Public Opinion and Polling

Question 1

Define:

public opinion

Answer 1

Public opinion is the collective view of the vast majority of the population on a given issue or policy.

Question 2

What is the most reliable gauge of public opinion?

Answer 2

The most reliable gauge of public opinion is a poll, especially because it reaches out to members of the public whose opinions otherwise may not be known.

Question 3

Define:

sampling

Answer 3

Sampling refers to the choosing of poll takers at random.

Question 4

What is a sample size?

Answer 4

A sample size refers to the number of persons surveyed by the poll. The larger a sample size, the more accurate the poll.

Question 5

What is a sampling error?

Answer 5

A sampling error is a mathematical calculation for how close the results of a poll are to the characteristics of the full population that is the subject of the sample. Sampling errors are usually reported as a plus or minus number: e.g. +/- 2%.

Polls with high sampling errors are less reliable than polls with lower sampling errors.

Question 6

Define:

ideology

Answer 6

Idealogy is a belief system that determines one’s opinion on the role of government and politics.

Question 7

What is a reactionary?

Answer 7

A reactionary is one who advocates a return to a previous state of affairs. As an example, an American reactionary may argue that Social Security should be abolished.

On the spectrum of American political opinion, reactionaries are on the far right.

Question 8

What general belief systems do conservatives have about the role of government?

Answer 8

Conservatives view government action with suspicion. As such, they argue for limits on government’s size. Conservatives also believe in slower, more gradual change and an emphasis on government’s primary role in assuring national security.

Most conservatives identify with the Republican Party.

Question 9

Where do moderates fall on the political scale?

Answer 9

Moderates fall midway between conservatives and liberals and usually identify with positions from both camps. In political elections, moderates are typically independent and become the target of appeals from both democratic and republican candidates.

Question 10

Define:

liberals

Answer 10

Liberals typically promote a more expansive government, believing that the government should be involved to effect social and political change. Most liberals identify with the Democratic Party.

Question 11

What is a radical?

Answer 11

A radical advocates extreme changes to political and societal systems and may often suggest violence as the means to accomplish this change.