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Political Science:

The academic discipline encompassing the systematic study and analysis of governmental structures, political dynamics, the acquisition and distribution of power, and the formulation and implementation of public policies within societies

Study of power:

The comprehensive examination and exploration of the mechanisms, strategies, and relationships through which authority and control are exercised, acquired, and distributed in political, social, and economic contexts

Elitist theory of power:

An ideological perspective positing that political influence and decision-making are primarily controlled and concentrated within a small, privileged segment of society, often consisting of wealthy or influential individuals, institutions, or groups, who advance their own interests

Majoritarian theory of power:

A theoretical framework asserting that political authority and policies are shaped predominantly by the preferences, desires, and decisions of the majority population, reflecting the collective will of the people

Pluralist theory of power:

A conceptual approach contending that power in society is dispersed and shared among a diverse array of interest groups, institutions, and individuals, leading to a balance of influence and the accommodation of various policy perspectives

Constitutional Democracy:

A governance system characterized by the establishment of a constitution that serves as the fundamental law, defining the structure of government, delineating the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and limiting the exercise of governmental power

Social contract theory:

A philosophical concept positing that individuals in a state of nature voluntarily consent to form a social and political order, relinquishing certain natural rights in exchange for the protection of remaining rights and the benefits of a collectively governed society

Popular sovereignty/political equality:

The foundational principle that the ultimate source of political authority resides within the general population, and every citizen possesses an equal and legitimate claim to participate in decision-making processes

Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau:

John Locke emphasized the social contract and natural rights, arguing that government exists to secure these rights and can be challenged if it fails to do so. Thomas Hobbes advocated for a strong central authority to prevent the "state of nature," where life would be "nasty, brutish, and short. " Jean-Jacques Rousseau introduced the idea of the "general will" and direct democracy, emphasizing individual freedom within the collective community.

Constitutional democracy:

A political system in which governmental powers are defined and limited by a constitution, ensuring the protection of individual rights and imposing constraints on the exercise of authority

Tyranny of the majority:

A concern that a democratic majority, while acting within the bounds of the law, might use its numerical advantage to suppress the rights and interests of minority groups, potentially undermining democratic principles

Declaration of Independence:

A historic document adopted on July 4, 1776, by the Continental Congress, formally declaring the American colonies' separation from British rule, asserting the inherent rights of individuals, and justifying the right to self-governance

Federalist Papers:

A series of 85 essays authored by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay during the late 1780s, advocating for the ratification of the US Constitution by explaining its merits, addressing concerns, and discussing the importance of a strong central government

Supremacy/Necessary and Proper Clauses:

The Supremacy Clause establishes the US Constitution as the supreme law of the land, mandating that federal laws and treaties take precedence over state laws. The Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause) grants Congress the authority to enact laws required for the effective execution of its enumerated powers

Federalism:

A system of governance in which political authority and powers are divided and shared between a central (national) government and subnational entities, such as states or provinces

Enumerated/implied powers:

Enumerated powers are specific authorities explicitly granted to the federal government by the Constitution. Implied powers are not explicitly stated but are reasonably inferred from the Constitution's necessary and proper clause to enable the execution of enumerated powers

10th Amendment:

An amendment to the US Constitution affirming that any powers not delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states are reserved for the states or the people

State-centered/nation-centered federalism:

State-centered federalism emphasizes the autonomy and authority of individual states within the federal system, while nation-centered federalism emphasizes the strong influence of the central government

Fiscal federalism:

The division of financial responsibilities and resources between the central (national) government and subnational entities, such as states or provinces, to facilitate effective governance and service delivery

Congress:

The legislative branch of the US federal government, consisting of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives, responsible for proposing, debating, and enacting laws

Article I:

The first article of the US Constitution, outlining the powers, functions, and responsibilities of the Congress

Impact of decentralized power:

The implications of dispersing political authority among different levels of government for governance, policy-making, and the balance of power between central and regional entities

Perceptions of Congress:

Public opinions, attitudes, and views regarding the effectiveness, accountability, and representation provided by the US Congress

Committee system:

The organizational structure of Congress, dividing members into specialized groups to deliberate, review, and amend legislation related to specific policy areas

Structure of House and Senate:

The House of Representatives consists of members allocated by state population, while the Senate provides each state with equal representation through two senators

Filibuster/cloture:

A filibuster is a legislative tactic where a member extends debate to delay a vote. Cloture is a procedure to end a filibuster, requiring a three-fifths majority vote

Partisan voting:

The practice of legislators casting their votes in accordance with the positions advocated by their respective political parties

Single-member districts/proportional representation:

Single-member districts elect one representative per geographical area. Proportional representation allocates seats based on the percentage of votes a party receives

Political leadership of each chamber:

In the US Congress, the House of Representatives is led by the Speaker of the House, while the Senate is presided over by the Vice President (as President of the Senate) and the President pro tempore

President/Bureaucracy:

The President is the chief executive of the US responsible for enforcing laws and implementing policies. Bureaucracy refers to administrative organizations and agencies that assist the President in executing government functions

Article II:

The second article of the US Constitution, outlining the powers and responsibilities of the executive branch and the presidency

Evolution of presidential power:

The historical development and transformation of the authority, influence, and prerogatives of the US President over different eras

Popular support and presidential power:

The extent to which a President's effectiveness and ability to implement policies are influenced by public approval and the legitimacy derived from public mandate

Honeymoon/lame duck periods:

The honeymoon period refers to the early phase of a President's term characterized by higher public approval and legislative cooperation. Lame duck periods occur towards the end of a President's term or when not seeking re-election, potentially affecting their influence.

Impact of centralized power:

The consequences, benefits, and drawbacks of concentrating authority and decision-making power within a single entity, often referring to the executive branch, in contrast to more distributed power structures

Characteristics of bureaucracy:

Bureaucracies are structured administrative organizations with hierarchical levels, specialized divisions of labor, standardized procedures, and a formal chain of command, typically responsible for implementing laws and regulations

Federal Courts:

The judicial branch of the US government, comprising federal courts and judges responsible for interpreting the law, resolving legal disputes, and ensuring justice

Article III:

The third article of the US Constitution, outlining the powers and jurisdiction of the federal judiciary

Judicial philosophies:

Different approaches used by judges and legal scholars to interpret and apply the Constitution, laws, and legal precedents, such as originalism, textualism, and judicial activism

Writ of Certiorari:

A formal request submitted to the US Supreme Court, asking it to review a lower court's decision and potentially hear a case

Judicial review:

The authority of courts, particularly the Supreme Court, to examine and assess the constitutionality of laws, regulations, and government actions, ensuring their alignment with the Constitution

Decisions:

The formal rulings, judgments, and opinions issued by courts, particularly appellate courts, establishing legal precedents and resolving specific legal issues

Appointed judges/life tenure:

Federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They serve life tenure to ensure independence from political pressures

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Political Socialization/Public Opinion/Participation:

Political socialization refers to the process by which individuals acquire political beliefs and values. Public opinion encompasses the aggregated views and attitudes of the general population. Political participation involves individuals engaging in various activities to influence political processes and decisions

Agents of political socialization:

The influential institutions, groups, and experiences that shape an individual's political beliefs and values, such as family, education, peers, media, and religious organizations

Political ideology:

A comprehensive and coherent set of political beliefs, values, and principles that guide an individual's views on government, society, and policy

Scientific polling:

Rigorous survey methods used to systematically collect and analyze data on public attitudes, opinions, and preferences, providing insights into societal viewpoints

Public opinion:

The collective sentiments, attitudes, and judgments held by individuals in a society concerning various issues, policies, and events

Forms of political participation:

Diverse means by which citizens engage in political processes, including voting, attending rallies, contacting representatives, volunteering, and protest

Frames of reference:

The personal, social, and cultural perspectives that individuals draw upon to interpret and understand political information, shaping their beliefs and attitudes

Political Parties/Campaigns/Elections:

Political parties are organized groups that seek to influence government by nominating candidates and promoting policy agendas. Campaigns involve activities to support candidates during elections. Elections are the processes by which individuals are chosen for public office.

Two-party political system:

A political landscape dominated by two major political parties that compete for electoral support and government control

Election to public office:

The process by which individuals seek, compete for, and are chosen for governmental positions through electoral contests

Caucus/primary/general election:

Caucuses and primaries are early stages of candidate selection within political parties. A general election determines the winner of a political office, often between candidates from different parties

Political party realignment/de-alignment:

Party realignment refers to shifts in voter loyalty and support between political parties. Party de-alignment reflects a weakening of traditional party affiliations

Linkage institution:

An intermediary entity that connects citizens to the government, facilitating the expression of preferences, representation, and the flow of information

News Media:

Roles of news media encompass informing the public, shaping public opinion, and holding government accountable

Agenda setting/Issue framing:

News media's ability to influence the public agenda by highlighting specific issues and framing them in particular ways

Yellow journalism:

A type of journalism characterized by sensationalism, exaggeration, and biased reporting to attract readership

Selective perception:

The cognitive tendency to interpret and remember information in ways that align with preexisting beliefs, values, and attitudes

Interest groups:

Organizations that advocate for specific policies, causes, or concerns, representing the interests and preferences of their members

Inside/outside lobbying:

Inside lobbying involves direct communication with policymakers to influence decisions. Outside lobbying aims to mobilize public opinion and pressure policymakers through public advocacy

Economic/citizen groups:

Economic groups represent business interests, while citizen groups advocate for broader societal concerns

Pluralism:

A political theory asserting that a multitude of interest groups compete and cooperate to influence policy, leading to a balanced distribution of power

Collective good/free rider:

A collective good benefits a group but is available to all members, leading to the free rider problem, where individuals benefit without contributing effort or resources

Civil liberties/Civil rights:

Civil liberties encompass fundamental freedoms that protect individuals from government infringement. Civil rights pertain to legal protections against discrimination and unequal treatment

Difference between civil liberties/civil rights:

Civil liberties pertain to individual freedoms, while civil rights focus on equal treatment and protection from discrimination

Bill of Rights:

The first ten amendments to the US Constitution, safeguarding individual rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and due process

Due process procedures:

Legal protections ensuring fair treatment and the proper application of the law in judicial proceedings

Selective incorporation/14th Amendment:

The process by which certain provisions of the Bill of Rights are applied to the states through the 14th Amendment's due process clause

Plessy vs. Ferguson/Brown vs. Board:

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) upheld racial segregation as long as facilities were "separate but equal." Brown v. Board of Education (1954) declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, sparking the Civil Rights Movement.