US Government Review - Public Opinion, Parties, and Interest Groups

Flashcards for reviewing US Government topics about public opinion, political parties, and interest groups.

To prevent fraudulent voting, what do most States require voters to do?

Register with the government.

What does the term "universe" refer to in polling?

The entire group of persons whose opinions a poll seeks to measure.

What are the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association examples of?

Professional groups.

Who would be considered an "opinion leader"?

Conservative talk radio host.

What is the function of a labor union?

Work in the same job or industry.

What are the most reliable measures of public opinion?

Scientific polls.

How do interest groups try to influence public opinion?

Supporting candidates for office.

Which methods are more reliable for measuring public opinion?

Scientific poll.

As the cost of campaigning has risen, what else has increased?

The influence of interest groups on elected officials.

What is the feeling of people with no sense of political efficacy?

Feel that any choice they make will have no effect.

How are an increasing number of Americans voting?

Vote primarily along party lines.

What does the term "grassroots" refer to?

The average voters.

What does a special interest group try to persuade people to do?

Respond to its members' shared attitudes.

Digital media increases civic participation in all the following ways EXCEPT:

Causing an increase in voter turnout.

Why are polls taken?

Determine people's attitudes and viewpoints.

According to Thomas Jefferson, what is important about public opinion?

Public opinion is critical to democracy.

Over time, what happens to the ideas first developed by minor parties?

Borrowed by major parties.

In the past, how did some States limit voting rights?

Charging poll taxes.

What do trade associations usually represent?

The business community.

Attitudes held by a significant number of people concerning governmental & political questions are known as what?

Public opinion.

What are interest groups MOST interested in doing?

Influencing specific public policies.

When a contest between two candidates is very close, are people more or less likely to vote?

More likely to vote.

To whom are interest groups accountable?

Their members and values.

Digital media increases civic participation in the political process in all the following ways, EXCEPT:

Requiring membership in political parties.

Over time, the ideas first developed by minor parties are often ___ by major parties.

Borrowed.

In the past, how did some States limit voting rights?

Charging a poll tax.

What is the phenomenon in which fewer votes are cast for offices further down the ballot called?

Ballot fatigue.

In the United States, what do members of a political party do?

Work to get candidates elected to political offices.

What do lobbyists generally do today?

Work with the government process to influence policies.

In a State that uses open primaries, and the Republicans and Democrats each enjoy strong support, which type of minor party would be most successful?

Single-issue party.

To prevent fraudulent voting, what do most States require voters to do?

Register.

What are the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association examples of?

Professional groups.

Why are Minor Parties important despite the fact that none has ever won the presidency?

They can play a "spoiler role".

What is the definition of the term political socialization?

The process by which people formulate their political attitudes and opinions.

Why did the two-party system develop in the United States?

The Constitution established a democratic government.

What are the functions of the major parties in United States politics?

Monitoring conduct of its candidates in office.

Which of the following methods are more reliable for measuring public opinion?

Random Samples.

To prevent fraudulent voting, what do most states require voters to do?

Be able to prove their identity.

What is a political party?

Is a group of people with shared interests who seek to control government through elections.

What does the term public agenda refer to?

The societal problems that political leaders and citizens agree need government attention.

What do lobbyists generally do today?

Work within the government process to affect policies.

What does an interest group try to persuade people to do?

Respond to its members' shared attitudes.

All of the following are criticisms of interest groups EXCEPT:

They keep a close watch on public officials.

What is a commonality between political parties and the news media?

Both try to inform, inspire, and activate the people with regard to public affairs.

What has happened as party identification has weakened?

The number of independent voters has grown.

Which of the following is NOT a major function of either of the two major parties in the United States?

To unite people and concentrate solely on one public policy matter.

What do Topic-based questions usually represent?

An interest group.

If inflation is low, jobs are plentiful, and the Republicans and Democrats each enjoy strong support, which type of minor party would be LEAST likely to attract voters?

Economic protest parties.

Considering what you know about minor parties, what does this cartoon depict?

Depicts minor party candidate Howard Schultz’s negative impact on the outcome of the election as a spoiler.

To prevent fraudulent voting, what do most states require voters to do?

Be able to prove their identity.

What is "Spoiler role" a term used to describe?

A third-party candidate who pulls votes from a major candidate