Voting Rights & Voting Behavior
Ratified in 1971, this amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, increasing suffrage.
What is the 26th Amendment?
These organizations can raise unlimited sums of money from corporations and unions but cannot coordinate directly with a candidate.
What is SuperPACs?
Third parties rarely have success in the US due to this.
What is the dominance of the two-party system?
Often called the "Fourth Branch," the media acts as this by reporting on government scandals and corruption.
What is a watchdog?
This principle suggests that the law should apply equally to all citizens, including government officials.
What is rule of law?
This 19th-century amendment prohibited the denial of the right to vote based on race.
What is the 15th Amendment?
This type of election is based on "single-member districts."
What is congressional?
This is the primary goal of an interest group, distinguishing it from a political party.
What is influencing public policy?
This term describes the media’s tendency to focus on who is winning the "race" rather than the actual policy platforms of candidates.
What is horse race journalism?
This term refers to the government’s use of taxing and spending to influence the economy.
What is fiscal policy?
In this voting model, a citizen makes a decision based on the candidate's past performance in office.
What is retrospective voting?
In most states, the electoral votes to elect a President in the Electoral College operate on this basis.
What is "winner-take-all"?
Madison argues that this specific form of government—rather than a pure democracy—is the best way to control the effects of factions.
What is a Republic?
This term describes the process through which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values.
What is political socialization?
This ideology generally favors less government involvement in the economy (lower taxes, deregulation) but more intervention to protect traditional social values.
What is conservatism/conservative ideology?
This term describes the model of voting in which a person votes based on how a candidate will affect their own individual interests.
What is rational-choice voting?
This Supreme Court case decided the 2000 election, where the winner lost the popular vote, but won the Electoral College.
What is Bush v. Gore?
This occurs when a significant group of voters shifts their allegiance from one party to another, often during a "critical election."
What is party realignment?
For a poll to be considered scientifically valid, it must use this type of selection process to ensure everyone has an equal chance of being chosen.
What is random sampling?
During a recession or economic downturn, a Keynesian would recommend this action regarding government spending.
What is increasing government spending?
This 2013 Supreme Court case, struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, making it easier for states to implement voter suppression laws and tactics.
What is Shelby County v. Holder?
This 2010 Supreme Court case ruled that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts cannot be limited, citing the First Amendment.
What is Citizens United v. FEC?
This term describes the phenomenon where people do not join an interest group because they can benefit from the group's work without contributing.
What is the free-rider problem?
Events like the Great Depression or the 9/11 attacks are examples of this type of effect on political socialization.
What is the generational effect?
This ideology favors more government regulation of the economy and greater involvement to promote equality.
What is liberalism or liberal ideology?