All flashcards
Flashcard 1: Identify a characteristic of populism.
Answer: Appeal to the concerns of ordinary people. Claims to represent the common people against elite interests.
Flashcard 2: Identify a strategy used in political campaigns.
Answer: Targeted advertising. Reaches specific voter demographics with tailored messages.
Flashcard 3: Identify a feature of socialism.
Answer: Public ownership of key industries. Government controls major economic sectors rather than private ownership.
Flashcard 4: What is 'public opinion'?
Answer: Views prevalent among the general public. Reflects citizen attitudes that influence democratic policymaking.
Flashcard 5: What is the significance of the 'Electoral College'?
Answer: It formally elects the President of the United States. Provides indirect election system balancing state and popular influence.
Flashcard 6: What is the primary purpose of the judiciary?
Answer: Interpret and apply the law. Ensures rule of law through constitutional interpretation.
Flashcard 7: What is an 'initiative' in political terms?
Answer: Process by which citizens propose legislation. Enables direct democracy by allowing citizen-proposed laws.
Flashcard 8: Identify a key characteristic of conservatism in the U.S.
Answer: Emphasis on tradition and limited government. Conservatives prefer minimal government interference in markets and society.
Flashcard 9: What is a core principle of liberalism?
Answer: Advocacy for social equality and government intervention. Liberals believe government should actively address social and economic inequalities.
Flashcard 10: What is 'federalism'?
Answer: Division of power between national and state governments. Balances national unity with state autonomy in governance.
Flashcard 11: Identify a typical goal of economic policy.
Answer: Promote economic growth. Uses fiscal and monetary tools to manage economic performance.
Flashcard 12: What does 'incumbency advantage' refer to?
Answer: Electoral edge afforded to current officeholders. Name recognition and campaign resources favor current officeholders.
Flashcard 13: What is 'political capital'?
Answer: Influence a politician has to attain policy goals. Built through electoral success and public support for policies.
Flashcard 14: What is a feature of direct democracy?
Answer: Citizens vote directly on policy initiatives. Bypasses representative institutions for direct citizen lawmaking.
Flashcard 15: Define 'policy agenda'.
Answer: Set of issues that policymakers prioritize. Determines which problems receive government attention and resources.
Flashcard 16: What is 'political culture'?
Answer: Shared attitudes and practices about politics in society. Influences how citizens view government legitimacy and participation.
Flashcard 17: Which ideology typically supports environmental regulation?
Answer: Liberalism. Supports government action to protect environmental quality.
Flashcard 18: What is a 'referendum'?
Answer: A direct vote by the electorate on a specific proposal. Allows citizens to directly approve or reject government decisions.
Flashcard 19: What is the primary function of a political convention?
Answer: To nominate a party's presidential candidate. Rallies party unity and presents platform to national audience.
Flashcard 20: Define 'political socialization'.
Answer: Process of learning political beliefs and values. Family, schools, and media shape political attitudes from childhood.
Flashcard 21: Which ideology supports free market policies?
Answer: Libertarianism. Emphasizes minimal government regulation of economic activity.
Flashcard 22: What is the impact of a third party in elections?
Answer: Influence major party platforms and election outcomes. Can shift debate and force major parties to address new issues.
Flashcard 23: What is 'gerrymandering'?
Answer: Manipulating electoral district boundaries for advantage. Creates safe seats that reduce electoral competition.
Flashcard 24: What defines a 'swing state'?
Answer: A state where both parties have similar support. Competitive states determine electoral outcomes in close elections.
Flashcard 25: Which ideology supports a strong central government?
Answer: Liberalism. Supports active federal role in addressing national problems.
Flashcard 26: What is the role of a lobbyist?
Answer: To influence legislation on behalf of interest groups. Provides lawmakers with specialized knowledge on complex issues.
Flashcard 27: What is meant by 'partisan realignment'?
Answer: Shift in party loyalty among the electorate. Occurs when major events change traditional voting patterns.
Flashcard 28: What is a 'mandate' in political terms?
Answer: Authority granted by voters to act on campaign promises. Legitimizes policy changes based on electoral victory.
Flashcard 29: Identify a central belief of progressivism.
Answer: Advocacy for social reform and government intervention. Supports using government power to address social problems.
Flashcard 30: What is the purpose of a political platform?
Answer: To outline a party's policies and goals. Provides voters with clear policy choices between parties.