The Constitution and Foundations of America
Democratic Principles and Processes
Political Ideology and Democratic Theory
Public Opinion
Campaigns and Elections
Linkage Institutions
Voters and Voting Behavior
Misc.
100

This was America's first plan of government which established a small, largely powerless central government.

What is the Articles of Confederation?

100

This type of power gives both the federal government and states the authority to levy taxes.

What is a concurrent (or shared) power?

100

This theory of democracy says that many competing factions promotes democracy.

What is pluralism?

100

An effective public opinion poll should have carefully worded questions and a sample size of about this many people.

What is 1000-1500?

100

A statewide meeting of members of a political party to nominate a candidate for president is known as this.

What is a caucus?

100

This political party would be most likely to increase regulations on corporations and support a national healthcare system.

What are Democrats?

100

Someone who believes that their involvement in the political process has a positive outcome on democracy has a high degree of this.

What is political efficacy?

100

This is the term for when different parties control different branches of government.

What is divided government?

200

The primary disagreement between the Federalists and Antifederalists was over this.

What is the power of the central government?

200

This is the term for "consent of the governed".

What is popular sovereignty?

200

This theory of democracy subscribes to the idea that the levers of government are largely controlled by a small number of powerful individuals and groups.

What is elitism?

200

Voters' focus on specific issues as being most important is heavily influenced by this linkage institution.

What is the media?

200

Because of the electoral college, presidential candidates focus their campaign strategies on these types of states.

What are larger, more competitive states?

200

While these attempt to influence public policy and inform the public on important issues, they are different from political parties in that they do not run their own candidates for office.

What are interest groups?

200

Since the 1970's, there has been an increase in the number of voters who identify as this.

What is independent?

200

The interrelationship between interest groups, congressional committees, and bureaucracy are known as these.

What are iron triangles?

300

This amendment prohibits states from denying the right to vote based on race.

What is the 15th?

300

This is required in order for Congress to override a presidential veto.

What is a 2/3 vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate?

300

Free elections, equal voting access, protecting minority rights, and a free press are some of the characteristics of this democratic ideology?

What is liberal democracy?

300

The focus of the media on the standings of candidates in the polls is known as this.

What is horse race journalism?

300

Familiarity, voting record, increased donations, and party support are all advantages of ____________ in elections.

What are incumbents?

300

One criticism of the primary system is that the candidates disproportionately focus on these states.

What are states that hold their primaries the earliest?
300

There is a direct correlation between this and the likelihood of someone voting.

Two possible answers:

What is level of education?

What is age?

300

The federal government's role in the economy has been greatly increased because of the expanded interpretation of this Constitutional clause.

What is the commerce clause?

400

The Constitutional clause says that federal laws override state laws when they conflict or overlap.

What is the supremacy clause?

400

The Framers of the Constitution made changing the Constitution difficult by setting these requirements for amendments.

What is approval by 2/3 in both houses of Congress AND by 3/4 of the states?

400

This ideology is more skeptical of the central government and prefers more powers to be left to the states.

What is conservatism?

400

This 2002 federal law attempted to limit soft money in presidential campaigns.

What is the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (aka McCain-Feingold Act)?

400

A factory worker receiving a pay raise after negotiations by the workers union, despite not being an active member, is known as this.

What is "free rider" problem?

400

The shifting of the social bases that provide party support is known as this.

What is party realignment?

400

This event showed the ineptitude of the central government under the Articles of Confederation and led to the Constitutional Convention.

What is Shays' Rebellion?

500

Federalist No 10 argues that the best way to limit the power of factions is with this.

What is a large republic?

500

This is the final step required to remove a president from office.

What is a guilty verdict in a Senate impeachment trial?

500

This political party is most likely to support raising the minimum wage.

What is the Democratic Party?
500

One criticism of the electoral college is that it gives voters more impact on presidential elections in these types of states.

Two possible answers:

What are competitive states?

What are smaller population states?

500

Political party organization can best be described as this.

What is decentralized?

500

This amendment lowered the voting age in elections to 18.

What is the 26th?

500

Citizens United vs FEC (2010) removed many limits on political donations by qualifying them as this.

What is free speech?

600

This idea, borrowed from Montesquieu, became a foundation for the Constitutional formation of the national government.

What is the separation of powers?

600

The federal government allowing for the merger of two major airlines is an example of this core value of American democracy?

What is free enterprise?

600

The events and influences that affect the development of one's ideological views over time is known as this.

What is political socialization?

600

Interest groups use these to raise and spend money on elections.

What are political action committees (PACs)?

600

The original Constitution does not mention this aspect of federal elections, which is effectively left up to the states.

What are voter qualifications?