Understanding Public Opinion and Political Processes

Public Opinion

It's how American citizenry view politics.

Agents of Political Socialization

Family, education, media, major life events, economic status and occupation, peer group, demographic factors, age, race, gender, geographic location.

Public Opinion Polling

A method used to measure public opinion.

Valid Opinion Poll

First, draw a representative sample; second, administer a public opinion survey; third, calculate the results.

Political Socialization

The process by which individuals develop political attitudes, beliefs, opinions, and knowledge.

Sample Bias

The effect of having a sample that does not represent all segments of a population.

Sample Error

A number that indicates within what range the results of a poll are accurate.

Rational Electorate

The idea that a democracy cannot flourish without an educated and politically active citizenry.

Rational Ignorance

People forego learning about politics and leave learning to other people.

Voting

The one right all Americans have fought for over the course of history.

Who Votes

Older citizens, women, the wealthy, the more educated, whites.

Reasons People Do Not Vote

Legal obstacles, too many elections, belief that their vote doesn't matter, steep declines in external political efficacy.

External Political Efficacy

The belief that those in government are not responsive to the needs and demands of people similar to me.

Voter Mobilization

Efforts to increase voter turnout.

Party Identification

The biggest factor influencing how someone will vote.

Presidential Nominations

Each party must first nominate someone for president before they can run.

Invisible Primary

Candidates starting to find if it is worth it for them to run.

Caucus

Local gatherings to choose delegates to choose a nominee.

Primary

Direct election where voters choose delegates to choose a nominee.

Types of Primary

Open primary, closed primary, semi-open, semi-closed.

Front Runner Status

The goal of potential presidential nominees.

Nominating Convention

The culmination of the nominating process where delegates officially vote for the nominee.

Electoral College

538 electors, 270 to win.

Campaign Strategy

Define clear issue positions to gain issue ownership.

Mandate

Perception that a victory signaled broad support for the victor's preferred policies.

Political Party

A group of citizens united by ideology seeking control of government to promote their ideas and policies.

Interest Groups

An organization of individuals who share a common policy goal and unite to influence government decisions.

Components of a Political Party

Party organization, party in government, party in electorate.

James Madison's View on Parties

He was incredibly afraid of parties and interest groups.

Factions

Groups using government for self-interest, not common good.

Federalists

First major faction, favored strong national government.

Democratic-Republicans

Opposed Federalists, became dominant after 1800.

Two-Party System

Political system dominated by two major parties.

Duverger's Law

Two-party systems arise in winner-take-all elections.

Lobbying

Activities aimed at persuading policymakers.

Direct Lobbying

Costly direct interaction with public officials.

Indirect Lobbying

Influencing policies via public opinion mobilization.

Economic Interest Groups

Groups advocating for members' economic benefits.

Public Interest Groups

Groups promoting policies for the common good.

Mass Media

Channels conveying information to large audiences.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized news with exaggerated claims.

Fake News

False stories spread to mislead or deceive.

Horse Race Politics

Focus on competition, not policy debates.

Feeding Frenzies

Media fixation on a single story, ignoring others.

Sound Bites

Short, catchy excerpts from speeches or interviews.

Adversarial Journalism

Journalism that challenges authority and power.

Public Policy

Government actions addressing collective societal issues.

Direct Problem Solving

Government directly addresses issues, e.g., healthcare.

Indirect Problem Solving

Government incentivizes behavior to solve issues.

Social Policy

Policies aimed at improving citizens' quality of life.

Social Welfare Policies

Assistance programs for citizens in need.

Social Insurance Policies

Programs providing financial support during hardships.

Social Security

Redistributive program aiding citizens in need.

Democratic Party

Dominant party since 1932 in U.S. politics.

Republican Party

Founded in 1854, dominated post-Civil War politics.

Political Pundits

Experts providing opinions on political matters.

Annuity

Insurance guaranteeing returns based on contributions.

Payroll Taxes

Taxes paid by employees and employers for Social Security.

Tax Rate

Current payroll tax rate is 6.2%.

Contribution Limit

Taxed income capped at $132,900.

Social Security Trust Fund

Fund holding excess contributions for future benefits.

Entitlement Program

Government program providing guaranteed benefits to eligible individuals.

Medicaid

Health coverage for the poor and disabled.

Categorical Grants

Funds given to states with specific conditions.

Economic Policy

Policies ensuring the health of the American economy.

Fiscal Policy

Congress's ability to tax and spend.

Keynesian Economics

Government spending to stimulate demand during downturns.

Federal Deficit

When Congress spends more than it brings in.

National Debt

Total money borrowed by the government.

Monetary Policy

Regulation of money supply by the Federal Reserve.

Federal Funds Rate

Interest rate for overnight loans between banks.

Agents of Socialization

Family, education, media, and life events shaping opinions.

Straw Polls

Informal polls to gauge public opinion.

Exit Polls

Surveys conducted after voters leave polling places.

Push Polls

Polls designed to influence opinions rather than measure them.

Demographic Factors

Age, race, gender influencing voting behavior.

Issue-based positions

Stances on social issues like abortion and gun rights.

Candidate charisma

Personal appeal influencing voter perception and support.

Prospective voting

Voting based on expected future performance.

Retrospective voting

Voting based on past economic conditions.

Presidential campaigns

Election efforts to secure presidency, often intense.

Nominations

Process of selecting candidates for elections.

Party-in-electorate

Voters aligned with a specific political party.

Party organization

Institutional structure managing party activities.

Party base

Core, committed members of a political party.

Invisible primary

Early candidate exploration before formal nominations.

Open primary

Any voter can participate regardless of party.

Closed primary

Only registered party members can vote.

Semi-open primary

Voters declare party ballot without affiliation.

Semi-closed primary

Independents declare party on election day.

Front loading

Scheduling multiple primaries early in the season.

Super Tuesday

Day with numerous state primaries held simultaneously.

Money

Financial resources essential for campaign success.

Media

Public exposure and coverage influencing candidate image.

Momentum

Perception of candidate's growing support and viability.

Campaign strategy

Plan to communicate clear issue positions.

Valence issues

Widely accepted issues, like national defense.

Position issues

Controversial topics debated between parties.

Wedge issues

Divisive topics that split voter support.

Political parties

Groups seeking control to promote shared ideologies.