Unit 5 Gov

What did the 14th Amendment accomplish?

It granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., including formerly enslaved people.

What right did the 15th Amendment grant?

It granted African American men the right to vote.

How did the 17th Amendment change the election of Senators?

It changed the practice from a vote by state legislatures to a direct vote by the people.

What significant right was granted by the 19th Amendment?

It granted women the right to vote.

What structural barrier to voting was eliminated by the 24th Amendment?

It eliminated poll taxes.

What age was established as the voting age by the 26th Amendment?

18 years old.

What is rational choice voting?

It refers to individuals who base their voting decisions on what is perceived to be in their best interest.

What does retrospective voting involve?

It involves deciding whether to reelect the party or candidate in power based on their recent past performance.

What is prospective voting?

It refers to voting based on predictions of how a party or candidate will perform in the future.

What is straight ticket voting?

It refers to voting for all candidates from one political party on a ballot.

What factors can influence voter turnout in the U.S.?

Structural barriers, political efficacy, and demographics.

How do state-controlled elections affect voter turnout?

Variations in polling hours, Voter ID laws, and types of voting allowed can influence turnout.

What demographic characteristics can predict voting likelihood?

Political efficacy, engagement, age, gender, race, and ethnicity.

What factors influence voter choice?

Party identification, candidate characteristics, contemporary political issues, and demographic characteristics.

What are linkage institutions?

Channels that allow individuals to communicate their preferences to policymakers, including political parties, interest groups, elections, and media.

What functions do political parties serve?

Mobilization and education of voters, party platforms, candidate recruitment, and campaign management.

How have political parties adapted in recent years?

They have adapted to candidate-centered campaigns and weakened their role in nominating candidates.

What influences the structure of political parties?

Critical elections, campaign finance law, and changes in communication technology.

How do winner-take-all voting districts affect third-party candidates?

They serve as a structural barrier, favoring the two-party system.

What role do interest groups play in the political process?

They educate voters, conduct lobbying, draft legislation, and mobilize membership.

What is an iron triangle in politics?

A relationship among interest groups, bureaucratic agencies, and congressional committees that influences policy.

What is the free rider problem in interest groups?

It refers to individuals benefiting from the work of an interest group without providing financial support.

What are single-issue groups?

Groups formed with the goal of affecting society and policymaking on a specific issue.

How do elections relate to major policy shifts?

Elections and political parties can lead to political realignments of voting constituencies.

What factors affect U.S. presidential elections?

Incumbency advantage, open and closed primaries, caucuses, party conventions, and the Electoral College.

What is the ongoing debate regarding the Electoral College?

The debate centers on how states allocate electors and the discrepancy between Electoral College results and the popular vote.

What are some challenges of modern campaigns?

Dependence on professional consultants, rising costs, and reliance on social media.

What does the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 address?

It aimed to ban soft money and reduce attack ads, requiring candidates to approve their messages.

How does media influence political participation?

Media coverage and analysis shape how citizens acquire political information and can affect election outcomes.

What impact does media bias have on political knowledge?

It can lead to uncertainty over credibility and reinforce existing beliefs through consumer-driven media.