Final Prep Flashcards
Poll Tax
A fee that had to be paid before a person could vote, it used to prevent black people from voting and not it’s unconstitutional.
Good-Character Test
A requirement that voting applicants wishing to vote produce two or more registered voters to vouch for their integrity.
Civil Rights
The constitutionally guaranteed rights that the government may not arbitrarily remove. Among these rights are the right to vote and equal protection under the law
Black Codes
Laws restricting the civil rights of african americans
De Jure Equality
Equality before the Law. This disallows legally mandated obstacles to equal treatment, such as laws that prevent people from voting, living where they want, or taking advantage of all the rights guaranteed to individuals by the laws of the federal, state and local governments
De Facto Equality
Equality of results, which means real world obstacles to equal treatment. For example: Do people actually live where they want? Do they work under similar conditions?
Gender Gap
A difference in the political opinions of men and women
Culture Theory
A theory that individual preferences “Emerged from social interaction in defending or opposing different ways of life”
Political Culture
A coherent way of viewing politics and government; ideological perspectives include beliefs about the military and the role of government, the proper relationship between government and the economy, and the value of social welfare programs. Also the relative importance for society of liberty and order.
Generational Effect
Socialization patterns in which a generation of adults who grew up during a certain decade or period appears to have its own outlook, differentiating themselves from previous ages.
Civil Disobedience
Breaking the law in a non-violent fashion and being willing to suffer the consequences, even to the point of going to jail, in order to demonstrate that the law is unjust.
Literacy Test
A requirement that voting applicants had to demonstrate an understanding of national and state constitutions. Primarily used to prevent African Americans from voting.
Political Violence
Violent action motivated primarily by political aims and intended to have a political impact
Protest
Expression of dissatisfaction; may take the form of demonstrations, letters to the news papers or public officials, or simple “opting out” of the system by failing to vote or participate in any other way
Retrospective Voting
A powerful form of issue voting in which voters look back over the past term or two to judge how well an incumbent or “the in party” has performed in office
Muckraking
A word used to describe a style of investigative reporting that has uncovered many scandals and abuses
Socialization
The process by which people learn to conform to societies norms and values
Fairness doctrine
A policy, now abandoned that radio and television stations had to provide time to all sides in areas of public interest
Affirmative Action
Programs that attempt to improve the chances of minority applicants for jobs, housing, or schools by giving them a boost relative to white applicants with similar qualifications
Desegregation
The elimination of laws and practices that mandate racial segregation
