Dual Enrollment Political Science 101 Final Exam Study Guide

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and cases relevant to Political Science 101.

Marbury v. Madison

Established the principle of judicial review.

Shaw v. Reno

Determined that redistricting based on race must be held to a standard of strict scrutiny.

Baker v. Carr

Addressed issues of malapportionment and the principle of 'one person, one vote'.

Citizens United v. FEC

Ruled that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts cannot be limited.

Voting Amendments

Constitutional amendments that expand or protect voting rights.

Voting Criteria

Factors considered to determine eligibility to vote.

Political Efficacy

The belief that one's participation in politics matters.

Swing States

States where both major political parties have similar levels of support.

Voter ID Laws

Legislation requiring individuals to show identification to vote.

Impact of 3rd/Minor Party Candidates in POTUS Elections

These candidates can influence the election outcome, often drawing votes from major party candidates.

Interest Groups

Organizations that influence public policy and decisions.

Lobbying

The act of attempting to influence political decisions.

Iron Triangle

The relationship between Congress, bureaucracy, and interest groups.

Winner-Take-All System

An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins all the delegates.

Incumbent Advantage

The electoral advantage experienced by current officeholders.

Campaign Finance

Funding for political campaigns from various sources.

Horse Race Media Coverage

Media focus on polling data rather than policy issues.

Consumer Driven Media

Media that is tailored to audience preferences and demands.

POTUS Approval Ratings

Public support for the President's performance in office.

House v. Senate Differences

Differences in structure, powers, and rules between the two chambers of Congress.

Pork Barrel Legislation

Government spending for localized projects secured primarily to bring money to a representative's district.

Congressional Models of Voting

The various ways that congressional members can vote on legislation.

Gridlock

The inability to make policy decisions due to conflicting interests.

Divided Government

A situation where one party controls the presidency and another controls one or both houses of Congress.

Polarization

The divergence of political attitudes to ideological extremes.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Checks & Balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

Bully Pulpit/State of the Union

The President's ability to influence the public and Congress through persuasive communication.

Bureaucratic Rulemaking

The process by which administrative agencies create regulations.

Congressional Oversight

Congress's monitoring of the bureaucracy and its administration of policy.

Advice & Consent

The Senate's authority to approve treaties and presidential appointments.

Revenue Bills

Laws that specifically deal with taxation and government revenue.

Power of the Purse

The ability of Congress to control public spending.

Implementation

The process of putting laws into effect.

Mandatory v. Discretionary Spending

Mandatory spending is required by law; discretionary spending is subject to annual review.

Enumerated v. Implied Powers

Enumerated powers are specifically listed in the Constitution; implied powers are derived from them.

Gerrymandering & Redistricting

Manipulating district boundaries to favor a particular political party.