Introduction to Government, Media, and Polarization

Flashcards defining key vocabulary and terms related to civics, national spending, media bias, and polarization from the lecture.

Legislative Branch (Original Intent)

The branch of government originally intended by the framers to be the most helpful to the public.

Referendums

State-level votes that allow citizens to directly participate in making decisions on laws rather than relying solely on elected representatives.

Discretionary Spending

Government spending choices made by policy decisions, of which military spending is the highest category.

Supreme Court (Constitutional Specification)

The judicial body established without a set number of justices specified in the U.S. Constitution.

Manner of Elections

The authority over election processes that the U.S. Constitution leaves up to the individual states.

Rage Bait

Sensationalized content posted online to make users angry, driving article clicks and ad revenue.

Algorithms

Automated internet systems that track user behavior to deliver custom content, reinforcing existing views and contributing to polarization.

Debate TV

A television format historically associated with ESPN that frames every topic as an argument rather than intelligent discussion.

Fox News

A major news organization with a right-of-center perspective that is widely popular among Republicans.

New York Times

A news outlet labeled by some as having a left-wing slant in how it frames current events.

USA Today

A news organization characterized in the lecture as tending to be more neutral than partisan outlets.