Flashcards 11/18-12/6
What is “political efficacy”?
The belief that one’s political participation can make a difference.
Explain the concept of gerrymandering.
The intentional manipulation of district boundaries to benefit a specific political party or group.
Compare the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan.
The Virginia Plan favored large states with representation based on population, while the New Jersey Plan favored small states with equal representation.
What is the significance of the Declaration of Independence?
It proclaimed the thirteen colonies’ separation from Britain and outlined the principles of individual rights and government by consent.
What was the outcome of “Citizens United v. FEC (2010)”?
The Supreme Court ruled that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts can’t be limited under the First Amendment.
What are “checks and balances”?
A system where each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches to prevent any one from becoming too powerful.
Define “winner-take-all system” in the Electoral College.
A system where the candidate who receives the most votes in a state secures all of that state’s electoral votes.
What impact did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 have on elections?
It outlawed discriminatory practices, such as literacy tests, that suppressed minority voting.
What is “non-response bias”?
Bias in survey results caused by differences between those who respond and those who do not.
How does the proportional system allocate seats in elections?
Seats are distributed based on the percentage of votes each party receives.
How does campaign finance affect voter trust in elections?
Excessive spending and undisclosed funding sources can undermine confidence in electoral integrity.
What is “random-digit dialing”?
A method of selecting telephone numbers at random for polling to create a representative sample.
What is the main idea of Thomas Hobbes’ “The Leviathan”?
Hobbes argued that in a state of nature, life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,” necessitating a strong central authority to avoid chaos and anarchy.
Explain the significance of “United States v. Lopez” in terms of federalism.
It marked a limit on Congress’s power under the commerce clause, reinforcing state sovereignty.
What is the “National Voter Registration Act (1993)” also known as?
The “Motor Voter Law,” which allows voter registration when applying for or renewing a driver’s license.
What is “popular sovereignty”?
Popular sovereignty is the principle that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.
Why are swing states critical in presidential elections?
Their outcomes are unpredictable and can determine the allocation of electoral votes.
Define “republicanism.”
Republicanism is a political ideology centered on citizenship in a state organized as a republic, where the people hold popular sovereignty.
Who are the “Baby Boomers”?
Individuals born between 1946 and 1964, often characterized by their substantial impact on culture and politics.
How did the Federal Election Campaign Act (1971) address campaign finance?
It established rules for disclosure and contribution limits to increase transparency.
What is the “rule of law”?
The concept that all individuals and institutions are accountable to the same laws that are fairly applied and enforced.
What is the “necessary and proper clause”?
A clause in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution granting Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.
What is the “full faith and credit clause”?
It requires states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.
What does the Fifteenth Amendment (1870) guarantee?
It prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
How do proportional systems differ from winner-take-all systems?
Proportional systems allocate representation based on vote percentages, while winner-take-all awards all to the majority.
Who were the Anti-Federalists and what were their main concerns?
Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution’s ratification, fearing a strong central government would threaten individual liberties without a Bill of Rights.
Describe “interest groups.”
Organizations that try to influence public policy in favor of their specific interests.
What was the central issue in Shaw v. Reno (1993)?
Whether race-based districting violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
What did the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002 aim to address?
It sought to limit the influence of money in politics by restricting campaign contributions and electioneering communications.
How do conservatives view the role of government?
They advocate for limited government intervention in the economy and emphasize traditional social values.
Explain “pluralism” in politics.
A theory that multiple groups compete and counterbalance one another in the political marketplace.
Define “political action committee (PAC).”
An organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, especially at the federal level.
How do different states approach early voting?
States set their own rules for early voting, creating variations in access and participation opportunities.
Define the role of the “Federal Reserve Board.”
The governing body that oversees U.S. monetary policy and regulates banks.
What are dark ads, and why are they controversial?
Targeted political ads with undisclosed sponsors, raising concerns about accountability and transparency.
What is the “coattail effect”?
When a popular candidate at the top of the ticket attracts votes for other candidates of the same party.
How does gerrymandering impact electoral competition?
It can create districts that favor one party, reducing competitiveness and voter choice.
Why is voter turnout typically lower in midterm elections compared to presidential elections?
Midterms receive less media attention and lack the high-profile appeal of presidential races.
Define “majoritarian” politics.
Policies where a majority of the population benefits and a majority pays, reflecting the will of most people.
Define “concurrent powers.”
Powers shared by both the federal and state governments, such as taxing and building roads.
What is “political culture”?
The shared set of beliefs, values, and norms about how citizens relate to government and to one another.
Why do states with smaller populations gain disproportionate power in the Senate?
Each state, regardless of population, has two senators, amplifying the influence of smaller states.
How do majority-minority districts promote representation?
By concentrating minority voters to increase their chances of electing representatives from their communities.
How did the Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United v. FEC (2010) affect campaign finance?
It allowed unlimited independent expenditures by corporations and unions as a form of protected free speech.
What was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
The national government lacked the power to tax and regulate commerce, making it ineffective at governing.
What are connected PACs, and how do they operate?
Political Action Committees tied to specific organizations that raise funds for campaigns aligned with their interests.
Describe “limited government.”
A governing body whose powers are restricted through laws or a constitution to protect individual freedoms.
Define “voter registration.”
The process by which eligible citizens sign up to be able to vote in elections.
What does “implied powers” allow Congress to do?
To pass laws necessary to carry out its enumerated powers, even if not explicitly listed in the Constitution.
What is the “extradition clause”?
It requires states to return individuals charged with crimes to the state where the crime was committed.
What is “voter turnout”?
The percentage of eligible voters who actually cast a ballot in an election.
What is the “Great Recession” (2007–2012)?
A severe global economic downturn that influenced political attitudes toward regulation and government intervention.
Explain Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s idea of the “social contract.”
Rousseau believed that individuals consent to form a government that will protect the common good, sacrificing some personal freedoms for state protection.
Explain “preclearance” as established by the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
It required certain states with histories of discrimination to obtain federal approval before changing voting laws.
What are “generational effects” in politics?
The impact of historical events experienced by a generation that shape their political beliefs and attitudes.
How does federalism create diversity in U.S. election processes?
States set their own election rules, leading to variations in voting systems and procedures.
How do House elections differ from Senate elections?
House elections are based on districts within states, while Senate elections represent entire states.
What is the significance of midterm elections in the U.S.?
They occur halfway through a president’s term and determine control of Congress and many state governments.
How does name recognition benefit incumbents?
It helps them gain voter trust and media coverage, giving them an edge over challengers.
How does split-ticket voting influence election outcomes?
It allows voters to choose candidates from different parties, promoting diverse representation.
