Vocabulary ALL UNITS
supported ratification of the Constitution and a strong central government
federalist
channels that allow individuals to communicate their preferences to policymakers. Examples include: i. Political parties ii. Interest groups iii. Elections iv. Media
linkage institutions
This amendment eliminated poll taxes, removing a significant barrier to voting in the South.
24th amendment
This case ruled that racial gerrymandering must be held to a strict scrutiny standard under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
Shaw v. Reno
This group opposed ratification of the Constitution, fearing it would create a strong central government and lack protections for individual rights.
Anti-Federalists
the concept of specific and separate powers delegated to Congress, the president, and the courts that allow each branch to check and balance the power of the other branches, ensuring no one branch becomes too powerful
separation of powers
changed the practice for electing Senators from a vote by state legislatures to a direct vote by the people
17th amendment
A type of election in which voters directly select candidates to run for office in the general election
primary election
The decision in this case stated that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts cannot be limited under the First Amendment.
Citizens United v. FEC
This term refers to the process by which individuals develop their political values, influenced by family, media, schools, and life experiences.
political socialization
the phenomena where current officeholders have an advantage over challengers because of factors such as funding, name recognition, and experience
incumbency advantage
refers to individuals who decide whether the party or candidate in power should be reelected based on the recent past
retrospective voting
Voter turnout is typically lower during these elections, which do not include a presidential race.
midterm elections
This landmark case confirmed that Congress has implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause and upheld federal supremacy over state laws
McCulloch v. Maryland
This clause in the Constitution establishes that federal laws take precedence over state laws when they conflict.
Supremacy clause
consists of actions taken by the Federal Reserve (the Fed) to influence interest rates which affect broader economic conditions
monetary policy
an effort to ban soft money and reduce attack ads with “Stand by Your Ad” provision: “I’m [candidate’s name] and I approve this message”
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002
This voting model predicts that citizens will choose candidates whose policies they believe will benefit them the most in the future
prospective voting
This case protected the symbolic speech of students who wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam War under the First Amendment
Tinker v. Des Moines
This term describes the belief that government should play a minimal role in economic affairs, a principle often associated with conservatives.
laissez-faire
national funding with minimal restrictions to the states on its use and is preferred by the states
block grants
refers to individuals who base their decisions on what is perceived to be in their best interest
rational choice theory
This process allows registered party members to gather and discuss their preferred candidate before casting votes, commonly used in states like Iowa
caucus
The Supreme Court ruled in this case that the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress’s authority under the Commerce Clause.
US v. Lopez
This concept measures the degree to which people trust their government and feel their participation can make a difference.
political efficacy