Government final

Public Opinion

The collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on one or more issues.

Political Socialization

The process where individuals develop personal beliefs and opinions on politics.

Public Opinion Polling

A measure of public opinion.

Sample Bias

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

Sample Error

An indicator of the range within which the results of a poll are accurate.

Straw Polls

An unofficial vote as a test of opinion.

Exit Polls

Polls conducted to gather information from voters as they exit the voting station.

Push Polls

Interactive marketing attempts to influence voters' views under the disguise of conducting a poll.

Liberal Democratic Theory

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

Rational Ignorance

When people forego learning about politics, leaving it to others.

Political Party

A group of people run by ideology seeking control of government to promote their ideas and policies.

Interest Groups

Organizations of individuals sharing a common policy goal, aiming to influence government decisions.

Three Components of Political Parties

Party organization, Party-in-government, Party-in-electorate.

Duverger's Law

The principle that a two-party system is likely to occur in a democracy.

Lobbying

Interest groups persuading policymakers to support their causes.

Direct Lobbying

Direct interaction with officials to influence policy.

Indirect Lobbying

Encouraging the public to pressure officials indirectly.

Mass Media

Means of communicating information to large audiences efficiently.

Yellow Journalism

News based on sensationalism and gross exaggeration.

Gatekeeping

Limiting the information that gets out to the public.

Agenda Setting

The ability of the media to influence the importance of topics on the public agenda.

Framing

How the media presents an issue, shaping perceptions.

Echo Chamber

An environment where one only encounters beliefs that align with their own.

Public Policy

A government plan of action to solve collective problems.

Entitlement Program

Government-funded initiatives providing benefits to individuals meeting specific criteria.

Fiscal Policy

Congress's ability to tax and spend to influence the economy.

Monetary Policy

Regulation of the nation's money supply handled by the Federal Reserve.

Collective Action Problems

Challenges in solving problems that affect multiple citizens, hindering market responses.

Social Security

Federal program providing income to retirees and eligible individuals, funded through payroll taxes.

Economic Policy

Policies designed to ensure the health and vitality of the economy.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on anticipated future policies of candidates.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on past performance of candidates.

Nomination Phase

The phase where political parties nominate candidates for president.

Front Loading

Scheduling primary elections earlier to increase party control over nominations.

Mandate

The perception that a victory signifies broad support for a victor's policies.

Why is public opinion important?

We are the government of the people, our representatives will know what we want this way, and public opinion is all around us.

What are some important agents of political socialization?

family, education, major life decisions, media, economic status, demographic factors, peer group

3 steps to conducting a valid poll

representative sample from a population, administer a public opinion poll, calculate results

party base

voters who will always vote for their party of choice

1st party

 democratic-republicans, first real party 1800-1828

2nd party

 democratic party/first two party system (democrats/whigs) 1828-1860

3rd party

birth of republican party / creation of a third party system 1860-1896

4th party

creation of a party system dominated by republican party marked by several social movements 1896-1932

5th party

dominated by democrats 1932-present/ economic and civil rights

6th party

more divided, periods of dealignment, no party has dominated the other in elections

Economic interest groups

groups that organize to influence government policy for economic benefit

Equal opportunity interest groups

promotes civil and economic interest of underrepresented group

Public interest groups:

groups that organize to influence government to produce collective goods/services that benefit the public

Government interest groups

state and local governments trying to get policies that are beneficial to them implemented

parties serve 3 functions

Link voters to elected officials, Overcome government fragmentation, Articulate opposing policy ideas

first factions (not parties)

antifederalist and federalist

Components of mass media

(newspapers, radio (Fireside chat) , television, internet)

Is free press free?

No, the press has been controlled at different entities at different times. 

Communications revolution

what's happening now

Priming

 media can make stories important even if they aren’t

Expert persuasion

 consumers will often trust the journalists they frequently watch, this can be used for persuasive political agendas

Permanent campaign

 theory that politicians and political organizations are always in campaign mode

Spin

 an attempt to frame an issue in a particular way to paint a person or policy in the best lighting (professional lying)

Leaks

well-timed releases from the press

Propaganda

biased/untrue information to convince a group. Designed to have an emotional effect

What is patronage of the press?

Newspaper publishers relied on government people to feed them information so they would make one person look good so that they would give them information, or make the opposing team look bad for the same reason. 

Impartial journalist

 journalist that present just the facts of the matter (unbiased news)

What are the consequences of concentrated corporate ownership of the media?

news broadcasters won’t distribute news or opinion that conflicts with the preferences of companies providing advertising revenue - monopoly status

How does the media portray politics?

 They portray politics in a over dramatic negative light

External Political Efficacy:

the belief that those in government are not responsive to your needs and demands.

Issue Voting:

form of voting in which individuals make their decisions based on specific policies or issues, rather than party affiliation or candidate characteristics

Invisible Primary:

potential candidates work behind the scene to gain supporters and raise funds 

Caucus

 Local gatherings to choose delegates to choose nominee 

Primary

direct election where voters choose delegates to choose nominee

Open Primary

 voters can vote in either primary regardless of party affiliation 

Semi-Open Primary

voters don't have to declare affiliation, but must declare which party ballot

Semi-Closed Primary

 independent voters must declare a party, but can do so on election day

Closed Primary

 only registered members of parties can vote in their parties primary

Super Tuesday

most of the states have their primaries on this day (all on the same day)

Money, Media and Momentum

 the three things needed to win a primary

Front Runner Status

the candidate that many assume will win an election before the season even starts.

Nominating Convention

 where the nomination process culminates (voting for a nominee)

Battleground States

 swing states

Issue Ownership

valence issues (everyone agrees on), position issues (usually two sides), wedge issue (divides a party internally)

What obstacles have we overcome to extend the voting franchise?

Discrimination, voting age lowered, property restrictions removed. 

Who Votes?

Older citizens, women, the wealthy, educated, whites

Why do people not vote?

Legal obstacles, too many elections, people think their votes don't matter, political parties don't want to pass laws that enhance voter turnout. Also voter mobilization, decreased social connectedness, rational choice

Explain how generational changes affect voting rates

due to factors like political apathy, lower engagement, and shifting priorities

How can a party’s base hurt a party’s chances of winning a general election?

can hurt its chances of winning a general election if it becomes too polarized or ideologically extreme

Explain how money, media and momentum affect a candidate’s chances of winning a primary election or a general election

 Money is needed to perform well during primary season, media makes you look good and momentum makes it look like you're on a roll so then money and sponsorships go your way

How does the necessity of winning the Electoral College and not the popular vote shape how a presidential campaign is waged?

They don't have to worry about states that are for sure voting for one party (block states) and instead turn focus on swing states (like north carolina!)

What are some different types of issues candidates try to use to their advantage in a campaign?

economic policies, healthcare, education, national security, social justice, climate change, and immigration, depending on the concerns of their target voters.

How do candidates try to advertise themselves in a campaign?

 media appearances, social media engagement, advertisements, speeches, debates, and grassroots outreach to promote their policies, values, and personal narratives.

What do the winning and losing parties do in the post-election phase of a campaign?

the winning party typically begins transitioning to governance, forming cabinets, and implementing their agenda, while the losing party may reflect on their performance, analyze their strategy, and prepare for future elections

Direct Problem Solving

problem solving that us tangible such as building a road or providing healthcare 

Indirect problem Solving

offering incentives or disincentives for certain behaviors (carrot and stick)

Redistributive Policies:

policies that take money from one group and give that money to another group and the ones who give the money don’t get anything in return (ex: medicaid, food stamps)

Distributive Policies

funded by the entire tax base to benefit a particular group, all who fall into a category can claim the benefits of this program (public roads, grants)

Regulatory Policies

government actions or rules designed to control or govern specific industries, behaviors, or practices in order to protect public interests, ensure fairness, and promote safety.

Social Policy

primarily distributive and redistributive policies that seek to improve the quality of life for citizens

Taxation Policy

 linked to fiscal policy, but more concerned with how governments raise revenue

Explain how Social Security works

federal program that provides income to retirees, disabled individuals, and survivors of deceased workers, funded through payroll taxes. Workers pay into the system during their careers and receive benefits based on their earnings history when they retire or meet other eligibility criteria (like retirement

What are some of the arguments for and against Social Security?

For: income security, supporting vulnerable groups, economic stability, social safety net

Against: high taxes, financial sustainability, lack of personal choice, inefficiency and waste

Why is it getting harder to pay for Social Security?

due to the aging population, longer life expectancies, and a decreasing ratio of workers to beneficiaries, which puts strain on the system's funding.

What role does the Federal Reserve have in formulating economic policy?

regulating monetary policy, controlling inflation, managing interest rates, and ensuring financial stability to promote sustainable economic growth and full employment.