Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Poly Sci exam 2
Poly sci 101 exam 2
118
Political Studies
Undergraduate 1
10/30/2011

Additional Political Studies Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Political party
Definition
a group of individuals who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine policy
Term
founding fathers opinion
Definition
hated parties and the idea that only two parties would dominate for so long would likely disturb many of them
Term
dealignment
Definition
among voters, a growing detachment from both major parties.
Term
tipping
Definition
a type of voter becoming substantially more numerous and pushing the voting outcome of a particular area to the other side.
Term
realignment
Definition
a process in which the popular support for and relative strength of the parties shift and the parties are reestablished with different coalitions of supporters.
Term
realignment example
Definition
after george wa was approaching his 2nd term in 1796.
In that election John Adams, a Federalist, defeated Thomas Jefferson. After one term John Adams was defeated by Thomas Jefferson in 1800.
Term
whigs
Definition
lead by John Quincy Adams, called themselves National Republicans. had the support of bankers, business owners, and many southern planters
Term
primaries
Definition
a preliminary election held for the purpose of choosing a party’s final candidate. How political parties narrow down their number of candidates. tend to have a low turnout and those who do vote tend to be strong supporters of their party.
Term
political party rules
Definition
inform the public about issues of interest to their constituents. (Parties present their views on issues through television announcements, newspapers articles, websites, speeches, rallies, debates, and leaflets.
and in coordinating policy because they are the major institution through which the executive and legislative branches cooperate with each other.
Term
minority party
Definition
the political party that has fewer members in the legislature than the opposing party.
Term
majority party
Definition
the political party that has more members in the legislature than the opposing party
Term
coalition
Definition
alliances of individuals or groups with a variety of interests and opinions who join together to support all or part of the political party’s platform.
Term
electorate
Definition
all of the citizens eligible to vote in a given election. The largest and most general component of political parties
Term
party identifiers
Definition
people who identify themselves as being a supporter of a particular political party
Term
party activists
Definition
party members who help to organize and oversee party functions and planning during and between campaigns.
Term
people join political parties for:
Definition
For solidarity
For material benefits in the form of patronage- a system of rewarding the party faithful and workers with government jobs or contracts.
In order to promote a set of ideals and principles that they feel are important.
Term
patronage
Definition
a system of rewarding the party faithful and workers with government jobs or contracts.
Term
party organization
Definition
Each party has a standard, pyramid-shaped, and largely decentralized organization.
These organizations are divided into:
State Organizations
Local Organizations
national party organization
Term
ward
Definition
a local unit of a political party’s organization, consisting of a division or district within a city
Term
precinct
Definition
a political district within a city, such as a block or a neighborhood, or a rural portion of a country; the smallest voting district at the local level
Term
ideological parties
Definition
have system of ideas grounded in certain views of human nature, society and gov. (Libertarian party)
Term
splinter parties
Definition
develop when a split occurs with a major party (DIXIECRATS)
Term
Libertarians
Definition
promote free market capitalism and minimal intervention in peoples private lives
Term
third party spoiler
Definition
attract enough voters from one party, that is ultimately defeated by the other
Term
political socialization
Definition
learning process where people acquire their political knowledge, attitudes and opinions
Term
Sound bite
Definition
- a televised comment, lasting for only a few seconds, that capture3s a thought or a perspective and has an immediate impact on the viewer
Term
The Partisan Press
Definition
locally was run by the state political machine, the national by national parties (19th Century)
Term
New Century journalism
Definition
became more objective due to professionalism movement and economic incentives
Term
the Fairness Doctrine
Definition
which required the holders of broadcast licenses to grant equal time to opposing political view points. was abolished
Term
Commercial bias:
Definition
the tendency to make coverage and programming decisions based on what will attract a large audience and maximize profits -Reduced emphasis on political news
Term
political advertisements-
Definition
advertising undertaken by or on behalf of a political candidate to familiarize voters with the candidate and his or her views on campaign issues, also advertising for or against policy issues.
Term
negative political advertising
Definition
political advertising undertaken for the purpose of discrediting an opposing candidate in the eyes of the voters.
Term
Personal attack ads
Definition
a negative political advertisement that attacks the character of an opposing candidate
Term
Issue ads
Definition
- a political advertisement that focuses on a particular issue. Issue ads can be used to support or attack a candidate
Term
Kennedy/Nixon Debate (1960)
Definition
Kennedy invited Nixon to the first televised presidential candidate debates.
Nixon appeared nervous and had bad makeup.
TV viewers tended to think Kennedy won the debate, radio listeners tended to think Nixon won
Term
managed news coverage
Definition
- news coverage that is manipulated by a campaign manager or political consultant to gain media exposure for a political candidate.
Term
Spin
Definition
- a reporter’s slant on, or particular interpretation of, a particular event or action.
Term
Spin doctor
Definition
- a political candidate’s press adviser, who tries to convince reporters to give a story or event concerning a candidate a particular ‘spin’ (interpretation, or slant).
Term
Spin alley
Definition
- a designated area created following major political events where media officials go to hear from partisans who give their interpretation of events.
Term
media bias
Definition
MSNBC identified 125 journalists who had donated to the Democrats and only 16 who donated to Republicans, more liberal journalists
Term
Citizen journalism
Definition
- the collection, analysis, and dissemination of information online by independent journalists, scholars, politicians, and the general citizenry
Term
podcasting
Definition
the distribution of audio or video files to a personal computer or a mobile device, such as an iPod
Term
The use of Twitter during protests in Iran in 2009
Definition
was considered so important that the Obama administration asked Twitter not to update their services because it would interfere with communications among protesters
Term
netroots groups
Definition
online activists who support the candidate but are not controlled by the candidate’s organization
Term
24/7 exposure
Definition
can make it difficult for candidates to control their campaigns-the possibility of information distributed on the internet destroying a candidate’s campaign and reputation is now a permanent fixture of politics.
A candidate can never know when a comment that she or he makes may be recorded.
Term
reverend wright
Definition
“The government…wants us to sing God Bless America. No, no, no, not God Bless America. God damn America…for killing innocent people.”
Term
congressional approval
Definition
12 %
Term
congress
Definition
law making branch
Term
americans relationship with congress
Definition
On the one hand, they view Congress as a faceless, anonymous legislative body
On the other hand, Americans tend to like their own Congressman who represent their interests at the highest level of government
Term
significance of make up and structure of the house of senate
Definition
bicameral legislature consisting of two chambers: The Senate and the House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives was supposed to represent the people as a whole, or the majority.
The Senate was to represent the states and would protect the interests of small states by giving them the same number of senators (2 per state) as the larger states
Term
Apportionment
Definition
the distribution of House seats among the states on the basis of their respective populations.
Term
congressional district
Definition
- the geographic area that is served by one member in the House of Representatives.
Term
number of districts/ house members
Definition
435
Term
malapportionment
Definition
- a condition in which the voting power of citizens in one district is greater than the voting power of citizens in another district.
Term
“one person, one vote” rule
Definition
- a rule, or principle, requiring that congressional districts have equal populations so that one person’s vote counts as much as another’s vote
Term
Gerrymandering
Definition
- the drawing of a legislative district’s boundaries in such a way as to maximize the influence of a certain group or political party. LEGAL
Term
minority-majority districts
Definition
in which the minority groups make up a majority of the population.
Term
pros and cons of racial gerrymandering
Definition
Many argue that these districts have been instrumental in increasing the number of African Americans holding public office.
Opponents of racial gerrymandering argue that it violates the equal protection clause
Term
Trustee
Definition
- a representative who tries to serve the broad interests of the entire society and not just the narrow interests of his or her constituents
Term
Instructed delegate
Definition
- a representative who deliberately mirrors the views of the majority of his or her constituents.
Term
Partisan View
Definition
- Members of Congress must sometimes be highly attentive to the wishes of party leadership, especially on controversial issues.
Term
Requirements for being a member of the House include:
Definition
Having been a citizen of the US for at least seven years prior to election.
Legal resident of the state they wish to represent.
25 years old
Term
Members of the Senate must:
Definition
Have been a citizen of US for 9 years
Legal resident of the state they wish to represent
30 years old
Term
power of incumbency
Definition
Once someone has won a seat in Congress they enjoy several advantages over their opponents
Term
congressional terms and limits
Definition
Every two years we hold congressional elections.
The entire House of Representatives and 1/3 of the Senate are up for reelection each time.
Term
majority leader
Definition
the party leader electe3d by the majority party in the House or in the Senate
Term
Whip
Definition
- a member of Congress who assists the majority or minority leader in the House or in the Senate in managing the party’s legislative preferences.
Term
President of the Senate
Definition
The Vice President always fills this position
Not elected member of Senate
Casts vote in the event of a Tie
Term
the president pro tempore
Definition
who serves in the absence of the vice president. This position is usually filled by the member of the majority party with the longest continuous term of service in the Senate.
Term
standing committees
Definition
- a permanent committee in Congress that deals with legislation concerning a particular area, such as agriculture or foreign relations
Term
Seniority
Definition
the length of continuous service on a particular committee) typically plays a role in determining chairpersons.
Term
Subcommittees
Definition
-A division of a larger committee that deals with a particular part of the committee’s policy area. Most standing committees have several subcommittees
Term
Rules Committee-
Definition
a standing committee in the House (only) that provides special rules governing how particular bills will be considered and debated by the House. They propose time limits on debate for any bill.
Term
Filibustering-
Definition
the Senate tradition of unlimited debate undertaken for the purpose of preventing action on a bill.
Term
Cloture-
Definition
a method of closing debate in the Senate and brining the matter under consideration to a vote by the entire chamber. 3/5 of the entire membership must vote for cloture.
Term
legistlative process 1
Definition
Introduction of Legislation* Most bills are proposed by the executive branch, although individual members of Congress or their staffs can come up with ideas for legislation-so, too, can private citizens or lobbying groups.
Once the executive branch has developed a bill a ‘friendly’ senator or representative introduces the bill in Congress. They may be ignored, defeated, or amended.
Term
legislative process 2
Definition
Referral to committees* eadership in each chamber assign bills to the appropriate committees.
The committee may hold public hearings to hear from people who support or oppose a bill.
The (sub)committee holds a markup session- a meeting held by a congressional committee or subcommittee to approve, amend, or redraft a bill.
Term
legislative process 5
Definition
Floor debate*
The House and Senate differ in terms of the rules applied to floor debates.
These debates rarely change anyone’s mind/vote.
Term
legislative process 7
Definition
Conference committee*
- a temporary committee that consists of members from both the House and the Senate, that works out a compromise form of the bill. Members are usually drawn from the standing committees in each chamber
Term
legislative process 8
Definition
Presidential action* On the bill has been approved by both chambers it is submitted to the president for approval.
The president has 10 days to decide whether to sign the bill or veto it.
Term
legislative process 9
Definition
Overriding a veto* If the president decides to veto a bill, Congress can still get the bill enacted into law.
With a 2/3 majority vote in both chambers, Congress can override the president’s veto.
Term
investigation and oversight
Definition
Congress has the authority to investigate3 the actions of the executive branch, need for legislation, and the actions of its members.
Among the most famous results of Congress’s investigative function was the Church Committee findings.
The Church Report uncovered illegal activity by executive agencies such as the FBI and CIA.
Findings included the assassination of foreign leaders, spying on US citizens, and illegal experimentation
Term
impeachment
Definition
Congress has the power to impeach and remove from office the president, vice president, and other “civil officers.”
Term
impeach
Definition
house of representatives
Term
conviction
Definition
senate
Term
senate conformation
Definition
preside3nt may appoint ambassadors, justices of the Supreme Court, and other officers of the United States “with the Advice and Consent of the Senate.”
Nominees for each position appear before the appropriate committee.
If the committee approves the nominee, the full Senate will vote on the nomination.
Term
Authorization
Definition
-a part of the congressional budgeting process that involves the creation of the legal basis for government programs.
Term
Appropriation
Definition
- determining how many dollars will be spent in a given year on a particular set of government activities.
Term
Entitlement program
Definition
- a government program (such as Social Security) that allows, or entitles, a certain class of people (such as elderly persons) to receive benefits. Entitlement programs operate under open-ended budget authorizations that, in effect, place no limits on how much can be spent.
Term
public opinion polls
Definition
numerical surveys of public opinions on a particular topic at a particular moment
Term
sample
Definition
group of people representing a population study, needed to get accurate result for pub. op. polls
Term
straw polls
Definition
nonscientific poll, no way to ensure the the opinions expressed are representative of the larger pop
Term
biased samples
Definition
straw polls- did not represent the population
Term
random sample
Definition
ensures that each person within the population has a chance to be selected
Term
number of people needed for a sample
Definition
at least 1000
Term
accurate polls reflect
Definition
as closely as possible to the social, ethnic, reacial, cultural, gender and socioeconomic diversity in total pop.
Term
sampling error
Definition
dif between what the sample rsults show and the true results would have been had everybody in the relevant pop been interviewed
Term
exit polls
Definition
conuducted outide polling stations on election day- outcome of election can be based on exit polls
Term
push poll
Definition
campaign tactic used to feed false misleading info. to potential voters by taking an opinion poll, intended to push coters away from one candidate to another
Term
rational choice school
Definition
theoretical model that examines utility income
-people act as utility maximizes/ self interest
-vote on the cheap, select candidate that will bring the greatest gain
Term
social psychological school
Definition
party identification is the primiary in predicting how people vote.
*emotional attachment to who you vote
Term
sociological school
Definition
voting behavior based on sociological elements
-sociodemographics like race ethnicity, status, geographic
Term
grandfather clause
Definition
restricting voting rights to those whose anscestors voted before 1860
Term
resource theory
Definition
predicts level of participation based on a income and education
Term
american voter physcology
Definition
people vote based on emotion
Term
people with more education vote
Definition
republican
Term
gender gap
Definition
dif between percentage of votes for a candidate by women and percent votes cast for candidate by men
Term
jewish votes
Definition
democrat
Term
asian americans other than vietnamese
Definition
democrats
Term
electors
Definition
memeber of electoral college who are selected each president election year by states parties
Term
nominating convention
Definition
meeting of pol parties to choose its candidates
Term
microtargeting
Definition
karl rove collecting info about voters
Term
behavioral targeting
Definition
technique uses info about ppl online behavior
Term
loophole
Definition
legitimate way of evading a certain legal requirement
Term
independent expenditure
Definition
expenditure for activities that are independent from a candidate or party
Term
agenda setting
Definition
indluence what issues are on public agenda by deciding what stories to cover
Term
priming
Definition
influence public perception of certain events by emphasis given to particular characteristics of them
Term
new century journalistm
Definition
more objective due to professionalism movement and economic
Supporting users have an ad free experience!