finale exam for poli sci (key words)

Surveillance (filtering define in apt)

determining what will be reported and what will be ignored

interpretation (framing define in apt)

explaining meaning, provding context, speculating about consequences

availability heuristic

A mental shortcut that relies on immediate examples that come to mind when evaluating a specific topic, concept, method, or decision.

socialization

teaching basci values that prepare individuals to fit into their cultural environment

media bias

The tendency of journalists and news producers to favor one side over another, influencing how news is presented and perceived by the audience.

audience fragmentation

The division of audience into smaller groups due to the proliferation of media channels and content choices, leading to tailored messaging and varied preferences.

phillips curve

low unemployment-> price in stability price instability-> inflation

debt vs deficit

deficit

• the annual gap (spending > revenue in one year)

• us has run a deficit in all but 4 years since 1969

debt:

• the cumulative total of all past deficits

• Debt now exceeds annual GDP for the first time since WWII

Unilateral vs Multilateral action

Unilateral action (national)

• undertaken by one nation, without outside assistance or coordination

  • example of real life: Before Russia’s invasion, Republicans said the US shouldn’t get involved with Ukraine, but the Biden administration sent out massive troops anyway.

Multilateral action:

• coordinated with other nations or international organizations

  • example of real life: the Paris  agreement on climate change 

isolationism vs internationalism

Isolationism

• a policy of refraining from involvement in international affairs

internationalism

• a policy of involvement in other nations affairs out of both self interest and moral obligation

realism vs idealism

Realism

• is a theory in international relations emphasizing the competitive and conflictual nature of humans, asserting that nations prioritize power and self-interest

• foreign policy decisions are motivated by self- interest

idealism

• stresses the potential for cooperative solutions and the role of ethical principles in foreign policy.

• foreign policy decisions reflect normative goals

Rally round the flag effect

tendency for spike in support for national leaders following sudden international crises or onset of war

foreign aid

Assistance provided by one country to another, often in the form of resources, financial support, or humanitarian help to promote development and welfare.

by- product theory

A concept in international relations suggesting that cooperation among states can lead to unintended consequences or benefits that were not the original aim of the interaction.

hard news vs soft news

Hard news refers to factual reporting on significant events or issues, often focusing on politics, economics, and international affairs, whereas soft news covers lighter topics such as entertainment, lifestyle, and human interest stories.

hostile media effect

The phenomenon where individuals perceive media coverage as biased against their viewpoints, often leading to the belief that the media is portraying their side unfavorably, regardless of the actual content.

attack journalism

A style of journalism that aggressively investigates and criticizes politicians and public figures, often prioritizing sensationalism over balanced reporting.

horse race coverage

Horse race coverage refers to a style of journalism that focuses on the competitive aspects of political campaigns, emphasizing the polling data, candidate standings, and strategies rather than in-depth analysis of policies or issues.

civil rights vs civil liberties

Civil rights are the protections and privileges afforded to individuals to ensure equal treatment, while civil liberties refer to fundamental freedoms guaranteed to individuals, such as freedom of speech and religion.

disenfranchisement

the removal or denial of the right to vote to a particular group of people, often based on race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.

grandfather clause

a legal provision that allowed people to vote without meeting certain requirements if their ancestors had the right to vote before a specific date, often used to disenfranchise African Americans.

jim crow laws

state and local laws enacted in the Southern United States from the late 19th century until the 1960s that enforced racial segregation and disenfranchised African Americans.

seprate but equal doctrine

a judicial doctrine that upheld racial segregation under the premise that facilities for separate races were to be equal in quality.

brown vs the baord of education

a landmark Supreme Court case in 1954 that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, effectively overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine.

protectionism (as a rationalization for discrimination)

an economic policy that promotes national interests by restricting foreign competition, often used to justify discriminatory laws and practices against certain groups.

de jure vs de facto segreation

de jure segregation refers to racial separation enforced by law, while de facto segregation occurs through social practices and unwritten customs.

substantive due process doctrine

a constitutional doctrine that protects certain fundamental rights from government interference, ensuring fair treatment under the law.

federal reserve (the fed)

the central banking system of the United States, responsible for implementing monetary policy, regulating banks, and maintaining financial stability.

budget making

the process of creating a financial plan that outlines expected revenues and expenditures for a specific period, often used by governments to allocate resources effectively.

budget reconciliation

a legislative process that allows Congress to adjust spending and revenue levels to align with budget resolutions, often used to expedite the passage of budget-related legislation.

continuing resolutions

short-term funding measures that allow federal programs to continue operating when a formal appropriations bill has not been enacted.

treasury department

the U.S. government department responsible for managing federal finances, collecting taxes, producing currency, and overseeing government debt.

keynesian economics

an economic theory that emphasizes the role of government intervention in promoting economic stability and growth through fiscal policy.

marginal tax rate

the rate at which an additional dollar of income is taxed in a progressive tax system. This rate increases as income rises, influencing taxpayers' decisions.

mandatory vs discretionary spending

Mandatory spending refers to budgeted expenses required by law, such as Social Security and Medicare, while discretionary spending encompasses budget items that Congress can adjust each year, including defense and education funding.

Welfare

• specific assistance programs in which the government provides resources to individuals based on need

  • example: supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP)

contributory vs noncontributory programs

Contributory programs are social insurance programs funded by contributions from workers and employers, such as Social Security, while noncontributory programs provide assistance based on need without requiring prior contributions, like food stamps.

the new deal

• 1929: Stock market crash led to the Great Depression

• President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal alleviated social problems and boosted welfare, greatly expanding government’s role.

• Programs examples:

  • Agricultural Adjustment Administration

  • National Recovery Administration

  • Public Works Administration

  • Social Security

  • National Labor Relations Act

social security

a federal program that provides monthly cash benefits to retirees

• money comes from employee paychecks, employer matches

• people are retiring (drawing benefits) than are joining workforce (contributing benefits)

monroe doctrine

declared American neutrality and demand Europe cease actions in the americas

democratic peace theories

Theories suggesting that democracies are less likely to engage in armed conflict with one another, promoting the idea that democracy contributes to international stability.

The department of state

• the principal foreign policy department

• secretary of state is the president official spokesperson in foreign affairs

• crucially important advisers to the president

the department of defense

The U.S. federal executive department responsible for coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government related to national security and the military.

the department of homeland security

The U.S. federal executive department tasked with protecting the United States from terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and man-made threats, and coordinating responses to emergencies.

civilian control (of the military)

• military do not formulate policy but rather carry out policy directives

• Defense Department

• Department of Homeland Security combines multiple agencies to prevent future terrorist attacks and to coordinate the gathering of intelligence

• Intelligence agencies are responsible for gathering intelligence

  • National Security Agency (NSA)

  • Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and governmental organizations (NGOs)

are entities created by a treaty involving two or more nations, or private, non-profit organizations that operate independently from governments, respectively.

united nations (UN)

An intergovernmental organization founded in 1945, aimed at promoting peace, security, and cooperation among its member countries.

economic sanctions

A punitive measure imposed by countries to restrict trade and financial transactions, aimed at influencing the behavior of a target nation.

tariffs

are taxes imposed on imported goods to protect domestic industries and generate revenue for governments.

globalization

The process of increased interconnectedness among countries, characterized by the exchange of goods, services, information, and cultural practices across borders.