Government unit 3

Government actions and laws addressing public issues. Significance: Shapes society by solving problems and providing services.

Public Policy

A set of beliefs about politics, government, and society. Significance: Influences voting behavior and policy preferences.

Political Ideology

A range that classifies political beliefs from liberal to conservative. Significance: Helps understand political positions and affiliations.

Political Spectrum Scale

Belief in a more active government role in the economy and social programs. Significance: Supports policies like social welfare and civil rights.

Liberal

Belief in limited government and free-market policies. Significance: Advocates for lower taxes, individual responsibility, and traditional values.

Conservative

A political stance between liberal and conservative. Significance: Supports policies from both sides depending on the issue.

Moderate

An organization that influences government policies. Significance: Shapes public policy through lobbying and advocacy.

Interest Group

A person hired by an interest group to influence legislation. Significance: Plays a role in shaping laws and policies.

Lobbyist

The collective opinions of the public on political and social issues. Significance: Guides policymakers and political campaigns.

Public Opinion

Consensus is widespread agreement, while polarization is extreme division. Significance: Affects political stability and policy-making.

Consensus vs. Polarization

Media, family, education, peers, social groups, and historical events. Significance: Shapes how people think and vote.

Different Factors That Influence Public Opinion

A person who influences others' political views. Significance: Affects public perception and decision-making.

Opinion Leader

Methods like polls, surveys, and focus groups. Significance: Helps politicians understand voter preferences.

Ways to Measure Public Opinion

An informal, unscientific survey. Significance: Provides a rough estimate of public opinion but lacks accuracy.

Straw Poll

A structured survey with a representative sample. Significance: Produces more reliable and accurate results.

Scientific Poll

A small group that reflects the broader population. Significance: Used in polling to predict trends.

Microcosm

People adopting popular opinions or behaviors.

Bandwagon Effect

A poll designed to influence rather than measure public opinion. Significance: Used as a political strategy to sway voters.

Push Poll

A survey conducted outside polling places after voting. Significance: Helps predict election outcomes.

Exit Poll

TV, radio, newspapers, internet, and social media. Significance: Different sources influence public perception differently.

5 Major Media Outlets

Provides in-depth analysis and investigative journalism. Significance: Keeps the public informed with detailed reporting.

Benefit of Newspapers

Radio addresses by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Significance: Helped build public trust and explain policies.

Fireside Chats

A political advertisement aired on TV. Significance: Changed how candidates communicate with voters.

First Televised Political Campaign Ad

The first televised debate between Nixon and Kennedy. Significance: Highlighted the impact of television on politics.

1960 Presidential Debate

Digital and social media platforms. Significance: Rapidly changes how news is consumed and spread.

"New Media"

Media's power to influence what topics are considered important. Significance: Shapes public discourse and priorities.

Agenda Setting

Favoritism or prejudice in reporting or decision-making. Significance: Affects how information is presented and perceived.

Bias

Specialized political or media language. Significance: Can either clarify or confuse public understanding.

Jargon

Media emphasizing certain issues to shape public perception. Significance: Influences how people evaluate politicians and policies.

Priming

Media focusing on election competition rather than policies. Significance: Shifts focus from issues to political strategy.

Horse-Race Coverage

A politician's mistake that affects their public image. Significance: Can damage campaigns and credibility.

Political Gaffe

Intense media coverage of a scandal. Significance: Can dominate the news cycle and ruin reputations.

Feeding Frenzy