Unit 1 Test Flashcards
(117 cards)
1
Q
What are some examples of how people engage in our political system?
A
Voting, donating to political campaigns, serve in local government, protesting, symbolic gestures (pledge, national anthem, flag).
2
Q
What is political culture?
A
A nation’s political personality traits and deep rooted societal attitudes, values, and beliefs.
3
Q
Characteristics of political culture:
A
Accepting the legitimacy of laws, government, and elections, boundries of acceptable political behavior, peaceful vs violent.
4
Q
What are the types of political culture?
A
Moralistic, individualistic, and traditionalistic
5
Q
What is the moralistic political culture?
A
Society weighs slightly more the individual. Governments should create a good society by which the community can flourish.
6
Q
Where is the moralistic political culture common?
A
Midwest and parts of the west coast.
7
Q
What is the individualistic political culture?
A
Society is a marketplace for individual gain. Government should provide a society that allows individual gain.
8
Q
Where is the individualistic political culture common?
A
Northeast
9
Q
What is the traditionalistic political culture?
A
The government should be ruled by the elite with minimal participation.
10
Q
Where is the traditionalistic political culture common?
A
Southern states
11
Q
What event rooted the American Political Culture?
A
American Revolution
12
Q
Beliefs of the American Political Culture:
A
Egalitarianism, liberty, democracy, American Exceptionalism, optimism, idealism, rule of law and justice.
13
Q
Egalitarianism
A
Equality of people
14
Q
Liberty
A
Free to make choices
15
Q
Democracy
A
Freedom to vote
16
Q
American Exceptionalism
A
America is a special place that does good
17
Q
Optimism
A
We expect things will always improve
18
Q
Idealism
A
A better system can be created
19
Q
Rule of law and justice
A
The law will be applied to everyone equally
20
Q
Idealogical left beliefs
A
Social freedom, government regulation, minimum wage, environment, defend civil liberties, diverse lifestyles, SOCIAL JUSTICE vs SOCIAL ORDER
21
Q
Ideological right beliefs
A
Economic freedom, low taxes, low spending, free market, oppose business regulations, traditional values and social regualtions, anti abortion, anti same sex marriage, supports military, SOCIAL ORDER VS SOCIAL JUSTICE
22
Q
Practical center beliefs
A
Middle ground, sometimes favors intervention, sometimes favors individual choice, oppose political extremes, party identifies, leaners, undecides
23
Q
Examples of basic ideological arguments
A
Personal freedom vs societal order
Economic freedom vs government protection
Federal power vs state power vs individual rights
Liberalism vs Conservatism vs Populism
24
Q
What is a political party?
A
Organization of people with similar ideas about how to govern.
25
What is the purpose of political parties?
Unifies groups/people working toward political/social goals. The method on how to run the gov.
26
What are the functions of political parties?
Recruit candidates, provide financial support, mobilize voters, promote policy options, run government when elected, organize oppositon when not in power.
27
What is political socialization?
The outlook that determines a person's political preferences on candidates, parties, political opinions, and policies.
28
Agents of political socialization:
Family preferences, social groups (friends peers), education and religion, job and income level, media.
29
Advantages of 2 party system:
Both parties are near the political center, both have experience, broad political support, both account for majority of voters, general/broad representation.
30
Disadvantages of 2 party system:
Less choices, minority ideas are left out, slow political/social change, less individualistic mroe general representation.
31
Advantages of multi party system:
Wider perspectives, coalitions: parties work together to govern since the voters have many options, individualistic.
32
Disadvantages of multi party system:
No majority rule, lack of broad support, microgrouping people.
33
Advantages of a single party system:
Efficiency of governing, lack of opposition.
34
Disadvantages of a single party system:
Lack of opposition and ideas, party interest is the priority.
35
What type of system is the US?
Two party system
36
Democratic ideology
Moderate to liberal
37
What are the blue states/areas?
Northern states, east coast (New England and New York), West coast, big cities, inner cities.
38
Democratic general representation
Small farmers, workers, unions, public employees, low/middle income earners, minorities.
39
Democratic party icons
JFK, Obama, Bill Clinton, FDR
40
Democratic stances
Middle class tax breaks, social programs, progressive tax structure (tax wealthy more), environmental protections, non intervention with foreign policy, rehabilitate criminals, anti death penalty, more law enforcement and gun restrictions
41
Republican ideology
Moderate to conservative
42
What are the red states/areas?
South, mountain west, rural states/areas, low populated states, suburban areas
43
Republican general representation
Business owners, banks, corporations, large and corporate farmers, upper middle to upper incomes, religious rights
44
Who brought religion into politics and started MAGA
Ronald Reagan
45
Republican party icons
Teddy Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Reagan, Lincoln
46
What are the general stances of republicans?
Tax breaks for upper incomes (trickle down method), less government, rugged individualism (take care of yourself-Hoover), Laissez Faire market, School choice, Anti affirmative action or equalization (merit based , only based off the best), increased military spending, peace through strenght, pro dealth penalty, aggresive foreign policy.
47
Who was Jesse Ventura?
MN gov from a minor party
48
Purposes of third parties:
Pull voters, get ideas adopted by major parties
49
Third party weaknesses
not on every ballot
50
Are third parties exreme or centralized?
Lean towards the extremes, sometimes promote tribalism, communism, nativism, and segregation
51
Single issue party
Focus on 1 or 2 issues, anti slavery. Ex: Knownothings, prohibition party
52
Ideological party
Focus on changing society and government. Ex: social party (mroe control), Libertarians (more freedom)
53
Splinter party
Faction that splits from a party. Ex: Bull moose party (progressive rep. and southern dems)
54
What is a politcal faction/wing?
Groups within the major parties that have beliefs different than the party.
55
Blue Dog Democrats:
Economic liberals, social conservatives, rural wing, more conservative, fiscal responsibilities Ex: Bill Clinton
56
Secular Democrats:
Non religious/atheist, less religion in government, secular wing
57
Christian Left:
Social justice, universal healthcare, welfare, religious wing, Ex: Biden and Obama
58
Progressive Democrats:
Anti war, anti corporatism, pro universal health, socialist wing, Ex: Bernie Sanders
59
Liberal Democrats:
Fair trade, diplomatic foreign policy, anti militarism, push civil liberties (freedom of speech), liberal wing, Ex: Elizabeth Warren and FDR
60
Log Cabin Republicans:
Least conservative, pro gay rights, same sex marriage, social justice wing
61
Moderate Republicans:
Fiscally moderate, socially moderate, compromise wing, Ex: Mit Romney
62
Neo Cons Republicans:
Intervention foreign policy, militarism, spread democracy, foreign policy wing, Ex: Bush
63
Libertarians:
Free markets, laissez faire, minimal social control, non intervention foreign policy, freedom wing, little government involvement
64
Tea Party/Budget Hawks:
Fiscal conservatives, taxes, debt, trade, regulations, less social issue focus, business wing
65
Social Conservatives:
Social issues emphasis, focus on abortion, gay rights, marriage, dealth penalty, less focus on economics, religious wing, Ex: Mike Pence and Ted Cruz
66
Is party membership required in general elections or primaries/caucuses?
Not requied in general elections but possibly in primaries/caucuses
67
Why parties?
Differences in occupation, religion, family, hobbies, involvement ex: voting, door knocking, signs, ect.
68
What is a national committee?
A party's large group, comprised of representativesof all state parties (RNC and DNC)
69
National part chairperson responsibilities:
Daily operations, fundraising, public perception/promotion, national convention, promote party stances, recruit candidates, organize opposition
70
State party/committee responsibilities:
Fundraising, recruit candidates for state office, promote state party stances, organize state platform, organize delegates to national convention
71
Local party responsibilities:
"Grass roots" local stance to be pushed to higher levels of party, primary/caucus voters, volunteer for state/national elections, connect with voters
72
What is partisanship?
Strong adherence to a particular party, cause, bias, or political group.
73
Effects of a partisanship:
Leads to absence in the political middle, increased party affiliation and opposition to the other party, increase in party line voting, removal of local and state party influences, becomes more personal, close minded, and political polarization.
74
What is polarization?
Movement away from diverse political views to singular ideology and purity of ideology (agree with every policy from that party)
75
Effects of polarization:
Less policy diversity, lack of cooperation between parties, lack of political consensus, extreme viewpoints, an inability to reach common ground, begins to pervade all aspects of society, political tribalism
76
What is political tribalism?
Dividing society into tribes or groupings based on race, gender, religion, political parties
77
Effects of political tribalism:
Us vs them mentality, loyalty to tribe is most important, formation of individual identity and belonging to a specific political group, skepticism of other groups, "RINO'S", group interest being more important than society's, political violence
78
Libertarian specific beliefs:
Pro choice, pro drugs, pro gays, anti gun, anti welfare, anti minimum wage, anti income tax
79
Constitution party:
Extremely conservative, pro life, pro gun rights, school prayer, anti taxes, anti immigration, anti welfare
80
Green party:
Moderately liberal, environmental regulation, universal healthcare, "living wage" minimum wage, pro universal college
81
Grass roots party:
Far left, legalize marijuana, universal healthcare
82
Socialist party:
Far left, public ownership of essential industries, universal healthcare, free education, environment, reduce income equality, systemic change of the US
83
What is order?
maintenance of security, political value
84
What are politics?
Process of resolving conflicts and deciding who gets what, when, and how. The struggle over power and influence within organizations and informal groups that can grant or withhold benefits and privileges
85
What is legitimacy?
Authority is broadly accepted, authority needs legitimacy
86
Totalitarian regime:
extreme, small group of leaders or single individual (dictator) has total control over political, social, and economic aspects. Adolf hitler & Joseph Stalin
87
Authoritarianism:
only government is fully controlled by the ruler, social and economic are not controlled by government
88
Direct democracy:
debate and vote on all laws, requires a high level of participation, used in U.S and switzerland. Political decisions made by people not by elected officials
89
Initiative:
procedure by which voters can petition to vote on a law
90
Referendum:
an electoral device whereby legislative or constitutional measures are referred by the legislature to the voters for approval or disapproval
91
Recall:
allowing the people to vote to dismiss an elected official before their term has ended
92
What are the dangers of democracy?
US constitution warned against one, we are too uneducated to govern ourselves, too prone to influences of demagogues, and too likely to subordinate non majority rights to the tyranny of the majority
93
What did the framers of the constitution favor?
A republic: sovereign power rests with the people rather than with a king, based on popular sovereignty
94
What is popular sovereignty?
the concept that ultimate political authority is based on the will of the people
95
What is the democratic republic?
US constitution created this, leaders elected by the people make the laws and policies
96
What is a representative democracy?
people vote leaders in who make the laws however preserves the monarchy, ex: britain
97
What is universal suffrage?
the right of all adults to vote for their government representatives
98
Majoritarianism:
in a democracy, the government ought to do what the majority of the people want, not really present in the US
99
Pluralism:
theory that views politics as a conflict amongst interest groups. Political decision making is characterized by bargaining and compromise
100
Bill of Rights:
The first ten amendments to the constitution
101
Egalitarian system:
Wealth and power are distributed equally
102
What is capitalism?
An economic system characterized by the private ownership of wealth creating assets, free markets, and freedom of contract
103
What is socialism?
A political ideology based on strong support for economic and social equality. Socialists traditionally envisioned a society in which major businesses were taken over by the government or by employee cooperatives (left side)
104
What is a consensus?
General agreement among the citizenry on an issue
105
Agenda setting:
Determining which public policy questions will be debated or considered
106
Concentrated benefits and dispersed costs:
The theory that a minority benefiting from a government program will make a stronger effort to keep it than the majority will ever make to abolish it.
107
What is a party organization?
Formal structure and leadership of a political party including election committees, local state and national executives, and paid professional staff
108
What is the national convention?
The meeting held every four years by each major party to select presidential and vice presidential candidates, write a platform, choose a national committee, and conduct party business. Used to officially nominate candidates.
109
What is the party platform?
a document drawn up at each national convention, outlining the policies, positions, and principles of the party. Promises to initiate certain policies
110
State central committee:
The principal organized structure of each political party within each state. This committee is responsible for carrying out policy decisions of the party's state convention. Little if any influence on influence on party candidates once they are elected.
111
Patronage:
the practice of rewarding faithful party workers and followers with government employment and contracts
112
Party demanders:
individuals or interest group members who participate in political parties with the intent to see that certain policies are adopted or specific groups favored (teachers unions)
113
Divided government:
a situation in which one major political party controls the presidency and the other controls one or more chambers of congress, or in which one party controls a state governorship and the other controls the state legislature.
114
Wave election:
an election in which voters display dissatisfaction with one of the major parties through a wave of support for the other party. In contrast to a realigning election, the results of a wave election are not permanent
115
What is plurality?
a number of votes cast for a candidate that is greater than the number for any other candidate but is not necessarily a majority. Winner take all
116
What is the unit rule?
a rule by which all of a state’s electoral votes are cast for the presidential candidate who receives a plurality of the votes in that state
117
Straight ticket voting:
voting exclusively for the candidates of one party
