Core Values
What is individualism?
The belief that each person is independent and self-reliant and responsible for themselves.
What is a primary election?
This type of election allows voters to select party nominees for a general election.
What is voter turnout?
This term refers to the percentage of eligible voters who actually cast ballots in an election.
What is hard money?
This type of contribution is given directly to a candidates campaign and is regulated.
What is party polarization?
The movement of political views away from the center and becoming more extreme.
What is popular sovereignty?
The belief that people should control the government.
What are interest groups? Provide one technique as well.
These groups seek to influence public policy by lobbying lawmakers and mobilizing members.
What are then constitutional amendment(s) that allowed
A. All men to vote?
B. All women to vote?
The 15th and 19th amendments.
What is the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act? Provide 2 facts.
1. Banned soft money
2. "I approve this ad"
3. Added regulations of issue ads close to elections
What are 3 conservative perspectives?
1 Social, 1 Economic, 1 Budget
1. Pro-life
2. Decrease taxes and government intervention
3. More money allocated towards defense
What is rule of law?
This value ensures nobody is above the law.
What is the concept of the media being a gatekeeper?
This term describes how media influences what issues the public sees as important by choosing which stories to report.
What is political socialization?
This term describes how individuals for their political beliefs, often influenced by family, education and media.
What is a Super PAC?
This organization can raise unlimited money and donate it directly to candidates.
What are 3 liberal perspectives?
1 Social, 1 Economic, 1 Budget
1. Higher taxes
2. Pro-choice
3. More money allocated towards education/healthcare
What is equal opportunity?
The principle that promotes fairness by ensuring individuals have an equal chance to succeed, regardless of personal characteristics or background.
What is outside lobbying?
This strategy used by interest groups involves mobilizing members to directly contact legislators or show mass support.
What is the Voting Rights Act of 1965?
This act aimed to eliminate barriers to voting such as literacy tests and poll tax.
What is the big difference between Soft and Hard money?
Soft money is limited but unregulated whereas hard money is unlimited but regulated by federal law.
What is the difference between political party and political ideology?
Party refers to the group of people with a similar ideology that are seeking to elect someone.
What is limited government?
The system where the power of the government is restricted, both by law and by the constitution, and where the individual rights of citizens are protected against government overreach.
What is the elitist theory?
The theory that a small number of wealthy and well-connected elites dominate the policy-making process through media, campaign donations and interest group influence.
Explain all of the following:
Retrospective Voting:
Prospective Voting:
Rational Choice Voting:
Party Line Voting:
Retrospective- Candidates past actions
Prospective- Candidates future promised actions
Rational Choice- Voting in voters best interest
Party Line- Voting by party affiliation
How did the 2010 case of Citizens United v. FEC involve the 1st amendment? Provide the backstory to the case (2 details) as well as the relevance to the amendment.
1. Led to the rise of Super PACs
2. Struck down the BCRA
3. Money = speech
4. Corporations are people
5. Involved the 1st amendment freedom of speech in regards to corporations.
What is socialism?
Socialism is a economic and political system where the government controls the majority of industries and resources. The goal is to reduce inequality by ensuring wealth is distributed more equally. Essentially ensuring that necessities such as healthcare, housing and education are available to all.