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What is political culture?

The principles of how government should function.

What is political ideology?

The idea of what government should do about societal issues, representing a set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and the role of government.

What is party identity?

The identification with a particular political party, often influenced by one's political ideology.

What are the characteristics of Conservatives?

Tend to believe in a free market with little government regulation of business, a strong military, and traditional values like school prayer. They often oppose expensive federal programs such as welfare, a national health care system, and affirmative action, advocating for limited government.

What is meant by 'limited government'?

A concept, often supported by Conservatives, advocating for minimal government intervention in economic and social policies.

What do Social Conservatives believe?

Believe the government should be anti-abortion and anti-marriage equality.

What are the characteristics of Liberals?

Tend to believe in a regulated economy and business, and often call for increased spending for social programs for the poor, minorities (affirmative action), and women (equal pay act). They oppose increasing military spending and school prayer, which they see as a violation of the separation of church and state.

What do Social Liberals believe?

Believe the government should be pro-abortion rights and pro-marriage equality.

Who are Moderates (or Independents)?

Individuals who tend to have a less consistent ideology, are less philosophical than other groups, and identify as pragmatists. They might be fiscally conservative and support a strong military, but also socially liberal, supporting abortion rights, marriage equality, and social programs for the poor.

What is public opinion?

The way the public feels about certain issues.

How is public opinion measured?

Mainly through polls, which record personal opinions at a specific point in time.

What is sample polling?

A type of poll that asks a small group of people their opinion on an issue with the intention that this sample will be representative of society at large.

What are tracking polls?

Polls that track the way people feel about certain issues as stories are reported in the media, showing changes over time.

What are Entrance/Exit polls?

Polls that ask people for whom they voted as they enter or exit the voting stations on election day.

What is public policy?

Everything the government does for the people, including laws, government programs, infrastructure, and executive orders.

What are linkage institutions?

Organizations that help create public policy by connecting the people to the government and engaging them. Examples include the media, political parties, and interest groups.

What is social policy?

Government's attempts to regulate public behavior in the service of a better society.

What is the public agenda?

The issues that are likely to be addressed by the government.

What is horse race journalism?

A style of reporting on political races that focuses on who is winning or losing, similar to reporting sports scores, often emphasizing personality over policy and lacking in-depth analysis.

What are political parties?

Groups that often unify around particular and foundational issues, forming a political platform. Their functions include linking citizens to government, organizing elections, recruiting candidates, coordinating policy-making, and acting as a forum for diverse interests and ideologies.

What is a political platform?

A set of foundational issues and principles around which political parties unify.

What is a two-party system?

A political system, like in the US, where two major political parties (e.g., Democrats and Republicans) dominate, though third parties also exist and can impact elections by taking votes from mainstream parties.

What are interest groups?

Organizations similar to political parties that focus on helping people participate in government and influencing public policy, but they do not run for office. Instead, they engage in lobbying.

What is lobbying?

The act of attempting to persuade legislators to support a particular point of view, often by communicating directly with them (e.g., outside chambers of Congress).

What is the NAACP? (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)

An interest group formed in 1909 that fights for the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.

What is LULAC? (League of United Latin American Citizens)

An interest group established in 1929, advocating for the rights and advancements of Hispanic Americans, focusing on issues like civil rights, immigration, and education.

What is the National Rifle Association (NRA)?

A powerful interest group that advocates for gun rights and the protection of the Second Amendment, often opposing gun control legislation.

What is the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)?

An interest group dedicated to defending and preserving the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

What is Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)?

An interest group composed of eligible veterans of the armed forces of the United States who have served in a war, campaign, or expedition on foreign soil or in hostile waters, advocating for veterans' rights and welfare.

What is the National Organization for Women (NOW)?

An interest group advocating for women's rights and gender equality, focusing on issues such as reproductive rights, economic justice, and ending violence against women.

What is Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)?

An interest group established in 1980 that seeks to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking.

What is The ARC?

An interest group advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, promoting their full inclusion and participation in community life.

What is PETA? (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)

An animal rights interest group founded in 1980 that focuses on exposing animal cruelty and advocating for the ethical treatment of animals across various sectors, including food, clothing, and entertainment.

What is the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)?

An interest group founded in 1990 that champions user privacy, free expression, and innovation through impact litigation, policy analysis, and technology development in the digital realm.

What is the ASPCA? (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

An interest group founded in 1866 dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals, providing rescue, protection, and placement for animals, and advocating for animal-friendly legislation.

What is Greenpeace?

An international environmental interest group founded in 1971 that uses direct action, lobbying, and research to campaign for environmental protection, an end to nuclear threats, and peace.

How many electoral votes are needed to win the presidency?

A candidate must receive 270 electoral votes to be elected president. If there is a tie, the House of Representatives decides, with each state weighing equally.

How are electoral votes typically awarded in states?

In every state except Maine and Nebraska, electoral votes are awarded on a 'winner-take-all' basis: the candidate who wins the largest percentage of the popular vote in a state receives all of that state's electoral votes. This system allows a candidate to lose the popular vote but win the electoral vote.

What was the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (McCain-Feingold Act)?

A law enacted to ban the use of soft money on campaigns and reduce the harshness of attack ads. It included the 'Stand by Your Ad' provision, requiring candidates to officially endorse ads produced by their campaigns.

What are Political Action Committees (PACs)?

Organizations that raise private funds to unofficially support a campaign or a candidate, often producing ads not directly by official campaigns.

What was the significance of Buckley v. Valeo (1976)?

The Supreme Court ruled that campaign spending is a form of speech protected under the First Amendment to the Constitution.

What was the significance of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC) (2010)?

The Supreme Court expanded the Buckley v. Valeo ruling to include corporations' spending as protected speech under the First Amendment, thereby increasing the power of corporations to influence campaign spending.

How did the Department of Homeland Security and the War on Terror impact U.S. spending?

Following their establishment, the U.S. instituted one of the largest spending programs in its history.

Beyond individual income taxes, what are other main sources of government revenue?

Corporate taxes, excise taxes, custom duties, and estate taxes.

What is monetary policy, and who controls it?

Monetary policy regulates the money supply and interest rates to control inflation and maintain a healthy and stable economy. It is controlled by the Federal Reserve Board.

What is the philosophical difference between Liberals and Conservatives regarding economic policy?

Liberals often favor Keynesian economics, advocating for increased government spending and fiscal policy to spur growth during recessions. Conservatives generally prefer Supply-Side economics (e.g., trickle-down, Reaganomics), believing economic growth is best encouraged by government policies that promote private business investment through lower taxes and less regulation.

What is fiscal policy, and who controls it?

Fiscal policy involves decisions on the budget, taxes, and government spending. It is controlled by the President and Congress and is considered one of the most immediately impactful policies.

How are the President and board members of the Federal Reserve Board chosen?

The President of the Federal Reserve Board and open board seats are chosen by the POTUS, and these appointments must be approved by the Senate.

What has been the general American consensus on government regulation in the marketplace since the 1930s?

Americans have generally accepted that some government regulation in the marketplace is necessary to protect the economy.

What are the economic policy preferences of Conservatives?

Conservatives generally desire less regulation on businesses, low taxes on corporations, lower overall government spending, and a balanced budget amendment.

What are Libertarians' beliefs regarding government intervention?

Libertarians believe in little to no government intervention in either economic or social issues, advocating for charitable welfare instead of government welfare.

What are the economic policy preferences of Liberals?

Liberals generally desire government intervention in the marketplace when necessary, with a focus on protections for workers over big businesses, and support for welfare programs. They are often open to raising taxes or deficit spending to fund these initiatives.

What is deficit spending?

Spending that is higher than the revenue collected by the government.

What are the economic policy preferences of Moderates?

Moderates tend to be less dogmatic and more pragmatic; they might be fiscally conservative but are often more supportive of social programs than traditional Conservatives.

What are the two major categories of government spending?

Government spending is divided into 'Mandatory' (or non-discretionary) spending, which is required by law (e.g., Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, interest on national debt, veterans' pensions), and 'Discretionary' spending, which refers to funds allocated by choice.

What percentage of government funds were typically left for discretionary programs in recent years?

In 2015, only about 16% of funds were left for all other programs after mandatory spending.