Public Opinion and Political Participation

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to public opinion, political participation, and the role of media in politics.

What is public opinion?

Public opinion refers to the collective aggregation of individual attitudes, beliefs, and preferences about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events.

What influences public opinion?

Public opinion is influenced by factors such as family, education, peers, media, life experiences, and group identity.

Define political ideology.

A political ideology is a comprehensive set of beliefs about the proper role and scope of government and how society should be organized.

What are the dominant political ideologies in the U.S.?

The two dominant ideologies in the U.S. are liberalism, which favors government intervention in the economy and social equality, and conservatism, which favors limited government and free markets.

What is party identification (PID)?

Party identification is a deep-seated psychological attachment to a political party, serving as a predictor of individual voting behavior.

Define political socialization.

Political socialization is the lifelong process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values through influences such as family, schools, and media.

What is the gender gap in politics?

The gender gap refers to the observed difference in political opinions or voting behavior between men and women.

What is framing in the context of media?

Framing is the process by which issues are presented and defined by the media or political leaders, influencing interpretation.

What is the rally-around-the-flag effect?

The rally-around-the-flag effect is a surge in public support for government leaders during times of national crisis or war.

Define political participation.

Political participation includes any activity by private citizens intended to influence the government, policy, or selection of leaders.

What is the difference between conventional and unconventional participation?

Conventional participation involves standard forms like voting or campaigning, while unconventional participation includes protests and civil disobedience.

What is microtargeting in political campaigns?

Microtargeting is the use of data analytics to direct campaign messages to very specific groups of voters based on detailed information.

What is Duverger's Law?

Duverger's Law states that plurality electoral systems tend to favor the emergence and dominance of just two major political parties.

What is the free rider problem in interest groups?

The free rider problem occurs when individuals can benefit from an interest group's efforts without contributing to it.

What is muckraking?

Muckraking refers to investigative journalism focused on exposing corruption and social issues to prompt reform.

How does the media influence agenda-setting?

Agenda-setting is the media's power to influence which topics the public thinks are important by deciding which stories receive coverage.

What are insider and outsider tactics in lobbying?

Insider tactics involve direct connections with policymakers, while outsider tactics mobilize public opinion to influence political outcomes.