Review Flashcards on US Government and Politics

Flashcards to review key concepts from lecture notes on the US Constitution, political culture, demographics, voting behavior, and types of elections.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing individual and states’ rights.

What rights are guaranteed by the First Amendment?

Freedom of speech, assembly, petition, religion, and press.

What right is guaranteed by the Second Amendment?

The right to bear arms.

What protection does the Fourth Amendment provide?

Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

What rights are included in the Fifth Amendment?

Right to a trial, protection against double jeopardy, and not being required to testify against oneself.

What rights are guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment?

Right to a speedy, public, and impartial trial with a lawyer.

What protections are provided by the Eighth Amendment?

Protection against excessive bails or fines, and cruel and unusual policies.

What does the Tenth Amendment state?

Powers not given to the federal government or denied to the states are reserved to the states.

What are the two methods to amend the Constitution?

2/3 of Congress propose, 3/4 of states ratify; or state convention called by 2/3 of states propose, 3/4 of states ratify.

Who was Alexis de Tocqueville?

Frenchman who described young American democracy in the 1800s.

What is political culture?

A coherent way of thinking about how politics and the government ought to be carried out.

What values do Americans tend to support?

Free enterprise with some limits, individual responsibility, economic individualism, equality of opportunity, patriotism, and awareness of rights.

What is political socialization?

Manner in which people develop their political views (family, friends, media, current government, education).

What is the main idea of the Liberal ideology?

Large federal government involvement to provide for the people.

What is the main idea of the Socialist ideology?

Belief in an extremely powerful state to protect people.

What is the main idea of the Conservative ideology?

Limited government is necessary to grow a strong economy; very pro-business, anti-regulation.

What is the main idea of Libertarianism?

Very small government and extreme focus on individual and business rights; no regulation of industry.

What are demographics?

Characteristics of a population based on income, education, race, and gender.

What are demographic trends?

Changes in the way people of a certain socio-economic background vote.

Who is more likely to vote?

Whites, rich, women, old, and educated.

Which groups tend to vote liberal?

Women, blacks, Hispanics, young people, and blue-collar workers.

Which groups tend to vote conservative?

Men, wealthy whites, religious people, and rural people.

What is the Census?

A count of the total population, ethnic groups, religions, and voting patterns every 10 years.

What is redistricting?

Redrawing congressional districts after every census based on population.

What is reapportionment?

State legislatures resizing state congressional districts after every census.

What is gerrymandering?

Redistricting to benefit a specific party by drawing districts based on the demo of their residents.

What are the main reasons people vote?

Party of the candidate, characteristics of the candidate, and issues.

What is party identification?

When people identify with a political party based on issues.

What is political efficacy?

Belief that you can participate in politics, or that government will respond (my vote counts).

What is civic duty?

Belief that one has an obligation to participate in civic and political affairs.

What are general elections?

Held every four years in which the president is elected.

What are primary elections?

A political party’s election to determine a nominee for the general election.

What are open primaries?

People from either party can vote (must choose to vote for either democrats or republicans).

What are closed primaries?

People can only vote if they are a registered member of the party.

What are Caucuses?

Candidate nomination process in which party members meet to discuss and decide on a candidate.

What is a referendum?

People vote on whether or not to accept a law passed by the state legislature, or a proposed amendment to the state constitution.

What is an initiative?

People vote on laws and constitutional amendments within a state (direct democracy).

What is a recall?

Voters remove elected officials.