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Study of power
The ability of persons or institutions to control policy.
Elitist theory of power
The notion that wealthy and well-connected individuals exercise power over certain areas of public policy.
Majoritarian theory of power
The idea that the majority prevails not only in elections but also in determining policy.
Pluralist theory of power
A theory of American politics that holds that society’s interests are substantially represented through the activities of groups.
Social contract
A voluntary agreement by individuals to form a government that is then obligated to work within the confines of that agreement.
Popular sovereignty
The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.
Constitutional democratic republic
A government that is constitutional in its provisions for minority rights and rule by law; democratic in its provisions for majority influence through elections; and a republic in its mix of deliberative institutions, which check and balance each other.
Tyranny of the majority
The potential of a majority to monopolize power for its own gain and to the detriment of minority rights and interests.
Federalism
A governmental system in which authority is divided between two sovereign levels of government: national and regional.
Enumerated (expressed) powers
The 17 powers granted to the national government under Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, including taxation and the regulation of commerce.
Fiscal federalism
A term that refers to the expenditure of federal funds on programs run in part through states and localities.
Filibuster
A procedural tactic in the U.S. Senate whereby a minority of legislators prevents a bill from coming to a vote by holding the floor and talking until the majority gives in.
Cloture
A parliamentary maneuver that, if a three-fifths majority votes for it, limits Senate debate to 30 hours and can defeat a filibuster.
Partisan voting
Voting in alignment with a political party's interests or directives.
Single-member districts
Electoral districts that send one representative to a legislative body.
Political leadership of each chamber
The leaders and influential figures who guide legislative processes within a legislative chamber.
Honeymoon period
The president’s first months in office, when support from Congress, the press, and the public is typically higher.
Lame duck period
The period at the end of a president's term when they have lost re-election or are not seeking another term.
Bureaucracy
A system of organization and control based on hierarchical authority, job specialization, and formalized rules.
Judicial philosophies
The different perspectives and approaches that judges apply when interpreting laws.
Writ of certiorari
Permission granted by a higher court allowing a losing party in a legal case to bring the case before it for a ruling.
Judicial review
The power of courts to decide whether a governmental institution has acted within its constitutional powers.
Decision (Supreme Court)
A vote of the Supreme Court that indicates which party the justices side with.
Appointed judges/life tenure
Judges who are nominated by the president and serve for life, barring impeachment.
Political socialization
The learning process by which people acquire their political opinions, beliefs, and values.
Agents of socialization
Those agents, such as family and media, that significantly impact citizens’ political socialization.
Political Ideology
A general belief about the role and purpose of government.
Public opinion poll
A device for measuring public opinion through the interviewing of a sample of individuals.
Public opinion
The politically relevant opinions expressed openly by ordinary citizens.
Forms of political participation
Various ways in which citizens engage and participate in the political process.
Frames of reference
The set of beliefs and opinions that individuals depend on to interpret political information.
Study of power
The ability of persons or institutions to control policy.
Elitist theory of power
The notion that wealthy and well-connected individuals exercise power over certain areas of public policy.
Majoritarian theory of power
The idea that the majority prevails not only in elections but also in determining policy.
Pluralist theory of power
A theory of American politics that holds that society’s interests are substantially represented through the activities of groups.
Social contract
A voluntary agreement by individuals to form a government that is then obligated to work within the confines of that agreement.
Popular sovereignty
The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.
Constitutional democratic republic
A government that is constitutional in its provisions for minority rights and rule by law; democratic in its provisions for majority influence through elections; and a republic in its mix of deliberative institutions, which check and balance each other.
Tyranny of the majority
The potential of a majority to monopolize power for its own gain and to the detriment of minority rights and interests.
Federalism
A governmental system in which authority is divided between two sovereign levels of government: national and regional.
Enumerated (expressed) powers
The 17 powers granted to the national government under Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, including taxation and the regulation of commerce.
Fiscal federalism
A term that refers to the expenditure of federal funds on programs run in part through states and localities.
Filibuster
A procedural tactic in the U.S. Senate whereby a minority of legislators prevents a bill from coming to a vote by holding the floor and talking until the majority gives in.
Cloture
A parliamentary maneuver that, if a three-fifths majority votes for it, limits Senate debate to 30 hours and can defeat a filibuster.
Partisan voting
Voting in alignment with a political party's interests or directives.
Single-member districts
Electoral districts that send one representative to a legislative body.
Political leadership of each chamber
The leaders and influential figures who guide legislative processes within a legislative chamber.
Honeymoon period
The president’s first months in office, when support from Congress, the press, and the public is typically higher.
Lame duck period
The period at the end of a president's term when they have lost re-election or are not seeking another term.
Bureaucracy
A system of organization and control based on hierarchical authority, job specialization, and formalized rules.
Judicial philosophies
The different perspectives and approaches that judges apply when interpreting laws.
Writ of certiorari
Permission granted by a higher court allowing a losing party in a legal case to bring the case before it for a ruling.
Judicial review
The power of courts to decide whether a governmental institution has acted within its constitutional powers.
Decision (Supreme Court)
A vote of the Supreme Court that indicates which party the justices side with.
Appointed judges/life tenure
Judges who are nominated by the president and serve for life, barring impeachment.
Political socialization
The learning process by which people acquire their political opinions, beliefs, and values.
Agents of socialization
Those agents, such as family and media, that significantly impact citizens’ political socialization.
Political Ideology
A general belief about the role and purpose of government.
Public opinion poll
A device for measuring public opinion through the interviewing of a sample of individuals.
Public opinion
The politically relevant opinions expressed openly by ordinary citizens.
Forms of political participation
Various ways in which citizens engage and participate in the political process.
Frames of reference
The set of beliefs and
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