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GOVT 2305 > UNIT 3 > Flashcards

UNIT 3 Flashcards

1
Q

Public Opinion

A

The aggregate of individual attitudes or beliefs shared by some portion of the adult population.

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2
Q

Consensus

A

General agreement among the citizenry on an issue.

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3
Q

Divisive Opinion

A

Public opinion that is polarized between two quite different positions.

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4
Q

Nonopinion

A

The lack of an opinion on an issue or policy among the majority

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5
Q

Political Socialization

A

The process bu which people acquire political beliefs and attitudes.

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6
Q

Peer Group

A

A group consisting of members sharing common social characteristics. These groups play an important role in the socialization process, helping to shape attitudes and beliefs.

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7
Q

Opinion Leader

A

One who is able to influence the opinions of others because of position, expertise, or personality.

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8
Q

Media

A

Channels of mass communication.

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9
Q

Agenda Setting

A

Determining which public policy questions will be debated or considered.

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10
Q

Life Cycle Effect

A

People change as they grow older because of age-specific experiences and thus people are likely to hold age-specific attitudes.

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11
Q

Generational Effect

A

A long-lasting effect of the events of a particular time on the political opinions of those who came of political age at that time.

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12
Q

Watergate Break-In

A

The 1972 illegal entry into the Democratic National Committee offices by participants in President Richard Nixon’s reelection campaign.

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13
Q

Socioeconomic Status

A

The value assigned to a person due to occupation or income. An upper-class person, for example, has high socioeconomic status.

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14
Q

Gender Gap

A

The difference between the percentage of women who vote for a particular candidate and the percentage of men who vote for the candidate.

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15
Q

Opinion Poll

A

A method of systematically questioning a small, selected sample of respondents who are deemed representative of the total population.

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16
Q

Straw Polls

A

A nonbinding vote, often used to gauge the opinion or will of a group prior to taking a formal, binding vote.

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17
Q

Sampling Error

A

The difference between a sample’s results and the true result if the entire population had been interviewed.

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18
Q

Political Trust

A

The degree to which individuals express trust in the government and political institutions, usually measured through a specific series of survey questions.

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19
Q

The transfer of political attitudes and beliefs

A

is more likely to occur from parents to children.

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20
Q

Opinion split along group lines is known as

A

an opinion gap

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21
Q

Most voters who identify themselves as independent nonetheless acknowledge that they lean toward one party or another.

A

True

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22
Q

Today, the following regions are more supportive of the Republicans than the Democrats

A

the South, the Great Plains, and the Rocky Mountain states.

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23
Q

The most important principle in sampling is

A

the random selection of respondents.

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24
Q

People in large cities tend to be liberal and Democratic while people in smaller communities tend to be conservative and Republican

A

True

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25
Q

Every media outlet that maintains a Web site allows anyone to submit his or her opinions.

A

True

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26
Q

Cell phone numbers are not included in random digit dialing programs or listed in telephone directories, limiting the ability of telephone polls to reach many people.

A

True

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27
Q

Interest Group

A

An organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policy makers.

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28
Q

Lobbyist

A

An organization or individual who attempts to influence legislation and the administrative decisions of government.

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29
Q

Social Movement

A

A movement that represents the demands of a large segment of the public for political, economic, or social change.

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30
Q

Latent Interests

A

Public-policy interests that are not recognized or addressed by a group at a particular time.

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31
Q

Free Rider Problem

A

The difficulty interest groups face in recruiting members when the benefits they achieve can be gained without joining the group.

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32
Q

Solidary Incentive

A

A reason or motive having to do with the desire to associate with others and to share with others a particular interest or hobby.

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33
Q

Material Incentive

A

A reason or motive having to do with economic benefits or opportunities.

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34
Q

Purposive Incentive

A

A reason for supporting or participating in the activities of a group that is based on agreement with the goals of the group. For example, someone with a strong interest in human rights might have a purposive incentive to join Amnesty International.

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35
Q

Labor Movement

A

Generally, the economic and political expression of working-class interests; politically, the organization of working class interests.

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36
Q

Service Sector

A

The sector of the economy that provides services–such as health care, banking, and education–in contrast to the sector that produces goods.

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37
Q

Public Interest

A

The best interests of the overall community; the national good, rather than the narrow interests of a particular group.

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38
Q

Direct Technique

A

An interest group activity that involves interaction with government officials to further the group’s goals.

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39
Q

Indirect Technique

A

A strategy employed by interest groups that uses third parties to influence government officials.

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40
Q

Climate Control

A

The use of public relations techniques to create favorable public opinion toward an interest group, industry, or corporation.

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41
Q

Boycott

A

A form of pressure or protest–an organized refusal to purchase a particular product or deal with a particular business.

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42
Q

A free rider is

A

someone who benefits from the actions of a group without joining it.

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43
Q

_____ is the ability of interest groups to mandate or defeat policies needed for the public good

A

Hyperpluralism

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44
Q

Most people who join AARP are doing so based upon

A

material incentives

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45
Q

International and multinational corporations spend millions of dollars each year on lobbying in the United States in an effort to create favorable business and trade conditions.

A

True

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46
Q

Interest Groups…

A

allow individuals opinions to appear more powerful as they join with other like-minded individuals and attempt to influence the course of governmental policy.

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47
Q

The benefit a person receives from the sense of belonging he or she gets from joining a group is known as a(n)

A

an organization that actively attempts to influence government policy.

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48
Q

Independent

A

A voter or candidate who does not identify with a political party

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49
Q

Political Party

A

A group of political activists who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy.

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50
Q

Faction

A

A group or bloc in legislature or political party acting in pursuit of some special interest or position.

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51
Q

Two-Party System

A

A political system in which only two parties have a reasonable chance of winning.

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52
Q

Era of Good Feelings

A

The years from 1817 to 1825, when James Monroe was president and there was, in effect, no political opposition.

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53
Q

Democratic Party

A

One of the two major American political parties evolving out of the Republican party of Thomas Jefferson.

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54
Q

Whig Party

A

A major party in the US during the first half of the 19th century, formally established in 1836. The Whig Party was anti-Jackson and represented a variety of regional interests.

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55
Q

Republican Party

A

One of the two major American political parties. It emerged in the 1850s as an antislavery party and consisted of former Northern Whigs and antislavery Democrats.

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56
Q

Reverse-Income Effect

A

A tendency for wealthier states or regions to favor the Democrats and for less wealthy states or regions to favor the Republicans. The effect appears paradoxical because it reverses traditional patterns of support.

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57
Q

Party-in-the-Electorate

A

Those members of the general public who identify with a political party or who express a preference for one party over another.

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58
Q

Party Organization

A

The formal structure and leadership of a political party, including election committees; local, state, and national executives; and paid professional staff.

59
Q

Party-in-Government

A

All of the elected and appointed officials who identify with a political party.

60
Q

National Convention

A

The meeting held every four years by each major party to select presidential and vice presidential candidates, to write a platform, to choose a national committee, and to conduct party business.

61
Q

Party Platform

A

A document drawn up at each national convention outlining the policies, positions, and principles of the party.

62
Q

National Committee

A

A standing committee of a national political party established to direct and coordinate party activities between national party conventions.

63
Q

State Central Committee

A

The principal organized structure of each political party within each state. This committee is responsible for carrying out policy decisions of the party’s state convention.

64
Q

Unit Rule

A

A rule by which all of a state’s electoral votes are cast for the presidential candidate receiving a plurality of the popular vote in that state.

65
Q

Patronage

A

Rewarding faithful party workers and followers with government employment and contracts.

66
Q

Divided Government

A

A situation in which one major political party controls the presidency and the other controls the chambers of Congress, or in which on party controls a state governorship and the other controls the state legislature.

67
Q

Ticket Splitting

A

Voting for candidates of two or more parties for different offices. For example, a voter splits her ticket if she votes for a Republican presidential candidate and a Democratic congressional candidate.

68
Q

Safe Seat

A

A district that returns the legislator with 55 percent of the vote or more.

69
Q

Pluarlity

A

A number of votes cast for a candidate that is greater than the number of votes for any other candidate but not necessarily a majority.

70
Q

Electoral College

A

A group of persons, called electors, who are selected by the voters in each state. This group officially elects the president and the vice president of the United States.

71
Q

Third Party

A

A political party other than the two major political parties (Republican and Democratic).

72
Q

Splinter Party

A

A new party formed by a dissident faction within a major political party. Often, splinter parties have emerged when a particular personality was at odds with the major party.

73
Q

Realignment

A

A process in which a substantial group of voters switches party allegiance, producing a long-term change in the political landscape.

74
Q

Dealignment

A

A decline in party loyalties that reduces long-term party commitment.

75
Q

Party Identification

A

Linking oneself to a particular political party.

76
Q

Straight-Ticket Voting

A

Voting exclusively for the candidates of one party

77
Q

Swing Voters

A

Voters who frequently swing their support from one party to another.

78
Q

Tipping

A

A phenomenon that occurs when a group that is becoming more numerous over time grows large enough to change the political balance in a district, state, or country.

79
Q

If parties were supported solely by public funding, it is likely that

A

additional political parties would come onto the scene in America.

80
Q

Progressivism was

A

a belief that honest, impartial government could effectively curb the growing power of large corporations.

81
Q

The populist movement

A

was largely absorbed by the Democratic Party in 1896.

82
Q

In the winner-take-all system

A

whoever gets the most votes wins.

83
Q

Voter Turnout

A

The percentage of citizens taking part in the election process, the number of eligible voters who actually “turn out” on election day to cast their ballots.

84
Q

Rational Ignorance Effect

A

An effect produced when people purposely and rationally decide not to become informed on an issue because they believe that their vote on the issue is not likely to be deciding one; a lack of incentive to seek the necessary information to cast an intelligent vote.

85
Q

Registration

A

The entry of a person’s name onto the list of registered voters for elections. To register, a person must meet certain legal requirements of age, citizenship, and residency.

86
Q

Australian Ballot

A

A secret ballot prepared, distributed, and tabulated by government officials at public expense. Since 1888, all US States have used the Australian ballot rather than an open, public ballot.

87
Q

Initiative, referendum, and recall measures often are on the ballot in

A

off-year elections, and turnout may be very small.

88
Q

Initiative is a form of direct democracy in which citizens can

A

bypass the legislative process

89
Q

In a recall election, voters can

A

remove elected officials from office.

90
Q

The only way that our nation could cease to use the Electoral College is through the process of constitutional amendment

A

True

91
Q

A party-column ballot is a form of general election ballot

A

in which the candidates are arranged in one column under their respective party.

92
Q

It may result in people casting their votes before meaningful debates and events.

A

Voting by mail; true.

93
Q

Presidential Primary

A

A statewide primary election of delegates to a political party’s national convention, held to determine a party’s presidential nominee.

94
Q

Superdelegate

A

A party leader or elected official who is given the right to vote at the party’s national convention. Superdelegates are not elected at the state level.

95
Q

Political Consultant

A

A paid professional hired to devise a campaign strategy and manage a campaign.

96
Q

Finance Chairperson

A

The campaign professional who directs fundraising, campaign spending, and compliance with campaign finance laws and reporting requirements.

97
Q

Pollster

A

The person or firm who conducts public opinion polls for the campaign.

98
Q

Communication Director

A

A professional specialist who plans the communications strategy and advertising campaign for the candidate.

99
Q

Press Secretary

A

The individual who interacts directly with the journalists covering the campaign

100
Q

Get Out The Vote (GOTV)

A

This phrase describes the multiple efforts expended by campaigns to get voters out to the polls on election day.

101
Q

Tracking Poll

A

A poll taken for the candidate on a nearly daily basis as election day approaches.

102
Q

Focus Group

A

A small group of individuals who are led in discussion by a professional consultant in order to gather opinions on and responses to candidates and issues.

103
Q

Corrupt and Practices Act

A

A series of acts passed by Congress in an attempt to limit and regulate the size and sources of contributions and expenditures in a political campaign.

104
Q

Hatch Act

A

An act passed in 1939 that restricted the political activities of government employees. It also prohibited a political group from spending more than $3 million in any campaign and limited individual contributions to a campaign committee to $5,000

105
Q

Hard Money

A

The refers to political contributions and campaign spending that is recorded under the regulations set forth in law and by the Federal Election Commission.

106
Q

Political Action Committee (PAC)

A

A committee set up by and representing a corporation, labor union, or special interest group. PACs raise and give campaign donations.

107
Q

Soft Money

A

Campaign contributions unregulated by federal or state law, usually given to parties and party committees to help fund general party activities.

108
Q

Issue Advocacy Advertising

A

Advertising paid for by interest groups that support or oppose a candidate or a candidate’s position on an issue without mentioning voting or elections.

109
Q

Independent Expenditures

A

Nonregulated contributions from PACs, organizations, and individuals. The funds may be spent on advertising or other campaign activities, so long as those expenditures are not coordinated with those of a candidate.

110
Q

“Beauty Contest”

A

A presidential primary in which contending candidates compete for popular votes but the results do not control the selection of delegates to the national convention.

111
Q

Caucus

A

A meeting or party members designed to select candidates and propose policies.

112
Q

Closed Primary

A

A type of primary in which the voter is limited to choosing candidates of the party of which he or she is a member.

113
Q

Open Primary

A

A primary in which any registered voter can vote (but must vote for candidates of only one party).

114
Q

Front-Runner

A

The presidential candidate who appears to be ahead at a given time in the primary season.

115
Q

Front-Loading

A

The practice of moving presidential primary elections to the early part of the campaign to maximize the impact of these primaries on the nomination.

116
Q

Credentials Committee

A

A committee used by political parties at their national conventions to determine which delegates may participate. The committee inspects the claim of each prospective delegate to be seated as a legitimate representative of his or her state.

117
Q

Battleground State

A

A state that is likely to be so closely fought that the campaigns devote exceptional effort to winning the popular and electoral vote there.

118
Q

Naturalized citizens are constitutionally barred from running for the office of

A

President of the United States

119
Q

When voters can vote in either party primary without disclosing their party affiliation, it is called

A

an open primary

120
Q

The goal of a political campaign is to

A

win the election

121
Q

Soft money was no longer available to the national political parties after 2002.

A

True

122
Q

In order to win in American politics today, candidates seek to capture

A

all of the votes of their partys supporters, a majority of the independent voters and a few votes from supporters of the other party.

123
Q

In today’s campaigns, volunteers and amateurs are

A

primarily used for last-minute registration and voter turnout activities

124
Q

Public Agenda

A

Issues that are perceived by the political community as meriting public attention and governmental action.

125
Q

Managed News

A

Information generated and distributed by the government in such a way as to give government interests priority over candor.

126
Q

Yellow Journalism

A

A term for sensationalistic, irresponsible journalism. Reputedly, the term is an allusion to the cartoon “The Yellow Kid” in the old New York World, a newspaper especially noted for its sensationalism.

127
Q

Electronic Media

A

Communication channels that involve electronic transmissions, such as radio, television, and, to an increasing extent, the Internet.

128
Q

Narrowcasting

A

Broadcasting that is targeted to one small sector of the population.

129
Q

Podcasting

A

A method of distributing multimedia files, such as audio or video files, for downloading onto mobile devices or personal computers.

130
Q

Sound Bite

A

A brief, memorable comment that can easily be fit into news broadcasts.

131
Q

Spin

A

An interpretation of campaign events or election results that is favorable to the candidate’s campaign strategy.

132
Q

Spin Doctor

A

A political campaign adviser who tries to convince journalists of the truth of a particular interpretation of events.

133
Q

White House Press Corps

A

The reporters assigned full time to cover the presidency.

134
Q

Press Secretary

A

The presidential staff member responsible for handling White House media relations and communications.

135
Q

Media Access

A

The public’s right of access to the media. The Federal Communications Commission and the courts have gradually taken the stance that citizens do have the right to media access.

136
Q

Bias

A

An inclination or preference that interferes with impartial judgement.

137
Q

The number of voters who obtain election information online is increasing.

A

True

138
Q

One of the major reasons for the emergence of large-circulation daily newspapers was

A

increases in levels of population and urbanization

139
Q

Young people are using the Internet not only for entertainment, but also as a source for social and political information.

A

True.

140
Q

In the United States, the mass media are dominated by

A

Television.

141
Q

Publicly owned media outlets

A

often are subsidized by the government.

142
Q

Indirect techniques used by interest groups include

A

strategies that use the general public or individuals to influence the government for the interest group.

143
Q

Proposed reforms of the Electoral College system include all of the following except

A

changing how the number of state electors is calculated.

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