Political Science Exam Review Flashcards

This set of flashcards is designed to help students review key concepts related to American government, political systems, and legislative processes in preparation for their political science exam.

How is the number of electoral college votes a state has determined?

It is the number of house representatives plus 2.

What procedural tactic is used to block a vote on legislation?

Senate filibuster.

What is funding for a project in a member of Congress's state or district called?

Earmark or pork.

What does the 8th amendment protect against?

Cruel and unusual punishments.

Is it true that the NRA is politically powerful because they give millions in individual campaign contributions to candidates who oppose gun control?

False.

Who has greater control over fiscal policy?

The president.

What significant legislation was a check on presidential power in the 20th century?

War Powers Act.

What foreign policy strategy prioritizes maintaining the U.S. as the unipolar superpower?

Primacy.

What could the Continental Congress not do under the Articles of Confederation?

Levy taxes and regulate commerce.

Provide an example of a left-leaning and a right-leaning source of partisan media.

MSNBC is left-leaning, Fox News is right-leaning.

What term describes the process of party polarization?

Sorting.

What types of policies tend to be controversial and hotly contested?

Policies that regulate individual conduct.

What is an example of domestic policy failure related to drug sentencing?

The 100-1 sentencing ratio.

Where are major legislative decisions made?

Committees or subcommittees.

What is the main reason the United States has a two-party system?

Single representation.

What is absolute immunity?

It protects government officials from being sued for actions performed in their official capacity.

What are the three primary functions of Congress?

Lawmaking, representation, and oversight.

According to presidential scholar Richard, what is presidential power?

The power to persuade.

Was the original purpose of the Supreme Court to exercise judicial review?

False.

What incentives do the most successful interest groups typically provide?

Material, solitary, and purposeful incentives.

What principle gives the federal judiciary the power to declare an action unconstitutional?

Judicial review.

What event, which had 70 million viewers, changed the landscape of American politics?

The Nixon-JFK debate.

Does Article II of the Constitution give the president the power to declare war?

False, only Congress can.

What does the 10th amendment address?

Reserved powers to the states.

What term describes the administrative system that manages government agencies?

Bureaucracy.

What are the five areas of domestic policy?

Education, criminal justice, economic, immigration, environmental, housing, welfare, social security.

Is the Bill of Rights legally binding for the states?

False.

What key aspect of modern government was demonstrated through the control of Congressional committees?

The sausage-making process of legislation.

What significant change occurred in voter perception after the Nixon-JFK debate?

It highlighted the power of televised debates in politics.

What does the principle of judicial review enable the Supreme Court to do?

Declare actions of another branch unconstitutional.

What type of representation is commonly associated with a two-party system?

Single-member districts.

What is the implication of increasing partisanship in media consumption?

Greater division in public opinion.

What historic failure in drug policy was influenced by racial disparities?

The 100-1 sentencing ratio for crack versus powder cocaine.

What are the three types of incentives that interest groups can offer?

Material, solitary, and purposive.