Modern America

The End of History

An idea advanced by Francis Fukuyama that American victory in the Cold War marked the end of human ideological evolution, with Western liberal democracy being the perfect system.

New World Order - Gorbachev

The idea that following the Cold War, the entire world would work together as equals to solve global problems

New World Order - Bush

The idea that following the Cold War, America would lead the other nations of the world in solving global problems

New World Order - Putin

The idea that following the Cold War, the balances of each country should be weighed against each other when solving global problems.

Bush v. Gore

The set of three Supreme Court decisions resolving the very close 2000 Presidential Election. The first decision stopped the recount and recognized Bush's standing to sue based on "irreparable harm" to his presidency. The second found that the Florida recount was unconstitutional due to different ballots being counted in different ways. The third found that there was not enough time to do a constitutional recount before the safe harbor deadline.

Authorization for Use of Military Force

Passed a week after 9/11, giving the president broad powers to fight terrorism, terrorist groups, and those who harbored terrorists.

Al Qaeda

Islamist terrorist organization that orchestrated the 9/11 attacks as revenge for American meddling in the Middle East

US invasion of Afghanistan

A US military campaign against Al Qaeda and the Taliban following the attacks on September 11th. Removed the Taliban from power but did not destroy them, and they retook power soon after the US left in 2021.

PATRIOT Act

This law passed after 9/11 expanded the surveillance tools used to fight terrorism and improved communication between law enforcement and intelligence agencies, arguably violating Americans 1st and 4th Amendment rights in the process.

Torture Memos

Two memos written by the Bush Administration finding that terrorist detainees were not protected under the Geneva Convention, but should be treated humanely anyway, and raising the threshold for torture to yearslong mental pain or physical pain equivalent to death.

UN Definition of Torture

When a government official approves any act that inflicts sever physical pain or suffering (physical or mental) for the purpose of obtaining information.

Iraq War

The US Invasion meant to topple Saddam Hussein based on claims that he had stockpiles and active programs to develop weapons of mass destruction. Those claims were never fully verified, and the war continued for years after Saddam was deposed due to religious violence between Sunnis and Shias.

Duverger's Law

The idea that a first past the post voting system (like in the US) inevitably leads to a two party system.

First past the post voting system = voting for 1 person

Partisanship

A strong bias toward a certain political party, sometimes to the point of blind faith. Increased significantly in American politics starting in the 1980s.

The Contract with America

In the 1994 midterm elections, Newt Gingrich created a standardized platform for all Republican candidates to sign, making campaigning significantly easier.

Obstructionism

The strategy of refusing to pass anything through Congress, even if it has bipartisan support. Embraced by Republicans under Newt Gingrich

during the 1994 midterms.

Hyperpartisanship

Aggressive direct attacks against your political opponents. Embraced by Republicans under Newt Gingrich in the 1994 midterms.

FCC Fairness Doctrine

The government rule requiring news broadcasters to A) cover controversial public issues and B) present all sides of the issue fairly. Repealed in 1987 under Reagan, opening the doorway for more partisan news sources, like Rush Limbaugh.

Economic Bubble

When the price of something increases really fast, until people realize it is too high, at which point it crashes back to a lower price.

Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBSs)

An investment opportunity that allows investors to essentially bet on how many people out of 1000 you think will pay their mortgage.

Subprime Mortgages

In order to fill as many MBSs as possible, banks started giving out these mortgages to people who were much less likely to pay them off.

"Too Big to Fail"

To stop the economy from completely collapsing following the 2008 crash, the US government decided to use $700 billion to save several companies that were deemed essential for its survival.