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Key Terms in U.S. Politics

Political Science9 CardsCreated 4 months ago

This deck covers essential concepts and terms related to U.S. politics, focusing on voting theories, districting, and interest groups.

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retrospective voting

A theory of voting in which voters essentially ask this simple question: 'What have you done for me lately?'

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Key Terms

Term
Definition

retrospective voting

A theory of voting in which voters essentially ask this simple question: 'What have you done for me lately?'

prospective voting

Voting based on what a candidate pledges to do in the future about an issue if elected.

gerrymandering

The drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party, group, or incumbent.

reapportionment

The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years on the basis of the results of the census.

interest groups

Organization of people who share political, social or other goals; and agree to try to influence public policy to achieve those goals.

types of interest groups

Economic, single issue, public interest, foreign policy, public sector, trade associations, labor unions, professional associations, economic, envi...

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Key Terms in U.S. Politics
TermDefinition

retrospective voting

A theory of voting in which voters essentially ask this simple question: 'What have you done for me lately?'

prospective voting

Voting based on what a candidate pledges to do in the future about an issue if elected.

gerrymandering

The drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party, group, or incumbent.

reapportionment

The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years on the basis of the results of the census.

interest groups

Organization of people who share political, social or other goals; and agree to try to influence public policy to achieve those goals.

types of interest groups

Economic, single issue, public interest, foreign policy, public sector, trade associations, labor unions, professional associations, economic, environmental, public interest, single interest, common characteristics, and foreign government.

valence issues

An issue on which almost everyone agrees; focus of presidential candidates to be on the right side of these issues; they might try to imply that they are 'more patriotic' than their competitor or 'more against terrorism' because everyone wants to be in the same position on these issues.

position issues

An issue about which the public is divided and rival candidates or political parties adopt different policy positions.

marginal districts

Political districts in which candidates elected to the house of representatives win in close elections, typically by less than 55 percent of the vote.