Untitled Flashcards Set

Paradox of mass politics

The American political system works despite the public's lack of knowledge about politics.

Conservatives generally favor the __ sector.

private

How does lower voter turnout among young citizens affect the composition of those who show up at the polls?

Conservatives are overrepresented at the polls.

Political participation

All activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue.

If the poor participated at higher levels in the political process, what might happen?

Government programs to alleviate economic inequality would likely be higher on the political agenda.

A random sample of 1,000 high school students indicated that 29% had read the Declaration of Independence at least once, with a sampling error of 4%. What is true?

It is likely that between 25% and 33% of the population have read the Declaration of Independence.

An example of political participation

Calling your representative to express your opinion about upcoming legislation.

Effect of aging on political participation

Aging increases political participation until the infirmities of old age make it harder to participate.

When do blacks participate more in politics than whites?

When their levels of education are equal to those of whites.

Unconventional political participation example

Staging a sit-in.

True statement about the 1936 Literary Digest poll

The poll oversampled those with higher income.

Women are more likely than men to vote for which type of candidate?

Democratic candidates who support higher levels of spending on social services as opposed to military spending.

As technology has enabled the media to pass along information with greater speed, news coverage has become

Less thorough.

The relationship between politicians and the press during the 20th century until the 1960s was _

Cozy.

Policy entrepreneurs invest ____ in an issue

Political capital.

Television, radio, newspapers, magazines, the internet, and other forms of communication are collectively referred to as the ___

Mass media.

The increase in news and infotainment options has resulted in ___

Narrowcasting.

The media's emphasis on the slowly improving American economic situation rather than long-term unemployment is an example of

Agenda setting.

In-depth reporting to unearth scandals is referred to as __ journalism.

Investigative.

Thomas Patterson's analysis shows a change in campaign reporting from __ since 1960.

Candidates' policy statements to the campaign as a horse race.

Trial balloons are used for which purpose?

Assessing a political reaction.

What are specific locations from which news frequently emanates called?

Beats.

What do network executives blame for superficiality in media reporting?

The public.

The tendency for viewers to seek news that aligns with their existing ideas is called

Selective exposure.

Critics of pluralism have noted that __.

Power is concentrated in the hands of a few.

Material benefits offered by interest groups are

Benefits given only to group members.

What does intensity contribute to the success of an interest group?

Politicians are more likely to listen to a group showing intensity.

What is a public interest lobby?

A group that works to gain benefits for society as a whole.

When an interest group is interested in a case before a court, they can __.

File an amicus curiae brief in support of one side of the case.

What is a consequence of hyperpluralism according to critics of interest group influence?

Contradictory and confusing policies.

Which concept comes closest to James Madison's conception of factions?

Interest groups.

A typical way for lobbyists to seek influence in Congress is by

Providing specialized expertise.

An example of the free-rider problem is

An environmentalist not joining an environmental group but appreciating their stewardship.

True statement about corporate PAC contributions to candidates for the U.S. House

A majority of contributions go to candidates of whichever party controls the House.

Which type of organization finds it easiest to overcome the free-rider problem?

A trade association for a small industry.

What to do to effectively address climate change given the free rider problem?

Offer a t-shirt as an incentive to join the group.

A core function of political parties is __.

Nominating candidates.

A key component of Downs's rational-choice model is that

Parties want to win office.

Critics of the responsible party model claim that __.

It is too simple for the complexity of American society.

One of the consequences of two-party government is

The moderation of political conflict.

Richard Nixon's strategy tried to bring conservatives over to the Republican Party in a Democratic stronghold, called

Southern strategy.

The New Deal coalition fell apart due to the movement of ___ to the Republican Party.

Southern conservatives.

Today's youngest voters are most likely to identify as __.

Independents.

What explains the demise of party machines?

Progressive reforms that instituted a merit-based hiring system.

What is a disadvantage of divided government?

It does not allow for clear accountability on policy.

What is the party in the electorate?

All citizens who claim to be a member of a political party.

Which electoral event represents an earthquake in party dynamics?

A critical election.

Functioning of party machines in the late 19th and early 20th centuries description

Parties provided patronage jobs to loyal supporters in urban areas.