GOV TEST 2

What are the core values of American political ideologies?

Individualism, equal opportunity, free enterprise, and rule of law.

What does individualism refer to in American political ideology?

Each person has the ability to shape their life and destiny through the choices they make.

What is meant by equal opportunity?

All people are given an equal chance to compete.

How does free enterprise function in America?

The market determines prices, products, and services.

What does 'rule of law' signify?

Every person, even those in power, must follow the same laws that govern all.

Define political socialization.

The process by which individuals develop political beliefs, values, opinions, and behaviors.

What factors contribute to political socialization?

Family, schools, peers, media, and social environments including civic and religious organizations.

What characterizes the United States political culture?

Its democratic ideals, principles, and core values.

What is globalization in the context of political culture?

The process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide.

Define political ideology.

A set of political ideas and beliefs on how society should function in achieving and prioritizing goals and methods.

What influences political ideology?

Generational effects, life cycle effects, political events, and political socialization.

What are generational effects?

Experiences shared by people of a common age.

What are life cycle effects?

Experiences a person encounters during different life stages.

Define a scientific poll.

A human research survey of public opinion using statistical information to randomly select representative respondents.

What is an opinion poll?

Measuring public opinion on various issues.

What is a benchmark poll?

Creating baseline views of a candidate.

Define a tracking poll.

Following how views of a candidate change during a campaign.

What is the purpose of an exit poll?

Collecting data on why people voted the way they did.

What factors improve polling methodology?

Accurate sampling methods, neutral framing of questions, and accurate reporting.

What constitutes public opinion?

Collective opinion on a topic or issue or voting intention relevant to society.

What is the Democratic Party known for?

Generally aligns more closely to liberal ideological positions.

Define liberalism in politics.

Favor more governmental regulation of the marketplace and national government involvement in social issues.

What characterizes the Republican Party?

Generally aligns more closely to conservative ideological positions.

What is conservatism in political ideology?

Favor fewer regulations in the marketplace and less national government involvement in social issues.

Define libertarianism.

Favor little or no regulation of the marketplace beyond the protection of property rights.

What did the Fourteenth Amendment achieve?

Granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., including formerly enslaved people.

What did the Fifteenth Amendment establish?

Granted African American men the right to vote.

What change did the Seventeenth Amendment bring?

Changed the practice for electing Senators from a vote by state legislatures to a direct vote by the people.

What is significant about the Nineteenth Amendment?

Granted women the right to vote.

What did the Twenty-Fourth Amendment eliminate?

Poll taxes, a structural barrier to voting.

What change did the Twenty-Sixth Amendment introduce?

Lowered the voting age to 18.

What does rational choice theory refer to?

Individuals base their decisions on what is perceived to be in their best interest.

What is retrospective voting?

Deciding whether to reelect the party or candidate in power based on recent past performance.

What does prospective voting involve?

Voting based on predictions of future performance by a party or candidate.

What is split-ticket voting?

Voting for candidates from different political parties on the same ballot.

What factors influence voter turnout?

State-controlled elections, voter registration laws, and election types.

What are structural barriers in voting?

Voter ID laws, funding variations for polling places, and types of voting allowed.

Define political efficacy.

The belief that an individual’s participation in the political process will make a difference.

What factors influence voter choice?

Party identification, candidate characteristics, political issues, and demographic factors.

What are linkage institutions?

Channels that allow individuals to communicate their preferences to policymakers.

What are the functions of political parties?

Mobilization and education of voters, party platforms, candidate recruitment, and campaign management.

What is a party platform?

A formal set of principal goals of a political party to appeal to the public.

What characterizes a candidate-centered campaign?

Focus is on the characteristics of the candidate rather than the party.

What are critical elections/realignments?

Sharp changes in party ideology, issues, and political systems.

What does a third party refer to?

Political parties not among the two major parties, often facing challenges for success.

What is a proportional system?

An electoral system where subgroups of an electorate are represented proportionally.

Define winner-take-all system.

A voting system where the winning candidate receives all the representation, disadvantaging third parties.

What do interest groups do?

Represent specific interests, conduct lobbying, and mobilize membership to influence legislation.

What is an amicus curiae brief?

A written document submitted as a 'friend of the court' for additional information in a case.

What is AARP?

A non-profit organization focused on issues affecting those above 50 years of age.

Define lobbying.

Lawfully attempting to influence the actions, policies, or decisions of public policymakers.

What is a free rider?

Someone who benefits from an interest group without contributing financially.

Define a single-issue group.

An organization that focuses on lobbying for a specific policy area or idea.

What do ideological/social movements focus on?

Particular political ideologies or social movement agendas.

What is a protest movement?

Focused on addressing perceived injustices or disagreements with policies.

What is a professional organization?

An interest group consisting of members from a common career field.

What is incumbency advantage?

Benefits current officeholders possess over challengers.

What is an open primary?

A voting process where only voters registered in a given party can vote in that party's primary.

What is a closed primary?

A voting process allowing voters of any party affiliation to vote in one party's primary.

What is a caucus?

Closed meetings of party members to select candidates or decide policy.

What happens at a party convention?

Delegates come to nominate candidates and decide on a party platform.

What is a general election?

A regular election where all registered voters may vote for political office candidates.

How does the Electoral College function?

States choose how to allocate electors, often using a winner-take-all system.

What characterizes the popular vote?

The election where the candidate with the majority of votes in the nation wins.

What is a presidential election?

Involves incumbency advantage, primaries, caucuses, and elections to select President.

What factors affect congressional elections?

Incumbency advantage, primaries, caucuses, and general election dynamics.

What are some key aspects of a modern campaign?

Dependence on consultants, rising costs, duration, and reliance on social media.

What is involved in campaign finance?

Financial contributions from individuals, PACs, and political parties.

What is the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002?

An effort to ban soft money and reduce attack ads.

What are Political Action Committees (PACs)?

Political committees organized for raising and spending money to influence elections.

What are SuperPACs?

PACs that may raise unlimited money but cannot coordinate with candidates.

Define agenda setting in media.

Media influence on how citizens acquire political information.

What does traditional news media include?

Print media, radio, television, cable/satellite, and billboards.

What is social media?

Interactive technologies facilitating the creation and sharing of information.

What is investigative journalism?

Deep investigation by reporters into topics of interest, especially governmental issues.

What is 'horse race' journalism?

Focus on popularity rather than qualifications or platforms of candidates.

Define media bias.

Bias in the selection and coverage of events and stories by journalists.

What is a consumer-driven media outlet?

Media influenced by consumer actions and needs.