Political Science Key Concepts (Terms 14–27)

41 question-and-answer flashcards covering key concepts, examples, and analyses from lecture notes on political science terms 14–27.

What is constitutional reform?

The process of amending a nation’s constitution to reflect new values, fix systemic problems, or update institutional frameworks.

Which Caribbean country is currently exploring constitutional reform to become a republic?

Jamaica.

Name two common obstacles that delay constitutional reform, according to the lecture.

Political resistance and public disengagement.

Define political ideology.

A set of beliefs or philosophies about how society should be organized and governed.

Which two economic ideologies are contrasted in current U.S. debates as younger voters lean progressive?

Socialism versus capitalism.

How can rigid adherence to ideology affect policymaking?

It can hinder compromise and pragmatic policymaking.

In a majoritarian electoral system, what vote share is required to win?

More than 50 percent.

What characterizes a plurality electoral system?

The candidate with the most votes wins even if they receive less than 50 percent.

How does the UK’s House of Commons election illustrate a drawback of plurality systems?

Parties can form majority governments with less than 50 % of the national vote, distorting voter intent and under-representing smaller groups.

What is political culture?

The set of attitudes, beliefs, and norms that shape political behavior and institutions in a society.

Give one feature of Jamaica’s political culture mentioned in the notes.

Strong party loyalty and grassroots campaigning (or voter apathy among younger demographics).

Why is political culture important for democratic stability?

It underpins citizen engagement; shifts in values can lead to reform or unrest.

Define an electoral system.

The method by which votes are counted and translated into seats in a legislature.

Which electoral system used in Jamaica is criticized for fairness issues?

First-past-the-post (FPTP).

Why is electoral reform often difficult to achieve?

It is politically sensitive and complex, affecting representation, party structure, and voter behavior.

What is the Electoral College?

A body of electors established to elect a country’s president, most notably in the United States.

Who won the 2020 U.S. presidential election through the Electoral College despite close popular vote margins?

Joe Biden.

What legitimacy concern arises from the Electoral College system?

It can produce outcomes that conflict with the popular vote, undermining democratic legitimacy.

Distinguish between a primary and a caucus.

A primary is a standard secret-ballot election; a caucus involves public discussion followed by a vote.

Name one state that traditionally holds a Democratic presidential caucus.

Iowa.

What is one advantage of primaries and caucuses mentioned in the lecture?

They allow party members to influence candidate selection.

What is agenda setting in media studies?

The media’s power to influence the public’s perception of what issues are important by deciding which topics receive frequent and prominent coverage.

Which two climate issues received heightened media coverage during COP28?

Climate finance and fossil fuel phase-out.

According to the notes, what does agenda setting do to public thought?

It tells people what to think about, not what to think.

Define priming.

The process by which media coverage predisposes the public to evaluate political figures or issues based on particular criteria.

Which economic issue did media emphasis before the 2024 U.S. elections, thereby priming voters?

Inflation.

How can priming negatively impact voter evaluation?

By oversimplifying complex political performance.

What is framing in media studies?

The way information is presented to the public, affecting interpretation and understanding of political issues.

How did different news outlets frame the 2024 Israel-Gaza conflict?

Some framed it as a security issue, others as a humanitarian crisis.

Why can biased framing be harmful?

It can polarize public opinion by shaping emotional responses and political actions.

What does fusion of powers refer to?

A system where the executive and legislative branches are interlinked, as in many parliamentary systems.

Provide a current example of fusion of powers.

The United Kingdom, where the Prime Minister and cabinet are drawn from Parliament.

Name one advantage and one disadvantage of fusion of powers.

Advantage: efficiency in decision-making; Disadvantage: reduced checks and balances under strong party discipline.

Define sovereignty.

The supreme authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.

Which major event was justified in the UK as “restoring national sovereignty”?

Brexit (the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union).

What tension can arise between sovereignty and globalization?

International treaties or regional integration can limit independent decision-making.

What is authority in political science?

Legitimate power possessed by individuals or institutions to make decisions and enforce laws.

Which international organization’s authority was questioned during the COVID-19 response?

The World Health Organization (WHO).

What happens when authority is perceived as illegitimate or abused?

Trust erodes and resistance increases.

What is power?

The ability to influence or control the behavior of people and institutions, with or without legitimate authority.

Differentiate between hard power and soft power.

Hard power is coercive (e.g., military force), whereas soft power is persuasive (e.g., cultural influence).