Political Terms and Concepts Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the practice of awarding government jobs to political supporters as a reward for their loyalty called?

Spoils System

What is the term for a person who exposes wrongdoing within an organization, often within the government or a corporation?

Whistleblower

What type of political action committee can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections but cannot directly coordinate with candidates or parties?

Super PACs

What term describes a situation where a regulatory agency is dominated by the industries it is charged with regulating?

<p>Regulatory Capture</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an organized group of individuals with shared goals and ideologies that seeks to influence public policy by electing candidates to office?

<p>Political Party</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of government employees are hired based on merit rather than political affiliation?

<p>Civil Servants</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an organization that seeks to influence public policy to benefit its members or causes?

<p>Interest Group</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of court reviews decisions of lower courts to ensure proper application of the law?

<p>Appellate Courts</p> Signup and view all the answers

What describes the policy-making relationship between interest groups, congressional committees, and bureaucratic agencies?

<p>Iron Triangle</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a federal prosecutor who represents the United States in legal cases within a specific district?

<p>U.S. Attorney</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are informal, fluid networks of individuals and organizations focused on specific policy issues called?

<p>Issue Networks</p> Signup and view all the answers

What principle dictates that at least four U.S. Supreme Court justices must agree to grant a writ of certiorari for a case to be heard?

<p>The Rule of 4</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for efforts by local, state, or regional governments to influence federal policy?

<p>Intergovernmental Lobbying</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the power of courts to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional?

<p>Judicial Review</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are efforts by government officials to persuade interest groups or organizations to support government initiatives called?

<p>Reverse Lobbying</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for when judges interpret the Constitution or laws in a way that reflects their personal views or modern values?

<p>Judicial Activism</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the movement of individuals between government positions and jobs in the private sector, often in industries they once regulated called?

<p>Revolving Door</p> Signup and view all the answers

What describes when judges defer to the decisions of elected officials and avoid making policy decisions?

<p>Judicial Restraint</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which provision of the First Amendment prohibits the government from establishing an official religion?

<p>Establishment Clause</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of governmental restrictions on free speech are justified by the need to maintain public order and safety?

<p>Time, Place, and Manner Clause</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which provision of the First Amendment protects individuals' rights to practice their religion freely?

<p>Free Exercise Clause</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for manipulating the boundaries of electoral districts to favor one party or group?

<p>Gerrymandering</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term describes a person currently holding a political office?

<p>Incumbent</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a three-pronged test used by courts to determine if a government action violates the Establishment Clause?

<p>Lemon Test</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the number of judges on the U.S. Supreme Court?

<p>Nine</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many justices on the Supreme Court must agree to hear a case?

<p>Four</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of opinion is the official ruling of the court?

<p>Majority opinion</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of opinion is written by a justice who agrees with the majority but for different reasons?

<p>Concurring opinion</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of opinion is written by a justice who disagrees with the majority?

<p>Dissenting opinion</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of opinion is unsigned and written by the entire court?

<p>Per curiam opinion</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do cases typically reach the Supreme Court?

<p>Through appeals from lower courts</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of gerrymandering?

<p>Drawing electoral district boundaries to benefit a particular political party</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for government officials persuading interest groups to support initiatives?

<p>Reverse Lobbying</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for local and state governments lobbying for federal funds or policies?

<p>Intergovernmental Lobbying</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for former officials working as lobbyists in industries they once regulated or vice versa?

<p>Revolving Door</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three parts of an Iron Triangle?

<p>Congressional committees or subcommittees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the view of pluralists about the role of interest groups in democracy?

<p>Pluralists believe that multiple interest groups competing lead to balanced, democratic policy outcomes</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are two strengths of bureaucracy?

<p>Expertise and specialization, and consistency in enforcing laws and policies</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a pathology of bureaucracy?

<p>Transparency</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are three reasons for an increase in the size of the U.S. bureaucracy over time?

<p>Increased demands for government services, expansion of economic regulation, and new challenges like environmental protection and technological regulation</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are two advantages of the bureaucratic model?

<p>Efficiency in handling complex tasks, and specialization</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are three key players in the control of federal bureaucracy?

<p>Congress, the President, and the courts</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are two ways the public and interest groups can influence the bureaucracy?

<p>Applying pressure for changes, and ensuring agencies comply with the law</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is regulatory capture?

<p>Agencies prioritize the interests of industries they regulate over the public</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an Iron Triangle?

<p>A mutually beneficial relationship between agencies, Congress, and interest groups that perpetuates regulatory capture</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why has privatization become a trend in government?

<p>Efficiency and cost savings</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of federal bureaucracy?

<p>Private businesses</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the "principal-agent problem"?

<p>Conflict between the “principal” (e.g., Congress or the President) and the “agent” (bureaucrats), where the agent may not act in the principal’s best interests</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of trial courts?

<p>Hear cases for the first time and determine facts</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of appellate courts?

<p>Review decisions of trial courts for legal errors</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are state judges chosen in Michigan?

<p>Nonpartisan elections</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are federal judges appointed?

<p>Appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term of office for federal judges?

<p>Lifetime tenure, as long as they maintain &quot;good behavior&quot;</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the power of judicial review?

<p>Courts invalidate unconstitutional laws/actions</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of judicial review?

<p>Marbury v. Madison (1803)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between judicial activism and judicial restraint?

<p>Judicial activism interprets laws broadly to address societal issues, while judicial restraint defers to elected branches unless a clear constitutional violation exists</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a restraint on the power of the U.S. Supreme Court?

<p>Executive veto power</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a majority opinion, a concurring opinion, and a dissenting opinion?

<p>A majority opinion is the binding decision of the Court, a concurring opinion agrees with the outcome but for different reasons, and a dissenting opinion disagrees with the majority opinion</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might the Supreme Court hear a case?

<p>Conflicts in lower courts or national importance</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors can influence judicial decisions?

<p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a primary election and a general election?

<p>A primary election selects party nominees, while a general election elects candidates to office</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do incumbents often win re-election?

<p>Name recognition, access to campaign funds, and experience</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are midterm elections?

<p>Elections held between presidential terms</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the president's party often lose seats in midterm elections?

<p>Dissatisfaction with the president's performance</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are two types of campaign funding?

<p>PACs and SuperPACs</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between PACs and SuperPACs?

<p>PACs have limited contributions and must coordinate with candidates, while SuperPACs have unlimited spending but cannot coordinate with candidates</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are three key factors that determine presidential elections?

<p>Economy, media coverage, and campaign strategies</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of interest group?

<p>Political parties</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are four reasons why people join interest groups?

<p>Representation, advocacy, material benefits, and social reasons</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are two ways interest groups can lobby the judicial branch?

<p>Filing amicus curiae briefs and supporting lawsuits or litigation</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some reasons why third parties are weak in the U.S.?

<p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors can influence party identification?

<p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are two ways that party identification and public involvement shape political behavior?

<p>Voting behavior and civic engagement</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the different levels of party organization?

<p>National, state, and local</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is media framing?

<p>The way the media shapes public perception by emphasizing certain aspects of a story</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are two types of media?

<p>New media and traditional media</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where do most people get their political news?

<p>Online sources, social media, and cable news</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors can influence the media's bias?

<p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is print media regulated in the United States?

<p>Minimal regulation due to the First Amendment</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is TV/Radio regulated in the United States?

<p>FCC oversees public airwaves</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause?

<p>The Establishment Clause prohibits government establishment of religion, while the Free Exercise Clause protects individuals' religious practices</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between the Everson and Zorach interpretations of the First Amendment?

<p>Everson emphasizes strict separation of church and state, while Zorach allows for some accommodation of religion</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three components of the Lemon Test?

<p>A law must have a secular purpose, not advance/inhibit religion, and avoid excessive government entanglement</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the Sherbert balancing test?

<p>Government must show a compelling interest to restrict religious practices</p> Signup and view all the answers

What Supreme Court case weakened the Sherbert balancing test?

<p>Employment Division v. Smith (1990)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Congress respond to the weakening of the Sherbert test by Employment Division v. Smith?

<p>Congress restored the Sherbert test through the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (1993)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Definitions

  • Spoils System: Awarding government jobs to political supporters as a reward for loyalty.
  • Primary Elections: Used to select a party's candidate for the general election.
  • General Elections: Voters choose between candidates from different parties to fill a government position.
  • Whistleblower: Someone who reveals wrongdoing within an organization, often in government or corporations.
  • Super PACs: Political action committees that raise and spend unlimited money to influence elections, but cannot coordinate with candidates or parties.
  • Regulatory Capture: When a regulatory agency is dominated by the industries it oversees.
  • Political Party: Organized group of individuals sharing goals and ideology, seeking to influence public policy through elections.
  • Civil Servants: Government employees hired based on merit, not political affiliation.
  • Interest Group: Organization seeking to influence public policy to benefit members or causes.
  • Appellate Courts: Review lower court decisions to ensure proper application of law.
  • Iron Triangle: Relationship between interest groups, congressional committees, and bureaucracy, impacting policymaking.
  • U.S. Attorney: Federal prosecutor representing the U.S. in legal cases within a specific district.
  • Issue Networks: Informal, fluid groups of individuals and organizations focused on specific policy issues.
  • Rule of 4: At least four U.S. Supreme Court justices must agree to hear a case.
  • Intergovernmental Lobbying: Efforts by local, state, or regional governments to influence federal policies.
  • Judicial Review: Power of courts to decide if laws or actions are constitutional.

Additional Concepts

  • Reverse Lobbying: Government officials persuading interest groups to support initiatives.
  • Judicial Activism: Judges interpret laws broadly to address societal issues.
  • Judicial Restraint: Judges defer to elected branches unless clear constitutional violations exist.
  • Establishment Clause: Government cannot establish an official religion.
  • Time, Place, and Manner Clause: Government can restrict free speech to maintain public order and safety.
  • Free Exercise Clause: Citizens can practice their religion freely.
  • Gerrymandering: Manipulating electoral district boundaries to favour a political party.
  • Incumbent: Person currently holding a political office.
  • Lemon Test: Used to determine if a government action violates the Establishment Clause.

Cases and Concepts

  • Marbury v. Madison (1803): Established judicial review.
  • Sherbert Balancing Test: Balancing government compelling interests with religious practices.
  • Employment Division v. Smith (1990): Weakened the Sherbert balancing test, but Congress later restored it.
  • Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971): Established the Lemon Test regarding religion and government.
  • Everson v. Board of Education (1947) and Zorach v Clauson (1952): Important cases regarding separation of church and state.
  • Revolving Door: Movement of individuals between government and private sector roles.
  • Iron Triangle: Relationship between Congress, bureaucracy and interest groups in policymaking.

Additional Concepts

  • Pluralists vs. Hyperpluralists: Pluralists believe multiple groups lead to balanced policy, while hyperpluralists argue many competing groups cause gridlock.
  • Midterm Elections: Elections between presidential terms.
- PACs: Political Action Committees.

  • SuperPACs: Unlimited spending in elections but cannot coordinate with candidates.

  • Interest Groups: Organizations seeking to influence policy.

  • Lobbying: Influencing government decision-making.

  • Judicial Review: Power of Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of laws.
  • Types of Judicial Opinions: (Majority, Dissenting, Concurring, Per Curiam)
  • Factors Influencing Judicial Decisions: Precedent, personal ideology, public opinion, political environment, federal involvement.

Bureaucracy

  • Bureaucracy: Governmental structure with specialized functions and expertise.

  • Strengths (of Bureaucracy): Expertise, consistency in applying laws/policies.

  • Weaknesses/Pathologies: Red tape, bureaucratic inertia, duplication of effort, waste of resources, lack of flexibility.

  • Principal-Agent Problem: Conflict between those who hire and those who do the work.

  • Regulatory Capture: Regulatory agencies prioritizing industry interests.

  • Iron Triangle: Relationship between agencies, Congress, and interest groups.

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Description

Test your knowledge about key political terms and concepts in this engaging quiz. From the spoils system to super PACs, explore the vocabulary that shapes our government and electoral processes. Perfect for political science students or anyone interested in politics!

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