Studied by 0 people
Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.
Why Government
The fundamental reasons and purposes for the existence of government in society.
Studying Influence
Examining how individuals or groups can affect decision-making and policies.
Making (and Breaking) Coalitions
The process of forming alliances for a common purpose and the challenges of maintaining them.
Free Rider
An individual who benefits from resources or services without paying for them, often leading to collective action problems.
Collective Action Problem
A situation where individuals in a group would benefit from working together but fail to do so due to conflicting interests.
Articles of Confederation
The first constitution of the United States, which created a weak federal government.
Coordination Game (“Battle of the Sexes”)
A strategic interaction where players benefit from coordinating their actions, often resulting in multiple equilibrium outcomes.
“Ambition must be made to Counteract Ambition” (Federalist #51)
The idea that the structure of government should create a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.
Extended Republic (Federalist #10)
The concept that a larger republic can better guard against factions and tyranny than a smaller one.
Divided Government
A political situation in which different branches of government are controlled by different political parties.
“Going Public”
A strategy used by politicians to appeal directly to the public in order to gain support for policies.
Filibuster
A tactic used in the Senate to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill.
Principal-Agent Problem (Delegation)
The challenge that arises when a principal delegates work to an agent, leading to potential conflicts of interest.
Unilateral Action
Actions taken by the executive or president without the need for legislative approval.
Veto Point
A stage in the legislative process where an individual or group can halt progress on a bill.
Seniority System
A legislative practice that gives priority to the members with the longest continuous service.
Electoral College
The body established by the Constitution for the indirect election of the president and vice president of the United States.
Statutory Interpretation
The process by which courts interpret and apply legislation.
Marbury v. Madison
A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review in the United States.
Shelby v. Holder
A Supreme Court case that invalidated key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council
A Supreme Court case that affirmed the principle of deference to administrative agencies' interpretations of statutes.
“Counter-majoritarian Difficulty”
The issue that arises when judicial review conflicts with the will of the majority as expressed through legislation.
“Politicians in Robes”
A term that critiques judges and justices for policies that seem politically driven rather than legally based.
Jim Crow System
A series of laws and practices enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States.
Southern Realignment
The shift in political power and party affiliation in the American South during the late 20th century.
Reconstruction Era
The period following the American Civil War during which the Southern states were reintegrated into the Union.
Voting Rights Act
A landmark piece of federal legislation that prohibits racial discrimination in voting.
Voter ID Laws
Laws requiring voters to provide identification before casting a ballot.
White Primary
A primary election in which only white voters were allowed to participate, used primarily in Southern states.
Clean Air Act
A comprehensive federal law designed to regulate air emissions from stationary and mobile sources.
Social Security Act
A law enacted to provide social security benefits to the elderly, disabled, and other qualifying individuals.
Sixteenth Amendment (Federal Income Tax)
The constitutional amendment that allows Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the states.
Laboratories of Democracy
A phrase used to describe how states can experiment with policies at a local level.
“Race to the Bottom”
A term that refers to the competitive environment that can lead to lower standards or practices by entities seeking to cut costs.
Competitive Authoritarianism
A political system that maintains the facade of democracy while restricting opposition and undermining political freedoms.
Note 
Flashcard (33)