Week 4 - American Government

This flashcard set covers key vocabulary and concepts from American Government Week 4, including political philosophies, media roles, interest groups, political parties, and the U.S. electoral and voting systems.

Conservative Philosophies

Political philosophies targeted on self focused responsibilities, generally wanting a smaller government and more traditional aspects of life.

Liberal Philosophies

Political philosophies more focused on everyone rather than just themselves, usually believing in equality and a bigger government.

Left wing

The political side more associated with socialists and communists.

Economic nationalism

A focus on keeping the business world for their own country in check.

Globalism

A focus on helping worldwide business, not just their own country's.

International Trade

An issue area where Republicans and Democrats have switched policy positions since the rise of Donald Trump and the MAGA movement.

Political Polarization

The divergence of political attitudes, driven by factors like social media, influencers, biased news stations, and world issues.

Demographics are Destiny

A theory explaining how population sizes in different generations or groups can affect the outcome of elections.

Political Socialization

The process of developing political opinions, primarily influenced by family, education, and media.

First Amendment

The section of the Constitution where the right to freedom of the news media is found.

Journalism

Its main purpose is to spread accurate information on subjects across the country and the world.

Decentralized News Media

A media environment where people have many different ways to get information and hear all sides of a subject.

Iraq War (Media Failure)

An example of mainstream media failure where reporters spread government information about dangerous weapons that were never found after the US invaded.

Interest Groups

Groups whose primary purpose is to influence government policies and decisions, often focused on smaller, specific problems.

Political Parties

Organizations focused on leadership and influencing elections to put specific leaders in charge of making decisions.

Required Elements of Interest Groups

Three structural components needed for effective function: leaders, members, and finance.

Lobbying

Actions taken to influence decision making in the government in hopes it will benefit a specific party.

Iron Triangle

A policymaking structure consisting of interest groups (influence policies), Congress (makes laws), and government agencies (enforced laws).

Political Party Platform

A document describing a party’s stats including their achievements, goals, beliefs, and issues.

Party organization

The people that organize and run the political party.

Party in government

The individuals that were voted to be in charge of the party.

Party in electorate

The members of the party that participate in activities to support the group.

Federalist Party

An early American political party that disappeared because people believed it opposed the War of 1812.

Democratic-Republican Party

The party that won the presidency in seven consecutive presidential elections during the early republic.

Andrew Jackson

The leader who led the transformation of the Democratic Republicans into Democrats.

Modern Republican Party

Formed in 1854 to prevent the spread of slavery into new U.S. territories.

Third-party Candidates

Presidential candidates like Ross Perot, Ralph Nader, and Jill Stein who ran outside the two-party system.

Sample

A fraction of the group used in a public opinion poll.

Population

The whole group participating in a public opinion poll.

Primary

A political process where voters nominate the candidates for an election.

Caucus

A meeting where party members discuss who they should nominate or vote for.

Party’s Convention

A meeting held the summer before a national election to finalize the party's choice for president and vice president.

Electoral College Formula

\text{# of US representatives} + 2\,\text{senators} = \text{# of electors}

23rd Amendment

The amendment that allowed the District of Columbia to be included in the Electoral College system.

Winner-take-all System

A main barrier preventing the rise of successful third parties in the American political system.

15th Amendment

Expanded voting rights specifically for black males.

19th Amendment

Expanded voting rights for women.

24th Amendment

Expanded voting rights for all blacks by removing poll taxes and barriers to voting.

26th Amendment

Expanded voting rights for young people age 18-21.

Provisional Ballot

A temporary ballot used when a person's eligibility to vote is in question; it is counted only if background check confirms eligibility.