American Government and Politics Review

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering public opinion, polling, political heuristics, campaigns and elections, the media, political party eras, and interest groups based on assessment material.

Has sophisticated public opinion polling occurred for hundreds of years?

False

The "bully pulpit" approach pertains to a president's use of what to accomplish what?

A president's use of media attention to accomplish personal policy goals.

Through which two formats does a majority of public opinion polling take place today?

Phone and Internet.

Which of the following is not part of a scientific poll design: a leading question, a random sample, a representative sample, or a low margin of error?

A leading question.

Which factor is not considered a common heuristic for political decision making?

Home ownership.

What is one of the most common heuristics used in voting?

Political party membership.

True or False: Socialism sees the government as a way to ensure all citizens receive both equal opportunities and equal outcomes.

True

What term refers to polls that informally collect opinions from a non-random population or group?

Straw polls

How does a political party nominate a presidential candidate?

The party caucus/primary selects delegates for the party convention.

Why do incumbent presidents seeking reelection hold an advantage over challengers?

They can raise money more easily.

If a state legislature wants to submit a proposed law or constitutional amendment to voters for their approval, what procedure is used?

A referendum

What is an election called in which any registered voter may vote in any party's primary or caucus?

An open primary

What does straight-ticket voting mean?

Voting only for one party.

What is a primary called in which only registered members of that party may vote?

A closed primary

What are organizations called that can fundraise and spend as they please to support or attack a candidate, but cannot contribute directly or strategize with a campaign?

Super PACs

Constitutionally, when does the presidential election occur in the United States?

On the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

What is the term for the media's ability to choose which issues or topics receive attention?

Agenda setting

Collectively, what are newspapers, television, print, radio, and Internet called?

Mass media

What rule requires a broadcast television station to provide the same amount of airtime to other candidates if it provides time to one candidate close to an election?

The equal-time rule

What is prohibiting a newspaper from publishing a story critical of the government an example of?

Prior restraint

True or False: Reporters and journalists must always reveal their sources.

False

What two elements does the business model of the media rely on?

Viewers and advertisers.

What regulatory duty does the Federal Communications Commission currently carry out regarding broadcast stations?

It oversees the purchase of stations to avoid media monopolies.

What are laws called that require federal and many state government proceedings and documents to be made available to the public?

Sunshine laws

What term describes the transition of party alliances within the electorate?

Realignment

What is an election called where different candidates win a portion of power (delegates) based on the portion of the votes received?

Proportional representation

What is it called when one party controls the presidency and another party controls one or both chambers of Congress?

Divided government

In which type of electoral system can minor parties play a more significant role in electoral politics?

Proportional representation system

What phenomenon has been observed in the sixth party era?

The country has been experiencing an ongoing realignment.

True or False: Third parties have a very easy time getting elected in America.

False

What is the term for redrawing district lines to mirror changes in population?

Redistricting

What is redrawing district lines to benefit one group or hinder another group known as?

Gerrymandering

Which major historical American political party was not a third-party challenger?

Whig Party

What is the lowest level of political party organization?

The precinct level

Why might several competing corporations join together into an association?

Because they can all benefit from governmental policies, there is strength in numbers, and they share common issues affecting the entire industry.

What do corporate interest groups seek to accomplish?

To influence policy in a way that benefits their business.

In which three areas do public interest research groups represent people?

Consumer protection, the environment, and voter registration.

True or False: Each state has its own laws describing which individuals and entities must register as lobbyists.

True

True or False: Interest group activity is always in line with political party activities.

False

What three major changes have occurred in the lobbying environment over the past three or four decades?

There is more professional lobbying, many interests lobby both the national government and the states, and a fragmentation of interests has taken place.

How do collective goods differ from private goods?

Collective goods offer broadly distributed benefits, while private goods offer particularized benefits.

A senator leaves office and takes a position as a lobbyist for the farming industry. What concept does this exemplify?

The revolving door

What did James Madison state regarding factions in Federalist No. 10?

Limiting factions was worse than facing the evils they might produce.

What term describes a personal conviction that one can make a difference or that the government cares about one's views?

Efficacy