Public Opinion Flashcards
One person’s opinion
Subjective info
A review of many points of view that is intended to be unbiased
Objective info
The aggregation of views shared by society on certain issues; helps govt leaders shape public policy
Public opinion
The choices the govt makes in reaction to issues and problems
Public policy
Who tries to shape public opinion by blog, testimony, or letters to the mayor?
Responsible citizens
People may vote for a candidate because he or she _________________
agrees with their general views, is the incumbent, shares their view on a single issue
Public opinion focuses on ____________?
Foreign policy, domestic, or local policy issues
In most cases _________ tend to vote based on the political affiliation of their ___________
Children, Parents
What is the process by which people acquire political beliefs?
Political socialization
Peoples opinions are influenced by
Family, friends, school, social characteristics, mass media, work, age, gender, race, and religion
_____________ is where we formally learn about govt, citizenship, and other values
School
Experiences in the __________ and __________ shape a person’s opinions
late teens and early twenties
The way media depicts ethnic groups in society can either create or discredit ____________
stereotypes
An individual’s feelings of effectiveness in politics
Political Efficacy
Lawmakers who come off as ___________, ____________, and _____________ are particularly effective in influencing opinions
sincere, personable, and intelligent
a set of basic values and beliefs about a nation and its govt that most citizens share
Political culture
Set of basic beliefs about life, culture, govt, and society
Ideology
Believe that the govt should actively promote health, education, and justice
Liberal
Believe in limiting the role of govt and that people should solve social problems
Conservative
group of people who share common goals and organize to influence govt; allow americans to be represented according to the economic, social, or occupational interests
Interest groups
Nominate candidates for office and try to win elections for control of the govt
Political parties
Survey of people scientifically selected to provide opinions about something
Public opinion survey
A way to determine public attitudes about issues or products
Scientific polling
What are the three keys to an accurate survey
The sample, random sample choice, and question wording
Freedom from bias and outside factors
Objectivity
Indicates a poll’s accuracy and is usually given as a percentage
Sample error or Margin of Error
Survey of a randomly selected percentage of voters that tells pollsters how people voted
Exit poll
Most interest groups are based on ___________, instead of geographical location
Common values
_______________ unite people with common attitudes from every region of the countries
National interest groups
Citizens communicate their ________ to govt leaders
wants
Interest group members come from __________
Upper Income Class
Speaks for smaller businesses
US Chamber of Commerce
The largest and most powerful labor organization
AFL-CIO
Directs the AFL-CIO’s political activity
Committee of Political Education
The oldest farm group
The Grange
The process of direct contact
Lobbying
Representatives of interest groups who do work involving direct contact
Lobbyists
Intended to close loopholes which allowed lobbyists to avoid registering with Congress
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995
Currently registered lobbyists must file ___________ reports with the Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Senate
Semiannual
Many lobbyists are either ___________ or ___________
former govt officials; Lawyers/public relations experts
Interest group that seeks military aid, economic aid, or favorable trade agreements
Foreign-interest groups
Organizations specifically designed to collect money and provide financial aid for political candidates
PACs
Acts that require a PAC to register with the govt six months before the election
Federal Election Campaign Act; Revenue Act
Issues regulations and advisory opinions that control PACs
Federal Election Commision
Limit to how much money PACs can give directly to election candidates
$5000
What does PAC stand for?
Political Action Committee
What is the biggest concern about PACs?
Financial Contributions
What does FEC stand for?
Federal Election Commission
