Chapter 10 Terms

Question 1

The sum of government’s goals and actions made in response to public issues.

Answer 1

Public Policy

Question 2

Opinions held by the public that the government responds to through the development of public policy.

Answer 2

Public Opinion

Question 3

A political philosophy that seeks through government action to change the political, economic, and social status quo and to encourage the development and well-being of the individual.

Answer 3

Liberalism

Question 4

A political philosophy that defends against major changes by the government to the political, economic, and social institutions of society, but rather seeks nonbureaucratic solutions to political issues

Answer 4

Conservatism

Question 5

A middle-of-the-road political philosophy that tends to use a pragmatic approach to political issues rather than principles of a firm ideology

Answer 5

Moderates

Question 6

The principles and activities that constitute a government’s public policy regarding issues within the nation.

Answer 6

Domestic Policy

Question 7

The principles and activities that constitute a nation’s public policy regarding issues abroad.

Answer 7

Foreign Policy

Question 8

Those issues the government decides to deal with.

Answer 8

Agenda

Question 9

Surveys of public thought on particular subjects.

Answer 9

Opinion Polls

Question 10

An accurate representation of the population involved in an opinion poll.

Answer 10

Representative Sample

Question 11

Do not attempt to use valid sampling techniques, but are conducted for a variety of purposes, especially to liven up boring news stories.

Answer 11

Straw Polls

Question 12

Also called pressure groups; a group of individuals that share like opinions on a political issue or group of issues and that unite in some organization to influence government officials and further their views

Answer 12

Interest Groups

Question 13

The largest labor union, has over thirteen million members in its affiliated unions; and despite declining membership, unions remain powerful voices in American politics.

Answer 13

AFL-CIO

Question 14

Concerned with a particular issue such as abortion or gun control.

Answer 14

Single-Interest Groups

Question 15

Tactics used by interest groups to influence public officials.

Answer 15

Lobbying

Question 16

Committees formed by special-interest groups that raise money and make contributions to specific individuals’ campaigns or causes.

Answer 16

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Question 17

“friend of the court”

Answer 17

Amicus Curiae

Question 18

The major forms of media (radio, television, newspapers, magazines, Internet) and the news organizations associated with them.

Answer 18

Mass Media

Question 19

A public service network created by the American cable television industry.

Answer 19

C-SPAN

Question 20

An international computer network originally developed by the U.S. Department of Defense as a means of decentralizing information.

Answer 20

Internet

Question 21

Principle that the government may not suppress a story prior to its publication

Answer 21

Prior Restrain

Question 22

Gives the media (as well as private individuals) broad powers to investigate files of the federal bureaucracy.

Answer 22

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Question 23

Laws protecting the journalist’s right to refuse to divulge the identity of a secret source.

Answer 23

Shield Laws

Question 24

Public opinion polls taken by various polling agencies as voters leave their polling place; used to predict election outcomes.

Answer 24

Exit Polls

Question 25

Published false statements that damage reputation or character.

Answer 25

Libel

Question 26

False verbally communicated statements which damage one’s reputation or character.

Answer 26

Slander

Question 27

Socially offensive communication not protected by the First Amendment.

Answer 27

Obscenity

Question 28

Radio and television stations are licensed and regulated by

Answer 28

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Question 29

Techniques used to select and manipulate information so that it may persuade or influence people effectively

Answer 29

Propaganda