Unit II Linkage Institutions and Congress Flashcards
What is Reapportionment?
The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives based on population changes.
Reapportionment occurs every ten years after the census.
What is Redistricting?
The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries.
Redistricting is often influenced by political considerations.
What is Gerrymandering?
The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another.
This practice can lead to uncompetitive elections.
What is Cloture?
A procedure used to end a filibuster in the Senate.
Cloture requires a vote of 60 Senators.
What is a Coalition?
An alliance of political groups or parties to achieve a common goal.
Coalitions are often formed in parliamentary systems.
What is a Filibuster?
A tactic used to delay or block legislative action in the Senate.
Filibusters can be ended by cloture.
What is an Absentee Ballot?
A voting method that allows a registered voter to mail or submit their vote remotely.
This is often used by voters unable to attend polling places.
What is an Incumbent?
An individual currently holding a political office.
Incumbents often have advantages in elections.
What is a Closed Primary?
A primary election where only registered party members can vote.
This system restricts participation to party affiliates.
What is an Interest Group?
An organization of people with shared goals that seeks to influence public policy.
Interest groups often engage in lobbying.
What is a Lobbyist?
A person hired to influence legislators on behalf of an interest group.
Lobbyists often provide information and research to lawmakers.
What is an Open Primary?
A primary election where voters can choose candidates regardless of party affiliation.
This allows for broader participation in the electoral process.
What is Partisan Politics?
Political actions or decisions that are strongly influenced by party affiliation.
Partisan politics can lead to polarization in legislative bodies.
What is the Electorate?
The body of people entitled to vote in an election.
The size of the electorate can vary based on registration laws.
What is a Mid Term Election?
Elections held in the middle of a president’s term.
These elections can impact congressional control.
What is a Single-Member District?
An electoral district that elects one representative.
This system is common in the United States.
What is a General Election?
An election held to choose among candidates for office.
General elections typically occur on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
What is a Sound Bite?
A short, catchy phrase or statement used in media to convey information quickly.
Sound bites are often used by politicians to communicate key messages.
What is Split Ticket Voting?
Voting for candidates from different political parties in the same election.
This reflects a voter’s individual preferences rather than strict party loyalty.
What is Straight Ticket Voting?
Voting for all candidates from one political party on the ballot.
This method can indicate strong party loyalty.
What is a Constituency?
The body of voters or supporters for a specific political representative.
Constituencies can vary in size and demographics.
What is a Delegate?
A person chosen to represent others at a convention or meeting.
Delegates often play a key role in party nominations.
What is a Trustee?
An elected official who is entrusted to make decisions on behalf of their constituents.
Trustees may prioritize their judgment over direct voter preferences.
What is Partisan?
Relating to or characteristic of a political party.
Partisan views often lead to divisions in policymaking.
What is a Standing Committee?
A permanent committee in a legislative body that handles specific areas of policy.
Standing committees play a crucial role in the legislative process.
What is a Select Committee?
A temporary committee established for a specific purpose.
Select committees often investigate particular issues.
What is a Subcommittee?
A smaller division of a committee that focuses on specific issues.
Subcommittees allow for more detailed examination of topics.
What is Impeachment?
The process of charging a public official with misconduct.
Impeachment can lead to removal from office.
What is Mass Media?
Various means of communication that reach large audiences.
Mass media includes television, newspapers, and the internet.
What is Proportional Representation?
An electoral system where parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive.
This system contrasts with winner-takes-all approaches.
What is a Linkage Institution?
An entity that connects citizens to the government.
Examples include political parties, interest groups, and the media.
What does the 15th Amendment address?
Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude
Ratified in 1870, this amendment aimed to secure voting rights for African American men after the Civil War.
What is the main provision of the 17th Amendment?
Establishes the direct election of United States senators by popular vote
Ratified in 1913, it aimed to reduce corruption and increase democratic participation.
What does the 19th Amendment guarantee?
Grants women the right to vote
Ratified in 1920, this amendment marked a significant victory in the women’s suffrage movement.
What change does the 20th Amendment implement regarding the presidential inauguration?
Moves the date of the presidential inauguration from March 4 to January 20
Ratified in 1933, it aimed to reduce the ‘lame duck’ period for elected officials.
What does the 23rd Amendment provide?
Grants residents of Washington, D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections
Ratified in 1961, it allows D.C. to have electoral votes as if it were a state.
What is the significance of the 24th Amendment?
Prohibits the use of poll taxes in federal elections
Ratified in 1964, this amendment aimed to eliminate financial barriers to voting.
What does the 26th Amendment establish?
Lowers the voting age to 18 years
Ratified in 1971, this amendment was influenced by arguments that those old enough to fight in wars should be able to vote.
What was the significance of Mapp v. Ohio (1961)?
Established the exclusionary rule at the state level, preventing illegally obtained evidence from being used in court.
The case expanded the Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
What does the exclusionary rule entail?
Prohibits the use of evidence obtained in violation of a defendant’s constitutional rights.
This rule aims to deter law enforcement from conducting illegal searches.
In which year was the New Jersey T.L.O. case decided?
1985
This case addressed the search and seizure rights of students in public schools.
What was the main issue in New Jersey T.L.O. (1985)?
Whether the search of a student’s purse by a school official violated the Fourth Amendment.
The case balanced students’ rights against school safety and discipline.
Fill in the blank: The ruling in Mapp v. Ohio applied the exclusionary rule to _______.
states
Prior to this case, the exclusionary rule was primarily applied to federal cases.
True or False: Mapp v. Ohio was a federal case.
False
It was a landmark case for state law regarding evidence admissibility.
What constitutional amendment is primarily associated with Mapp v. Ohio?
Fourth Amendment
This amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.
What did the New Jersey T.L.O. case conclude about student searches?
School officials can conduct searches based on reasonable suspicion.
This ruling recognized the need for school discipline while respecting student rights.
Fill in the blank: The outcome of New Jersey T.L.O. reinforced the idea that students have _______ rights at school.
limited
Students do not have the same level of privacy rights as adults in non-school settings.
What do interest groups do?
Interest groups advocate for specific issues or policies to influence public opinion and government action.
They often represent specific interests such as business, labor, environmental concerns, or social issues.
How are interest groups different from political parties?
Interest groups focus on specific issues, while political parties aim to gain control of government by winning elections.
Political parties encompass a broader range of policies and seek to appeal to a wider electorate.
How do interest groups lobby?
Interest groups lobby by contacting lawmakers, providing research and information, and mobilizing public support.
They may also engage in grassroots campaigns to influence legislation.
Give examples of interest groups.
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- National Rifle Association (NRA)
- Sierra Club
- AARP
Each of these groups focuses on specific areas such as health care, gun rights, environmental issues, and senior citizens’ advocacy.
What are linkage institutions?
Linkage institutions connect citizens to the government and include interest groups, political parties, media, and elections.
They play a crucial role in facilitating communication between the public and policymakers.
Fill in the blank: _______ connect citizens to the government.
[Linkage institutions]
This term encompasses various entities that help bridge the gap between the public and state.
What is mass media?
Mass media refers to various means of communication that reach large audiences, including television, radio, newspapers, and the internet.
Mass media plays a crucial role in disseminating information and shaping public perception.
What are the three roles of mass media?
- Informing the public
- Shaping public opinion
- Acting as a watchdog for democracy
These roles highlight the importance of mass media in society.
What is the difference between broadcast and narrowcast?
Broadcast targets a wide audience, while narrowcast focuses on a specific, segmented audience.
This distinction affects how messages are tailored and delivered.
How does the media influence public opinion?
The media influences public opinion through agenda-setting, framing, and priming.
These mechanisms determine what topics are considered important and how they are perceived.
What is the fake news problem?
The fake news problem refers to the spread of misinformation and false information, often exacerbated by social media and the internet.
This issue threatens informed public discourse and can lead to confusion and distrust.
What is the history of voting focused on?
Growth of the electorate, voting obstacles and solutions
This includes the evolution of who is eligible to vote and the challenges faced by voters throughout history.
What is the process from registration to casting your vote?
Steps include registering to vote, receiving a ballot, and casting the vote
This process may vary by state or country, including deadlines and methods of voting.
What are the top 10 factors influencing voting?
Factors include:
* Socioeconomic status
* Education
* Age
* Race
* Gender
* Party affiliation
* Media influence
* Campaign strategies
* Personal beliefs
* Current events
These factors can significantly impact voter turnout and decisions.
What is voter apathy?
A lack of interest or motivation to participate in voting
This can stem from disillusionment with the political process, feeling that one’s vote does not matter, or lack of information.
How can we fix voter apathy?
Solutions include:
* Increasing voter education
* Making voting more accessible
* Engaging communities
* Encouraging civic participation
Addressing these issues can help increase voter turnout and engagement.
When do we hold federal elections?
Federal elections are typically held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November
This timing can vary for special elections or primaries.
What is the difference between an initiative and a referendum?
Initiative allows citizens to propose legislation; referendum allows citizens to approve or reject legislation
Both are forms of direct democracy that empower voters to have a direct say in laws.
What is Congress?
The legislative branch of the United States government.
What are the primary roles of Congress?
- Making laws
- Representing the people
- Overseeing the executive branch
- Approving budgets
Why is Congress bicameral?
To balance the interests of both populous and less populous states.
What are the two chambers of Congress?
- House of Representatives
- Senate
Who leads the House of Representatives?
The Speaker of the House.
Who leads the Senate?
The Vice President of the United States serves as President of the Senate.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is responsible for appointing committee chairs in the House.
Speaker of the House
True or False: The Senate has the exclusive power to confirm presidential appointments.
True
What is one role of the Senate that differs from the House?
The Senate has the power to conduct impeachment trials.
Fill in the blank: The House of Representatives has _______ members.
435
What is the term length for a member of the House of Representatives?
Two years
What is the term length for a Senator?
Six years
Fill in the blank: Congress is established by Article _______ of the Constitution.
One
What is the size of the House of Representatives?
435 members
The House of Representatives is made up of 435 voting members from the 50 states.
What is the term length for members of the House of Representatives?
2 years
Members of the House serve two-year terms and can be re-elected.
What are the qualifications to be a member of the House of Representatives?
- At least 25 years old
- U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
- Resident of the state represented
What special powers does the House of Representatives have?
- Initiate revenue bills
- Impeach federal officials
- Choose the President in case of an Electoral College tie
Who are the current Idaho members of the House of Representatives?
Mike Simpson, Mike Crapo
These represent Idaho’s congressional districts.
What is the size of the Senate?
100 members
Each state is represented by two senators.
What is the term length for members of the Senate?
6 years
Senators serve staggered six-year terms.
What are the qualifications to be a member of the Senate?
- At least 30 years old
- U.S. citizen for at least 9 years
- Resident of the state represented
What special powers does the Senate have?
- Confirm presidential appointments
- Ratify treaties
- Conduct impeachment trials
Who are the current Idaho members of the Senate?
Mike Crapo, Jim Risch
These represent Idaho in the U.S. Senate.
What is the process of counting the population to determine representation?
Census
The census is conducted every ten years in the United States.
What is the term for redistributing seats in the House of Representatives based on population changes?
Reapportionment
This process occurs after each census.
What is the process of redrawing district boundaries within a state?
Redistricting
Redistricting can impact electoral outcomes and representation.
What is the practice of manipulating district boundaries to favor one party over another?
Gerrymandering
Gerrymandering can undermine fair representation.
True or False: Gerrymandering is universally accepted as a fair practice in political representation.
False
Many argue that gerrymandering distorts the democratic process.
Fill in the blank: The process of _______ involves adjusting electoral district boundaries.
Redistricting
Effective redistricting is crucial for equitable representation.
What should be considered when discussing whether gerrymandering should be fixed?
Impacts on representation and electoral fairness
Debates often focus on the ethical implications of gerrymandering.
What are the first steps in the process of how a bill becomes law?
The first steps include the introduction of the bill and its assignment to a committee.
This initiates the legislative process.
What happens to a bill in committee?
In committee, the bill is reviewed, amended, and voted on.
Committees play a crucial role in shaping legislation.
What occurs during the debate and voting phase of a bill?
During this phase, the bill is debated on the floor and then voted upon by the full chamber.
This is a critical step where lawmakers express their support or opposition.
What is the difference between a filibuster and cloture?
A filibuster is a tactic used to delay or block a vote, while cloture is a procedure to end a filibuster.
Cloture requires a supermajority to pass.
What is the role of the conference committee?
The conference committee reconciles differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill.
This ensures a unified piece of legislation is presented.
What are the possible actions a president can take on a bill?
The president can sign the bill, veto it, allow it to become law without signing, or pocket veto it.
Each action has different implications for the legislative process.
