Federal govt Final Exam

Ideology

A consistent set of beliefs about politics and public policy.

Liberal

Supports government intervention in the economy and protection of civil liberties.

Conservative

Supports limited government in the economy and traditional social values.

Libertarian

Believes in minimal government interference in both economic and social matters.

Populist

Supports government control in both economic and moral issues.

Political Spectrum

Range of political beliefs from left (liberal) to right (conservative).

Political Party

An organization that seeks to win elections and influence government.

Interest Group

An organization seeking to influence public policy without running candidates.

Two-Party System

A system where two major political parties dominate elections.

Third Parties

Minor parties that bring attention to new ideas/issues.

Party Functions

Recruit candidates, inform public, organize government, watchdog role.

Economic Interest Group

Focus on economic policy, e.g., labor unions.

Public Interest Group

Focus on collective well-being, e.g., environmental groups.

Ideological Group

Promote a set of beliefs or values, e.g., NRA, Planned Parenthood.

Mass Media

All means of communication that reach large audiences.

Agenda Setting

Media shapes public focus by selecting which stories to highlight.

Watchdog Role

Media investigates government actions and exposes misconduct.

Gatekeeper Role

Media decides what information gets presented to the public.

Scorekeeper Role

Media tracks and reports on political popularity and campaigns.

Media Bias

The tendency to present stories in a way that reflects a particular viewpoint.

Framing

The way media presents and structures an issue or event.

Public Opinion

The collective beliefs and attitudes of individuals on political issues.

Polls

Surveys used to measure public opinion.

Random Sampling

Every person has an equal chance of being selected for the poll.

Margin of Error

Indicates the reliability of a poll (typically ±3%).

Influences on Public Opinion

Family, education, media, and social groups.

Primary Election

Voters choose candidates to run in the general election.

General Election

Voters choose among candidates from different parties.

Electoral College

System used to elect the U.S. president.

Swing States

States where either party has a chance of winning.

Voting Behavior

Influenced by party identification, issues, candidates, demographics.

Hard Money

Donations directly to candidates, regulated by law.

Soft Money

Indirect donations to parties, largely unregulated until 2002.

PACs (Political Action Committees)

Organizations that raise money to support candidates.

Super PACs

Can raise unlimited money but cannot coordinate directly with candidates.

FECA (Federal Election Campaign Act)

Limited campaign contributions and created the FEC.

BCRA (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act)

Banned soft money and regulated issue ads.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Struck down BCRA limits on independent expenditures, allowing Super PACs.

Natural Rights

Rights people are born with (e.g., life, liberty, property).

Positive Rights

Require government action (e.g., right to education).

Negative Rights

Require government non-interference (e.g., free speech).

Judicial Review

Power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established the principle of judicial review.

Bill of Rights

First 10 Amendments; protects individual liberties.

14th Amendment

Equal protection clause; used to apply Bill of Rights to states.