Political Science Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering foundational concepts, government structures, civil liberties, and more.

Popular Sovereignty

People are the source of government power.

Natural Rights

Rights all people have (life, liberty, property).

Social Contract

Agreement where people give up some freedom for protection.

Monarchy

Government ruled by a king or queen.

Tyranny

Cruel, oppressive government or rule.

Republic

Government where people elect representatives.

Limited Government

Government power is restricted by laws or a constitution.

Participatory Democracy

Citizens actively participate in politics.

Pluralist Democracy

Many groups compete to influence policy.

Elite Democracy

A small, powerful group makes decisions.

Shays’ Rebellion

1786 uprising showing weakness of the Articles of Confederation.

Great Compromise

Created a bicameral legislature (House = population, Senate = equal).

Virginia Plan

Representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

Equal representation for all states.

Exclusive Powers

Only federal government can use (e.g., declaring war).

Reserved Powers

Powers kept by states (e.g., education).

Concurrent Powers

Shared by federal and state (e.g., taxes).

Fiscal

Having to do with money or budgeting.

Fiscal Federalism

Federal use of money (grants) to control state policies.

Mandate

Federal requirement states must follow.

Unfunded Mandate

Mandate without money to fund it.

Categorical Grant

Money with specific conditions.

Block Grant

Money for broad purposes.

Devolution

Giving power back to the states.

Revenue Sharing

Federal funds given to states with few restrictions.

Delegated Powers

Powers given to the federal government.

Enumerated Powers

Powers clearly listed in the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not listed but needed to carry out enumerated powers.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make laws to carry out powers.

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is above state law.

Commerce Clause

Congress can regulate trade between states.

Establishment Clause

Government can’t create a national religion.

Free Exercise Clause

People can practice any religion.

Due Process Clause

No person can be deprived of life, liberty, property without legal steps.

Executive Orders

Rules issued by the President like laws.

Executive Agreement

Agreement with another country; no Senate approval.

Candidate Consolidation

Party unites behind fewer candidates.

Formal Powers

Powers specifically given to the President.

Pocket Veto

President doesn’t sign bill, and it dies after 10 days.

Bully Pulpit

President uses media/public attention to push agenda.

Filibuster

Talking endlessly to delay a Senate vote.

Cloture Rule

60 Senate votes to end a filibuster.

Pork Barrel Spending

Money for local projects to win votes.

Discretionary Spending

Money Congress can adjust yearly.

Mandatory Spending

Spending required by law (e.g., Social Security).

Power of the Purse

Congress controls money/spending.

Judicial Activism

Judges make bold policy decisions.

Judicial Restraint

Judges defer to elected branches.

Precedent

Court decisions used to decide future cases.

Stare Decisis

“Let the decision stand”—follow precedent.

Judicial Independence

Courts are separate from politics.

Iron Triangle

Relationship between agencies, Congress, and interest groups.

Independent Agencies

Operate outside the Cabinet (e.g., NASA).

Regulatory Commissions

Enforce rules (e.g., FCC).

Government Corporations

Government-run businesses (e.g., USPS).

Pendleton Act

Ended patronage; hiring based on merit.

Merit System

Hiring based on qualifications.

Implementation

Putting laws into action.

Regulation

Rules by agencies to enforce laws.

Administration

Day-to-day operations of government.

Adjudication

Agencies settle disputes.

Rule-Making

Agencies create rules to carry out laws.

Oversight

Congress monitors bureaucracy.

Civil Liberties

Individual freedoms (e.g., speech, religion).

Civil Rights Act

1964 law banning discrimination.

Voting Rights Act

Banned voter discrimination (1965).

Title IX

Bans sex discrimination in education.

Affirmative Action

Policies to help disadvantaged groups.

De Jure Segregation

Segregation by law.

De Facto Segregation

Segregation by practice.

Self-Incrimination

Testifying against yourself (5th Amendment).

Johnson Amendment

Limits political activity by nonprofits.

Prior Restraint

Government blocks publication before it happens.

Selective Incorporation

Applying Bill of Rights to states case by case.

Due Process

Fair legal procedures.

Franchise

Right to vote.

Political Efficacy

Belief your vote matters.

Winner-Takes-All

Candidate with most votes wins all (e.g., Electoral College).

Political Polarization

Division between political parties.

Trustee

Rep votes based on judgment.

Demagogue

Leader who appeals to emotions/prejudice.

Politico

Mix of trustee and delegate roles.

Policy Agenda

Issues government focuses on.

Gatekeeper

Media decides what issues to cover.

Scorekeeper

Media tracks political winners/losers.

Watchdog

Media investigates government.

Agenda Setting

Media influences what people think is important.

Issue Networks

Looser version of an iron triangle.

Connected PAC

Tied to an interest group or union.

Non-Connected PAC

Not tied to a specific group.

Super PAC

Can spend unlimited $ independently.

Hard Money

Donated directly to candidates (regulated).

Soft Money

Given to parties (less regulated).

BCRA (McCain-Feingold)

Banned soft money, regulated ads.