POSC 100 - Exam 2

Opinion, attitudes, and values

are the beliefs and feelings that shape how individuals perceive and respond to political issues and events, influencing their political behavior and decision-making.

Liberals, conservatives, libertarians, and populists

are different political ideologies that shape individuals' opinions, attitudes, and values regarding governance, society, and public policy.

Converse on voters

are categories of political ideologies that describe varying beliefs about the role of government and individual freedoms.

Menand/Popkin on voters

refer to the ways in which voters process and understand political information, highlighting the cognitive and emotional factors that influence their electoral choices.

Voter heuristics

are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that voters use to make decisions in elections, often based on simple cues rather than detailed information.

Socialization and parents

The process by which individuals learn and adopt political values and behaviors, often influenced by parental beliefs and behaviors.

“Liberal consensus” on issues in America

refers to a broad agreement among Americans on key social, economic, and political issues, emphasizing a general commitment to democracy and free-market principles.

Generational effects

The impact of unique historical events and experiences on the political attitudes and behaviors of a particular generation, often shaping their views differently from other age groups.

Life-cycle effects

The variations in political attitudes and behaviors that occur as individuals age, influenced by personal experiences, life stages, and changing societal contexts.

Gumball theory of media socialization

suggests that individuals gain political knowledge in small, incremental amounts, similar to how one might receive gumballs from a machine. This theory emphasizes the influence of media consumption over time on shaping political beliefs.

Random sampling

A statistical method used to select a representative group of individuals from a larger population, ensuring each individual has an equal chance of being chosen.

Margin of error

The measure of the range of potential error in survey results, indicating the degree of uncertainty in the findings based on the sample size.

Question wording in polls

refers to the phrasing and structure of questions asked in surveys, which can significantly impact responses and the accuracy of polling data.

Interviewer effect

The bias introduced in survey results due to the presence or behavior of the interviewer, which can influence respondents' answers.

Polarization among politicians and in the public

The increasing ideological divide and emotional distance between political parties and among the general public, leading to more extreme positions and reduced opportunities for compromise.

Polarization of politicians: causes

Economic inequality, ideological alignment, and media influence are key factors contributing to the polarization of politicians.

Plurality rule

An electoral system in which the candidate or party that receives the most votes wins, regardless of whether they achieve an absolute majority.

Majority rule

The principle that the candidate receiving more than half of the votes wins an election.

Proportional voting system

An electoral system that awards legislative seats based on the percentage of votes each party receives, allowing for a more representative outcome than winner-takes-all systems.

Contemporary primaries

Elections held to select delegates for party conventions and determine party nominees for general elections.

Contemporary caucuses

A system used by political parties to elect delegates where party members meet to discuss and vote on candidates, often resulting in a less formalized and more deliberative process than primaries.

The presidential nomination system: changes over time

The process by which candidates for the presidency are selected has evolved, including shifts from smoke-filled rooms to primary elections and the influence of media and technology.

Front-loading

the trend of scheduling state primary elections earlier in the nomination calendar to increase influence over the process.

Ideology of primary voters

The set of beliefs and values that influence the preferences and choices of voters participating in primary elections, affecting candidate selection and party dynamics.

Invisible primary

The period before official primaries where candidates seek support from party elites and donors, often influencing the nomination process.

Electoral College design and purpose

A mechanism established in the United States Constitution for the indirect election of the president and vice president, where electors from each state cast votes based on the outcome of the popular vote in their state.

Critiques of the Electoral College

Concerns regarding its fairness and effectiveness, including claims that it undermines the principle of one person one vote and disproportionately represents smaller states.

Swing state bias of Electoral College

The tendency of the Electoral College to over-represent swing states in presidential elections, leading to disproportionate influence on the outcome compared to states with predictable voting patterns.

“District plan” for Electoral College reform

A proposed reform that allocates electoral votes by congressional district, rather than on a winner-takes-all basis, allowing for a more proportional representation of votes.

Initiatives and referendums

Direct voting methods allowing citizens to propose and vote on legislation or constitutional amendments, providing a mechanism for direct democracy.

“Puzzle of voter turnout”

The phenomenon whereby certain demographics exhibit lower voter participation rates despite having similar or higher interest in politics compared to other groups.

Political parties, definition

Organizations that seek to gain political power by electing candidates to public office and influencing policy.

Party organizations

groups of individuals who come together to promote shared political goals and ideologies, often coordinating efforts for elections and policy advocacy.

Party in government

The elected officials and candidates of a political party who hold positions in government and are responsible for carrying out party policies.

Party in the elctorate

The members of the general public who identify with a political party and vote for its candidates in elections.

Main functions of political parties

include candidate recruitment, coordinating electoral campaigns, and influencing policy-making.