Lecture Notes Flashcards

Flashcards in vocabulary format.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central (national) government and regional (state) governments.

Fiscal Federalism

The use of federal money (grants) to influence state and local policies.

Cooperative Federalism

A concept where national, state, and local governments work together to solve problems (like marble cake federalism).

Block Grants

Federal money given to states for broad purposes with fewer restrictions.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided for specific, narrowly defined purposes with many strings attached.

Unfunded Mandate

A federal requirement that states must follow without being given funding to do so.

Devolution

The process of transferring power from the federal government to state or local governments.

Demographic

Characteristics of populations (age, race, gender, income) used to study voting behavior.

Political Socialization

The process through which people acquire political beliefs and values (family is the most influential agent).

Political Culture

A set of shared views and values about government held by a society.

Political Efficacy

The belief that one's political participation matters (internal = understanding politics; external = belief in government responsiveness).

Gender Gap

The difference in political views or voting behavior between men and women.

Single-member Districts

Electoral districts that return one officeholder to a body with multiple members (often leads to a two-party system).

Redistricting

The redrawing of congressional district boundaries by state legislatures after a census.

Gerrymandering

Drawing districts in a way that benefits a specific political party.

Critical Elections

Elections that mark a significant shift in the political system (new party dominance).

Realignment

Long-term shift in party allegiance by a group of voters.

Dealignment

When voters move away from both major political parties.

Divided Government

One party controls the presidency, and the other controls one or both chambers of Congress.

Open Primary

A primary election where any registered voter can participate regardless of party affiliation.

Closed Primary

Only registered party members can vote in their party’s primary.

Caucus

A meeting of party members to select delegates backing one or another primary candidate.

General Election

A regular election for statewide or national office, typically held in November.

Midterm Election

Federal elections held halfway through a president’s term (lower turnout, can shift control of Congress).

Retrospective Voter

A voter who makes decisions based on past performance of a candidate or party.

PAC (Political Action Committee)

Groups that raise money to donate to candidates; subject to contribution limits.

Super PAC

Can raise and spend unlimited money independently (cannot coordinate directly with candidates).

Independent Expenditures

Political spending by groups not associated with a candidate, including ads.

Linkage Institutions

Structures that connect people to the government (e.g., elections, political parties, interest groups, media).

Policy Agenda

The list of issues the federal government pays attention to.

Horse Race Journalism

Media focus on polling data and who is ahead rather than issues.

Issue Network / Iron Triangle

Relationships among interest groups, congressional committees, and bureaucracies influencing policy.

Political Party

An organization that seeks to gain political power by electing members to public office.

Party Polarization

Growing ideological distance between political parties.

Interest Group

A group that tries to influence public policy to benefit its members or causes.

Pluralism

The theory that multiple competing groups can influence policy and keep power balanced.

Lobbying

Attempting to influence policymakers, often by interest groups.

Grassroots Lobbying

Efforts by interest groups to get the general public to contact lawmakers.

Expressed Powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for Congress.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated but inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Franking Privilege

The ability of members of Congress to send mail to constituents for free.

Pork Barrel

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

Filibuster

A tactic in the Senate to delay or block legislation by talking endlessly.

Casework

Helping constituents solve problems with the government.

Oversight

Congressional monitoring of executive agencies.

Motion for Cloture

A Senate procedure to end a filibuster (requires 60 votes).

Incumbency

Holding the current office; incumbents usually have a reelection advantage.

Logrolling

Legislators exchanging votes to pass each other's bills.

Inherent Powers

Powers the government needs to function, not explicitly listed.

White House Staff

The president’s closest advisors, not confirmed by the Senate.

Executive Order

A rule issued by the president with the force of law, bypassing Congress.

Pocket Veto

If the president takes no action on a bill for 10 days and Congress adjourns, the bill dies.

Lame Duck Period

Time after an election when the president or Congress is still in office but successors have been elected.

Amicus Curiae

"Friend of the court" brief submitted by someone not directly involved in a case.

Stare Decisis

The principle of following precedent in judicial decisions.

Original Intent

The belief that the Constitution should be interpreted as the framers intended.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional (established by Marbury v. Madison).

Judicial Activism

Judges make bold policy decisions, even charting new constitutional ground.

Writ of Certiorari

A request for the Supreme Court to review a lower court’s case.

Litigation

The process of taking legal action or being involved in a lawsuit.

Uncontrollable Spending

Federal spending that cannot be changed easily, such as interest on the debt.

Entitlements

Government programs guaranteeing access to benefits (e.g., Social Security, Medicare).

Mandatory Spending

Spending required by law (entitlements + interest on the debt).

Monetary Policy

Controlled by the Federal Reserve; regulates the money supply and interest rates.

Fiscal Policy

Government use of taxation and spending to influence the economy.

Selective Incorporation

Applying the Bill of Rights to the states using the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause.

Suffrage

The right to vote.