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American Government > American Government Flashcards for Political Science 102 > Flashcards

American Government Flashcards for Political Science 102

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1
Q

When the work of more than one government agency overlaps and the same thing is done more than once.

A

Duplication (in government)

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2
Q

The belief that political power should be proportional to the amount of resources a person has.

A

Elitism

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3
Q

Under this principle, the U.S. government is divided into three branches that all have their own specific function and powers. The three branches are the legislative branch (Congress), the judicial branch (courts), and the executive branch (the President).

A

Separation of powers

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4
Q

This process occurs when bureaucratic organizations are changed to improve their efficiency.

A

Methods to Reform Bureaucracy: Reorganization

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5
Q

John Locke’s work that provided a philosophical basis for the American government

A

Two Treatises of Government

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6
Q

Participation; equality; tolerance; accountability; transparency; fair elections; economic freedom; proper use of power; human rights; the rule of law

A

Principles of democracy

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7
Q

For these citizens, joining in the political process is a low priority. This results in a shift in power from the majority of the population to a smaller group of informed voters.

A

The effect of uninformed voters

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8
Q

The three-way partnership between congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups.

A

The iron triangle

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9
Q

The attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

A

Examples of events in which live TV played a key role in informing the public on politics.

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10
Q

The rules of this type of government claim that a deity rules through them. These governments are usually very strict.

A

Theocracy

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11
Q

To put into effect the laws created by elected officials.

A

Primary function of American bureaucracy.

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12
Q

Journalists who expose injustice and corruption.

A

Muckraking

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13
Q

The U.S. government agency responsible for the military

A

Department of Defense

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14
Q

1) Recruiting candidates for public office.
2) Gathering volunteers to register voters.
3) Presenting political platforms.
4) Staffing positions with party supporters.
5) Putting forth its own policies when they weren’t the winning party.

A

5 main functions of political parties

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15
Q

When voters have less and less allegiance and commitment to a political party over time.

A

Dealignment

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16
Q

Informant, watchdog, platform and public voice; public educator

A

Roles that the media play during campaigns, elections, and other government activity

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17
Q

This economic system supports the ownership of private property and an open market, while only allowing the government to step in to prevent certain crimes.

A

Capitalism

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18
Q

Culture, commerce, and politics

A

Mass media influences:

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19
Q

The written document that outlines the highest level of law in the United States of America.

A

The U.S. Constitution.

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20
Q

Citizens directly vote on each policy themselves.

A

Direct democracy

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21
Q

Metaphor for when it is challenging to get anything done because of inefficient bureaucracy. This expression comes from when the government really tied up documents.

A

‘Red tape’

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22
Q

The relationship between bureaucratic agencies, congress, and interest groups to make policies.

A

Iron Triangle

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23
Q

Defamation of a person’s character in a physical form, including print, pictures, video or audio.

A

Libel

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24
Q

A government ruled by a single person who possesses all power. This ruler obtains power through military action and uses intimidation to maintain power.

A

Dictatorship

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25
Q

Print

A

Dominant form of journalism in the 19th century

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26
Q

A group of powerful individuals rule in this type of government. They mostly inherit their power and usually rule for life.

A

Oligarchy

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27
Q

A governmental office that assesses the way different bureaucratic departments perform. It can help the president hold these agencies accountable by setting budgets and reorganizing them.

A

The Office of Management and Budget

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28
Q

These individuals generally earn a high income, support men, are conservative and live in the South or Great Plains area.

A

Characteristics of Republican Voters

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29
Q

Laws that require meetings to ensure the public can scrutinize bureaucratic organizations. These laws can raise accountability and lower red tape.

A

Methods to Reform Bureaucracy: Sunshine Laws

30
Q

Department of Defense; Department of Education; Department of Health and Human Services; Department of Justice; Department of Commerce, Department of the Interior; Department of Transportation; Department of State

A

Examples of governmental departments

31
Q

It gives cheaper ways to influence people’s politics, such as the internet or other digital- based platforms.

A

New media’s effect on the public’s opinion on politics.

32
Q

The acceptance and celebration of people of all different backgrounds and ways of life, including religious, racial, cultural, and economics identities.

A

Diversity

33
Q

Largest part of federal bureaucracy

A

The military

34
Q

Third parties can be formed from the ground up by people who are passionate about a specific issue, or they can form as splinter parties, which branch out from one of the two major parties

A

Formation of third parties

35
Q

When a bureaucracy tries to maintain its size and importance for the sake of itself, losing sight of its concrete goals.

A

Imperialism

36
Q

An organized group with goals of being elected into office in order to shape the government and its policies.

A

Political party

37
Q

Ability of the government (president, courts, and congress) to hold the bureaucracy accountable for everything it does.

A

Bureaucratic accountability

38
Q

Provides Congress with the ability to regulate commerce between the states.

A

Commerce clause

39
Q

Spending more money than necessary for products or services

A

Government waste

40
Q

A system of government where the majority rules

A

Majoritarianism

41
Q

Interstate Commerce Commission; Food and Drug Administration (FDA); the Federal Communications Commission (FCC); the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

A

Examples of independent regulatory agencies

42
Q

A system of government where the people join in and contribute to the process

A

Democracy

43
Q

Politicians using social media to gain support; politicians appearing in TV interviews to explain their beliefs; politicians using the radio or print to advance their causes.

A

Examples of the changing role of media in American politics.

44
Q

Each of the three branches of governments has some control over the other two branches; since each branch is overseen by the other branches, no branch can become too powerful

A

Checks and balances

45
Q

To keep the population informed of the actions of the government

A

Most important role of media in a democracy

46
Q

The executive (president), legislative (congress), and judicial (courts) branches all have oversight.

A

Branch(es) of government with oversight of federal bureaucracy

47
Q

This act did away with the spoils system of political appointment and replaced it with a system that favored those who could prove their value by demonstrating skills and passing examinations.

A

The Pendleton Act of 1883

48
Q

Distinct histories and cultures lead to different ideologies and beliefs

A

General cause of political conflict

49
Q

Prejudice or bias towards the goals of one political party over the other

A

Partisanship

50
Q

The Third Party of Teddy Roosevelt, that won more electoral votes than any other third party presidential candidate by splitting the Republican vote

A

Bull Moose Party

51
Q

Journalism that exploits or exaggerates stories to attract more readers and sell more papers

A

Yellow journalism

52
Q

The ability of an entity to exercise power through demands, decision-making, and the subservience of others.

A

Authority

53
Q

When a news source promotes a specific political party, philosophy, or other agenda by focusing on some stories and excluding others.

A

Bias by story selection.

54
Q

Americans believing that the political system is too party-driven is one factor that contributes to:

A

Low voter turnout

55
Q

A voter who is focused on a single issue and ignores the others

A

Single-issue voter

56
Q

Governmental groups that create and enforce rules and regulations for various activities overseen by the government

A

Independent regulatory agencies

57
Q 
Interest in single-issue voters. 
More uniformed voters.
Less voter participation.
High campaign expenses.
Difficulty getting nominated.
A

Factors that lead to small groups gaining greater political power in the U.S.:

58
Q

Regulations that limit the amount of time a bureaucratic program can run.

A

Methods to Reform Bureaucracy: Sunset Provisions

59
Q

A political party other than Republican or Democrat

A

Third Party

60
Q

Any voter who is not firmly attached to one specific political party.

A

Independent Voter

61
Q

Separation of powers, popular sovereignty, checks and balances, limited government, and federalism

A

Core principles of the American government

62
Q

The government acts only with the people’s assent and power.

A

Popular sovereignty

63
Q

In political matters, power and influence should be in the hands of groups

A

Pluralism

64
Q

A process that gives private agencies control of tasks that were previously controlled by bureaucratic agencies.

A

Methods to Reform Bureaucracy: Privatization

65
Q

The notion that all people should have the freedom to behave as they wish, as long as their behavior does not infringe on the rights of other people

A

Liberty

66
Q

Replaced the spoils system with a selection process based on merit

A

Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act

67
Q

A country ruled by a leader who is born into power. In these governments, the country’s ruler has full control over everything.

A

Absolute Monarchy

68
Q

An organized group that is united in a shared goal, which attempts to sway elected officials and policy makers.

A

Interest group

69
Q

Implement policies and laws Perform administrative functions Regulate activities of the government

A

Functions of bureaucracy in the U.S.:

70
Q

When the media gives an account of the news that is incomplete or based on opinion for the purpose of pursuing a specific point of view.

A

Media bias

71
Q

Biased or misleading media that is used to endorse or advertise a certain political agenda

A

Propaganda

72
Q

Print media, mass media, internet media, social media, broadcast media.

A

Ways that Americans get their information or news

American Government (7 decks)

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