Key Terms [WORK IN PROGRESS] Flashcards
1
Q
Declaration, Constitution, and the AOC
A
The DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE was drafted by Jefferson and set the foundation of sovereignty for the U.S. CONSTITUTION
The ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION demonstrated that having a weak government makes the government less efficient and unable to settle disputes
2
Q
Representative Democracies
A
Representative Democracies can be:
- Participatory – strong civil society
OR - Pluralist – recognition of multiple interest groups
OR - Elite – limited participation
3
Q
Checks and Balances
A
- Limits to each government branch
- Explained by FEDERALIST NO. 51
4
Q
Connecticut Compromise
A
THE GREAT COMPROMISE
- creation of a bicameral structure in congress to have both representational and population-based representation
5
Q
Electoral College
A
- Compromise between those that wanted popular vote and those who wanted the legislature to elect the President
- Presidents must have a majority (270 out of 538) of votes to win an election
6
Q
Three-Fifths Compromise
A
- Compromise reached between southern states on how slaves should be counted for representation and taxation purposes
7
Q
Congress
A
- The branch of government that makes laws to govern the country
- Consists of two chambers: the Upper House (Senate) and Lower House (House of Representatives
8
Q
Enumerated Powers of Congress
A
- Declaring war
- Passing federal budget
- Raise revenue
- Coin money
- Enact some legislation
9
Q
Senate
A
- the Upper House of Congress
- Represents states equally (2 senators per state)
10
Q
House of Representatives
A
- the Lower House of Congress
- Represents the population (re-evaluated by a census every 10 years)
11
Q
Simple Majority
A
- Used to pass legislation and government appointments
12
Q
Supermajority
A
- Requires two-thirds of votes
- Used to pass amendments
13
Q
Filibuster
A
- Tactic used to prevent legislation from moving forward
- Can be stopped through CLOTURE which requires a three-fifths vote from Congress
14
Q
Pork-Barrel Spending
A
- Consists of spending directly towards a specific group of people
15
Q
Logrolling
A
- Consists of parties supporting each other’s initiative for mutual benefit
16
Q
Enumerated Powers of the President
A
- Chief of Executive Branch
- Power to Appoint Officials
- Commander-in-Chief of the Military
- Power to Veto Laws (can be overridden with a two/thirds majority of congress)
17
Q
Judicial Review
A
- Enumerated power of the Judicial Branch
- The Supreme Court’s power to review any legislation and declare it unconstitutional
18
Q
Bill of Rights
A
- Consists of the first ten amendments of the Constitution
- Guarantees individual rights and liberties
19
Q
Freedom of Speech and of the Press
A
- Right to express opinions without censorship, restraint, or fear of retribution
20
Q
Right to Bear Arms
A
- Supreme Court has protected it as an individual right
- It has also posed specific restrictions on it, such as bands on certain types of weapons
21
Q
Selective Incorporation
A
- States can incorporate rights of the Bill of Rights piece by piece
22
Q
Due Process Clause
A
- States that the government must follow impartial and fair procedures when taking away an individual’s life, liberty, or property
- Established by the 5th and 14th amendments
- The court determined that the right to privacy is protected under the Due Process Clause
23
Q
Rights of The Accused
A
- Right to speedy trial
- Right to remain silent
- Right to Counsel
- etc.
24
Q
Miranda Clause
A
- Police must warn an individual of their rights before questioning them in custody
25
Equal Protection Clause
- All individuals within jurisdiction of state are entitled to equal protection
26
Political Socialization
- The process by which individuals acquire their political values, beliefs, and attitudes
27
Tracking Public Opinions
- Opinion Polls: measure public opinion
- Benchmark polls: first poll in a campaign
28
Parties
- Democratic Party: more aligned with liberal views
- Republican Party: more aligned with conservative views
29
Liberal Ideologies and Policies
- Favors governmental intervention and regulation of markets
- Supports the expansion of the right of privacy
30
Conservative Ideologies and Policies
- Favors a free market and smaller government intervention in the economy
31
Libertarians Ideologies and Policies
- Do no favor government intervention beyond protection of private property
32
Types of Voting
- Rational Choice
- Retrospective
- Prospective
- Party-line Voting
33
Rational Choice Voting
- Based on individual Interest
34
Retrospective Voting
- Based on recent events
35
Prospective Voting
- Based on expectation
36
Party-Line Voting
- Based on party support
37
Political Efficacy
- Individual's belief that they can shape the outcome
38
Linkage Institutions
- Channel between individuals and the government
- Political Parties
- Interest Groups
- Elections & The Media
39
Electing a President
- Incumbency
- Open and Closed Primaries
- Caucuses
- Party Convention
- Delegates
40
Incumbency
- Electing a president
- Advantage based on their current status as an office holder
41
Open and Closed Primaries
- System to decide on candidate to represent a party in general election
42
Caucuses
- Electing a President
- Meeting between party members to draft platforms and nominate candidates
43
Party Convention
- Gathering of representatives of political party to conduct business
44
Delegates
- Appointed by a party to represent constituents of a specific area
