Political Science Flashcards

Flashcards on Power, Politics, and Government, Nation-State, Sovereignty, Public Goods, Political Activity, Machiavellian, Power, Civil Disobedience, Building Blocks of Government, Legitimacy, Horse Trading, and the United States Constitution.

Nation-State

A politically organized body of people living in a defined territory with a government and the power to make and enforce laws without the consent of a higher authority. It combines the elements of a nation and a state.

Sovereignty

Supreme and absolute power within a territory. A sovereign state has full control over its domestic and foreign policies without interference from other states.

Public Goods

Services or commodities provided by government for all people to use, such as clean air, national defense, and public parks. These goods are non-excludable and non-rivalrous.

Political Activity

Actions taken to influence the distribution or use of power in a society, including voting, protesting, lobbying, and debating.

Machiavellian

Refers to cunning, deceit, and power politics as legitimate tools in governance, derived from the political philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli.

Power

The ability to influence or control the behavior of people, particularly in the political sphere, derived from authority, persuasion, force, and law.

Civil Disobedience

A form of protest in which people intentionally break a law they believe to be unjust, often nonviolently, to bring attention to an issue.

Building Blocks of Government

Means of coercion and means of collecting revenue, allowing governments to maintain order, provide services, and implement policy.

Legitimacy

The widespread acceptance of a government’s authority, often through free and fair elections or a shared national identity.

Horse Trading

A political negotiation marked by bargaining and compromise, like in trading horses, to achieve mutual gains in policy-making.

Due Process

A constitutional guarantee that government will not deprive any person of life, liberty, or property by any unfair, arbitrary, or unreasonable action, and that laws must be applied fairly and equally.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to determine the constitutionality of governmental actions, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Federalism

A system of government in which a written constitution divides the powers of government between a central (national) government and several regional (state) governments.

Eminent Domain

The power of the government to take private property for public use, with just compensation provided to the property owner, as stipulated in the Fifth Amendment.

Preamble

The introductory statement to the Constitution that outlines the general purposes and guiding principles of the government, beginning with 'We the People.'

Separation of Powers

The division of governmental authority among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent the concentration of power and provide for checks and balances.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.

Amending the Constitution

The process by which changes can be made to the Constitution, involving proposal and ratification by states or conventions.

Supremacy Clause

Located in Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution, it establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to amend or veto acts of another branch, preventing any one branch from exerting too much power.

Marbury v. Madison

An 1803 Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

The Supreme Court

The highest federal court in the United States, established by Article III of the Constitution.

The Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing essential rights and liberties.

Establishment Clause

Part of the First Amendment, it prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or unduly favoring one religion over another.

Equal Protection Clause

Located in the Fourteenth Amendment, it mandates that no state shall deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Found in Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution, it grants Congress the power to make all laws necessary and proper for executing its enumerated powers.

Incorporation

The legal doctrine by which portions of the Bill of Rights have been applied to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause.

Prior Restraint

A government action that prohibits speech or other expression before it can take place; generally considered unconstitutional under the First Amendment.

Hague v. CIO

A 1939 Supreme Court case that held that cities cannot use permit systems to suppress freedom of assembly and association, reinforcing First Amendment protections.

Goals of Political Parties

To nominate candidates for public office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy by uniting individuals with shared political beliefs.

Third Parties

Political parties other than the two major parties (Democratic and Republican) that often focus on specific issues or ideologies.

Centrism

A political ideology that advocates for a moderate approach, avoiding extreme positions, and often seeking compromise between liberal and conservative viewpoints.

Pluralism

The theory that a multitude of groups and interests compete and coexist in the political arena, ensuring that no single group dominates policy-making.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Organizations that collect and distribute campaign funds and information, aiming to influence elections and legislation.

Grassroots Mobilization

The process of rallying community members to advocate for political or social causes, often through local meetings, petitions, and direct engagement with policymakers.

Party Platform

A formal set of principal goals and policy positions adopted by a political party, outlining its priorities and guiding its candidates' campaigns.

Policymaking Process

The sequence of steps in which issues are identified, policies are formulated and adopted, implemented by government agencies, and evaluated for effectiveness.

Socialization

The process by which individuals develop their political beliefs and values, influenced by family, education, peers, media, and other societal factors.

Public Opinion

The collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on political and social issues, often measured through polls and surveys to gauge public sentiment.

Importance of Free Press

A free and independent media serves as a watchdog, informs the public, and provides a platform for diverse viewpoints, essential for a functioning democracy.

Persuasive Techniques

Methods used in political communication to influence public opinion, including emotional appeals, testimonials, bandwagon, and fear tactics.

Electoral College

The system that elects the president based on state-by-state results.

McCain-Feingold Act

A 2002 law limiting campaign finance and soft money.

Constituents

People represented by elected officials.

Conference Committees

Temporary, joint panels formed to iron out differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill.

The Role of the Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives and the most powerful leader in that chamber.

Oversight

Congress reviews and monitors executive branch actions and federal agencies.

Confirmation

The Senate approves presidential appointments (judges, cabinet members, ambassadors).

Impeachment

The House brings charges against officials; the Senate conducts the trial and votes on removal.

Ratification

The Senate must approve international treaties with a two-thirds vote.

Override

Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Amendment

Congress can propose constitutional amendments with a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate.

The Origins of “Mr. President”

The title was chosen by George Washington to avoid monarchical or aristocratic titles.

Cabinet

Heads of the 15 executive departments (e.g., Defense, State, Treasury), who advise the President and help implement policies.

The Pocket Veto

If the President does not sign a bill within 10 days (excluding Sundays) and Congress adjourns during that time, the bill dies without a formal veto.

The Role of the Whistleblower

Laws protect these individuals from retaliation for reporting misconduct, waste, fraud, or abuse within the government.

Writ of Certiorari

An order by the Supreme Court to review a lower court decision.

Role of the Prosecutor

Represents the government in criminal cases.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Established the federal court system, including district courts and courts of appeal. It also set the number of Supreme Court justices and clarified federal jurisdiction.

Judicial Restraint

A philosophy where judges avoid overturning laws unless they clearly violate the Constitution.

Plaintiff

The party who brings a lawsuit

Defendant

The party being sued or accused in court

Burden of Proof

The obligation to prove one’s case. In criminal trials, the burden is on the prosecution to prove the defendant’s guilt ‘beyond a reasonable doubt'.

Amicus Curiae

Latin for “friend of the court.” Refers to briefs filed by individuals or groups not directly involved in the case but who have a strong interest in the outcome.

Responsibility of the Jury

To determine the facts of the case and deliver a verdict (guilty or not guilty) based on the evidence presented at trial.

Prosecution

Represents the government and brings charges against the accused.

Defense

Represents the accused and ensures their rights are protected.

Search Warrants

Legal documents issued by a judge allowing law enforcement to search property and seize evidence. Based on probable cause.

The Role of the Grand Jury

Determines whether there is enough evidence to charge someone with a crime. They do not decide guilt or innocence.

Restitution

Money paid by the offender to the victim to compensate for damages or loss caused by the crime.

Exclusionary Rule

Prevents illegally obtained evidence (violating the Fourth Amendment) from being used in court. Established in Mapp v. Ohio.