Exam #1 Study Guide Chapter 1 & 2: 1.

Reserve Clause - 10th Amendment: anything not explicitly drawn out in the constitution is the right of the state a. Limits national power and increases state power

2. Political institution: The rules, laws, and organizations through which and by which government
functions.

3. Statute: A law passed by a legislative body. 4. Constitution: A document laying out the fundamental law defining the basic political institutions of a
government and the fundamental values for which that government stands.

5. Political ideology: A relatively coherent and consistent set of beliefs about who ought to rule, what
principles ought to be used to govern, and what policies rulers ought to pursue. a. Conservative/liberal

6. Articles of Confederation: first constitution ratified in 1781 a. Creates weak govt (limited powers) b. Laws were more suggestions = trouble keeping the Peace (Shays Rebellion led to
reevaluating Articles) i. Congress cant tax 1. Money only coming in through donations ii. No national currency 1. States could create own currency iii. States had same # of reps, regardless of size/population iv. Congress could declare war, but states chose whether to provide soldiers v. Congress couldn't prevent states from interfering with interstate commerce

7. Unitary system strong central government that controls sub-national government

a. Centralized power

8. Confederal system: power rests with subnational government

a. Decentralized power

9. Privileges and Immunities Clause: cant discriminate against you just because youre not from that
particular state a. Exceptions: i. In-state/out of state tuition ii. professional licensing (LSAT)

10. 11.

Necessary and Proper Clause: Elastic Clause; grants Congress the power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, Federalist #10: argument for scrapping the Articles and creating the Constitution a. Madison was worried that the majority faction would take over the minority faction = Tyranny of the Majority i. Suggests creating a republican form of government b/c he wanted a lot of representatives so a lot of interests would be represented 1. Split the power to prevent tyranny Federalism: The structural relationship between a national government and its constitutive a. b. c. d. e. Mix of unitary (centralization) & confederal (decentralization) Voters elect to both govts and each has autonomy Prevents tyranny Disperses power Central govt to handle national issues

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states.

f. Stronger national military defense g. Allows for groups that are out of power to stay alive h. Laboratories of democracy: test out democracy at lower levels first to see if it works.

13. 14. 15. 16. a. 17.

Full Faith and Credit Clause: says that states are meant to uphold and respect laws/regulations of Devolution: giving the state government more power Centralization: giving more power to the national government Dual federalism: constitution creates a separation between the national and state government Layer Cake federalism reserve clause

other states.

Cooperative Federalism: responsibilities for most governmental functions are interdependent, shared between the federal and state governments. a. Marble Cake Federalism Necessary & Proper/Supremacy

18. 19. 20. 21. 22.

regulations

Commerce Clause: empowers congress to regulate interstate trade Supremacy Clause says that states cant make laws that conflict with national laws Articles of Confederation: The countrys first constitution, ratified March, 1781.

Block grants: Fixed-sum federal grants allocated by formula giving state and local governments broad leeway in designing and implementing designated programs. Categorical grants: grants given to states to carry out program but only if program meets national a. Used to entice state governments to comply

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Voting Rights Acts of 1965- empowers national government to send in people to go into areas in which negative voting practices are being carried out Unfunded mandate: Programs that the federal government requires states to implement without federal funding. Chapter 3:

25.

At-large elections: Many elections for local government such as city councils or county council (or commissions) are often contested such that every voter in the jurisdiction votes on every council position up for election. a. Voters cast one vote per position being contested. b. Rather than representing a specific geographic area within the jurisdiction, elected officials represent the entire jurisdiction. c. At-large elections can allow a cohesive majority group to sweep every position.

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Clean money / public finance of campaigns: Some states provide public funds for candidates seeking political office if they agree to limits on the contributions they receive from private sources. Efficacy: idea that your vote matters a. Personal efficacy: are you able to make a difference with your voter b. External efficacy: is the govt listening to you c. Low efficacy = less likely to vote Participation bias: difference between those who participate and those who do not Suffrage: right to vote

28. 29.

a. Early years: constitution didnt specify voter qualifications left it up to states

i. Most only allowed property-owning white-males over 21 to vote 30. 31. 32. 33.
15th amendment: (1870) removes race as qualification for voting a. removes literacy tests 19th amendment: (1920) gave women right to vote 26th amendment: (1971) eliminates raising the minimum voting age to no higher than 18. Civil Rights Act of 1964: a. enforced the right to vote b. extended federal protection against discrimination in public accommodations c. outlawed job discrimination Voting Rights Act of 1965: designed to remove racial barriers to voting. a. Gave federal govt authority to enforce the right to register and vote and allowed federal observers to monitor elections. b. Federal govt can take control of local voter registration agencies away from racist state/local govt Voting age population: All U.S. residents over the age 18 and over.

34.

35. 36. 37. 38.

a. b. c. d.

Motor Voter Act of 1995: expand voter registration to drivers license bureaus, public assistance and by mail Voting eligible population: All U.S. citizens age 18 and over, who are not excluded from voter eligibility due to criminal status, or excluded due to being declared being incompetent to vote. Voter registration: significant differences across states Federal law requires states allow registration at least as close as 30 days to a federal election Election day registration = highest turnout Unregistered voting Registration responsibility of citizen

39.

Winner-take-all: plurality; Single candidate winning the most votes represents a specific geographical area a. Tend to produce 2 party systems i. b/c nothing to be won for candidates from parties that always place 3rd/4th people dont want to waste their vote = only large parties survive

40.

Single-member district: districts when one person is elected a. Benefit minority populations b. Single-member at large = not good for minority Multi-member district:

41. 42. 43. 44.

Scheduling of elections: when local elections are held at odd times (not coinciding with national elections) = turnout is lower & participation bias is higher Gerrymandering: is the manipulation of electoral district boundaries for political gain a. Usually done under single-member

Soft money: donations made to state parties for party building activities to influence voters without being restrained by FEC rules a. No limits b. Corporation can give soft money to parties

45.

Hard money: money given directly to candidates/political parties to support the candidate in federal election

a. Extremely regulated i. Corporation cant give hard money directly to candidates

46.

Political Action Committee (PAC): A legal entity that allows like-minded individuals who belong to a corporation, labor union, or virtually any other organization to bundle their contributions and give them to candidates or political parties.

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a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h.

State election reforms: focus of making it more convenient for people to vote Easier registration Felon reinstatement Absentee voting Early voting Cumulative voting Voting by mail Redistricting reform Public access TV & websites (increase voter information and awareness

FEC: Federal Election Campaign Act regulates hard money for all federal elections a. Outlaws hard money donations by corporations, unions, banks, and foreign nationals b. Limits amounts of campaign contributions c. Requires disclosure of contributors and expenditures - McConnell v FEC (2003) upheld BCRA issue ad limits, disclosure requirements - Citizens United v. FEC (2010) deemed BCRA limits on corporate/union issue ad spending unconstitutional o Corporate/union speed protected by 1st amendment o But corporations/unions still cannot donate directly to campaigns Chapter 4: 49. Statutory initiative: amends a regular law or adds new law to the statute books a. statutory initiative measures have the same status of laws passed through the regular legislative process. b. easier for elected officials to amend/repeal than constitutional initiative laws

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50. a. b. 51. 52.

voters

Constitutional initiative: amends/adds new language to a states constitution can alter rules about a states political process more difficult for elected officials to amend/repeal than statutory initiatives

Direct initiative: a person/groups files a proposal with a state/local office collects signatures to qualify for a public vote voters approve/reject the proposal (24 states) Indirect initiative: suggests something to the legislature and if it is rejected then go straight to a. Person/group petitions legislature to consider a proposal i. Proposal considered if required # of signatures is gathered ii. If rejected goes to voters for approval

Initiative Process: 1. Draft proposal 2. Submit to state for title and summary 3. Circulate petition in fixed time period 4. State verifies signatures to determine ballot placement States vary on: - Time for petition circulation - Proportion of signatures required - Geographic limits

53.

Legislative referendum: Legislation approved by the legislature put on ballot for voters for final approval. a. Some legislation (constitutional amendments/bond issues) must be referred to voters for final approval

b. Used by all states in one form or another

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Popular referendum: a person/group files a petition (requiring a certain number of signatures) to have a public vote on a bill or amendment already passed by the legislature (24 states) Gun Behind the Door: direct democracy can serve as a threat to let public/voters decide policy and could result in something legislatures dont want to pass. a. Compels legislatures to respect publics wishes

56.

Educative Effects:

a. Presence of initiatives/referendums on the ballot increases:

i. ii. iii. iv. Voter turnout Citizen awareness/engagement Interest group participation Citizen trust in government

57. a. 58. a.

Recall: removing an elected official from office before their term is up Person/group files petition to hold public vote to remove office (need enough signatures) Populist Party: A third American political party that had its greatest success in the 1890s. called for political reforms including: i. direct democracy ii. direct election of the US Senate iii. direct election of the President iv. direct voter control candidate nominations v. direct primary elections vi. income tax vii. initiative viii. recall ix. referendum

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Direct democracy: all citizens participate personally in making govt decisions a. Most states it is limited to legislative referendums Representative democracy: indirect form of democracy in which the people elect officials to represent/make decisions on their behalf.

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lumping)

Single subject rule: most states require initiatives/referendums to focus on one subject (prohibit

61.

Wedge issues: Controversial issues placed for a public vote via the initiative or referendum process by one political party or group, with the goal of dividing candidates and supporters of a rival party or group. 62. Spillover effects: a. Presence of initiatives/referendums on the ballot: i. Primes voters perceptions of candidates ii. Frames candidate campaigns iii. Often creates wedge issues used by parties & candidates Chapter 5:

63.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002: (BCRA) banned federal political parties from using soft money for federal election activity, but also restricted some activities of state and local parties. a. Bans use of soft money on ads instructing voters on candidate choice b. Increase limit of contributions to $2,000 per candidate per election cycle, adjust for inflation in future c. Bans corporate & union-funded election ads within 30 days of primary and 50 days of general election

64.

Functional party model: party & leaders are rational & will do whatever they need to do to

accomplish their goal i. Goal: control the govt 1. Will do whatever it takes to control govt = winning elections even if it compromises some of their beliefs. b. Party leaders = rational, self-interested c. More realistic (used in US) d. Tend to downplay controversial parts of their platforms

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Responsible party model: (Burke)

a. Ideological consistency consistent issue to issue & member to member

i. Everyone in party stands for similar/same beliefs/practices 1. Example: liberal = concerned with govt regulation of economy; not social aspects Conservative = vice versa Clear platform Offer distinct choice Voters choose the party whose promises fits their own beliefs Hold elected officials responsible Promote general interest of the public

b. c. d. e. f.

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Regulating Political Parties as Quasi-Public Entities: a. Quasi-public entities: not only regulated by the states but also carry out official functions conferred upon them by the states b. Every state can establish own laws that regulate voting and political party status c. Court has upheld associational rights of major parties i. Also reaffirmed rights of states to regulate parties to maintain/preserve political stability. Nominations: parties have broad discretion when selecting their candidates a. State legislatures regulate timing/manner of elections

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Caucus: party members informally meet, deliberate, and cast a vote for their preferred candidate. a. Less common than primaries b. Cons: Discourages participation b/c much harder to attend caucus than primary c. Pros: more knowledgeable/politically involved voters selecting candidates

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Closed primary: can only vote in partys primary if you are registered to that party Open primary: dont have to be a registered to that party to voter

Semi-closed primary: can vote in partys primary if registered party member and independents

Semi-open primary: Registered voters may vote in any partys primary, but they must publicly declare for which partys primary they choose to vote.

72.

Blanket primary: top 2 vote getters get the nomination a. Could result in 2 members from same party going against eachother in general election b. Runoff: if the winning candidate does not garner over 50% of the vote (8 states) Ballot access: states have broad discretion a. Democrats & republicans typically automatic b. Minor party candidates typically make it by: i. Gathering petition signatures (FL) ii. Registering voters iii. Achieving a certain percentage of the vote c. Supreme court has upheld double standard

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Party fusion: permits 2 or more parties to nominate the same candidate for office

a. candidates name appears on ballot next to each party he/she cross-endorsed. b. Used regularly in late 19th century by issue-oriented third parties
c. 10 states still allow only frequently used in AR & NY

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Party identification: the strength of an individuals attachment to a party a. Usually forms in adulthood b. Largely dependent on ones family Patronage appointments: Favors/benefits that elected officials provide their supporters 19th century party machines used city jobs as one source of patronage to reward loyal supporters

76. a. 77. 78.

labels

Soft money: Campaign funds not regulated by federal election laws, originally intended to be used for party-building and state and local general electioneering activities. Party-in-the-electorate: ordinary citizens (voters/non-voters) who identify themselves with party

79. 80.

Party-in-government: candidates and officeholders elected under the party label

a. Hold member accountable to party platform

Party organization: network of elected/appointed officials, staffers, committees, and volunteers a. National committee handles national elections b. State party organizations vary considerably, but most at least consist of: i. Central committee ii. Congressional district committees iii. County committees iv. Ward/precinct committees Chapter 6: Interest Groups: group that shares common goals & join in a collective attempt to influence the electoral and policy-making process in pursuit of their own agendas. Apply pressure on officials Educate officials Push for new public policy Urge for defeat of existing programs governmental watchdogs * advocacy groups increased in 1960s & 1970s * liberal: 60s-70s conservative: 70s-80s

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b. c. d. e. f.

Electioneering: Explicitly supporting or opposing candidates/political parties

a. recruiting/endorsing candidates, phone banking, canvassing, and advertising

Work for campaigns Donate money to campaigns Provide data, mailing lists to campaigns Pool money with PACs State campaign finance rules tend to dictate the techniques used by interest groups Disturbance theory: when common interests are threatened, people join together in response Issue advocacy: Political speech about issues, as opposed to endorsing candidates

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a. Boycotts, sit-ins, rallies, marches b. Earn media coverage with newsworthy events c. Grassroots mobilization and Astroturf campaigns i. Astrourf when a group makes it seem like a lot of people are interested in issue but really not (flood with e-mails) d. Ballot measures, especially the direct initiative e. States regulate issue advocacy differently

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Free-rider problem: people that arent part of interest groups but still benefit from accomplishments a. Combated by providing selective benefits to members i. Selective benefits discounts, provide lawyer, t-shirts, newsletter, bumper stickers

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Litigation: Groups bring lawsuits to benefit members easier, less expensive, and more effective than paying lobbyists or financing campaigns NAACP and Brown v. Board of Education Pro-choice groups and Roe v. Wade Lobbying: Pressuring govt officials to make decisions that benefit the group monitor legislation, provide info. To those in govt
States o o o o o vary on: Type of lobbying that is regulated Registration and disclosure requirements Investigate commissions cooling off periods make you take a certain period time off between jobs contingent payment of lobbyists payment for services instead of outcomes eliminates incentive to do whatever it takes to get it passed o acceptance of gifts

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87. 88.

Mobilization of bias: people that tend to join groups are rich, educated leads to them representing their own interests leads to a bias in their favor Pluralism: conflict is at the heart of politics diversity of interests (all represented) will lead to consensual outcomes through discussion and debate.

a. 89.

Participation bias: groups recruit potential members with personal financial resources and higher levels of education a. Overrepresentation of the wealthy