Goverment Final Flashcards
Public opinion
Public opinion is the collective view or attitude of a population on a particular issue, person, or event at a given time.
Measured through polls, surveys, and other ways. Methods and can play a crucial role in shaping public policy, elections, and social movements.
Agenda setting
process by which the media and other influential entities prioritize certain issues, shaping public perception and determining which topics receive attention in public discourse.
Priming
is when something you see or hear makes you think or act a certain way without you even realizing it.
Framing
Framing is the process of presenting information or an issue in a specific way to influence how it is perceived and interpreted.
Response Bias
People who don’t honestly answer surveys and throw off the results
Coverage Bias
methodology the way you conduct your survey changes the results
How many people have a landline - two people do
You only survey people with landlines so only old people have landlines
Rational Ignorance
Rational ignorance is the decision to remain uninformed about a topic when the cost of acquiring the information outweighs the perceived benefits of knowing it.
Donut example when you want thee last donut and don’t ask if its anybdies cuz you want to eat it
Survey Research
is a method of collecting data by asking a sample of individuals structured questions to gather information about their opinions, behaviors, or characteristics.
Rational choice model
ramework that explains decision-making as a process in which individuals weigh costs and benefits to maximize their personal advantage or utility.
Non- response bias
when people refuse to answer the survey so they mess up the survey
results
The halo effect
When people answer a survey and want to give socially desirable answers when they are asked
Source of public opnion
media, education, personal experiences, cultural influences, social interactions, political leaders, and major events.
Agents in socialization
are the individuals, groups, or institutions that influence and shape a person’s beliefs, values, behaviors, and norms throughout their life.
gerrymandering
is the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group, often undermining fair representation.
Socialism
political and economic system where the means of production, distribution, and exchange are owned or regulated by the community or state, aiming for equality and the redistribution of wealth.
Feminism
the belief in and advocacy for gender equality, particularly the social, political, and economic rights of women.
Populism
political approach that seeks to represent the interests and concerns of ordinary people, often by contrasting them against the elites or established institutions.
Civic engagement
active participation of individuals in the political, social, or community activities aimed at addressing public issues and contributing to the betterment of society.
Voting rights act 1965
landmark federal legislation that aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting, ensuring equal access to the ballot for all citizens, particularly in the Southern United States.
Political efficacy
belief that an individual’s actions can influence the political process and that the government responds to the needs and concerns of its citizens.
Amendment to vote
refers to a formal change or addition to a legal document, that alters the rules or processes related to voting rights or procedures.
Open v. Closed Primary
an election in which only registered party members can vote to select their party’s candidate, while an open primary allows any registered voter to participate, regardless of party affiliation.
Redistricting
the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts to reflect changes in population and ensure equal representation.
Phases of the presidential campaign
exploration phase, where candidates assess viability; the primary phase, where candidates compete for party nominations; the convention phase, where the party formally nominates its candidate; and the general election phase, where the nominated candidate campaigns nationwide to win the presidency.
Political action committee
an organization that collects and distributes funds to support or oppose political candidates, parties, or legislation, typically in accordance with specific political interests.
Conservativism
political and social philosophy that seeks to preserve traditional institutions, values, and practices, emphasizing stability, continuity, and cautious change.
Liberalism
is a political and philosophical ideology emphasizing individual freedoms, equality, rule of law, and limited government, often advocating for free markets and human rights.
Libertarian
someone who advocates for individual liberty, limited government, and minimal state intervention in personal and economic matters.
The harm principle
a libertarian way of thinking government should only be involved in our lives to stop us from doing harm to someone else
4 issues that divide conservatives and liberals
are typically economic policy (e.g., taxation and government spending), social values (e.g., marriage equality and abortion), environmental policy (e.g., climate change regulation), and healthcare (e.g., government-run versus private healthcare systems).
sample
Public opinion is the general consensus or collective beliefs of a group of people about a specific topic, often measured through surveys or polls.
Litigation
the process of taking legal action or resolving disputes through the court system.
Wars Power Act
The War Powers Resolution (1973) is a U.S. law that limits the president’s ability to engage military forces without congressional approval, requiring notification of Congress within 48 hours and a withdrawal of forces within 60 to 90 days unless Congress authorizes the action.
Standing v. Joint v. Conference v. Select Committees
Standing- Most common committees, permanent and focus on a specific area of legislation. Most day to day to work happens here.
Joint- have members from both the House and Senate who are concerned with specific policy areas.
Select- temporary committees that conduct special investigations for a specific purpose. They only meet for a limited time until they have completed their purpose.
Electors
are individuals who are eligible to vote in an election.
Types of Jurisdiction
efer to the different areas of authority that courts or legal bodies have over specific cases, including territorial, subject-matter, and personal jurisdiction.
Delegate v. Trustee v. Politico Theory
Delegate theory argues that elected officials should act in accordance with the wishes of their constituents;
the Trustee theory holds that officials should use their judgment to make decisions for the good of the public, even if it contradicts popular opinion;
and the Politico theory suggests that lawmakers balance both the delegate and trustee roles, acting as delegates on issues that are important to their constituents and as trustees on more complex matters.
Judicial Review
the power of courts to examine the constitutionality of legislative acts, executive actions, and other government decisions, ensuring they align with the constitution.
Amendments Related to the President
changes to the U.S. Constitution that address the election, powers, and succession of the President, including the 12th, 20th, 22nd, 25th, and 23rd Amendments.
Personnel of the White House
refers to the staff and officials who work in support of the President of the United States, including advisers, secretaries, and other administrative and security personnel.
Mediation
conflict resolution process in which a neutral third party helps disputing parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
Earmarking
when congressmen are making bills - they will add something that is not related to that bill - so people will vote
Unfunded Mandate
regulation or policy imposed by a higher authority, such as the federal or state government, on lower levels of government or private entities without providing funding to cover the associated costs.
Executive Agreements
international agreements made by a country’s executive branch without requiring legislative approval, often used to address foreign policy matters.
Responsibilities of the Senate
responsible for crafting and passing legislation, approving presidential appointments, ratifying treaties, conducting impeachment trials, and representing states in the federal government.
Franking Privilege
the right of members of Congress to send official mail to their constituents without postage costs, funded by taxpayer money.
State of the Union
an annual address delivered by the President of the United States to Congress, outlining the administration’s accomplishments, priorities, and legislative agenda.
Rally Effect
Popular support for a president can influence presidential power
Bully Pulpit
position of authority, such as the presidency, that provides an opportunity to promote ideas, influence public opinion, and advocate for policies.
Plaintiff v. Defendant
who initiates a lawsuit seeking legal remedy, while the defendant is the party against whom the lawsuit is filed.
Articles of the Constitution
the seven foundational sections of the U.S. Constitution that establish the framework for the federal government, including its powers, responsibilities, and structure.
Rule of Four
in order for the Supreme Court to hear a case, 4 supreme justices have to agree to hear
Electoral College
is a system used in the United States to elect the president, where electors from each state cast votes based on the popular vote in their state, with a total of 538 electors determining the outcome.
Trustee Theory
The representative acts as a fiduciary who makes decisions based on their own understanding of what is best for the public, both in the short and long term.
Politico Theory
The Politico model is a hybrid of the Delegate and Trustee models. Representatives adapt their role based on the issue at hand—more responsive to constituents on some issues and more independent on others.
