FINAL EXAM T1 Flashcards
government
The institutions that make public policy decisions for a society
Political culture
A set of values widely shared within a society
Articles of confederation
WEAK original constitution of the US, the constriction was made to address these weaknesses
federalists
The nations first political party, favored. Strong central government
Full faith and credit clause
Ensures judicial decisions in one state are binding in another
Marble cake federalism
Also known as cooperative federalism, began in the 1930’s and is when government functions are not clearly defined between layers
US v Lopez
1995 supreme court case that reversed the pattern of granting greater commerce power to Congress
10th ammendment
Provides that states maintain any powers not granted to the federal government by the constitution
Enumerated
Powers that are explicitly written in the constitution
How many states must ratify an amendment?
3/4
Media event
A political event staged for the media that is important only because the media is present
Watergate
Ended the close relationship between the media and politicians
Selective exposure
When viewers select media outlets because they align with their existing ideas
Executive branch in the media
The executive branch gets the most media attention, followed by congress then the supreme court. This is because it is easier for the media to put the focus on a single person rather than a large group
What motivates media outlets?
profits
Republican
The party with conservative ideology
Democrat
The party with liberal ideology
Three heads of the political party giant
- party as an organization: sets rules for party operation s
- party in government: actual governing representatives of the party
- party in the electorate: all voters of the party
Trial balloons
Intentional media leaks to “test the waters”
Critical election
Precedes a major party realignment, happens when a minority party takes over power from the majority and theres a huge policy shift
Super delegates
Powerful convention delegates that are the last remenant of the elite driven system of selecting a candidate
Political era of 1828-1856
Saw the first strides at increased democratic involvement
Soft money
Money earmarked for grassroots party building expenses
Caucus
A primary system in which candidates supporters meet to express their preferences
McGovern Fraser commision
Made delegate selection more democratic and transparent
McCain-Feingold act
2002 law that banned soft money and put out campaign behavior restrictsion
Citizens united V FEC
Supreme court case that essentially lifted donation limitations
pluralists
Believe that there are enough groups that no one group will grow too powerful
faction
Madison term for groups of people more concerned with its own interests than those of the community
lobying
The term for communicating with government officials to persuade them to support a particular policy decision
Revolving door
The process where former government employees enter lobbying then often return to government
Amicus curiae breif
A written argument submitted to a court in support for one side of a case
501(c) groups
Can raise unlimited funds but no more than half of their money can go to political activities
