Flashcards (9/16-9/27) - Midterm Review
Questions
Answers
How does political ideology influence views on economic regulation?
Political ideology influences views on the proper role of government in regulating the economy.
How do liberals and conservatives generally differ on government intervention in the economy?
Liberals generally support more government intervention in the economy than conservatives.
What is the typical conservative stance on taxes and government spending?
Conservatives typically advocate for lower taxes and less government spending.
How do political parties differ in their approach to social issues?
Political parties often have differing views on the role of government in addressing social issues.
How can economic conditions affect public opinion on economic issues?
Public opinion on economic issues can shift based on current economic conditions.
How does voter turnout in presidential elections compare to midterm elections?
Voter turnout tends to be higher in presidential elections compared to midterm elections.
How does educational attainment relate to political engagement?
Educational attainment is positively correlated with voter turnout and political engagement.
How do income levels relate to political preferences?
Income levels often correlate with political party preferences and ideology.
How do race and ethnicity factor into voting behavior?
Race and ethnicity can be significant factors in voting behavior and party affiliation.
What gender gaps exist in voting patterns?
Gender gaps exist in voting patterns and party identification.
How does religious affiliation influence political behavior?
Religious affiliation can influence political attitudes and voting behavior.
How do urban, suburban, and rural voters differ politically?
Urban, suburban, and rural voters often have different political priorities and voting patterns.
What activities does political participation encompass beyond voting?
Political participation encompasses a range of activities beyond voting, such as protesting and contacting elected officials.
How do interest groups aim to influence public policy?
Interest groups aim to influence public policy through various means, including lobbying and campaign contributions.
How does the two-party system in the U.S. affect third parties?
The two-party system in the United States makes it difficult for third parties to gain significant national influence.
What is the purpose of primary elections?
Primary elections serve to narrow the field of candidates within political parties.
How can gerrymandering affect elections?
Gerrymandering can affect the competitiveness of elections and representation.
What do campaign finance laws regulate?
Campaign finance laws regulate the role of money in elections.
How has social media impacted political campaigns?
Social media has become an increasingly important tool in political campaigns and communication.
What is the debate surrounding voter identification laws?
Voter identification laws are a contentious issue in debates over election security and voter access.
How have voting options expanded in many states?
Early voting and mail-in voting have expanded voting options in many states.
What does civic engagement involve?
Civic engagement includes activities aimed at addressing public concerns and promoting the quality of community life.
What is political efficacy?
Political efficacy refers to an individual’s belief in their ability to influence political processes.
What is political tolerance?
Political tolerance involves accepting the rights of others to express views different from one’s own.
What unique situation can occur in the Electoral College system?
The Electoral College system can result in a president winning the election without winning the popular vote.
How does federalism affect policy in the United States?
Federalism in the United States allows for policy variation among states.
What is the purpose of checks and balances in the U.S. government?
Checks and balances in the U.S. government system aim to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
How can the Constitution be amended?
The Constitution can be amended through a process involving both federal and state governments.
How can Supreme Court decisions affect public policy?
Supreme Court decisions can have significant impacts on public policy and social issues.
How do broad economic issues typically rank in public opinion polls?
Broad economic issues often rank as highly important in public opinion polls.
How can public opinion on economic issues affect policy?
Public opinion on economic issues can influence policy priorities.
How can the importance of issues in public opinion change between elections?
The relative importance of issues in public opinion can shift between election cycles.
What limitation do short-term polls have?
Short-term polls may not capture long-term trends in public opinion.
How do media often use polls in election coverage?
Media often use polls for horse-race coverage of elections.
What factors can increase public influence on policymakers?
Strong public opinion and competitive elections can increase public influence on policymakers.
What can create conflicts for policymakers regarding constituent preferences?
Party loyalty and leadership can sometimes conflict with constituent preferences for policymakers.
How do patriotic attitudes tend to change with age?
Patriotic attitudes tend to increase with age.
How do older generations generally view patriotic symbols?
Older generations are generally more traditional in their views of patriotic symbols.
How might different generations view themselves in terms of idealism?
Different generations may view themselves differently in terms of idealism.
How can voting patterns vary between generations?
Voting patterns can vary significantly between generations.
How do age and gender interact with party affiliation?
Age and gender can intersect with party affiliation in complex ways.
How can changing demographics affect political campaigns?
Changing demographics can shift the focus of political campaigns over time.
What are life cycle effects in politics?
Life cycle effects influence individuals’ political priorities throughout their lives.
What is political socialization?
Political socialization is the process by which individuals develop their political beliefs and attitudes.
What is generally considered the most important agent of political socialization?
Family is generally considered the most important agent of political socialization.
What role do schools play in political socialization?
Schools play a significant role in civic education and political socialization.
How does media exposure affect political opinions?
Media exposure influences political opinions and can contribute to political socialization.
How do peer groups impact political attitudes?
Peer groups can significantly impact political attitudes, especially among young people.
How can major historical events affect political attitudes?
Major historical events can shape the political attitudes of generations.
How do Democrats and Republicans generally differ in their view of political compromise?
Democrats are generally more supportive of political compromise than Republicans.
How do political parties typically prioritize issues?
Political parties often prioritize different issues based on their ideological positions.
What do party issue priorities reflect?
Party issue priorities reflect core ideological distinctions between Democrats and Republicans.
How do liberal policies typically approach government intervention?
Liberal policies typically support more government intervention in economic and social issues.
How can state-level policies affect voter participation?
State-level policies can create structural barriers to voter participation.
What role do family discussions play in political attitudes?
Family discussions play a significant role in political socialization.
How do core values influence politics in the United States?
Core values shape political behavior and culture in the United States.
What are two traditional American political values?
Individual freedom and equality of opportunity are traditional American political values.
What is a core value in American political culture?
Individualism is a core value in American political culture.
How has public trust in government institutions changed over time in the U.S.?
Public trust in government institutions has declined over time in the U.S.
What is the purpose of exit polls?
Exit polls are used to predict election results before official counts are complete.