American Government Unit II: American Political System Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards for American Government Unit II, covering electoral systems, political ideologies, interest groups, and the path to the presidency.

Federalist #10

A founding document that discusses the danger of factions and argues that a large republic is the best way to control their effects.

Primary Election

An election held to determine which candidates will represent a political party in the upcoming general election.

General Election

The final election held to choose which candidate will fill a specific public office.

Political Socialization

The process by which individuals identify and develop their political beliefs and attitudes, influenced by factors like family and education.

Plurality

An electoral outcome where a candidate receives more votes than any other candidate, but not necessarily a majority.

Majority

An electoral outcome where a candidate receives more than $50\%$ of the total votes cast.

Proportional Representation

An electoral system where legislative seats are awarded to political parties in proportion to the percentage of the vote they receive.

Single-member District

An electoral district in which voters choose one representative or official to hold office.

At-large District

A designation for an electoral district where representatives are elected from the entire state or jurisdiction rather than from a specific subdivision.

Liberal

An ideology that typically favors a more active role for the federal government in the economy while preferring less government intervention in social or personal behavior.

Conservative

An ideology that typically favors a limited role for the federal government in the economy while supporting more traditional government intervention in social or political matters.

Libertarian

An ideology that favors minimal government intervention in both economic and social/political spheres.

Authoritarian / Totalitarian

An ideology (sometimes categorized with populists in this context) that favors extensive government control over both economic and social life.

Interest Groups

Organizations that attempt to influence public policy based on specific concerns; they differ from political parties because they do not run their own candidates for office.

Political Parties

Organizations that seek to gain control of the government by winning elections and holding public office.

Exit Poll

A poll taken of voters immediately after they have left the polling station, used to provide reliable data on election results and voter behavior.

National Party Convention

A meeting held every four years by each major party to officially nominate presidential and vice-presidential candidates and serve the party's fall campaign strategy.

Delegates

Individuals chosen to represent their state's party at the national convention to perform roles such as nominating candidates.

Electoral College

The formal system used in the United States to elect the President and Vice President based on state-by-state results.