KC Government Midterm Study Guide

Jim Crow Laws

State and local laws promoting racial segregation and disenfranchisement of African Americans after Reconstruction, upheld by Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) under the “separate but equal” doctrine.

Freedom of the Press

The First Amendment guarantees the press’s right to publish and express opinions without government interference or censorship.

Public Goods

Goods or services provided by government that are available to all and not diminished by use (e.g., clean air, national defense).

Political Socialization

The process by which individuals learn political beliefs, values, and behaviors through family, peers, media, education, and life experiences.

Political Parties

Organized groups seeking to influence government by electing members to office, shaping policies, and representing ideological positions.

Representative Democracy

A system in which citizens elect officials to make and enforce laws on their behalf; the foundation of the U.S. political system.

Polling Methodology

The process used to measure public opinion scientifically, including selecting a representative sample, crafting unbiased questions, and analyzing data.

Party Platform

The official statement of a political party’s principles, goals, and policy positions adopted at national conventions.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the U.S. (1781–1789), which created a weak national government with most power in the states

Voter Fatigue

When citizens grow tired of participating in frequent elections, leading to lower voter turnout.

Party Organization

The internal structure of a political party, including its leadership, committees, and workers at national, state, and local levels.

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the others, preventing any branch from becoming too powerful

Control of Elections

The U.S. Constitution gives states power to regulate the time, place, and manner of elections, within limits set by federal law.

Plurality Voting

An election system in which the candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority.

Federal System

A form of government in which power is divided between a national government and regional (state) governments

Voter Turnout (Age)

Older Americans vote at higher rates than younger citizens; age is one of the strongest predictors of participation

Party-in-the-Electorate

The group of citizens who identify with or regularly support a political party.

Confederate System

A system in which most power resides with the states or regional governments; the national government depends on them. Example: the U.S. under the Articles of Confederation.

Primaries and Caucuses

Processes political parties use to select candidates for general elections. Primaries are state-run elections; caucuses are party meetings.

Lobbyist

A person who seeks to influence legislation or government decisions on behalf of an interest group

Necessary and Proper Clause

Found in Article I, Section 8; gives Congress the power to make all laws necessary to execute its enumerated powers (also called the Elastic Clause).

Election Day (When)

U.S. federal elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Organizations that collect and distribute campaign funds to candidates who support their causes.

Civil Liberties

Protections from government interference with individual freedoms, such as speech, religion, and press, guaranteed by the Bill of Right

Agenda Setting

The process by which the media or policymakers influence what issues receive public attention and debate

Iron Triangle

The policy-making relationship among congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that work together for mutual benefit.

Civil Rights

Constitutional guarantees of equal treatment under the law; government actions that protect individuals from discrimination.

Libel

A false, written statement that harms a person’s reputation; not protected by the First Amendment

Constitutional Amendments

Formal changes or additions to the U.S. Constitution. There are 27 total, beginning with the Bill of Rights.

Selective Incorporation

The process by which the Supreme Court applies portions of the Bill of Rights to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.

Slander

A false, spoken statement that damages someone’s reputation; a form of defamation not protected by free speech.

Electoral College

The system established by the Constitution for electing the president; electors from each state cast votes based on state results.

De Jure Segregation

Segregation that exists by law or government action, such as the Jim Crow system before Brown v. Board of Education.

Direct Democracy

A form of democracy in which citizens vote directly on laws and policies rather than electing representative

Confederal, Federal, and Unitary Systems —

• Confederal: Power held by states; weak central authority (Articles of Confederation). laws are determined mainly at the state level, and power is held at the state level.

• Federal: Power shared between national and state governments (U.S. Constitution). Composed of three legislative, executive, and judicial

• Unitary: Central government holds most power; local governments act as its agents. A political system where ultimate governing power is concentrated in a single national authority

Religious Liberty Clauses (First Amendment)

• Establishment Clause: Government cannot establish or endorse a religion. Guarantees government will not create and support an official state church

• Free Exercise Clause: Individuals have the right to practice religion freely. The right to articulate opinions and ideas without interference, retaliation, or punishment from the government.