Policital Science Final section II study guide

Civic engagement

• attend political rallies

• responding to political polls

• vote

Public good

• public education

• public transportation

• mail service

Private good

• food

• clothing

• housing

Common good

• available to everyone without limiting another’s access or enjoyment

• drinking water

• public parks

Toll good

• private school

• turnpike

• cable TV

Elite theory

• theory that the government is run by small group of wealthy elites

• similar to oligarchy

• contrasted by the pluralist theory

Pluralism

• Theory that the political power rests in the hands of competing interest groups

• supporters believe that interest group members get involved due to ease of access

• some groups hold more influence than others

The constitution

Bill of rights

• the first ten amendments

• 1-4: protection for basic freedoms, 5-8: provides the accused protection, 9+10: defines interpretation of the bill of rights

• protects citizens rights and liberties

Federalism

• two independent levels of government

• allotted the power between the states and the national government

• Both levels can act directly on behalf of the people, using powers given to them by the country's constitution

Block grants

• large sums of money that the federal government gives to state or local governments with fewer restrictions on how they should be used

• allow states or local governments to have more discretion and flexibility in deciding how the funds will be used within a broad area

• recipients of block grants are still accountable for how the money is spent

Unfunded mandates

• These are federal laws and rules that require state and local governments to do certain things, but don't fully pay them back for the costs they have to handle

• no child left behind act

• clean air act

Eminent domain

• when the government takes private land to use for a public service

• in exchange for land, the owner receives a monetary compensation

• typically used to expand a road or build a public park

Civil liberty

• limitations placed on governmental power

• used to protect the citizens’ freedom from government intrusion

• ex) the government can’t place “cruel or unusual punishment” on its citizens

Civil rights

• “guarantees that the government will treat people equally, and make decisions based on merit not personal charactristics”

• protects citizens from unjust treatment

• ex) equal protection clause (14th amendment)

Public opinion

Authority of poll

Price of campaigns

Voter registration

Why is voting not higher?

Incumbent advantage

Bradley effect

The role of media

Political parties

Interest groups

Lobbying

Congress

Presidency

The courts

GA state government

Local government

Homerule

Polk school district

Bureaucracy

Domestic policy

Foreign policy

Ted talk: Jimmy Carter