American Politics Exam 1

What is Government?

Government refers to the institutions and processes through which public policies are made and enforced.

Why Do We Need Government?

Governments are needed to manage conflicts, maintain order, and promote the general welfare of the people.

Monarchy

A government led by a single person, such as a king or queen.

Democracy

A system where the power to govern is vested in the people, either directly or through elected representatives.

Authoritarianism

A form of government where a single leader or a small group holds significant power with few limits.

Totalitarianism

An extreme form of authoritarianism where the government controls all aspects of public and private life.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that ultimate political authority rests with the people.

Republicanism

The belief in a republic, where the people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Separation of Powers

The division of government power into branches to prevent tyranny.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

Natural Rights

Certain inalienable rights, including life, liberty, and property, as advocated by John Locke.

Social Contract

The theory that legitimate government is based on an agreement between the people and the rulers.

Shays' Rebellion

An uprising of farmers in Massachusetts that highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

The Constitution

The foundational legal document that established the framework for the American government.

The Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution designed to protect individual liberties.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who advocated for a stronger national government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who feared a strong central government would infringe on rights.

Ratification Process

The process through which the Constitution was approved by nine states to become law.

Civil Liberties

Protections against government actions that violate individual freedoms.

Civil Rights

Protections against discrimination and unequal treatment.

Incorporation Doctrine

The process by which the Bill of Rights was extended to apply to state governments.

Disinformation

False information shared intentionally to reach a political goal.

Political Efficacy

The belief that individuals can affect government action through political participation.

Laissez-faire capitalism

An economic system with minimal government intervention in commerce.

The Equal Protection Clause

Part of the Fourteenth Amendment that mandates no person shall be denied equal protection of the laws.

Dual Federalism

A type of federalism where federal and state governments operate in distinct spheres.

Cooperative Federalism

A type of federalism where federal and state governments work together to solve problems.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments.

Enumerated Powers

Specific powers granted to Congress listed in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly written in the Constitution but necessary to carry out enumerated powers.

Federal Mandates

Requirements that states must follow, often with federal funding.

Political Party

A group of individuals who organize to win elections and influence public policy.

Party Identification

The psychological attachment individuals feel toward a political party.

Two-Party System

A political system dominated by two major political parties, usually resulting in competition for control of government.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution, responsible for electing the President and Vice President of the United States.

Voter Suppression

Any action that discourages or prevents specific groups of people from voting.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

An organization that collects political donations from members and uses them to fund candidates that align with their interests.

Interest Group

An organization of people who share common objectives and actively seek to influence policymakers.

Incumbent

An individual currently holding office, often seeking re-election.

Swing State

A state where no single candidate or party has overwhelming support, making it a target for electoral campaigns.

Referendum

A direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal and can result in the adoption of new laws.

Campaign Finance

The funding of political campaigns, often governed by laws regulating the amount of money that can be contributed.

Grassroots Movement

A movement driven by the politics of ordinary people, typically seeking to effect change from the ground up.

Bipartisanship

The agreement or cooperation between two political parties that usually oppose each other's policies.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another.

Agenda Setting

The process by which the media and other influential actors establish the importance of certain issues.

Socialism

An economic and political system where the means of production are owned or regulated by the community as a whole.

Capitalism

An economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production and operation for profit.

Political Ideology

A set of beliefs about the best way to organize society, including political, economic, and social structures.

Authoritarian Regime

A government that concentrates power in a leader or an elite not accountable to the people.

Constitutional Monarchy

A system of governance where a monarch's powers are limited by a constitution or laws.

Oligarchy

A form of power structure in which power resides in the hands of a small number of individuals.

Public Policy

The principles and intentions of government addressing societal issues.

Constituent

A person represented by an elected official.

Grassroots Campaign

A campaign that seeks to mobilize community members to advocate for political change.

Political Spectrum

A system of classifying different political positions upon one or more geometric axes.

Civic Engagement

Participation in activities that promote the best interests of the community and its members.

Nomination Process

The procedures through which political parties select their candidates for public office.

Voter Registration

The process of signing up to be eligible to vote in elections.

Civil Discourse

Engagement in conversation intended to enhance understanding, often in the context of political issues.

The Judiciary

The judicial system of a country or state, responsible for interpreting the law.

Impeachment

A formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity, potentially leading to removal from office.

Marbury v. Madison

A landmark case that established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to invalidate laws that it finds unconstitutional.

Brown v. Board of Education

A significant Supreme Court case that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson.

Roe v. Wade

A key Supreme Court decision that recognized a woman's constitutional right to privacy, allowing for legal abortion.

Miranda v. Arizona

A Supreme Court ruling that established the requirement for individuals in police custody to be informed of their rights, leading to the creation of the 'Miranda warning'.

United States v. Lopez

A case that ruled Congress had exceeded its commerce clause authority when it banned guns in school zones, affirming states’ rights.

Citizens United v. FEC

A Supreme Court case that held that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts in candidate elections cannot be limited.

Loving v. Virginia

A landmark case in which the Supreme Court declared that laws banning interracial marriage were unconstitutional.

Obergefell v. Hodges

A Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage across the United States, affirming the right to marry as a fundamental liberty.

Shelby County v. Holder

A case that invalidated key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, significantly weakening the federal government's ability to monitor state voting laws.

New Jersey v. T.L.O.

A Supreme Court case that held that students have a reduced expectation of privacy in public schools, allowing for reasonable searches.