Semester Test Review Flashcards
Public good
Goods, such as clean air and clean water, that everyone must share
Government
The institutions and process through which public policies are made for society
Public policy
A choice that government makes in response to a political issue. A policy is a course of action taken with regard to some problem
Politics
The process by which we select our government leaders, and what policies these leaders pursue. Politics produce authoritative decisions about public issues
Linkage institutions
The channels or access points through which issues and peoples policy preferences get on the governments policy agenda. In the United States, elections, political parties, interest groups and the mass media are the three main linkage institutions
Checks and balances
An important part of the Madisonian model designed to limit governments power by requiring that power be balanced among the different government institutions. These institutions continually check on another’s activities. This system reflects Madison’s goal of setting power against power
Electoral college/electoral votes
A unique American institution created by the constitution that provides for the selection of the president by electors chosen by the state parties. Electoral college vote usually reflects a popular majority the winner takes all rule count to big states there are 538 votes and you need 270 to win
Pluralism
Theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies
Elite theory
A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organizations
Hyperpluralism
A theory of governing and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened. Hyperpluralism is an extreme, exaggerated or perverted form of pluralism
Policy gridlock
A condition that occurs when no coalition is strong enough to form a majority and establish policy. The results is that nothing may get done
Federalism
A way of organizing a nation so that two levels of government have formal authority over the same land and people. It is a system of shared power between units of government
Elastic clause/necessary and proper
The final paragraph of Article I, section 8 of the constitution, which authorizes congress to pass all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the enumerated powers. The elastic clause (government can stretch)
Supremacy clause
Article VI of the constitution, which makes the constitution, national laws and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits
Unfunded mandate
When the federal government requires state and local action but does not provide the funds to pay for the action
Civil liberties
The legal constitutional protections against government. Although our civil liberties are formally set down in the Bill of Rights, the court, police and legislative define their meaning
Gerrymandering
Drawing a political boundary for an advantage (typically illegal)
Affirmative action
A policy designed to give special attention to our compensatory treatment for members of some previously disadvantage group (goes with Court case University of California vs Baake)
19th Amendment
Ratified August 18th, 1920 Women’s right to vote (suffrage)
Trial balloon
An intentional news leak for the purpose of assessing the political reaction
Political party definition by Anthony Downs
A “term of men and women seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office duty constituted elections”
Patronage
One of the key inducements used by political machines. A patronages job, promotion or contract is one that is given for political reasons rather than for merit or competence alone
Entitlement
Policies for which expenditures are uncontrollable because congress has in effect obligated itself to pay X level of benefits to Y number of recipients. Each year congress bill is a straight forward function of the X level of benefits times the Y number of beneficiaries. Social security benefits are an example
Lobbyists/Most common function
According to Leoster Milbrath a “communication by someone other than a citizen acting on his own behalf, directed to a governmental decision maker with the hope of influencing his decision” most common function is to provide information (goes with special interest)
Appropriation
An act of congress that actually funds problems within limits established by authorization bills. Appropriations usually cover one year (money set aside)
Flat tax
where everyone has the same rate/same expenditure example: sales tax
Progressive Tax
The different abilities to pay example: income tax
Original jurisdiction
The jurisdiction of courts that hear a case FIRST, usually in a trial. These are the courts that determine the facts about a case
Appellate jurisdiction
The jurisdiction of courts that hear case brought to them on appeal from lower courts. These courts do not review the factual record only the legal issues involved (hearing it for the second time) court case Gregg vs Georgia
