Poli Sci Final Key Terms

Surveillance (i.e., “filtering”, as defined in APT) -

The process through which journalists determine which news stories are significant enough to be reported on, often influenced by audience interests and media trends.

Interpretation (i.e., “framing”, as defined in APT) -

The manner in which journalists choose to present information, including their selection of words, headlines, and the portrayal of subjects as either favorable or unfavorable.

Socialization -

The process where individuals absorb and internalize beliefs, values, norms, and behaviors through exposure to various forms of media such as television, social media, and news outlets.

Availability heuristic -

A cognitive bias that causes individuals to assess the significance or likelihood of an event based on how easily they can recall examples, often shaped by media coverage.

Media bias -

The tendency of news outlets to present information in a manner that supports a specific perspective or narrative, potentially influencing public perception.

Audience fragmentation -

The phenomenon where media choices lead to the division of audiences into smaller groups, resulting in fewer individuals consuming the same news content.

Monetary Policy vs. Fiscal Policy -

Monetary policy pertains to managing the economy through control of the money supply and interest rates by the Federal Reserve, while fiscal policy relates to government spending and taxation decisions made by Congress and the President.

Phillips Curve -

An economic concept that illustrates the inverse relationship between unemployment and wage inflation: high unemployment correlates with low wages, and low unemployment with higher wages.

Debt vs. Deficit -

Deficit refers to the annual shortfall when government spending exceeds revenue, while debt is the cumulative total of all past deficits.

Unilateral vs. multilateral action -

Unilateral action refers to a country taking decisions independently, whereas multilateral action involves collaboration with other countries.

Isolationism vs. internationalism -

Isolationism advocates for minimal involvement in foreign affairs, while internationalism supports active engagement in global issues.

Realism vs. idealism -

Realism posits that nations act primarily in self-interest, whereas idealism suggests countries help others out of a genuine desire to assist.

Rally 'round the flag effect -

The tendency for public support of a leader to increase during times of national crisis or war.

Foreign aid -

Financial assistance provided to countries in need, encompassing economic, military, or humanitarian support.

By-product theory -

The idea that media covers political events primarily to attract audiences for profit, with political information being secondary to audience engagement.

Hard news vs. soft news -

Hard news refers to serious topics such as politics and economics, while soft news pertains to entertainment, lifestyle, and human interest stories.

Hostile media effect -

A bias where individuals with strong opinions believe that media coverage is biased against their viewpoint, regardless of whether the coverage is neutral.

Attack journalism -

A journalistic approach that focuses on scrutinizing or disparaging political candidates rather than presenting issues objectively.

Horse race coverage -

Media coverage that emphasizes the competition between candidates, often focusing on polling and election outcomes rather than substantive policy discussions.

Civil rights vs. civil liberties -

Civil rights protect individuals from discrimination by the government, whereas civil liberties safeguard individuals from government overreach, embodied in the Bill of Rights.

Disenfranchisement -

The act of depriving individuals of the right to vote, often through discriminatory practices.

Grandfather clause -

A law that allowed individuals to vote only if their ancestors had the right to vote before the Civil War, effectively disenfranchising Black voters.

Jim Crow Laws -

State and local laws enacted in the Southern United States that enforced racial segregation.

Separate but Equal Doctrine -

A legal principle established in Plessy v. Ferguson that justified racial segregation as long as facilities were deemed equal.

Brown v. Board of Education -

A landmark Supreme Court case that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for Black and white students unconstitutional, effectively overturning Plessy v. Ferguson.

Protectionism (as a rationalization for discrimination) -

The justification for limiting the rights or opportunities of certain groups by claiming they are being 'protected'.

De jure vs. de facto segregation -

De jure segregation is enforced by law, while de facto segregation occurs in practice, even when not legally mandated.

Substantive due process doctrine -

A constitutional doctrine that protects certain fundamental rights that are not explicitly outlined in the Constitution, such as the right to privacy.

Federal Reserve (the Fed) -

The central banking system of the United States, responsible for regulating the money supply and setting interest rates to control inflation and stabilize the economy.

Budget Making -

The process of determining how government funds will be allocated and spent during a fiscal year.

Budget Reconciliation -

A legislative process in Congress that allows for expedited consideration of budget-related measures to avoid filibuster, requiring only a simple majority to pass.

Continuing Resolutions -

Temporary measures used by Congress to fund government operations when a formal budget agreement has not been reached.

Treasury Department -

The government agency responsible for managing revenue, taxes, and national debt.

Keynesian economics -

An economic theory advocating for increased government expenditures and lower taxes to stimulate demand during economic downturns.

Marginal tax rate -

The tax rate applied to the last increment of income earned, rather than the overall income.

Mandatory vs. Discretionary spending -

Mandatory spending is legally required (e.g., Social Security), while discretionary spending is determined by annual appropriations (e.g., military, education budgets).

Welfare -

Government programs that provide financial assistance and resources to those in need.

Contributory vs. noncontributory programs -

Contributory programs benefit individuals based on prior contributions (e.g., Social Security), while noncontributory programs provide assistance without regard to previous contributions.

The New Deal -

A series of social and economic programs implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to address the Great Depression and promote recovery.

Social Security -

A federal program that provides monthly income to elderly individuals, funded through payroll taxes.

Monroe Doctrine -

A principle that warned European powers against colonizing or interfering in the Americas, asserting that the U.S. would remain neutral in European conflicts.

Democratic peace theories -

Theories suggesting that democracies are less likely to engage in armed conflict with one another.

The Department of State -

The executive branch department responsible for overseeing diplomatic relations and foreign policy.

The Department of Defense -

The federal department responsible for coordinating and overseeing military operations.

The Department of Homeland Security -

The government agency focusing on protecting the United States from domestic threats, including terrorism and natural disasters.

Civilian control (of the military) -

The principle that elected civilian leaders, rather than military officials, hold authority over the armed forces.

Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) -

IGOs are international agencies composed of member states (e.g., the United Nations), whereas NGOs are independent entities that operate on global issues (e.g., the Red Cross).

United Nations (UN) -

An international organization formed to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries.

Economic sanctions -

Economic penalties, such as trade restrictions or tariff impositions, utilized to compel nations to alter their behavior.

Tariffs -

Taxes imposed on imported goods, aimed at generating revenue and protecting domestic industries.

Globalization -

The increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of nations, influenced by trade, cultural exchanges, and economic collaboration.