POLISCI STUDY GUIDE

What is politics primarily concerned with?

The process by which societies make collective decisions about power, resources, and policies.

What does political representation mean?

Making citizens' voices, interests, and opinions present in the policymaking process.

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

They created a weak national government with no power to tax or enforce laws.

What major problem did the Constitution fix compared to the Articles of Confederation?

It established a stronger federal government with separated powers and checks and balances.

What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

To replace the Articles of Confederation and design a more effective national government.

How does separation of powers prevent tyranny?

By dividing power among legislative, executive, and judicial branches so no one branch dominates.

What is federalism?

A system dividing power between national and state governments.

How does dual federalism differ from cooperative federalism?

Dual = clear separation of powers ("layer cake"); Cooperative = shared responsibilities ("marble cake").

Why are checks and balances essential to U.S. government?

They allow each branch to limit the powers of the others, preventing abuse of authority.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution protecting individual rights and liberties.

What does incorporation mean in constitutional law?

Applying Bill of Rights protections to the states through the 14th Amendment.

What's the difference between civil liberties and civil rights?

Civil liberties protect individuals from government interference; civil rights protect from unequal treatment by others or government.

What did the Miranda rule establish?

Police must inform suspects of their rights to remain silent and to counsel.

What were Jim Crow laws designed to do?

Enforce racial segregation and disenfranchise Black Americans in the South.

What was the main purpose of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

To outlaw discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

What did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 accomplish?

It eliminated discriminatory barriers like literacy tests and protected minority voting rights.

What was the goal of busing policies?

To integrate schools by transporting students across district lines.

What is meant by a "colorblind" policy?

One that ignores race in decision-making, which can both promote fairness and overlook systemic inequality.

What is the Black Lives Matter movement focused on?

Ending systemic racism and police violence toward Black individuals.

What influences public opinion the most?

Family, education, media exposure, peers, and significant political events.

How does government regulation differ between broadcast and print media?

Broadcast media are more regulated; print enjoys stronger First Amendment protection.

What are the right of rebuttal and equal time rule?

Requirements that broadcasters provide equal opportunities and responses for political candidates.

What is prior restraint and why is it controversial?

Government attempts to block publication before release; generally unconstitutional under the First Amendment.

How do agenda setting, priming, and framing shape public opinion?

They determine which issues get attention, how they're judged, and how they're interpreted.

What does voter turnout measure?

The percentage of eligible voters who cast ballots in an election.

Who makes up the electorate?

All citizens eligible to vote in an election.

What is a single-member district?

A district that elects one representative, used in most U.S. elections.

What is the purpose of the Electoral College?

To formally elect the president and vice president based on state results.

What is gerrymandering used for?

To manipulate district boundaries for partisan or group advantage.

What is convenience voting?

Methods like absentee, mail, or early voting that make participation easier.

How do referenda and ballot initiatives give citizens power?

They allow voters to directly approve or reject specific laws or policies.

What is the difference between majority, plurality, and proportional systems?

Majority = over 50%; Plurality = most votes; Proportional = seats based on vote share.

How do voters typically decide whom to support?

Based on party identification, candidate qualities, and issue positions.

What are PACs and why are they important?

Political Action Committees raise and spend money to influence elections and policy.

Why are political parties important to democracy?

They organize elections, mobilize voters, and help structure political choices.

What does party identification reflect?

A voter's long-term psychological attachment to a political party.

What are the main types of party nominating processes?

Traditional conventions, primary elections, and independent nominations.

What is the difference between closed and open primaries?

Closed = only party members can vote; Open = any registered voter can participate.

How do parties help both candidates and voters?

They provide resources, campaign organization, and clear ideological cues.

What is party polarization?

The growing ideological distance and division between political parties.

What is pluralism?

The theory that politics results from competition among multiple organized interest groups.

What is an interest group?

An organization that seeks to influence government policy on behalf of shared interests.

What functions do interest groups perform?

Represent members, inform policymakers, mobilize voters, and lobby officials.

What's the difference between structure-based and individual-based interests?

Structure-based = organizations (e.g., unions); Individual-based = shared identity or issue.

What is a public good?

A benefit available to all that cannot be withheld (e.g., clean air, national defense).

What is the free-rider problem?

When individuals benefit from a public good without contributing to its cost.

What are inside vs. outside lobbying strategies?

Inside = direct contact with policymakers; Outside = mobilizing public opinion.

What does "going public" mean in politics?

Appealing directly to the public to pressure policymakers.

What freedoms does the 1st Amendment protect?

Religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

What right is guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment?

The right to keep and bear arms.

What does the 4th Amendment protect?

Citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures.

What rights are guaranteed under the 5th Amendment?

Protection against self-incrimination and double jeopardy.

What does the 6th Amendment guarantee?

The right to a fair trial, counsel, and an impartial jury.

What protection does the 8th Amendment provide?

Prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.

What is the constitutional right to privacy?

The right to make personal decisions free from government interference.

What did the 13th Amendment achieve?

Abolished slavery in the United States.

What did the 14th Amendment guarantee?

Equal protection and due process under the law.

What did the 15th Amendment do?

Granted African American men the right to vote.

What did the 19th Amendment accomplish?

Granted women the right to vote in federal elections.

What precedent did Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) set?

Required states to provide attorneys for defendants who cannot afford one.

What did Miranda v. Arizona (1966) establish?

The requirement for police to inform suspects of their rights.

Why is Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) important?

It recognized a constitutional right to privacy.

What was the ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)?

It upheld racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine.

What did Brown v. Board of Education (1954) accomplish?

It overturned Plessy and ended legal school segregation.

What was the outcome of Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)?

It legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

What did Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) decide?

It extended workplace protections to LGBTQ+ individuals under the Civil Rights Act.

Why is Citizens United v. FEC (2010) significant?

It allowed unlimited independent political spending by corporations and unions.

What is the ongoing debate about federalism?

Whether states or the federal government should have more power over policy areas.

Why is free speech controversial on campuses today?

Because of debates over hate speech, inclusion, and "cancel culture."

Why has school integration remained challenging?

Historical segregation and ongoing residential inequality limit progress.

How can public opinion polling both help and harm democracy?

It informs leaders but can also mislead, polarize, or oversimplify issues.

How do algorithms and media bias influence public opinion?

They filter information exposure and reinforce existing beliefs.

What are the main arguments for and against voter ID laws?

They prevent fraud but may suppress turnout among minority or low-income voters.

What is the collective action problem?

When individuals fail to work together for a common goal because benefits are shared even without participation.