Understanding U.S. Political Terms and Landmark Cases
Key Concepts in U.S. Politics and Government
Essential Political Terminology
Clothespin Vote
Ideological
A set of opinions or beliefs held by a group or an individual.Prospective Voting
Voting for a candidate based on their proposed ideas for addressing future issues (forward-looking).Retrospective Voting
Voting for or against a candidate or party based on their past performance in office (looking back).Coattails Effect
The tendency of lesser-known or weaker candidates to benefit in an election due to the presence of a more popular candidate on the same ballot.U.S. Government and Constitutional Principles
Presidential Action on Legislation
Question: What happens to a bill if the President does not approve it within ten days while Congress is in session?
Answer: It becomes law.
Peacetime Draft Institution
Question: When did the United States first institute a peacetime draft?
Answer: 1940.
Presidential Election Advocacy
Question: Which Framer advocated for the direct election of the President by the people?
Answer: James Madison.
Landmark Campaign Finance Supreme Court Cases
McCutcheon v. FEC (2014)
Ruled that aggregate campaign contribution limits violate the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment.Citizens United v. FEC (2010)
Held that political spending is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment, preventing the government from restricting independent political expenditures by corporations and unions.McConnell v. FEC (2003)
Upheld the constitutionality of most provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA), also known as the McCain-Feingold Act.Buckley v. Valeo (1976)
Ruled that limits on campaign spending, specifically independent expenditures, violate the First Amendment, affirming that individuals have the right to spend as much as they want on a candidate.FEC v. Wisconsin Right to Life (2007)
Held that issue ads cannot be banned in the months preceding a primary or general election, protecting them under the First Amendment.Social Programs and Political Theories
Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
Question: What is AFDC and how does it apply to people?
Answer: Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) was a federal assistance program that provided financial aid to families with dependent children, primarily single-parent households, before being replaced by TANF in 1996.