FBLA Public Policy and Advocacy

political science

the systematic study of government and politics

Democracy

A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

Capitalism

An economic system based on private ownership of capital

Constitutionalism

Basic principle that government and those who govern must obey the law; the rule of law

Political Justice

Equal political rights and opportunities for all citizens

No discrimination of any kind

Equal right to run for office and vote

Individual Rights

Basic liberties and rights of all citizens are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

Components of GDP

consumption, investment, government spending, net exports

types of political power

traditional authority, rational-legal authority, charismatic authority

traditional authority

Power due to custom, tradition, or accepted practice

rational-legal authority

Legal rules and regulations are stipulated in a document. How the United States government operates

charismatic authority

power legitimized by extraordinary personal abilities that inspire devotion and obedience

role of politics in government

to bring people together, to develop policies favorable to their interest and persuade voters to elect their candidates

conflicts of politics in government

disagreements or disputes between individuals, groups, or nations with opposing views, interests, or ideologies in political matters

shifting power from majority to a few

Refers to the transition to less participation in the polls by US citizens. Since fewer people are voting than in past times, less people have control over what the government is really doing.

political culture

the widely shared beliefs, values, and norms that citizens share about their government

public opinion

the distribution of the population's beliefs about politics and policy issues

citizenship

informed and active membership in a political community

civil society

voluntary action that makes cooperation easier

country

a nation or area of land that is politically controlled by one government

Nation

a group of people with a common culture living in a territory and having a strong sense of unity

state

An area organized into a political unit and ruled by an established government with control over its internal and foreign affairs.

Government

the governing body of a nation, state, or community.

special interest group

an organization of people with some common interest who try to influence government decisions

Private Interest Groups

pursue economic goals that only benefit their members

public interest groups

groups that organize to influence government to produce collective goods, services, or policies that benefit the general public

Republican Party founding

1854 - anti-slavery Whigs and Democrats, Free Soilers and reformers from the Northwest met and formed party in order to keep slavery out of the territories

Democratic Party founding

A political party formed by supporters of Andrew Jackson after the presidential election of 1824.

Republican party today

Currently, the party's fiscal conservatism includes support for lower taxes, small government conservatism, free market capitalism, free trade, deregulation of corporations, and restrictions on labor unions.

Modern Democratic Party

The party favors a mixed economy and generally supports a progressive tax system, higher minimum wages, Social Security, universal health care, public education, and subsidized housing. It also supports infrastructure development and clean energy investments to achieve economic development and job creation.

two party system

An electoral system with two dominant parties that compete in national elections.

multi-party system

political party system that recognizes 3 or more major political parties

Minor political parties

political parties that do not have elected representatives to win government but are able to place pressure on the government to address specific issues and introduce law reform

1st Amendment (1791)

Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition

2nd Amendment (1791)

Right to bear arms

3rd Amendment (1791)

No quartering of soldiers

4th Amendment (1791)

Protection against Unreasonable Search and Seizure

5th Amendment (1791)

The Right to Remain Silent/Double Jeopardy, right to due process

6th Amendment (1791)

The right to a Speedy Trial by jury, representation by an attorney for an accused person

7th Amendment (1791)

Right to a jury trial for criminal and some civil cases

8th Amendment (1791)

Prohibits excessive bail and no unusual punishment

9th Amendment (1791)

Citizens entitled to rights not listed in the Constitution

10th Amendment (1791)

Federal powers are not stated in the Constitution are reserved for the states

11th Amendment (1795)

limits on suits against the states; if a suit is between a state and a citizen of another state, it is to be held in the SC and be initiated by the state

12th Amendment (1804)

separation of votes for President and Vice President

13th Amendment (1865)

Abolition of slavery w/o compensation for slave-owners

14th Amendment (1868)

citizenship, due process, equal protection

15th Amendment (1870)

States cannot deny any person the right to vote because of race.

18th Amendment (1919)

Prohibited the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages

22nd Amendment (1951)

the president is limited to two terms or a total of 10 years in office