Review of Public Opinion, Political Participation, Political Parties, Interest Groups, and News Media

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on public opinion, political participation, political parties, interest groups, and news media.

What is public opinion?

The collective preferences and attitudes of citizens concerning political issues, leaders, institutions, and events.

Why was the Literary Digest Poll of 1936 flawed?

It sampled only those with telephones and automobiles, leading to a biased sample favoring wealthier individuals.

What is public opinion?

The collective preferences and attitudes of citizens concerning political issues, leaders, institutions, and events.

Why was the Literary Digest Poll of 1936 flawed?

It sampled only those with telephones and automobiles, leading to a biased sample favoring wealthier individuals.

What can be more accurate, a well-chosen small sample or a large poorly chosen sample?

A smaller, well-chosen sample can be more accurate than a large, poorly chosen one.

What are non-response bias, social desirability bias, and question framing?

Polling errors that can affect the accuracy of survey results.

What inaccuracies were observed in the 2020 and 2024 polls?

They had inaccuracies due to oversampling of college-educated voters.

What are the three dimensions of public opinion?

Direction (favorability or opposition), intensity (strength of opinion), and salience (importance of the issue).

What is identity politics?

Increased polarization as identities align with political beliefs.

What are the primary agents of socialization?

Family, school, and religion.

What was a successful example of politicians shaping public opinion?

FDR’s New Deal.

What distinguishes delegate representation from trustee representation?

Delegate follows constituents' wishes, while trustee uses personal judgment.

Which amendment granted voting rights to Black men?

The 15th Amendment.

What did the 19th Amendment achieve?

It granted women the right to vote.

What did the 26th Amendment change regarding voting?

It lowered the voting age to 18.

What are some reasons U.S. voter turnout is lower compared to other democracies?

Registration burden on individuals, frequent elections, and voter ID laws.

What factors positively affect voter turnout?

Education, age, and income.

What factors negatively affect voter turnout?

Apathy, alienation, and barriers.

What role do social movements play in politics?

They signal dissatisfaction with traditional politics and encourage political engagement.

What was the public perception of the Anti-Vietnam War movement?

Often tolerated but unpopular.

What warning did Washington give about political parties?

He opposed them, but they emerged due to ideological divides.

What is the function of political parties?

To organize elections and governance, and to mobilize voters.

What defines a two-party system?

Winner-take-all elections combined with single-member districts.

How do third parties influence major parties?

They rarely win but can influence the positions and policies of major parties.

What is realignment in political parties?

A lasting shift in party coalitions.

What does the median voter theorem suggest?

Candidates should appeal to centrists, which is challenged by polarization.

What are the demographic trends in party alignment?

Men lean Republican, women lean Democratic, minorities lean Democratic, and rural areas lean Republican while urban areas lean Democratic.

How have primary elections affected party control?

They shifted nomination power from party leaders to voters.

What is the 'money chase' in American politics?

Candidates must constantly fundraise for their campaigns.

What was the outcome of Citizens United v. FEC (2010)?

It allowed unlimited spending by SuperPACs.

What are SuperPACs?

Political action committees that can spend independently but cannot coordinate with candidates.

What distinguishes hard money from soft money?

Hard money refers to direct contributions to candidates, while soft money refers to unregulated contributions to parties or groups.

What is the primary difference between interest groups and political parties?

Parties run candidates, while interest groups influence policy.

What distinguishes economic interest groups from citizen interest groups?

Economic groups are involved with business and unions, while citizen groups advocate for public interests.

What are the two types of lobbying?

Inside lobbying involves direct contacts with officials, while outside lobbying focuses on mobilizing public opinion.

What does pluralist theory argue about interest groups?

It argues that interest groups enhance democracy.

What is Schattschneider's critique?

That wealthier interest groups dominate the political landscape.

What are iron triangles?

Policy-making alliances between Congress, bureaucracy, and interest groups.

How do issue networks differ from iron triangles?

They are looser and more dynamic alliances.

What characterized the early partisan press?

It was characterized by fierce political allegiance, evidenced by Hamilton vs. Jefferson.

What is yellow journalism?

A sensationalist style of news reporting that emerged in the 19th century.

What reforms occurred in the 20th century regarding journalism?

The move towards objective journalism, led by figures like Adolph Ochs of the New York Times.

What is the role of a watchdog in media?

Engaging in investigative journalism to hold officials accountable.

What was the Fairness Doctrine?

A policy repealed in the 1980s that aimed to ensure balanced reporting of controversial issues.

What are the functions of media?

Signaling (agenda-setting), common carrier (providing platforms), watchdog (investigative journalism), partisan (advocacy), and entertainment.

What challenge faces the return to an era like Walter Cronkite's?

It is difficult due to the decentralization brought by the internet.