POLI 110 – US Government: Participation and Policy Exam Study Guide

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the U.S. political system, aimed at preparing for an exam.

Interest Groups

Organizations that seek to influence public policy to achieve goals relevant to their members.

Political Parties

Organizations that seek to gain control of government by winning elections and influencing policy.

Party Platform

A formal set of principal goals supported by a political party or candidate.

Infotainment

Media programming that blends political news with entertainment.

Iron Triangle

A term describing the stable, mutually beneficial relationships between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees.

Pluralism

A theory stating that multiple groups (interests) compete for power and influence in government.

Elitism

A theory that a select few, often wealthy and powerful, dominate political decision-making.

PACs

Political Action Committees, which raise and spend money to elect candidates and influence elections.

Super PACs

Independent expenditure-only committees that can raise and spend unlimited amounts to influence elections.

Political Socialization

The process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values.

Private Interest Groups

Organizations that seek to benefit their members specifically, not the public at large.

Public Interest Groups

Organizations that seek to benefit the public or a broader social cause.

Duverger’s Law

The principle that single-member district electoral systems tend to favor a two-party system.

Economic Conservative

Advocates for limited government intervention in the economy.

Economic Liberal

Supporters of government involvement to promote economic equity.

Social Conservative

Individuals who advocate for traditional values and social policies.

Social Liberal

People who advocate for civil liberties and social justice.

Straw Poll

An informal survey used to gauge public opinion.

Lobbying

The act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government.

Labor Unions

Organizations formed by workers to advocate for their rights and interests.

Plurality Electoral System

An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they achieve a majority.

Proportional Representation

An electoral system where parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive.

Media Monopoly

A situation where a single entity owns and controls significant media outlets.

Agenda-Setting

The ability of the media to influence the importance placed on topics on the public agenda.

Framing

The way information is presented to shape perceptions and interpretations.

Open Primary Elections

Elections where any registered voter can participate in any party’s primary.

Closed Primary Elections

Elections where only registered party members can vote in their party's primary.

General Election

The election in which voters choose among candidates nominated by parties.

Random Sample

A subset of individuals chosen from a larger set where each individual has an equal chance of being selected.

Electoral College

The body of electors established by the Constitution which formally elects the President and Vice President.

Winner-Take-All System

An electoral system where the candidate receiving the majority of votes in a state gets all of that state's electoral votes.

Red States

States that predominantly vote for the Republican Party.

Blue States

States that predominantly vote for the Democratic Party.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

A landmark piece of federal legislation that prohibits racial discrimination in voting.

New Hampshire and Iowa

States known for holding the first primary and caucus, respectively, in the election cycle.

FEC

Federal Election Commission, the regulatory agency overseeing campaign financing.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

A landmark law that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Ranked Choice Voting

An electoral system that allows voters to rank candidates by preference.

Party Convention

A meeting of delegates from a political party to select candidates and establish party policy.

Selective Incorporation

The process by which certain rights are applied to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Civil Rights

The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

Civil Liberties

Fundamental rights and freedoms protected from infringement by government.

Establishment Clause

A provision in the First Amendment prohibiting the establishment of religion by Congress.

Free Exercise Clause

A First Amendment provision that prohibits the government from interfering with the practice of religion.

Mahanoy SD v. B.L. (Cheerleader Case)

A Supreme Court case addressing student free speech rights outside of school.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

A landmark Supreme Court case that questioned the constitutionality of abortion restrictions.

Brown v. Board of Education

A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Voter Turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election.

Agents of Socialization

Sources that shape individual beliefs about politics, including family, schools, and media.

Liberal

Individuals who advocate for social reform and government intervention in the economy.

Conservative

Individuals who promote tradition, limited government, and individual liberties.

Landmark Supreme Court Decisions

Significant court rulings that influenced civil rights and civil liberties.

1st Amendment

Protects freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

5th Amendment

Provides for grand jury indictment, protects against double jeopardy, and ensures due process.

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.

Trump's First 100 Days

A reference to actions and policies enacted by President Trump during the initial phase of his presidency.