Political Science Exam Review Flashcards

A comprehensive set of flashcards designed to help students prepare for an exam on political science topics, including civil rights, elections, media influence, and governmental structures.

What is filtering in the context of media?

The influence on public opinion from journalists' and editors' decisions about which news stories to report.

What does aggregate public opinion refer to?

Collective preferences, attitudes, and beliefs of a population on political issues.

Define broadcast media.

Communications technologies, such as television and radio, that transmit information over airwaves.

What are cognitive shortcuts?

Mental shortcuts or rules used by voters and officials to make decisions quickly.

What are America’s core values?

Democracy, liberty, and equality.

What is coercion in the context of group membership?

A method of requiring participation to eliminate nonparticipation, often used in labor unions.

What does the equal time provision entail?

An FCC regulation requiring equal air time for all candidates running for an office during non-news programming.

What was the fairness doctrine?

A requirement for broadcasters to present opposing points of view on important issues.

What does the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) do?

Regulates American radio stations and other broadcast media.

What does the First Amendment protect?

It prohibits Congress from restricting freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

What is framing in media coverage?

The influence on public opinion caused by how a story is presented.

What is the hostile media effect?

The tendency for individuals to perceive neutral coverage as biased against their point of view.

Define ideological polarization.

Sharp differences in Americans' overall ideas regarding the government's size and scope.

What are common issues with survey methods?

Wording errors, sample size, and biases in participant selection.

What is latent opinion?

An opinion formed on-the-spot as needed, rather than a deeply-held opinion.

What is the definition of mass media?

Sources providing information to the average citizen, including newspapers and broadcasts.

What is a mass survey used for?

To measure public opinion by sampling a small segment of a larger population.

What is an important aspect of measuring public opinion?

Using mass surveys to gauge attitudes from a relatively small group.

What are media conglomerates?

Companies that control multiple media sources across various types of outlets.

Define media effects.

The influence of media coverage on citizens' opinions and actions.

What is political socialization?

The process by which an individual’s political opinions are shaped by culture and others.

What is policy mood?

The level of public support for government action on specific issues.

What does sampling bias refer to?

When certain members of a population are systematically over or underrepresented.

What does sampling error indicate?

The predicted difference between average opinions expressed in a survey and those in the general population.

What are sound bites?

Short, memorable audio clips summarizing core messages from longer speeches.

What does 'get out the vote' mean?

Campaign efforts to ensure supporters vote on Election Day.

What is hard money in political campaigns?

Donations used to elect or defeat specific candidates, subject to limits.

Define incumbency.

A current politician running for reelection to their existing office.

What is a primary election?

An election where voters choose candidates for the general election.

What does the Voting Rights Act of 1965 aim to achieve?

To enforce the 15th Amendment and outlaw discriminatory voting practices.

What is meant by the paradox of voting?

The question of why citizens vote despite the low chance of their vote changing the outcome.

Explain single-member districts.

Electoral districts that send only one officeholder to a legislative body.

What is the significance of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

It ended legal segregation and outlawed discrimination based on various characteristics.

What does affirmative action aim to do?

To eliminate discrimination and increase representation of marginalized groups.

What does the term 'disenfranchised' mean?

Having been denied the ability to exercise a right, such as voting.

What is the Lemon Test?

A test to determine whether a law violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

What was the outcome of Brown v. Board of Education?

It declared that race-based school segregation violates the Equal Protection Clause.

What is the significance of the case Loving v. Virginia?

It invalidated laws prohibiting interracial marriage.

Define institutional racism.

The systemic discrimination embedded in organizational policies and practices.

What is symbolic speech?

Nonverbal expressions that receive constitutional protections due to their expressive value.

What was established in Gideon v. Wainwright?

The right to an attorney for defendants unable to afford one.

What does the term 'suspect classification' refer to?

Legal distinctions based on race, nationality, or religion subject to strict scrutiny.

What does the term 'winner-takes-all' mean in elections?

The practice of assigning all delegates to the candidate with the most votes in a state.

What is a superdelegate?

A delegate at a Democratic National Convention who is not pledged to a candidate.

What is soft money?

Contributions for voter mobilization not tied to supporting or opposing a specific candidate.

What does the 15th Amendment guarantee?

It prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

What does the term 'voting cues' mean?

Information about candidates that guides voters' decisions.

What is the significance of the Tinker v. Des Moines case?

It affirmed students' rights to free speech in public schools.

Explain the significance of Schenck v. United States.

It established limits on speech that poses a clear and present danger.

What was decided in New York Times v. United States?

It reinforced the principle of no prior restraint on the press.

What is the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)?

A proposed amendment to guarantee equal legal rights regardless of sex.

What was the outcome of Obergefell v. Hodges?

It legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

What does tort activity refer to in the context of civil rights?

Actions that cause harm and can be subject to legal claims.

What is the relevance of the 26th Amendment?

It lowered the voting age to 18, preventing age-based voter discrimination.

What is the significance of the ruling in Texas v. Johnson?

It affirmed the right to burn the American flag as symbolic speech.

What did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 accomplish?

It outlawed discriminatory voting practices like literacy tests.

What does de facto segregation mean?

Separation of groups that occurs in practice rather than by legal mandate.

What is the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

Legislation that ended segregation and discrimination based on race and other factors.

Define direct incitement test.

It protects threatening speech under the First Amendment unless it incites imminent lawless action.

Define procedural due process.

The requirement that legal proceedings must be fair and follow established rules.

What legal standards does strict scrutiny impose?

It requires a compelling governmental interest and the least restrictive means to achieve it.

What historical event led to the establishment of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988?

The internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

What is the role of the Federal Election Commission?

To enforce campaign finance laws in federal elections.

What did the Supreme Court rule in the case of Marbury v. Madison?

It established the principle of judicial review.

Explain the meaning of intermediate scrutiny.

A standard used by courts to evaluate laws that affect gender-based classifications.

What is the primary focus of civil liberties?

To protect citizens' freedoms from government interference.

What does exclusionary rule entail?

Illegally obtained evidence cannot be used in court.

What are national interest groups?

Organizations aiming to influence national policy decisions.

What is the constitutional basis for the right to privacy?

It is implied through various amendments, although not explicitly stated.

Define grassroots lobbying.

A lobbying strategy based on mobilizing the public to advocate for a cause.

What is the significance of the Senate filibuster?

It allows extended debate and can delay or block legislation.

What does the term electoral college refer to?

A group that formally elects the President and Vice President of the United States.

What is voter suppression?

Efforts to deter or prevent certain groups from voting.

What role do interest groups play in democracy?

They advocate for specific interests and influence public policy.

Define amicus curiae.

A 'friend of the court' who provides information or expertise relevant to a case.

Explain the meaning of the term radicalism in political discourse.

Promoting fundamental change in social structures.

What is a PAC (Political Action Committee)?

An organization that raises and spends money to elect political candidates.

Define 'political spectrum.'

A system for classifying political positions from liberal to conservative.

What do exit polls measure?

Public opinion right after voters leave polling stations.

What is gerrymandering?

Drawing district boundaries to favor one political party over another.

What does the term suffrage mean?

The right to vote in political elections.

What is social contract theory?

The idea that individuals consent to form a government to secure their rights.

What is a battleground state?

A state where both major political parties have similar levels of support among voters.

What is the significance of Roe v. Wade?

It recognized a woman's right to choose to have an abortion.

What does the term voter registration entail?

The process of signing up to be eligible to vote.

Explain the concept of direct democracy.

A system in which voters directly participate in decision-making.

What is the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

To declare the colonies' separation from British rule.

What is the role of third parties in elections?

To provide alternative choices and influence the platform of major parties.

What does public policy refer to?

The principles on which social laws are based.

Explain the meaning of 'conventional political participation.'

Political activities that are widely accepted, such as voting or campaigning.

What is an open primary?

A primary election where voters from any political party can participate.

What does the term 'realignment' mean in politics?

A significant change in party affiliation or allegiance among voters.

Define 'political efficiency.'

The belief that one's vote makes a difference.

What are mass shootings in relation to gun control debates?

Incidents involving firearm violence that influence public policy on gun regulation.

What is the impact of media bias on public opinion?

It shapes perceptions and can manipulate people's beliefs.

What is civil disobedience?

The act of refusing to comply with certain laws as a form of protest.

Explain the significance of voter turnout rates.

They indicate the level of civic engagement and the health of a democracy.

What is affirmative action's goal in education?

To increase diversity and representation of marginalized groups in schools.

What is the role of the Supreme Court?

To interpret the Constitution and review the legality of laws and government actions.

What is the significance of 'checks and balances' in government?

It prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful.