Unit 6 Flashcards
Public Opinion
The distribution of the population’s beliefs about politics and policy issues.
Simpson-Mazzoli Act
A law that requires that employers document the citizenships of its employees.
Melting Pot
Characterizes the United States with its history of immigration and mixing of cultures, ideas, and people.
Political Culture
An overall set of values widely shared within the society. Basic American values are the principal of treating all equally.
Reapportionment
The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every decade on the basis of results from the Census.
Political Socialization
A process where people become aware, and form political attitudes, views, and knowledge through agents of socialization (family, media, education, etc.).
What are the agents of socialization?
- Family
- School (Government “socializes” the young)
- Media
- Peer Groups
- Religious Organizations
What does it mean for political socialization to be anticipatory?
Political socialization starts in childhood. We anticipate it into our adult roles; our political views grow firmer with age.
Formal Socialization includes:
In-class learning about politics.
Informal Socialization includes:
Picking up and absorbing political information by chance. Examples include learning through family, the media, or schools.
Sampling Error
The difference between the sample’s results and the true result of the entire population if they had been interviewed.
What is the most important factor in a public opinion survey?
Accurate representation.
Exit poll
Public opinion surveys used by mass media pollsters to predict electoral winners with speed and precision.
True or False: Americans have lost their fundamental faith in our democracy.
False - Widespread political cynicism about the government only applies to the “usual times.” In times of national crisis, Americans will surely back the government, even if our trust in them is low.
Political Ideologies
A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and public purpose, which gives meaning to political events.
Gender Gap
Women are more likely to support Democratic candidates than men.
Political Participation
All the activities that citizens engage in to influence the selection of leaders and policies they want to pursue.
Conventional forms of political participation
Voting, ringing doorbells for petitions, running for office.
Unconventional forms of political participation
Protesting, civil disobedience, violence.
What are the four types of voters?
- Ideologues: voters who choose candidates whose beliefs and values align with their own.
- Group Benefits: voters who choose political groups they like and avoid those they dislike.
- Nature of The Times: voters who choose candidates that would benefit the health/fortune of the nation.
- No Issue: voters who simply choose who they like or dislike as a person, not by the policies they advocate for.
What are the symbols of the political system?
- Political Community
- Regime
- Government
Political Community
The people who chose to abide by a set of rules to achieve unity.
Regime
The United States. Domestically, it is the formal and informal structure in which decisions are made. Relates to structures/offices.
Government
Specific political decision makers in positions of authority. Relates to individuals, such as the President who resides in offices embedded in the regime.
How do you change the government? The regime?
Vote to change the government. Change the Constitution to change the regime.
Linkages
Pathways that connect the citizens and government. Consists of linkage mechanisms (processes and rules).
