AP REVIEW Flashcards

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1
Q

Declaration of Independence

A
  1. Natural Rights
  2. Social Contract
  3. Popular Sovereignty
  4. Limited Government
  5. Republicanism
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2
Q

Natural Rights

A

Fundamental rights of all humans; NOT received from a government

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3
Q

Social Contract

A

People create a government to protect the rights of people

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4
Q

Popular Sovereignty

A

People are the source of governmental power and authority.

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5
Q

Limited Government

A

Governmental power is restricted by the Constitution

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6
Q

Republicanism

A

A representative form of government; people choose representatives to make policy

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7
Q

Participatory Democracy

A

Emphasizes broad participation and an active role for individual citizens in politics and civil society

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8
Q

Pluralist Democracy

A

Group-based activism striving to impact political decision-making

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9
Q

Elite Democracy

A

Emphasizes limited, or filtered, citizen participation in political and civil society.

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10
Q

Federalist 10

A

Written by James Madison. A large republic is the best way to control the negative effects of factions. Fearful of factions and majority groups.

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11
Q

Brutus 1

A

Antifederalist paper. Warned against excessive federal power and preferred state and local policymaking. Didn’t want a strong central government.

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12
Q

Articles of Confederation

A

Based on the principle of state sovereignty. Congress could declare war, make treaties, borrow money, and create currency. Because there was only a legislative branch, the government had no enforcement powers and could not tax or regulate interstate commerce.

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13
Q

Shay’s Rebellion

A

Weak federal response shifted public opinion towards favoring a stronger central government and a new Constitution.

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14
Q

Great Compromise

A

Created a bicameral legislature; House based on population, Senate 2 per state revenue bills originate in House.

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15
Q

Electoral College

A

Selects the president. Some wanted a direct election, others wanted Congress to choose the president.

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16
Q

3/5 Compromise

A

Slaves would count as 3/5 of a person for congressional representation purposes (overrepresentation for Southern states)

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17
Q

Importation of Slaves

A

Slave trade couldn’t be banned for 20 years

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18
Q

Amendment Process

A

2/3 of both houses of Congress to propose, 3/4 of states to ratify

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19
Q

Federalists

A

Supported the new Constitution, favored stronger central government

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20
Q

Antifederalists

A

Opposed the Constitution, favored states’ rights, and demanded a Bill of Rights.

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21
Q

Separation of Powers

A

Each branch is assigned specific powers, so each branch has limited power. The legislative branch makes laws, the executive enforces laws, and the judicial interprets laws.

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22
Q

Checks and Balances

A

Each branch has the ability to limit/block/influence the actions of other branches

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23
Q

Federalist 51

A

James Madison advocated for the separation of powers and checks and balances

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24
Q

Federalism`

A

Division of power between national, state, and local governments

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25
Q

Dynamic Federalism

A

The relationship between the federal and the state has changed over time. (The national government has gained power while the states have lost power.)

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26
Q

Delegated Powers

A

Powers given to the federal government by the Constitution (coin money, declare war, regulate interstate commerce)

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27
Q

Reserved Powers

A

Powers reserved to the states

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28
Q

10th Amendment

A

All powers not delegated to the federal government or denied to the states are reserved to the states or the people.

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29
Q

Concurrent Powers

A

Powers reserved by both federal and state governments.

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30
Q

Dual Federalism

A

States and federal each supreme in their own sphere of power, no overlap

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31
Q

Cooperative Federalism

A

Federal and states share responsibilities, costs, and administration of policies

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32
Q

Categorical Grants

A

Federal money to states for a specific purpose may have conditions of aid/incentives

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33
Q

Block Grants

A

Federal money to states for use within a broad area, more freedom to states

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34
Q

Federal Revenue Sharing

A

Federal money to states with little or no strings attached (ended in 1986)

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35
Q

Mandates

A

Rules that states must follow, whether the federal government provides money or not

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36
Q

The Importance of Grants

A

Grants have increased national power by allowing Congress to influence state policies

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37
Q

Supremacy Clause

A

Federal laws are superior to state laws when they come into conflict

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38
Q

Necessary and Proper Clause

A

Expands federal power, Congress can make laws necessary and proper for executing their enumerated powers

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39
Q

Enumerated Powers

A

Powers directly written in the constitution (explicit or expressed)

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40
Q

Implied Powers

A

Congress has powers not directly written, based on necessary and proper clause

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41
Q

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

A

Congress could create a national bank even though the Constitution doesn’t explicitly allow it to do so (necessary and proper clause). States couldn’t tax the national government because the supremacy clause says the national government is superior (supremacy clause).

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42
Q

Commerce Clause

A

Congress can regulate interstate commerce; and expand congressional power. Modern interpretation: ONLY Congress can regulate anything affecting interstate commerce.

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43
Q

US v. Lopez (1995)

A

Struck down the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act (commerce clause & 10th amendment). The court struck down a federal law, establishing that there is a limit to Congress’ power under the Commerce Clause and they reaffirmed that the 10th Amendment does reserve some powers to the states.

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44
Q

House of Representatives

A

435 members, represent districts (population), serve 2-year terms.

More formal/rules-based, Germaness requirement (all speeches must be time-regulated and relevant to the topic at hand), and time limit for debate.

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45
Q

Senate

A

100 members, represent states (2 per state), serve 6-year terms

No germaneness requirement, and no speech time limit

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46
Q

Congress’ Enumerated Powers

A
  1. Budget (Power of the Purse)
  2. Taxation
  3. Coin, Borrow Money
  4. Declare War
  5. Maintaining Armed Forces
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47
Q

Congress’ Implied Powers

A

Allows Congress to make legislation on economic environmental and social issues. Based on the necessary and proper clause, Congress can make legislation to carry out its enumerated powers.

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48
Q

Party Leadership

A

Speaker of the House (from the majority party)
Senate Majority Leader (leader of the Senate)
President of the Senate (Vice President - only role is to cast tie-breaking votes)

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49
Q

Standing Committees

A
  1. Permanent
  2. Bills are sent here first
  3. Hold Hearings
  4. Edit/Revise/Markup Bills
  5. Oversight on Implementation
    (Committee chairs are always from the majority party)
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50
Q

Conference Committees

A

A joint committee that makes a compromise version of a bill between House and Senate versions

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51
Q

House Rules Committee

A

Makes rules for floor debate: open/close rule, time limit for debate, etc.

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52
Q

Discharge Petitions

A

A majority vote of the full House to force a bill out of committee

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53
Q

Committee of the Whole

A

Used to expedite the passage of legislation members may debate and propose amendments

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54
Q

Filibuster

A

A long speech intended to delay action and prevent a vote

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55
Q

Cloture

A

Vote to cut off debate on a bill, requires a 3/5 majority

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56
Q

Silent Filibuster

A

The contested bill is put aside so that the Senate can work on other business

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57
Q

Hold

A

A senator can prevent action on a bill without their approval

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58
Q

Unanimous Consent Agreements

A

Set the terms for floor debate, which may include time limits, rules on amendments

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59
Q

Power of the Purse

A

Congress creates a budget, the president signs it into law

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60
Q

Discretionary Spending

A

Must be approved annually as part of budget bills

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61
Q

Mandatory Spending

A

Spending required by law that can only be changed by new legislation, including entitlements and interest on the debt

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62
Q

Entitlement Programs

A

Provides benefits to people who are entitled to them by law (Social Security & Medicare).

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63
Q

Pork Barrel Legislation

A

Provides tangible benefits like jobs or money to a district that help the representative get re-elected.

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64
Q

Logrolling

A

Vote Trading (“I vote for yours, you vote for mine”)

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65
Q

Delegate

A

Votes how constituents want, even if they disagree

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66
Q

Trustee

A

Representative votes her conscience regardless of what constituents want

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67
Q

Politico

A

Sometimes act as a trustee, sometimes as a delegate

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68
Q

Reapportionment

A

Alters the number of seats each state has in the House; every 10 years after the census

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69
Q

Redistricting

A

Redrawing congressional districts, done by state legislatures

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70
Q

Baker v. Carr (1962)

A

Redistricting issues are justiciable, led to the “one person, one vote” principle. Requires districts to be roughly the same size. (14th Amendment - Equal Protection Clause)

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71
Q

Gerrymandering

A

Drawing congressional districts in bizarre shapes to purposely favor a party

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72
Q

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

A

Congressional districts cannot be drawn based only on race.

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73
Q

Divided Government

A

Different parties control the White House, Senate, and/or House of Representatives

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74
Q

Policy Gridlock

A

Slow/difficult to pass legislation/confirm nominations (resulting from a divided government)

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75
Q

Party Polarization

A

Increasing ideological division between Democrats and Republicans.

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76
Q

Veto

A

A message to Congress rejecting legislation; Congress can override with a 2/3 vote in both houses

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77
Q

Pocket Veto

A

President takes no action and the session of Congress ends within 10 days of receiving the bill.

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78
Q

Constitutional Tension

A

President is Commander-in-Chief, and Congress has the power to declare war

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79
Q

Treaties

A

President makes treaties with foreign nations subject to Senate ratification

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80
Q

Executive Agreements

A

Agreements with foreign heads of state, like a treaty but don’t require Senate ratification

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81
Q

Bargaining

A

The executive likely needs to bargain with Congress on appointments, budgets, and legislative priorities

82
Q

Persuasion

A

Presidents lack extensive constitutional powers, so they need support for agenda from the public and Congress

83
Q

Signing Statements

A

A written statement issued by the president when signing a bl that provides his/her interpretation of the bill

84
Q

Executive Orders

A

Have the power of law, don’t require congressional approval, generally used to direct the bureaucracy and foreign policy

85
Q

Nomination with Senate Confirmation

A

Federal judges, cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, heads of executive agencies

86
Q

Nominations with No Senate Confirmation Required

A

White House office/staff: Chief of Staff, press secretary, advisors, etc.

87
Q

Judicial Appointments

A

A president’s longest-lasting influence

88
Q

Federalist 70

A

Alexander Hamilton argues in favor of a unitary executive stating that the executive needed to respond in times of war, tragedy, etc.

89
Q

22nd Amendment

A

Limited presidents to a two-term limit

90
Q

Social Media & Technology

A

Makes it easy for presidents to communicate quickly and directly with the public.

91
Q

Bully Pulpit

A

A position of authority that allows the president to speak out on any issue

92
Q

State of the Union Address

A

Nationally televised speech delivered to Congress attempts to gain support for the executive’s agenda and pressure Congress

93
Q

Bureaucracy/Civil Service

A

Implements federal policies

94
Q

Merit System

A

Bureaucrats earn jobs based on merit and/or civil service exams. Heads of bureaucratic agencies tend to be politically affiliated.

95
Q

Cabinet Departments

A

Major area of responsibility over a broad policy area.

96
Q

Independent Regulatory Commissions/Agencies

A

Make rules regulating specific industries; more narrow area of responsibility

97
Q

Independent Executive Agencies

A

Perform public services, and report directly to the president (EPA)

98
Q

Government Corporations

A

Provide services that could be provided by private companies, but aren’t profitable (Postal Service)

99
Q

Administrative Discretion

A

Congress allows agencies to choose how to implement and enforce legislation

100
Q

Administrative Law

A

Agencies are given rule-making authority to make regulations that have the power of law

101
Q

Congressional Oversight

A

Committee hearings and investigations into an agency’s activities

102
Q

Federalist 78

A

Alexander Hamilton argued for an independent judiciary, life tenure, and the power of judicial review

103
Q

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

A

Established judicial review

104
Q

Judicial Review

A

The Supreme Court can rule on the constitutionality of federal laws, executive orders and actions, and state laws. *The legitimacy of the Court is sometimes called into question. The Court cannot enforce its rulings. Presidents nominate and appoint justices.

105
Q

Precedent

A

A past decision that influences future decisions

106
Q

Stare Decisis

A

“Let the decision stand” meaning to follow precedent

107
Q

Presidential Checks on Judiciary

A
  1. Ignore/Refuse to Implement Rulings
  2. Nominate Justices to Overturn
108
Q

Congress Checks on Judiciary

A
  1. Change the court’s jurisdiction
  2. Change the number of judges
  3. Propose a Constitutional amendment
  4. Pass a modified version of the law
109
Q

Judicial Restraint

A

Courts should defer to the democratically elected branches whenever possible

110
Q

Judicial Activism

A

The Court can and should be free to overrule other branches

111
Q

Civil Liberties

A

Individual personal freedoms

112
Q

Bill of Rights

A

Protects individual personal liberty by limiting the federal government.

113
Q

1st Amendment

A

Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly

114
Q

2nd Amendment

A

Right to Bear Arms

115
Q

3rd Amendment

A

No quartering of troops in peacetime

116
Q

4th Amendment

A

No unreasonable searches and seizures

117
Q

5th Amendment

A

Due process, no double jeopardy

118
Q

6th Amendment

A

Speedy public trial by jury (criminal)

119
Q

7th Amendment

A

Speedy public trial by jury (civil)

120
Q

8th Amendment

A

No cruel and unusual punishment/excessive bail

121
Q

9th Amendment

A

Unenumerated rights of the people

122
Q

Due Process Clause - 14th Amendment

A

“…nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”

123
Q

Selective Incorporation

A

The Bill of Rights has been applied to states on a case-by-case basis.

124
Q

Establishment Clause - 1st Amendment

A

No official religion or preferential treatment for a religion

125
Q

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

A

Banned state-sponsored public school prayer, even if participation is voluntary

126
Q

Free Exercise Clause - 1st Amendment

A

The right to practice the religion of your choice

127
Q

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1973)

A

Compelling Amish students to attend public school beyond 8th grade violates the free exercise clause

128
Q

Schenck v. US (1919)

A

There can be time, place, and manner restrictions on free speech. Speech that inhibits war efforts or presents clear and present danger can be banned.

129
Q

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

A

Students have free speech; symbolic speech is pure speech

130
Q

Unprotected Speech

A

Libel, slander, obscenity, speech intended to and likely to incite imminent illegal action

131
Q

New York Times v. US (1971)

A

Because of the First Amendment/s freedom of the press, there is a heavy presumption against prior restraint (Prevented the Nixon administration from blocking the publication of classified documents)

132
Q

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

A

Incorporated an individual right to bear arms

133
Q

Reasonable Search

A
  1. Warrant
  2. Probable Cause
  3. or Consent
134
Q

Exclusionary Rule

A

Illegally obtained evidence may not be used in a trial

135
Q

Miranda Rule

A

Suspects in custody must be informed of their 5th and 6th Amendment rights

136
Q

Public Safety Exception

A

If a question is asked to neutralize a dangerous situation, a statement made by a suspect can be used as evidence

137
Q

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

A

Incorporated the right to an attorney. States are forced to provide an attorney to individuals even if they cannot afford one.

138
Q

Right of Privacy

A

Isn’t enumerated in the Bill of Rights (Griswold v. Connecticut (1965))

139
Q

Roe v. Wade (1973)

A

Established and incorporated a right to an abortion based on the right to privacy

140
Q

Civil Rights

A

Protection of groups of people from discrimination

141
Q

Equal Protection Clause - 14th Amendment

A

“…nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

142
Q

Letter from Birmingham Jail

A

Demands the fulfillment of the Declaration and Constitution for African Americans

143
Q

Social Movements

A

Civil rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ rights are supported and motivated by the equal protection clause

144
Q

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

A

Racially segregated public schools violate the 14th Amendment

145
Q

Civil Rights Act of 1964

A

Banned discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, or national origin in public accommodations or employment

146
Q

Voting Rights Act of 1965

A

Banned literacy tests and other obstacles to vote

147
Q

Impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the 24th Amendment

A

A significant increase in minority voter turnout

148
Q

Equal Pay Act of 1963

A

Requires equal pay for equal work; bans wage discrimination on the basis of sex, race, national origin, or religion

149
Q

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1973

A

Prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program

150
Q

Jim Crow Laws

A

State laws that legalized racial discrimination and segregation

151
Q

Affirmative Action

A

Preferential hiring and admission policies for minorities

152
Q

Core Values

A
  1. Individualism
  2. Equality of Opportunity
  3. Free Enterprise
  4. Rule of Law
  5. Limited Government
153
Q

Political Ideology

A

A consistent set of ideas and beliefs about the purpose and scope of government

154
Q

Conservative

A
  1. Less economic regulation
  2. Lower taxes
  3. Cut government spending on entitlement programs to promote social and economic equality
  4. Increased defense spending, more police, more punishment of crime
  5. The government should protect traditional values even if this intrudes on individual freedoms
  6. Support vouchers to attend private schools, including religious schools
  7. Favor social order and security with economic freedom
155
Q

Liberal

A
  1. More economic regulation
  2. Higher taxes on those with higher incomes
  3. Favor government spending on entitlement programs to promote social and economic equality
  4. Decreased defense spending, protecting the rights of the accused
  5. Believe the government should not regulate personal, private matters
  6. Support public education, and oppose vouchers, especially those that can be used to attend religious schools
  7. Favor social liberty and economic security/order
156
Q

Libertarian

A
  1. Little or no regulation beyond the protection of property rights
  2. Minimal Taxation
  3. Dramatic decrease in government spending, including on entitlement programs
  4. Favor a dramatic reduction in defense spending, decriminalization of “victimless” crimes, and protecting the rights of the accused
  5. Believe the government should not regulate private, personal matters
  6. Favor privatization of education, expanded school choice
  7. Favor social and economic liberty
157
Q

Keynesian Economics

A

The government should stimulate the economy during recessions by increasing government spending

158
Q

Supply-Side Economics

A

The government should stimulate the economy during recessions by cutting taxes to encourage businesses to grow

159
Q

Fiscal Policy

A

Government tax and spending policies; conducted by Congress and the president

160
Q

Monetary Policy

A

Controlling the money supply and adjusting interest rates to stabilize. the economy. To lower unemployment, the Fed should increase the money supply and decrease interest rates. To lower inflation, the Fed should decrease the money supply and increase interest rates.

161
Q

Political Socialization

A

The process of a person obtaining their political ideology (Family, School, Friends, Religious)

162
Q

Generational Effects on Political Socialization

A

Different voting patterns and political beliefs for people in different generations

163
Q

Lifecycle Effects

A

People focus on different issues at different points in life

164
Q

Opinion Poll

A

Poll to measure public opinion on a particular issue

165
Q

Benchmark Poll

A

Used to find out where a candidate stands before any campaigning; strengths, weaknesses, what issues to focus on

166
Q

Tracking Poll

A

A continuous poll to chart changes in opinion over time

167
Q

Entrance/Exit Poll

A

Taken on election day; used to predict election outcome, to gain insight into voting behavior

168
Q

Random Sample

A

All persons in the population have an equal chance of being selected

169
Q

Stratified Sample

A

Population is divided into subgroups and weighted based on population demographics

170
Q

Sampling Error

A

A polling error arising from using only a sample of a population, +/- 3% is acceptable

171
Q

Focus Group

A

A small group of voters chosen to participate in an in-depth discussion about a candidate

172
Q

Expansion of Voting Rights

A
  1. 15th Amend. - Race can’t be a barrier
  2. 19th Amend. - Sex can’t be a barrier
  3. 26th Amend. - Voting age 18
  4. 24th Amend. - Banned poll taxes
173
Q

Party-Line Voting

A

Supporting a party by voting for candidates from one political party for all public offices

174
Q

Retrospective Voting

A

Voting to decide whether the party or candidate in power should be reelected based on the recent past

175
Q

Prospective Voting

A

Voting based on a prediction of how a party or candidate will perform in the future

176
Q

Rational Choice Voting

A

Voting based on what is perceived to be in his individual interest

177
Q

Political Efficacy

A

A person’s belief that they can affect political outcomes

178
Q

State & Election Policy

A
  1. Registration requirement
  2. Early voting
  3. Mail-in voting
179
Q

Most Likely to Vote

A
  1. More educated
  2. Higher income
  3. Middle-aged/older
  4. Religious
180
Q

Voting Decisions Influenced By

A
  1. Party Identification
  2. Political Ideology
  3. Race, Gender, Religion
  4. Candidate Characteristics
  5. Contemporary Political Issues
181
Q

Linkage Institutions

A

Channels that allow individuals to communicate their preferences to policymakers

182
Q

Political Parties

A

Primary Goal: to gain power and win elections
1. Mobilize, educate voters
2. Establish a platform
3. Recruit & nominate candidates
4. Campaign management
5. Raise money
6. Media strategy

183
Q

Candidate-Centered Politics

A

Some voters focus more on the candidate than his or her party

184
Q

Campaign Finance Law

A

Candidates are now less reliant on their party for fundraising

185
Q

Regional Realignment

A

Long-lasting regional shift of party loyalty (South was Democratic but is now strongly Republican)

186
Q

Party Dealignment

A

A decrease in party identification and a rise in no-party affiliation

187
Q

Informal Barriers to Third-Party Candidates

A
  1. Lack of fundraising
  2. Lack of media attention
  3. Belief it’s a wasted vote
188
Q

Interest Groups

A

Purpose: to influence public policy for a specific purpose (gun rights, women’s reproductive rights”
1. Educating voters and officeholders
2. lobbying
3. Drafting legislation
4. Mobilizing membership

189
Q

Lobbying

A

Persuade political leaders to support the group’s positions (specialists) threaten money, pressure

190
Q

Iron Triangles/Issue Networks

A

Influence how policies are made and implemented (congressional committees, interest groups, bureaucratic agencies)

191
Q

Presidential Election

A
  1. Win Primary Election (win the majority of delegates at national convention)
  2. General Election (270 electoral college votes)
192
Q

Open Primary

A

Any registered voter can participate in either party’s primary

193
Q

Closed Primary

A

Only registered party members can participate

194
Q

Caucus

A

A meeting of party members to choose a party’s candidate for the general election

195
Q

Swing States

A

Candidates focus on competitive states with more electoral votes

196
Q

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002

A

Banned soft money, “stand by your ad” provision, and limits on the timing of independent political ads

197
Q

Soft Money

A

Money contributed to political parties for “party-building” purposes, unlimited and unregulated

198
Q

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

A

Political spending by corporations, associations, and labor unions is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment

199
Q

Political Action Committees

A

Raise money to support a candidate or cause

200
Q

Super PACs

A

Independent expenditure-only committees; can raise and spend unlimited amounts independent of the candidate

201
Q

Watchdog

A

Investigative journalism

202
Q

Horserace Journalism

A

Report on polling and popularity rather than more substantive reporting