Public Opinion and Political Parties

These flashcards cover key concepts related to public opinion, political parties, and interest groups to aid in exam preparation.

Public Opinion

The distribution of the population’s beliefs about politics and public policy.

Public Opinion Polls

The best measurement of public opinion, relying on sampling.

Random Sampling

A technique used in polls to ensure accuracy by selecting a representative sample.

Margin of Error

A measure of the accuracy of a poll, also known as survey error.

Bandwagon Effect

A phenomenon where people base their decisions on who is ahead in the polls.

Political Socialization

The process through which an individual acquires their political philosophy.

Ideology

A set of related ideas that form a coherent worldview.

Liberals

Individuals who stress equality over freedom and believe in government intervention in the economy.

Conservatives

Individuals who prioritize freedom over equality and advocate for minimal government intervention.

Political Participation

The range of activities through which citizens engage in politics, including voting.

Political Party

A team of individuals seeking to control government by winning elections.

Linkage Institutions

Entities that connect the preferences of citizens to the political process, such as political parties and interest groups.

Party Realignment

A significant shift in the balance of power between political parties.

Interest Groups

Organizations of people with similar policy goals that seek to influence political decisions.

Grass Roots Lobbying

Efforts by interest groups to mobilize public support to influence lawmakers.

Elite and Class Theory

The theory that government policy is dominated by a small class of wealthy elites.

Pluralist Theory

The theory that policy outcomes result from the competition of interest groups.