Final Flashcards

1
Q

What are the three levels of the court system?

A

Trial courts (original jurisdiction), appellate courts (review decisions), and courts of last resort (final appeal).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How does federalism relate to the judiciary?

A

Federal courts interpret and apply federal laws, balancing power between state and federal jurisdictions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Why do federal courts take cases?

A

Cases involving federal laws or the Constitution, and disputes between states or citizens of different states.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the writ of certiorari?

A

A Supreme Court order to review lower court decisions, granting discretionary review.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What did Marbury v. Madison establish

A

It established judicial review, allowing courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the difference between originalism and the living constitution?

A

Originalism interprets the Constitution as intended, while the living constitution allows for adaptable interpretation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How does ideology influence court decisions?

A

Judges’ personal beliefs impact decisions, affecting constitutional interpretation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is public opinion?

A

Aggregated views of a population on political issues

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How does self-interest influence public opinion?

A

Personal concerns shape individuals’ political views.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the role of socialization in forming public opinion?

A

Socialization through family, education, and media shapes long-term beliefs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How do values influence public opinion?

A

Moral and ethical principles guide individuals’ political views.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How do personality traits like openness to ambiguity influence public opinion?

A

Individual differences in personality traits impact worldviews and political opinions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How does political knowledge influence the formation of public opinion?

A

Informed citizens have more nuanced views, and education enhances understanding.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are heuristics in the context of public opinion?

A

Mental shortcuts used in decision-making to simplify complex information.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How do framing and agenda-setting influence public opinion?

A

Media framing shapes perception, and agenda-setting influences public priorities.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What role do political parties play in mobilization?

A

Parties organize and motivate voters, influencing political participation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How do political parties regulate ambition?

A

Parties structure competition and provide a pathway for individuals to seek office.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How do political parties help resolve collective choice problems in government?

A

Parties provide a mechanism for aggregating and representing diverse interests.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is party identification?

A

Personal affiliation with a political party that influences voting behavior

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How does party identification affect attitudes toward government and policies?

A

It shapes perceptions and preferences on various political issues.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is affective polarization?

A

Emotional attachment and hostility between members of opposing political parties.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

How does partisan identity relate to lifestyle?

A

Partisan identity can influence lifestyle choices and social interactions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How do registration rules impact voting?

A

Rules governing voter registration can affect voter turnout.

24
Q

How do demographic factors relate to voter registration?

A

Age, race, and income can influence disparities in voter participation

25
Q

How does voter turnout in the US compare to other democracies?

A

Factors influencing voter turnout vary, resulting in different participation rates. (Usually lower compared to diff. democracies tho - in the middle kinda)

26
Q

What is the secret ballot?

A

A private voting method to prevent coercion and ensure free and fair elections.

27
Q

What is the Australian ballot?

A

A uniform official ballot for all voters, enhancing secrecy and fairness

28
Q

What are districts in the context of elections?

A

Geographic subdivisions used for representation in elections.

29
Q

What are single-member districts?

A

Electoral districts with one representative per area, promoting a two-party system.

30
Q

What are at-large elections?

A

Elections where representatives are elected from an entire jurisdiction, impacting minority representation.

31
Q

What are multi-member districts?

A

Electoral districts where multiple representatives are elected from the same area.

32
Q

What are plurality election rules?

A

A system where the candidate with the most votes wins, even if it’s not a majority.

33
Q

Why does the United States have two major political parties?

A

Structural and historical factors contribute to a two-party system.

34
Q

What is gerrymandering?

A

Manipulation of electoral districts to favor a particular political party, influencing representation.

35
Q

What is the Electoral College?

A

A system for electing the President, involving state-based voting.

36
Q

Why are younger people less likely to vote?

A

Factors include civic disengagement, perception of political inefficacy, and lower turnout

37
Q

How does education influence voter turnout?

A

Higher education is correlated with increased political awareness and participation.

38
Q

What are “spatial” issues in voting behavior?

A

Issues related to geography and location influencing voter alignment

39
Q

What are “valence” issues in voting behavior?

A

Issues with broad consensus that are less divisive and more unifying.

40
Q

What is an interest group?

A

An organization advocating for specific interests and policy outcomes.

41
Q

What do interest groups need to be successful?

A

Resources, membership, and influence are crucial for success.

42
Q

What are selective benefits in interest groups?

A

Informational, material, solidary, and purposive benefits incentivize group participation.

43
Q

What is the interest group universe, and who dominates it?

A

Diverse interest groups exist, with certain groups exerting dominant influence.

44
Q

What are the ethical considerations of “uncivil” political activity?

A

Debates often involve arguments about necessity and self-defense

45
Q

How effective is non-violent resistance compared to violent resistance in politics?

A

Effectiveness varies, and ethical considerations play a role.

46
Q

How do interest groups influence politics?

A

Through lobbying, campaign contributions, advocacy, and other legal and strategic methods.

47
Q

What is lobbying, and how is it done?

A

Lobbying is the act of influencing policymakers through various methods, including advocacy and persuasion.

48
Q

What role does media play in a democracy?

A

Media informs citizens, acts as a watchdog, and shapes public opinion.

49
Q

Where do Americans primarily get their news, and what are the implications?

A

News sources vary, impacting the diversity and accuracy of information.

50
Q

What are the strengths and weaknesses of different media sources for political news?

A

Each source has unique attributes, influencing the nature of information.

51
Q

What are different forms of bias in the media, and how can they be identified?

A

: Bias can be political, sensational, or related to confirmation bias.

52
Q

How do consumer preferences influence news content?

A

Media caters to audience interests, affecting the framing of news.

53
Q

What is “The Constitution of Knowledge,” and why is it important?

A

It refers to the framework of shared understanding and is crucial for democratic discourse.

54
Q

Why is a shared reality important for politics?

A

A common understanding is essential for effective governance and decision-making.

55
Q

What is the strategy of brazen lying in politics, and why is it challenging to defeat?

A

Brazen lying involves deliberate misinformation and can be difficult to counter.

56
Q

What is propaganda, and why is it significant in contemporary politics?

A

Propaganda involves systematic dissemination of information and influences public opinion.