Final

Question 1

Public Opinion

Answer 1

The distribution of the population’s beliefs about politics and policy issues

Question 2

Census

Answer 2

An actual enumeration of the population, which the Constitution requires that the government conduct every 10 years. It’s a valuable tool for understanding demographic changes

Question 3

Minority Majority

Answer 3

The situation, likely beginning in the mid-twenty-first century, in which the non-Hispanic whites will represent a minority of the U.S. population and minority groups together will represent a majority

Question 4

Reapportionment

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Political Socialization

Answer 5

The process through which individuals in a society acquire political attitudes, views, and knowledge, based on inputs from family, schools, the media, and others

Question 6

Civil Disobedience

Answer 6

A form of political participation based on a conscious decision to break a law believed to be unjust and to suffer the consequences.

Question 7

Linkage Institution

Answer 7

The channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the government’s policy agenda. In the United States, linkage institutions include elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

Question 8

Patronage

Answer 8

One of the key inducements used by party machines. A patronage job, promotion, or contract is one that is given for political reasons rather than for merit or competence alone.

Question 9

Closed Primaries

Answer 9

Elections to select party nominees in which only people who have registered in advance with the party can vote for that party’s candidates, thus encouraging greater party loyalty.

Question 10

Party Realignment

Answer 10

The displacement of the majority party by the minority party, usually during a critical election period.

Question 11

Proportional Representation

Answer 11

An electoral system used throughout most of Europe that awards legislative seats to political parties in proportion to the number of votes won in an election.

Question 12

National Party Convention

Answer 12

The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party’s platform.

Question 13

Front loading

Answer 13

The recent tendency of states to hold primaries early in the calendar in order to capitalize on media attention.

Question 14

Party Platform

Answer 14

A political party’s statement of its goals and policies for the next four years. Drafted prior to the party convention by a committee whose members are chosen in rough proportion to each candidate’s strength. It’s the best formal statement of a party’s beliefs.

Question 15

Direct mail

Answer 15

A high-tech method of raising money for a political cause or candidates. It involves sending information and requests for money to people whose names appear on lists of those who have supported similar views or candidates in the past.

Question 16

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

Answer 16

Six-member bipartisan agency created by the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974- enforces and administers campaign finance laws.

Question 17

Initiative Petition

Answer 17

A process permitted in some states whereby voters may put proposed changes in the state constitution to a vote if sufficient signatures are obtained on petitions calling for such a referendum.

Question 18

Motor Voter Act

Answer 18

Requires states to permit people to register to vote at the same time they apply for their driver’s license. Passed in 1993, this act went into effect for the 1996 election.

Question 19

Policy Voting

Answer 19

Electoral choices that are made on basis of the voters’ policy preferences and on the basis of where the candidates stand on policy issues.

Question 20

Electoral College

Answer 20

A unique American institution, created by the Constitution, providing for the selection of the president by electors chosen by the state parties. Although its vote usually reflects a popular majority, the winner-take-all rules give clout to big states.

Question 21

Pluralist Theory

Answer 21

A theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies.

Question 22

Hyper-pluralist Theory

Answer 22

A theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened. Hyper-pluralism is an extreme, exaggerated, or perverted form of pluralism.

Question 23

Free-Rider Problem

Answer 23

The problem faced by unions and other groups when people do not join because they can benefit from the group’s activities without officially joining. The bigger the group, the more serious the problem.

Question 24

Amicus Curiae Briefs

Answer 24

Legal briefs submitted by a “friend of the court” for the purpose of raising additional points of view and presenting information not contained in the briefs of the formal parties. These briefs attempt to influence a court’s decision.

Question 25

Class Action Suits

Answer 25

Lawsuits permitting a small number of people to sure on behalf of all other people similarly situated.