The process by which individuals develop political beliefs, values, opinions, and behaviors influenced by family, schools, peers, media, and social environments.
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Why is political socialization important to American government?
It helps keep individuals politically aware and engaged.
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3
What are the three main political ideologies discussed?
Conservatism, Liberalism, and Libertarianism.
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4
What does conservatism favor?
Fewer regulations in the marketplace and less national government involvement in social issues.
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5
What does liberalism favor?
More government regulation of the marketplace and greater national government involvement in social issues.
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6
What is rational choice theory in voting?
Individuals base their decisions on what is perceived to be in their best interest.
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7
What is the difference between prospective and retrospective voting?
Prospective voting is based on predictions of future performance, while retrospective voting is based on past performance.
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8
What is a split-ticket vote?
Voting for candidates from different political parties in a single election.
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9
What factors influence voter turnout?
Variations in state laws, voter registration procedures, and the type of election.
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10
What are structural barriers in voting?
Barriers such as Voter ID laws, polling hours, and insufficient poll workers that limit voter turnout.
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11
What is political efficacy?
The belief that an individual's participation in the political process will make a difference.
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What role do linkage institutions play?
They allow individuals to communicate their preferences to policymakers.
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13
What are the functions of political parties?
Mobilization and education of voters, candidate recruitment, campaign management, and structuring party platforms.
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14
What is a candidate-centered campaign?
A campaign where the focus is on a candidate's personal characteristics rather than on party affiliation.
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15
What are critical elections?
Elections that result in sharp changes in party ideology and voter alignment.
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16
What is a third-party?
A political party that is not one of the major parties in control of the government.
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What is the winner-take-all system?
An electoral system that advantages the two-party system by awarding all electoral votes to the candidate who wins the majority in a state.
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18
What is a closed primary?
A primary election in which only registered party members can vote to select their party's candidate.
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What is a caucus?
A closed meeting of party members to select candidates or decide policy.
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20
What is the purpose of a general election?
To allow all registered voters to vote for candidates for political office.
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What is the significance of the Electoral College?
It allocates electors based on state populations and determines the outcome of presidential elections.
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22
What is campaign finance?
The raising and spending of money by candidates to support their campaigns.
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What was the goal of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002?
To ban soft money and reduce attack ads in political campaigning.
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What is 'horse race' journalism?
Coverage that focuses on polling results and popularity rather than on candidates' qualifications and platforms.
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25
What are Political Action Committees (PACs)?
Committees organized to raise and spend money to elect candidates; regulated by the FEC in federal elections.
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What distinguishes a SuperPAC from a regular PAC?
SuperPACs can raise unlimited amounts of money but cannot coordinate directly with candidates.
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What is hard money in campaigns?
Money that is contributed directly to a candidate’s campaign and is regulated by campaign finance legislation.
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What is soft money?
Money not directed to a specific candidate, often used by political parties, avoiding contribution limits.
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What does the Federal Election Campaign Act regulate?
It limits the raising of money in federal elections and introduced bans on corporate and union contributions.
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What was ruled in Citizens United v. FEC?
Political spending by corporations and labor unions is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.
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