Key Terms: Federalism, Government Structure, Institutions, and Political Processes (Lecture Notes)

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts from the lecture notes on American government, political processes, and media.

Federalists

Supporters of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government.

Antifederalists

Opponents of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government, generally.

Separation of powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with each branch having distinct and separate powers.

Checks and balances

Constitutional grant of powers that allows each of the three branches to check acts of the others to prevent domination by any single branch.

Divided government

Governance when different parties control the presidency and one or both houses of Congress.

Judicial review

Power of a court to strike down laws or regulations that judges determine conflict with the Constitution.

Impeachment

Formal accusation by the lower house of a legislature against a public official, the first step in removal from office.

Executive order

Directive issued by a president or governor with the force of law to direct the bureaucracy.

Federalism

Constitutional arrangement distributing power between a central government and substate governments (states); both levels can directly affect individuals.

Implied powers

Powers inferred from expressed powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions.

Necessary and proper clause

Article I, Section 8, Clause 3; allows Congress to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers.

Commerce clause

Article I, Section 8, Clause 1; gives Congress the power to regulate interstate and international commerce.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by the national and state governments, such as the power to levy taxes.

Linkage institutions

Means by which individuals express preferences regarding public policy.

Political culture

Widely shared beliefs, values, and norms about how citizens relate to government and one another.

Political ideology

A consistent pattern of beliefs about political values and the role of government.

Interest group

A collection of people with a common interest who seek to influence government, often through lobbying.

Caucus

A local party meeting to choose officials or candidates and decide the party platform.

Open primary

An election in which any voter, regardless of party, may vote to narrow down party candidates.

Closed primary

An election in which only voters registered with a party may vote to narrow down party candidates.

Winner-take-all system (SMDP)

An election system in which the candidate with the most votes (plurality) wins.

Minor party/3rd party

A small party that may rise with a charismatic candidate or persist over time; also called a third party.

De-alignment

Weakening of partisan preferences, leading to more independents and fewer strong ties to major parties.

Public opinion (polling)

The distribution of individual preferences or evaluations of issues, candidates, or institutions within a population.

Political socialization

The process by which individuals develop political attitudes, values, and beliefs (often through family and schooling).

Electoral college

Electoral system for president/vice president where voters choose electors pledged to cast ballots for party candidates.

Reserved powers

Powers reserved to the states by the 10th Amendment because they are not delegated to the national government.

Retrospective voting

Voting based on the recent past to decide whether the party or candidate in power should be re-elected.

Rational choice voting

Voting based on what is perceived to be in the citizen’s individual interest.

Prospective voting

Voting based on predictions of how a party or candidate will perform in the future.

Trustee model

A member of Congress who considers constituents’ views but uses their own judgment to vote.

Delegate model

A member of Congress who always follows constituents’ voting preferences.

Politico

A member of Congress who acts as a delegate on issues constituents care about and as a trustee on issues they don’t.

Popular sovereignty

The idea that government authority derives from the will of the people.

Limited government

A political system in which there are restrictions on government to protect individual rights.

Natural rights

Rights to life, liberty, and property; unalienable rights described as such by thinkers like Jefferson.

Republicanism

The belief that the best government is one where elected representatives act for the people.

Social contract

Idea that society agrees to give up some freedoms to be protected by the government.

Pluralist democracy

A model of democracy where no single group dominates; many groups compete to influence policy.

Participatory democracy

A model where citizens have direct influence on policy decisions; politicians implement them.

Elite democracy

A model where a small, wealthy/educated group influences political decision making.

Supremacy clause

Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land and prevail over conflicting state laws.

Block grant

Federal grants given to states/local governments for broad programs, increasing state power.

Categorical grant

Federal grants restricted to specific purposes, increasing federal power.

Filibuster

Senate tactic to block a bill by unlimited debate and extending floor time.

Pork barrel

Federal funding for localized projects to benefit a congressperson’s district and boost reelection prospects.

Judicial activism

Belief that judges should defend individual rights and liberties, even if not explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Judicial restraint

Belief that judges should defer to elected branches and interpret the Bill of Rights narrowly.

Redistricting

Process of redrawing electoral district boundaries by state legislatures.

Reapportionment

Redistribution of House seats among the states based on population changes.

Stare decisis

Principle of following past precedents in legal decisions.

Bully pulpit

The presidency as a platform to promote an agenda directly to the public.

Advice and consent

Senate power to ratify treaties and confirm appointments, constraining presidential powers.

Free exercise clause

Preventing the federal government from interfering with citizens’ religious beliefs and practices.

Establishment clause

Preventing the federal government from supporting an official religion.

Due process clause

Provisions limiting government power to deprive life, liberty, or property without proper legal procedures.

Equal protection clause

Fourteenth Amendment provision prohibiting states from denying equal protection of the laws.

Selective incorporation

Process of applying the Bill of Rights to state and local governments via the 14th Amendment.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Organizations that raise limited money to support or oppose candidates, parties, or legislation.

Super PACs

Independent expenditure-only committees that raise unlimited funds but cannot coordinate with candidates or donate directly.

Iron triangle

A mutual relationship among interest groups, congressional committees, and bureaucratic agencies.

Horserace journalism

Media focus on who is ahead in the polls rather than candidates’ policies or debates.

Gatekeeping

Media role in setting the political agenda by highlighting certain issues.

Watchdog

Media role in investigating political figures and exposing scandals.

Candidate-centered

Campaigns that focus on candidates’ personalities and issues rather than party labels.