Political Science Concepts and Definitions

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key political science concepts and definitions, designed to aid students in studying and preparing for exams.

Political Science

The study of power: who gets it, how it is used, and with what consequences.

Lasswell’s Definition of Politics

‘Who gets what, when, and how’; focuses on the distribution of power and resources.

Classical Definition of Politics

The study of governance and the organization of public life.

Government

Institutions and processes that make and enforce rules for a society.

Max Weber’s Definition of the State

A political entity that claims a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force within a territory.

Social Contract

An implicit agreement where individuals give up some freedoms in exchange for order and protection.

Monarchy

A form of government where power is inherited by a single ruler.

Republic

A form of government where citizens elect representatives to govern.

Confederacy

A system where states hold most power and the central government is weak.

Federal System

A system where power is shared between national and state governments.

Direct Democracy

A system where citizens vote directly on laws and policies.

Representative Democracy

A system where citizens elect officials to make laws on their behalf.

Natural Rights

Rights inherent to all people, such as life, liberty, and property.

Deism

The belief that God created the world but does not intervene in human affairs.

Consent of the Governed

The idea that government authority comes from the people.

Unicameral Legislature

A legislature with one chamber.

Articles of Confederation

America’s first constitution that created a weak national government.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Included no power to tax, no executive, no judiciary, and difficulty amending.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong national government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who feared centralized power.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.

Proportional Representation

Representation based on population size.

Equal Representation

Representation where each state has the same number of representatives.

Great Compromise

Created a bicameral legislature with proportional and equal representation.

Separation of Powers

Dividing government authority among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch limits the power of the others.

Majoritarian

A system where the majority’s will determines outcomes.

Anti-Majoritarian

Institutions designed to protect minority rights from majority rule.

Federalism

A system dividing power between national and state governments.

Federalist Papers

Essays written to promote ratification of the Constitution.

Anti-Federalist Objections

Criticisms of the Constitution, including lack of protections for individual rights.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislature with two chambers.

House of Representatives

The lower chamber of Congress based on population.

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress with equal representation for states.

Delegate Model of Representation

Representatives vote according to constituent preferences.

Trustee Model of Representation

Representatives use personal judgment when voting.

Substantive Representation

Representing constituents’ interests and policy goals.

Descriptive Representation

Representatives sharing characteristics with constituents.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its powers.

Oversight

Congressional monitoring of executive branch actions.

Committees

Subgroups in Congress that draft and review legislation.

Senate Confirmation

Senate approval of presidential appointments.

Constituent Service

Assistance legislators provide to constituents.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Proposal, committee review, chamber votes, presidential action.

Omnibus Bill

A large bill addressing multiple issues at once.

Pork Barrel Spending

Funding projects for specific districts to gain political support.

Logrolling

Legislators trading votes to pass legislation.

Corruption

Abuse of public office for private gain.

Gridlock

Inability to pass legislation due to political conflict.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic used to delay or block legislation.

Electoral College

A system where electors formally choose the president.

Formal Requirements to be President

Must be 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and a 14-year resident.

Powers of the President

Include veto power, commander-in-chief, appointments, and treaties.

Term Limits

Limits on how long a president may serve.

22nd Amendment

Limits presidents to two terms in office.

Impoundment

Presidential refusal to spend funds allocated by Congress.

Impeachment

Process of charging and trying a public official for misconduct.

Vice President

Assists the president and succeeds them if necessary.

Spoils System

Giving government jobs to political supporters.

Imperial Presidency

Expansion of presidential power beyond constitutional limits.

Unitary Executive Theory

The president controls all actions of the executive branch.

SCOTUS

The Supreme Court of the United States.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Marbury v. Madison

Supreme Court case that established judicial review.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Law that created the federal court system.

Original Jurisdiction

Cases a court hears first.

Political Parties

Organizations that seek to gain power by winning elections.

Responsible Party Government

Parties present clear choices and govern cohesively.

Bounded Rationality

Decision-making limited by information and cognitive constraints.

Two-Party System

Dominance of two major political parties.

Duverger’s Law

Single-member districts tend to produce two-party systems.

Political Realignment

A significant shift in party coalitions and voter loyalties.

Polarization

Growing ideological distance between political groups.

Appeals Process

Review of lower court decisions by higher courts.

District Court

Federal trial court.

Circuit Court

Federal appellate court.

Precedent

Past court decisions that guide future rulings.

Originalism

Interpreting the Constitution based on original intent.

Living Constitutionalism

Interpreting the Constitution as adaptable over time.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments protecting civil liberties.

Civil Liberties

Individual freedoms protected from government interference.

Civil Rights

Protections against discrimination and unequal treatment.

Reconstruction Amendments

The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments expanding rights.

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote.

1964 Civil Rights Act

Ended segregation and employment discrimination.

1965 Voting Rights Act

Protected minority voting access.

Roe v. Wade

Recognized constitutional protection for abortion (later overturned).

Dobbs v. Jackson

Supreme Court case that overturned Roe v. Wade.

DC v. Heller

Recognized an individual right to bear arms.

General Election

An election to choose public officials.

Special Election

An election held outside the regular schedule.

Primary Election

An election to select party nominees.

Caucus

A party meeting to select candidates.

Voter Fraud

Illegal acts that interfere with voting (rare).

Party Ballot

Ballots provided by political parties.

Australian Ballot

Government-issued secret ballot.

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age to 18.

Voter Suppression

Practices that discourage or prevent voting.

Voter Registration

Process of enrolling eligible voters.