Voting, Elections, Political Culture, and Interest Groups

A comprehensive set of 50 flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on voting, elections, political culture, public opinion, media, political parties, and interest groups.

Who was allowed to vote when our nation was founded?

White wealthy men.

Which amendments impacted black males, women, and 18 year-olds?

The 15th, 19th, and 26th amendments.

How does US voter participation compare with other democratic countries?

Lower than nearly every other democracy.

What percentage of the voting population participates in presidential elections?

More than 50%.

What percentage of the voting population participates in congressional elections?

Less than 50%.

What is the difference between the popular vote and the electoral college vote in a presidential election?

A candidate does not need to win the popular vote, only the electoral college vote.

What was the outcome of the 2020 presidential election compared to the 2016 election?

Trump did not win the popular vote in both elections; won electoral college in 2016 but not in 2020.

Who holds the responsibility to register to vote?

The individual.

Which level of government controls voter registration requirements?

States.

How are political candidates selected in the US?

In primary elections.

What are impediments to voting?

Limiting absentee voting and mail voting, reducing polling places.

What accounts for decreased voter turnout?

Feeling alienated, burdens of voter registration, lack of interest, frequent elections.

What individual benefits arise from voting?

It is a widespread form of political participation and expresses political views.

What is the incumbent advantage?

Greater than 90% chance of being reelected due to media influence.

What is divided government?

Different parties controlling different branches of government.

What is the American political culture?

Commonly held values and beliefs about government and politics.

What is public opinion?

The sum of individual opinions on issues.

How is public opinion related to individual opinion?

Public opinion is based on individual opinions.

What is political socialization?

The process by which we acquire our views on issues.

What are the factors of socialization in order of occurrence?

Family, school, church, media, generational effect.

What is public opinion polling?

Asking individuals their views on issues.

What factors affect opinion polling?

Most relied upon method, subject to error, sampling error decreases with size.

Where do people mostly get their information about government?

Most from TV.

What media outlet is largely unregulated?

The internet.

What form of media will become important for elections?

Internet and social media.

Why do political candidates engage in negative campaigning?

It is easier and more entertaining.

What is the most important aspect of the media's role in newsmaking?

Agenda setting.

What does the news media focus on most?

Timely issues that are sensational and often negative.

Define muckraking.

Reporting scandalous activities.

Define yellow journalism.

Sensationalism and exaggeration.

What has scholarly research revealed about network media content?

Content is not biased but often negative.

What is a political party?

An intermediary organization whose goal is to get their candidate elected.

What are the types of political parties?

Ideological, single issue, protest, splinter.

What type of party system does the US have?

A two-party system.

What is a winner-take-all system?

Winning candidates take all the votes.

What is a proportional representation system?

Candidates take seats in proportion to the vote.

Which system does the US use?

Winner-take-all.

What is a party platform?

A written statement about a party's views on issues.

What views are typically held by Republicans?

Free market, deregulation, pro-life.

Why have Republicans gained members in recent decades?

Conservative positions, population growth, and effective campaigning.

What views are typically held by Democrats?

Regulation of the market, regulation of the environment, pro-choice.

What demographic will be important for the future of both parties?

Hispanics.

What is an interest group?

An intermediary organization that influences government actions.

What are the types of interest groups?

Single issue, public interest.

Which groups are the most numerous?

Business groups.

Define a collective good.

Something that belongs to all like air or water.

How do interest groups function?

Through lobbying, grassroots efforts, and inside lobbying.

What is an amicus curiae brief?

Friends of the court briefs designed to sway judicial opinions.

What is an iron triangle?

Strong, informal relationship between bureaucrats, legislators, and lobbyists.

What are direct and indirect lobbying tactics?

Direct lobbying goes to the official; indirect relies on public pressure.

Why are direct lobbying tactics successful?

They often provide benefits to the official.

What is grassroots lobbying?

Relying on the public to pressure their representative.