Political and social philosophy emphasizing the belief that the needs of each person are more important than the needs of the whole society or group.

An economic system in which private business operates in competition and largely free of state control or government intervention.

Giving people an equal chance to succeed.

An income qualification program that determines whether one is eligible for benefits under government programs reserved for lower-income groups.

A political party's formal statement of its basic principles, objectives, and positions on major issues.

The presence of increasingly conflicting and divided viewpoints between the Democratic and Republican Parties on a variety of issues regarding policy or beliefs.

A political philosophy that advocates free will and maximizes individual rights while minimizing the role of government; the role of government is limited simply protecting the rights of people.

Political ideology that generally supports the idea that the federal government should take a less active role in the nation's problems. Favors less intervention on economic issues and more intervention on social issues. Tends to value tradition.

Political ideology that generally supports the idea that the federal government should take an active role in solving the nation's domestic problems. Tend to support government spending on social issues.

A political party organized as an alternative to the major parties in a two-party system, formed to address specific issues ignored by 2 major parties, can affect the outcome of elections by taking votes away from one of the major parties.

Political ideology that falls between liberal and conservative and which may include some of both; usually thought of as tolerant of others' political opinions and not likely to hold extreme views on issues.

One of the two major political parties in the United States - typically associated with more liberal political ideology.

The statistical data of a population, examples would include age, income, education, race, gender, religion.

The process by which we develop our political attitudes, values, and beliefs.

A more or less consistent set of beliefs about what policies government ought to pursue.

Differences in political views between women and men.

The belief the government must manage the economy by spending more money when in a recession and cutting spending when there is inflation.

Economic theory that lower taxes and fewer regulations will stimulate the economy as businesses and individuals invest their money, thereby creating higher tax revenue.

Managing the economy by the use of tax and spending laws.

Managing the economy by altering the supply of money and interest rates.

How people think or feel about particular things

A survey of public opinion.

Method of selecting from a population in which each person has an equal probability of being selected.

Spending category about which government planners can make choices, can be adjusted by the President and Congress in a given budget year.

A claim for government funds that cannot be abridged without violating the rights of the claimant; for example, social security benefits or payments on a contract.

Spending on certain programs that is mandated, or required, by existing law, can not be adjusted by the President and Congress in a given budget year.

Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return.

Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return.

A choice that government makes in response to a political issue. A policy is a course of action taken with regard to some problem.

An independent agency of the federal government established in 1913 to regulate the nation's banking, financial industry, and monetary policy.

A close relationship between a federal agency, congressional committee, and interest group that is said to have heavy influence over policy making.

A document that states tax collections, spending levels, and the allocation of spending among purposes at the Federal Government level.

The sum of government deficits over time.

The result of when the government in one year spends more money than it takes in from taxes.

Federal program started under FDR in 1935, guaranteed retirement payments for enrolled workers beginning at age 65; includes the federal old age, survivors and disability program.

This was a law to encourage more people to participate in voting. This allowed people to register to vote while they renewed their license. The thought was that most people renew their license and thus it would give them a chance to register at the same time.

A requirement that citizens pay a tax in order to register to vote, used in the Jim Crow South to disenfranchise black voters.

Polls conducted as voters leave selected polling places on Election Day—helps media predict the outcomes of the race.

Continuous surveys that enable a campaign or news organization to chart a candidate's daily rise or fall in support.

An individual's identification with a party; whether they consider themselves a Democrat, Republican, or Independent.

The many different ways that people take part in politics and government.

Laws requiring citizens to show a government-issued photo ID in order to vote.

Which of the following represents a typical liberal viewpoint on the right to privacy?

Which of the following best represents a typical conservative viewpoint on environmental regulation?

A candidate running for President wants to better understand how her target voters obtain their political beliefs. Her campaign polls 500 voters to ask them about this subject. The majority of those surveyed will likely align with those of

A focus on traditional values fits which ideology?

Free market economics are the focus of which ideology?

Government involvement in economic affairs would fit which ideology?

A smaller national government is favored by which ideology?

A well known person who spoke out against political parties was

Redrawing district lines to favor or weaken a certain party is called...

Amendment that lowered the voting age to 18 in Federal and state elections (1971)

Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1920) extended the right to vote to women in federal or state elections, states you may not be denied the right to vote based on sex

Passed in 1913, this amendment to the Constitution calls for the direct election of senators by the voters instead of their election by state legislatures.

Supporting a party by voting for candidates from one political party for all public offices across the ballot

Voting based on what is perceived to be in the citizen's individual interest

Voting to decide whether the party or candidate in power should be re-elected based on the recent past

Voting based on predictions of how a party or candidate will perform in the future

Invalidated the use of any test or device to deny the vote and authorized federal examiners to order the registration of blacks in states and counties where fewer than 50 percent of the voting-age population were registered or had voted in the last presidential election, also provided criminal penalties for interfering with the right to vote

Banned soft money contributions to national political parties from corporations and unions; independent expenditures by corporations, labor unions, trade associations, and nonprofit organizations are sharply restricted

The channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the government's policy agenda. In the United States, linkage institutions include elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

A committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations, fundraising organization that represents interest groups in the political process

An organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy

A group that seeks to elect candidates to public office

An electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office. This type of electoral system typically leads to legislatures dominated by two political parties. Structure used for the U.S. House of Representatives

An electoral system in which the winner is the person who gets the most votes, even if he or she does not receive a majority; used in almost all American elections

An election system in which the candidate with the most votes wins, can apply to the Electoral College or Presidential Primaries where delegates are awarded

Non-Presidential general elections (ex. Senate and House) that occur midway through a presidential term

Elections in which voters in a state vote for a candidate (or delegates pledged to him or her). Most delegates to the national party conventions are chosen this way.

An electoral "earthquake" where new issues emerge, new coalitions replace old ones, and the majority party is often displaced by the minority party. Critical election periods are sometimes marked by a national crisis and may require more than one election to bring about a new party era

A meeting of party delegates held every four years, used to formally nominate the parties nominee for president and establish the party platform

Delegates who run party affairs between national conventions

The tendency of incumbents to do better than otherwise similar challengers, especially in congressional elections

The recent pattern of states holding primaries early in order to maximize their media attention and political influence. Three-fourths of the presidential primaries are now held between February and mid-March.

Money that political candidates raise and use for funding their expensive campaigns

Campaign money donated directly to candidates, that is subject to regulations by the FEC

Funds obtained by political parties that are spent on party activities, such as get-out-the-vote drives, but not on behalf of a specific candidate, unregulated money

Spending by political action committees, corporations, or labor unions that is done to help a party or candidate but is done independently of them.

Independent expenditure-only PACs, may accept donations of any size from corporations, unions, or individuals and can endorse candidates. The cannot coordinate their activities with campaigns in any way. Their contributions and expenditures must be periodically reported to the FEC.

The person already holding and elective office

A person, often a professional, attempting to influence government decisions on behalf of a special interest

A state that does not consistently vote either Democratic or Republican in presidential elections

The votes cast by citizens in an election

What is the purpose of a political party's platform?

What do lobbyists try to do?

How do Political Action Committees (PACs) influence government?

Citizens United case create super PACs...and unlimited amounts of money in campaigns.... We call this untraceable money....

Incumbent candidates are more likely to be re-elected.

A state that sometimes votes republican and sometimes votes democrat....so presidential candiates really focus on these states...because they usually determine the elections...are called

Social programs that needy people get based on a set of qualifications....think food stamps and social security...

This type of spending is things the governmetn must pay for each year....think bills that you must pay each month... gov't has them too...like entitlement programs

This type of spending by the government where they get to choose what they spend money on... maybe they created and campaigned on a new idea and finally got it passed... you pay your bills first and then get to do this kind of spending

Americans love this concept... we are people and get to be who we are and stand for what we want...and nobody can take that away from us.....'MERICA!!!!

A supreme court decision is a great way to get things changed... lobbyist know this... so if there is a court case about their issue coming up....they want to get involved... even though it might not be their court case... so that the Supreme Court hears their opinions... they may submit what kind of brief (legal argument)