Political Science Review Flashcards

Flashcards for Political Science Review

Political Party Platform

A set of principles, goals, and strategies designed to address pressing political issues; adopted by a political party.

Liberal Political Position

Favors government intervention in the economy and social issues to promote equality, social justice, and individual well-being.

Conservative Political Position

Emphasizes limited government, individual liberty, free markets, and traditional values.

Caucus

A meeting of party members to select candidates or decide on policy.

Direct Primary

An election in which voters choose candidates to represent a party in a general election.

Closed Primary

A primary election in which only registered party members can vote.

Open Primary

A primary election in which any registered voter can participate, regardless of party affiliation.

Nominating Conventions

Formal meetings where parties officially choose their candidates to run for office.

Third Parties

Political parties other than the two major parties (Republican and Democratic).

Ideological Party

A political party based on a particular set of beliefs or ideology.

Single-Issue Party

A political party focused on one particular issue.

Splinter Party

A political party that breaks away from one of the major parties.

19th Amendment

Guarantees women the right to vote.

26th Amendment

Lowers the voting age to 18.

Initiative

A process that allows citizens to propose and enact state and local laws directly.

Referendum

A process that allows citizens to approve or reject a law passed by the legislature.

Recall

A procedure allowing citizens to remove an elected official from office before the end of their term.

Federal Election Cycle

The schedule of elections at the national level, for positions such as President of the United States, Senators, and Representatives.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

A U.S. federal law that placed legal restrictions on spending in political campaigns.

Propaganda Techniques

Methods used to spread ideas, information, or rumors for the purpose of helping or injuring a cause.

Appeal to Authority

A propaganda technique using endorsements from famous or respected people.

Appeal to Fear

A propaganda technique that attempts to scare the audience into agreeing with the speaker.

Glittering Generality

A propaganda technique using vague, emotionally appealing words that are closely associated with highly valued concepts and beliefs.

Bandwagon

A propaganda technique that suggests something is popular and everyone is doing it, so the audience should too.

National Voter Registration Act

Also known as 'Motor Voter Act,' it allows people to register to vote when applying for a driver's license.

American Internationalism

The belief that the United States should be involved in global affairs.

American Isolationism

The belief that the United States should avoid involvement in global affairs.

Bush Doctrine of Preemption

A foreign policy doctrine which holds that the U.S. can launch a military strike on a potential enemy if it believes an attack is imminent.

Mutual Defense Alliance

An agreement between countries to support each other in case of an attack.

Sanctions

Economic penalties imposed by one or more countries on another country, usually to force a change in policy.

Diplomacy

The art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of states.

NAFTA

North American Free Trade Agreement; an agreement among the United States, Canada, and Mexico designed to remove tariff barriers between the three countries.

Executive Agreements

Agreements between the president and the leader of another country that do not require Senate approval.

UNESCO

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

OPEC

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization; a military alliance between North American and European countries.

UNICEF

United Nations Children's Fund.

BRAC

Base Realignment and Closure; a process used by the United States Federal Government to reorganize its base structure.

Human Rights Watch

An international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights.

PAC

Political Action Committee; an organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, especially at the federal level.

Super PAC

A type of independent political action committee which may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, and individuals but is not permitted to contribute to or coordinate directly with parties or candidates.