Unit 2: Political Beliefs and Behaviors

Question 1

Political Culture

Answer 1

the collective attitudes, values, and beliefs of the citizenry and the norms of behavior in the political system.

Question 2

Political Socialization

Answer 2

the process by which personal and background traits influence one’s views about politics and government.

Question 3

Political Polarization

Answer 3

the divergence of political attitudes away from the center, towards ideological extremes.

Question 4

Liberal

Answer 4

democrats
- support gov. regulation of market
- higher taxes
- more government action

Question 5

Conservative

Answer 5

republicans
- support less gov. regulation of market
- lower taxes
- more self reliance and individualism

Question 6

Public Opinion

Answer 6

a scientific measure of how people feel about the government and the decisions they make at any given time.

Question 7

Public Opinion Poll

Answer 7

interviews or surveys with samples of citizens that are used to estimate the feelings & beliefs of the entire population.

Question 8

Sampling Error

Answer 8

room for error within data

Question 9

Political (cross-cutting) Cleavages

Answer 9

divisions within society that cut across demographic categories to produce groups that are more different. created by contradictory demographics. some have more influence.

Question 10

Exit Poll

Answer 10

random polling as voters exit the polls on voting day.

Question 11

Linkage Institutions

Answer 11

channels that allow individuals to communicate their preferences to policy makers.
- political parties
- interest groups
- elections
- PACs
- media

Question 12

Political Party

Answer 12

made up of individuals who organize to win elections, operate government, and influence public policy.

Question 13

Party Realignment/Critical Election

Answer 13

occurs when the minor party becomes stronger then the majority party

Question 14

Party Platform

Answer 14

formal set of principle goals which are supported by a political party or individual candidate, in order to appeal to the general public.

Question 15

Party Dealignment

Answer 15

occurs when no single party is dominant (controls congress and sc) or when voters declare themselves as independents.

Question 16

Political Efficacy

Answer 16

feeling that political and social change is possible and that the individual citizen can play a part in bringing about this change.

Question 17

Primary

Answer 17

• an election to choose delegates who later choose the candidate
• open (anyone can vote) vs closed (must register with party - only party members can vote)

Question 18

Caucus

Answer 18

• private meeting of party leaders to select delegates backing one or another candidates. - - way to nominate candidates
• political efficacy needs to be high to be effective
• delegates: local party leaders chosen during primaries/caucuses

Question 19

Interest Group

Answer 19

a group of people that seeks to influence public policy on the basis of a particular common interest or concern.

Question 20

Mass Media

Answer 20

-national press (NBC, CBS, ABC, New York Times, etc).
- cable news
- social media

Question 21

Equal Time Rule

Answer 21

american radio and television broadcast stations must provide equivalent access to competing political candidates.

Question 22

Split Ticket Voting

Answer 22

voting for candidates of different parties or various offices in the same election.

Question 23

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Answer 23

removed/banned racial discrimination and barriers to voting. gave government the ability to manage state elections if the state had a history of racist practices.

Question 24

Motor Voter Act of 1993

Answer 24

allows citizens to register to vote when getting/renewing driver’s license at the dmv. did not significantly increase voter turnout. unfunded mandate.

Question 25

Liberatarian

Answer 25

• want little or no government
• demand policies
• smaller government and fewer taxes

Question 26

Communitarian

Answer 26

• no government

Question 27

Progressive

Answer 27

a person advocating or implementing social reform or new, liberal ideas.

Question 28

Populist

Answer 28

a person, especially a politician, who strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.

Question 29

Social Demographics

Answer 29

characteristics of a population

Question 30

Marketplace Regulation Policies

Answer 30

the rules and regulations of the national securities exchange on which any class of Common Stock are listed or admitted to trading.

Question 31

Federal Reserve

Answer 31

the central bank of the United States

Question 32

Globalization

Answer 32

businesses or other organizations developing international influence or start operating on an international scale.

Question 33

Equality of Opportunity

Answer 33

equality of opportunity but not result
- equal chance at getting ahead
- inequality in earnings

Question 34

Retrospective Voting

Answer 34

votes based on past performance (often based on economy)

Question 35

Party-Line Voting

Answer 35

Voting for your party

Question 36

Rational Choice

Answer 36

based on voters’ evaluations of the performance or capabilities of the candidate.

Question 37

Prospective Voting

Answer 37

look forward to oncer candidate is in office (often with open seat)

Question 38

15th amendment

Answer 38

gave african american men the right to vote.

Question 39

17th amendment

Answer 39

allowed for the direct election of us senates.

Question 40

19th amendment

Answer 40

gave women the right to vote.

Question 41

24th amendment

Answer 41

eliminated poll tax.

Question 42

26th amendment

Answer 42

allowed 18 and up to vote.