Public Opinion Flashcards
one person’s opinion
subjective infomation
reviews many points of view and is intended to be unbiased needs facts
objective infomation
the aggregation of views shared by a segment of society on issues of interest or concern
public opinion
the choices the government makes and the actions it takes in response to a issue
public policy
how can public opinion be viewed
- considering the public as a single centralized body
2. public is separate individual publics each with its own opinions
how can people express their opinion
web logs, letters to mayor, testifying at public hearings, that part in demonstrations
people express their opinion on subjects by
voting
how are people’s opinions influnced
by their family, friends, school, religion, work, age etc
the process by which people acquire political beliefs is called
political socialization
more than ____ of people will vote the same way their parents vote
2/3
where do we learn about government, citizenship, other values
school
provide political information and images that can directly influence political attitudes
media
refers to the individual feelings of effectiveness in politics
political efficacy
a set of basic values and beliefs about a nation and its government that most citizens share
political culture
how does the political culture affect public opinion the US
a context for info, screening info
public opinion focuses on
foreign policy, domestic, or local policy issues
basic belief about life, culture, govt, society
ideology
believe that the government should actively promote health education and justice
liberal
believes in limiting the role of govt except in supporting traditional moral values
conservative
what group falls between liberals and conservatives
moderates
support both economic and social freedoms like free market and unrestricted speech
libertarians
a group of people who share common goals and organize to influence govt
interest groups
in “the federalist” no. 10 james madison referred to ____ as groups of people united to promote special interest
factions
nominate candidates for office and try to win elections to gain control of govt
political parties
a survey of people scientifically selected to provide opinions about something
public opinion poll
a way to determine public attitude or preferences
scientifically polling
stated its margin of error or uncertainty level
reliable poll
refers to errors introduced by polling methods
bias
properly conducted polls produce
reliable accurate objective and bias free results
indicated a polls accuraticy
margin of error
surveys a randomly selected fraction of voters after they have voted and tells pollsters how people voted before the official vote count.
exit poll
is freedom from bias and outside factors, such as timing, that may influence results.
objectivity
unite people with common attitudes from every region of the country
national intrest groups
the largest and most powerful labor organization today
AFL-CIO
the largest agricultural interest group is the ___
American Farm Bureau Federation
oldest far group is the Patrons of Husbandry, known as the
Grange
help bridge the gap between the citizen and the government.
interest groups
The process of direct contact is called
lobbying
was intended to close loopholes that had enabled most lobbyist to avoid registering with congress
lobbying disclosure act of 1995
provide legislators with pamphlets reports stats and info
lobbyist
run television and magazine ads to dramatize pollution and its hazards
environmentalists
allow americans to be represented according to their economic social or occupational intrests
interest groups
the greatest concern about the power of interest groups has been their ____ ______ to political campains
financial contributions
________ __________ ________ are organizations specifically designed to collect money and provide finical support for political canidates
political action comittees
Under the _____ _____ _____ __ and revenue act of 1971 a PAC must register with the govt six months before an election
federal election campaign act of 1971
PACs can give ___ directly to each candidate per election
$5,000
must raise money from at least __ contributors and give to at least __ candidates in an election
50, 5
_____________ issues regulations and advisory opinions that control PAC activities
federal election commission
