2: Linkage Institutions

Question 1

Plurality election

Answer 1

Candidate receives more votes than others but less than half total

Question 2

Single-member districts

Answer 2

One person is chosen for each elected office, leads to two dominant parties

Question 3

Party era

Answer 3

Historical era dominated by one political party

Question 4

Critical election

Answer 4

Significant groups of voters change traditional party loyalty patterns

Question 5

Party realignment

Answer 5

Critical election causes, majority party displaces by minority fir new party era

Question 6

Divided government

Answer 6

One party controls presidency and another controls congress

Question 7

Interest groups

Answer 7

Influence public policy for their benefit, do not elect people to office

Question 8

Political action committee

Answer 8

Formed by interest group to raise money to contribute to campaign of candidates

Question 9

Free riders

Answer 9

Benefit from interest group without contribution

Question 10

Power elite theory

Answer 10

Small number of wealthy people, corporate interest groups, and large financial institutions dominate policy

Question 11

Pluralist theory

Answer 11

Interest groups compete for power in policy areas

Question 12

Hyperpluralist theory

Answer 12

Government policy is weakened/contradictory with competing interest groups

Question 13

Mass media

Answer 13

Newspaper, radio, etc can reach large, widely dispersed audiences

Question 14

Horse-race journalism

Answer 14

Media covers campaigns emphasizing how candidates stand in polls instead of issues

Question 15

Linkage institutions

Answer 15

Connect citizens to government

Question 16

Functions of parties

Answer 16

Recruit/nominate candidates, run campaigns, articulate issue position, critique party in powers’s policies, linkage institution

Question 17

Parties are linkage institutions by

Answer 17

Provide info about candidate to voters, mobilize voters, raise funds

Question 18

Strong consensus on core political values

Answer 18

Belief in freedom, political equality, individualism, equality under law, never had socialism, most are moderate

Question 19

Legal barriers to third parties

Answer 19

Democratic and republican names automatically on state ballot, minor parties require petitions to be placed

Question 20

The force of historic tradition

Answer 20

Two party since 1800, self perpetuating laws making it difficult for minor parties to be a major force

Question 21

Party eras in U.S. History

Answer 21

First, (1824) jackson and democrats (1856), republican (1928), FDR new deal coalition (1964), divided (present)

Question 22

Obstacles to minor party candidates

Answer 22

Winner take all format, cost, single member districts, no debates

Question 23

The importance and impact of minor parties

Answer 23

Push major parties to adopt ideas, strong views, spoiler role

Question 24

Ways interest groups link citizens to government

Answer 24

Express members’ preference to policymakers, convey government policy information to members, raise/spend money to influence

Question 25

Differences between interest groups & political parties

Answer 25

Parties: nominate, elections, control of government, wide range of issues, accountable to voters. Interest groups: support officials, influence policy, specific issues, accountable to members

Question 26

Types of interest groups

Answer 26

Business, labor, agricultural, professional, environmental, public interest, equality, single issue

Question 27

Interest group fundamental goals

Answer 27

Access policymakers, influence public policy, support sympathetic policy makers

Question 28

Lobbying congress

Answer 28

30,000 spend $2 billion, testifying, technical issue information, meet informally with congressional aides

Question 29

Lobbying executive branch

Answer 29

Present point of view to white house aides, created staff positions, access regulatory agencies

Question 30

Lobbying the courts

Answer 30

Fail with congress, amicus curiae brief, who is nominated

Question 31

Factors contributing to interest group success

Answer 31

Size, intensity, financial resources

Question 32

Mass media as linkage institution

Answer 32

Interview citizens, present poll results, cover protests, interview political leaders, report government committees/programs

Question 33

Agenda setting

Answer 33

Issues attracting serious attention of officials and media, draw public attention to particular issues

Question 34

Candidate-centered political campaigns

Answer 34

Replace speeches with sound bites, day to day activites, engage in horse race journalism, less centered on issues than candidates

Question 35

Political party

Answer 35

Citizens who organize to win elections, hold public offices, operate governments determine public policy