Competency 3.3 - identify the effects of voter behavior, political parties, interest groups, public opinion, and mass media on the electoral process in the United States

Question 1

political party

Answer 1

an organization comprised of people who hold similar ideas about government and seek to influence government by electing its members to public office

Question 2

federalist party

Answer 2

led by Alexander Hamilton, this political party favored a “loose construction” approach to the interpretation of the constitution, advocating a strong federal government with the power to assume any duties not prohibited or clarified in the constitution

Question 3

democratic-republican party

Answer 3

led by Thomas Jefferson, this political party took a “strict constructionist” approach, interpreting the constitution as it is, or in a narrow, limited sense; sympathetic to the needs of the “common man,” this party was mistrustful of powerful centralized government

Question 4

whig party

Answer 4

organized from remnants of the failed Federalist party and National Republicans party, this political party opposed the Jacksonian Democrats

Question 5

third parties

Answer 5

political parties that fall outside the two main parties

Question 6

prohibition party

Answer 6

this political party successfully advocated for the prohibition of alcohol in the 18th amendment (later repealed)

Question 7

populist party

Answer 7

third party that championed the causes of the farmers and workers, impacting mainstream parties with its reform agenda

Question 8

initiative petition

Answer 8

a mechanism that allows voters to put proposed legislation on the ballot; a populist party innovation

Question 9

splinter party

Answer 9

a political party that breaks away from an established party, such as the Bull Moose party from the Republican party

Question 10

green party

Answer 10

third party that champions environmental causes

Question 11

republicans (modern)

Answer 11

modern-day political party divided from the Whigs due to slavery issues; these supporters were pro-slavery

Question 12

democrats (modern)

Answer 12

modern-day political party that came together to halt the spread of slavery

Question 13

primary elections

Answer 13

allows voters ro express their preference for candidates to a major election

Question 14

precinct

Answer 14

the fundamental unit of organization of a political party, usually has a captain or commitee handle routine chores such as voter registration and organizing party meetings

Question 15

national party committee

Answer 15

the largest and most visible political precinct, this group writes party platforms, raise money to finance political activity, amd carry out the election campaign

Question 16

platforms

Answer 16

a summary of positions on major issues of focus for a political party

Question 17

political socialization

Answer 17

the process by which individuals form their political allegiances

Question 18

politicsl culture

Answer 18

the culture that develops as a result of political socialization

Question 19

cleavage

Answer 19

divides in a political party; factors that cauae this could include family ties, race/ethnicity, sex/gender, socioeconomic class, religion, education, region, or even differing opinions about any of the above

Question 20

ideologies

Answer 20

firm and consistent beliefs with respect to political, economic, and social issues

Question 21

liberal

Answer 21

although difficult to define precisely, this political ideology tends to favor change and views the government as a tool to support and increase quality of life

Question 22

conservative

Answer 22

although difficult to define precisely, this political ideology views both change and government with suspicion, emphasizing individual initiative and local solutions to problems

Question 23

interest groups

Answer 23

these groups constantly work to pressure political leaders into creating (or destroying) legislation that benefits the group

Question 24

lobbyists

Answer 24

individuals who try to influence legislation on behalf of an interest group or special interest

Question 25

imformal interest group

Answer 25

interest group with no clear structure or organization, such as 1963’s “March of the Poor” in Washington DC

Question 26

formal interest group

Answer 26

interest group that is permanent in nature, usually with clearly defined political objectives, such as the National Rifle Association (NRA)

Question 27

iron triangle

Answer 27

symbiotic relationship among congress, federal agencies, and lobbyists: lobbyists provide legislators with reports and statistics to persuade them of the legitimacy of the respective positions; federal agents use lobbyists and connections to influence legislation for continuation of funding; congressional leaders receive agency support for the continuation/implementation of certain policies

Question 28

political action committee

Answer 28

a particularly controversial pressure group formed in the 70s in attempt to circumvent legislation contributions to political campaigns

Question 29

public opinion

Answer 29

refers to the attitudes and preferences expressed by a significant number of individuals about an issue that involves the government or society at large; it is important to note that it does not represent the sentiments of all or even most citizens

Question 30

absentee ballots

Answer 30

designed to raise total number of voters, this allows citizens to mail in a ballot if they are unavailable to vote in person

Question 31

motor-voter bill

Answer 31

designed to raise total number of voters, this allowed citizens to refister to vote at their local registries for motor vehicles