.

Candidate Recruitment

The process by which parties identify and encourage individuals to seek public office.

Stimulating Interest in the Electorate

Party efforts to engage and inform voters about issues, campaigns, and participation.

Mobilizing Voters

Activities such as canvassing and GOTV drives designed to increase voter turnout.

Stable Alliances

Long‐term voter coalitions that consistently support a party, sometimes reducing responsiveness.

Novel Electoral Techniques

Innovative campaign methods (e.g., social media micro‐targeting) used to gain voter support.

Candidate Branding

Creating a recognizable image or identity for a candidate, akin to marketing products.

Operation of Government (Party Role)

Parties’ ongoing coordination inside legislatures and executive agencies to enact agendas.

Two‐Party System

An electoral arrangement dominated by two major parties, such as Democrats and Republicans.

Party System Realignment

Historical shift in voter coalitions marking five distinct party eras in U.S. history.

Faction

A subgroup within a party that pursues specific interests without forming a separate party.

Third Party Candidate

A contender outside the two major parties, often hindered by ballot access and plurality rules.

Tea Party Movement

A conservative faction within the Republican Party rather than an independent party.

Constitutional Eligibility for President

Must be 35 years old, a natural‐born citizen, and resident for 14 years.

Constitutional Eligibility for Congress

House: 25 years old, 7 years a citizen; Senate: 30 years old, 9 years a citizen.

Caucus

A meeting of party members to select delegates or express presidential preferences.

Primary Election

Statewide voting process where party members choose a nominee for the general election.

Delegate

A party representative pledged to support a candidate at the national convention.

Superdelegate

Unpledged Democratic Party leaders who may support any candidate at the convention.

Closed Primary

A primary where only registered party members can vote for their party’s nominees.

Open Primary

A primary allowing any registered voter to choose which party’s ballot to vote on.

Mixed Primary

A hybrid primary combining elements of open and closed systems, rules vary by state.

National Convention

Party assembly that nominates presidential candidates and adopts platforms.

General Election

The final race where voters choose among party nominees and independents for office.

Electoral College

Institution that formally elects the U.S. president through state‐allocated electors.

Criticism of Electoral College

Concerns include popular vote mismatch, unequal voter influence, and faithless electors.

Elector

A member of the Electoral College chosen by each state to cast presidential votes.

Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

Supreme Court case equating campaign spending with free speech, limiting regulations.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Decision allowing corporations and unions unlimited independent political expenditures.

SpeechNow v. FEC (2010)

Case leading to creation of Super PACs that may raise unlimited funds for independent ads.

Super PAC

Independent expenditure‐only committee that can spend unlimited money but cannot coordinate with candidates.

News

Timely information about events, issues, and personalities presented by media outlets.

News Making Process

David Paletz’s model of acquisition, conversion, and presentation of news stories.

Acquisition (News)

Initial gathering or discovery of information by journalists.

Conversion (News)

Editing and framing raw information into coherent news narratives.

Presentation (News)

Dissemination of finished news stories to the public via various platforms.

Media as Fourth Branch

Concept that press monitors government and informs citizens, acting as a quasi‐institution.

Selective Exposure

Tendency to seek information that reinforces preexisting views while avoiding contrary sources.

Selective Retention

Phenomenon where individuals remember information that confirms their beliefs.

Selective Perception

Interpreting ambiguous information in ways that support one’s existing attitudes.

Nationalism (Media Theme)

Media tendency to portray events from a pro‐American perspective.

Infotainment

Blending information and entertainment to attract audiences while conveying news.

Endorsement of American Economy

Media focus on supporting capitalist values and free‐market principles.

Empowering Congress

Constitutional provisions (e.g., Article I) granting legislative powers such as taxation and war declarations.

Limiting Congress

Checks like presidential vetoes, judicial review, and bicameralism that restrict legislative power.

House of Representatives

Lower chamber of Congress with 435 members serving two‐year terms.

Senate

Upper chamber of Congress with 100 members serving six‐year terms.

Filibuster

Senate tactic of extended debate to delay or block legislative action.

Rules Committee

House committee that sets terms for debate and amendment on the floor.

Lawmaking Function

Congress’s responsibility to draft, debate, and pass legislation.

Logrolling

Reciprocal voting agreements among legislators to support each other’s bills.

Pork Barrel

Government spending for localized projects secured primarily to bring money to a representative’s district.

Earmark

Specific expenditure inserted into legislation directing funds to particular projects.

Instructed Delegate Model

Representation theory where legislators follow the explicit wishes of constituents.

Trustee Model

Representation theory where legislators use their own judgment to make decisions.

Casework

Assistance provided by legislators to constituents in dealing with federal agencies.

Franking Privilege

Free mail service granted to members of Congress for official business.

Standing Committee

Permanent congressional panel with jurisdiction over specific policy areas.

Joint Committee

Committee with members from both House and Senate to conduct investigations or housekeeping tasks.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor a party or group.

Packing (Gerrymandering)

Concentrating opposition voters into a few districts to reduce their overall influence.

Cracking (Gerrymandering)

Splitting opposition voters across many districts to dilute their voting power.

Minority‐Majority District

Electoral district in which a racial or ethnic minority makes up a majority of constituents.

Presidential Eligibility

Requirements: natural‐born citizen, 35 years old, 14 years U.S. residency.

Whig Model

Presidential theory favoring limited executive power and strict constitutional interpretation.

Stewardship Model

Presidential approach asserting broad power unless expressly forbidden by the Constitution.

Modern Presidential Model

Contemporary view of an activist president expanding executive influence for national benefit.

Head of State

Presidential role as ceremonial representative of the nation.

Chief Legislator

Presidential role in shaping legislative agenda, proposing bills, and vetoing measures.

Commander in Chief

Presidential authority over the U.S. armed forces.

Chief Diplomat

Presidential role directing foreign policy and negotiating treaties.

Chief Executive

Head of the executive branch responsible for enforcing laws.

Executive Order

Directive issued by the president carrying the force of law without congressional approval.

Executive Agreement

International agreement made by the president without Senate ratification.

Impeachment

Process by which the House charges and the Senate tries federal officials for misconduct.

War Powers Resolution

1973 law aiming to check the president’s power to commit U.S. forces to armed conflict.

Judicial Review

Power of courts to declare legislative and executive actions unconstitutional.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Landmark case establishing the principle of judicial review.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Law that organized the federal court system beneath the Supreme Court.

Stare Decisis

Doctrine of following precedent to ensure legal consistency.

Judicial Activism

Judicial philosophy favoring proactive court involvement in policy change.

Judicial Restraint

Philosophy advocating minimal judicial interference and deference to elected branches.

Strict Construction

Interpreting the Constitution based on its plain wording and original intent.

Broad Construction

Interpreting the Constitution as a living document with adaptable meanings.

Plessy v. Ferguson

(1896) Supreme Court decision upholding racial segregation under "separate but equal" doctrine.