American Government and Politics Review Flashcards

This set of flashcards covers fundamental concepts of United States government, including constitutional principles, compromises, federal-state relations, judicial rulings, and electoral processes.

What is the focus of media coverage described as Horse-Race Reporting?

Candidates’ standings in polls and campaign tactics rather than substantive policy positions

What is the function of the Electoral College?

A body of electors, each state receiving a number equal to its total congressional delegation, that formally selects the president

How is authority distributed in Federalism?

Authority is shared between a national entity and subnational units

What are Natural Rights?

Fundamental freedoms inherent to individuals, not granted by governmental authority

What is the Social Contract?

An implicit agreement where citizens give up some liberties in exchange for protection of their essential rights

Where does political authority rest according to the concept of Popular Sovereignty?

With the electorate, exercised through voting and civic participation

What is the primary goal of Limited Government?

To confine state power by constitutional limits to avoid tyranny

How does the Separation of Powers prevent the concentration of authority?

By dividing governmental responsibilities among three distinct branches

What is the purpose of Checks and Balances?

To allow each branch to restrain actions of the others, ensuring mutual oversight

What is the core principle of Republicanism?

Citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions on their behalf

What was the outcome of the Great Compromise?

The establishment of a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in one chamber and equal representation in the other

How did the Three-Fifths Compromise count enslaved individuals for representation and taxation?

Each enslaved individual was counted as three-fifths of a person

What authority is granted by the Necessary and Proper Clause?

The authority for Congress to pass laws deemed essential for executing its enumerated powers

What are Exclusive Powers?

Authority reserved solely for the national government, such as coining money and declaring war

What are Reserved Powers?

Authority retained by subnational units unless explicitly assigned to the national level

What are Concurrent Powers?

Authority that both levels of government may exercise simultaneously, like taxation

What defines a Categorical Grant?

Federal assistance tied to specific programs and strict compliance requirements

What does the Supremacy Clause establish?

That federal law overrides conflicting state statutes

What is Judicial Review?

The power of courts to invalidate statutes or actions that contravene the constitution

What are the two steps of Impeachment described in the notes?

Formal accusation by the lower legislative chamber, followed by a trial in the upper chamber

What is a Pocket Veto?

A presidential refusal to sign a bill when Congress adjourns within ten days, causing the bill to fail without a formal veto

What is an Executive Order?

A directive issued by the chief executive that manages operations of the federal bureaucracy without legislative approval

How is the Bully Pulpit used by the presidency?

Use of the presidency's visibility to shape public opinion and rally support for policy initiatives

What entities compose an Iron Triangle?

A congressional committee, a federal agency, and an interest group

What is an Issue Network?

A loose coalition of individuals and organizations that form around a specific policy concern and may shift over time

What is the process of Selective Incorporation?

Applying particular protections in the bill of rights to the states via the due-process clause

What are the requirements of the Miranda Rule?

Law-enforcement officers must inform suspects of their right to silence and counsel before custodial interrogation

What is the Exclusionary Rule?

A doctrine barring evidence obtained in violation of constitutional protections from being used in criminal trials

What happens during Quantitative Easing?

The central bank purchases large amounts of securities to increase money supply and lower long-term interest rates

What actions constitute Fiscal Stimulus?

Government action involving increased spending or tax cuts intended to boost economic activity during a downturn

What are the financial rules for a Super-PAC?

It can raise and spend unlimited sums on advocacy communications, but cannot coordinate with candidates

What is the main concept of Agenda-Setting Theory?

Media influences the public’s perception of which issues are important by choosing which stories to highlight

What is the Spoiler Effect?

A phenomenon where a third-party candidate draws votes away from a major contender, potentially altering the election outcome

What factors contribute to an Incumbency Advantage?

Name recognition, fundraising ease, and established support networks

How does a Winner-Take-All electoral rule operate?

The candidate receiving the most votes in a jurisdiction secures all of its electoral votes or seats

What did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibit?

Discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public accommodations, employment, and education

What was the ruling in Brown v. Board of Education?

Racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional under equal protection principles

What did the Heller Decision affirm?

An individual’s right to possess firearms for lawful purposes such as self-defense

What was established by McCulloch v. Maryland?

The national government may create institutions deemed necessary and useful for executing its powers

What is a Block Grant?

Federal funding provided for broad policy areas with relatively few conditions on how states allocate it

What is a Direct Primary?

An election in which party members select their nominees for the general election