Political spectrum and federalism questions study guide

Federalism

Division of powers between national and state governments.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to states.

Cooperative Federalism

National and state governments collaborate on policies.

Devolution

Transfer of powers from national to state governments.

New Federalism

Emphasizes state power and responsibilities.

Block Grants

Lump sums allowing states discretion in spending.

Categorical Grants

Funds for specific purposes with strict oversight.

Political Socialization

Process by which individuals form political beliefs.

Contributing Agents of Socialization

Influences like family, education, and media.

Supremacy of Federal Law

Federal law takes precedence over state law.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Case reinforcing federal power over states.

United States v. Lopez

Case limiting federal power under Commerce Clause.

Cross-Cutting Cleavages

Overlapping identities affecting political views.

Political Spectrum

Range of political ideologies from radical to reactionary.

Liberals

Advocate for larger government role in society.

Conservatives

Prefer smaller government and individual responsibility.

Random Sampling

Ensures equal selection chance for poll accuracy.

Poll Accuracy Factors

Includes question wording, sample size, and demographics.

Importance of Polls

Measures public opinion to inform policymakers.

Voting Blocs

Groups with shared interests affecting political alignment.

Libertarians

Favor minimal government intervention in all areas.

Authoritarians

Support strong central government control.

Margin of Error

Indicates potential inaccuracy in poll results.

Sample Size

Number of participants affecting poll reliability.

Question Wording

Can bias poll results based on phrasing.