Module 4 (Political Culture and Participation) DBA Prep

Public Opinion

Definition: The collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on one or more issues.
Significance: Influences public policy, elections, and political behavior.

Agents of Socialization

Definition: Institutions and individuals that shape political beliefs and values (e.g., family, school, media).
Significance: They explain why people have different political ideologies.

Conservatism

Definition: A political ideology favoring limited government, traditional values, and free-market economics.
Significance: Tends to align with the Republican Party in the U.S.

Libertarianism

Definition: An ideology advocating minimal government intervention in both economic and personal matters.
Significance: Emphasizes individual liberty and limited government.

Linkage Institutions

Definition: Channels that connect people to the government (e.g., political parties, elections, media, interest groups).
Significance: Help ensure public concerns are represented in policymaking.

Sampling

Definition: The process of selecting a subset of a population for polling.
Significance: Proper sampling ensures accurate reflection of public opinion.

Liberalism

Definition: A political ideology emphasizing social equality, government action to promote social welfare, and protection of civil liberties.
Significance: Tends to align with the Democratic Party in the U.S.

Super PAC

Definition: Independent political action committees that can raise and spend unlimited money to influence elections, but cannot coordinate with candidates.
Significance: Came into prominence after Citizens United v. FEC (2010).

Caucus

Definition: A meeting of party members to choose candidates or formulate policy.
Significance: An alternative to a primary election used in some states.

Free Rider Problem

Definition: When people benefit from a group’s efforts without joining or contributing to the group.
Significance: A challenge for interest groups seeking active participation.

Soft Money

Definition: Contributions to political parties for "party-building activities," not directly to candidates.
Significance: Loophole in campaign finance laws, limited by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002).

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

Ruling: The Supreme Court ruled that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts in candidate elections cannot be limited.
Significance: Led to the rise of Super PACs and increased influence of money in politics.

Rational-Choice Voting

Definition: Voting based on an individual’s best interest after evaluating issues and candidates.
Significance: Reflects a logical decision-making process among voters.

Incumbent

Definition: A current officeholder running for re-election.
Significance: Typically has advantages such as name recognition and established support.

Critical or Realigning Election

Definition: An election that marks a significant change in the political system or party alignment.
Example: 1932 election with FDR and the New Deal Coalition.

Political Parties

Definition: Organized groups that seek to influence public policy by electing candidates.
Significance: Help organize elections, mobilize voters, and shape policy platforms.

Interest Groups

Definition: Organizations that attempt to influence public policy to benefit their members or causes.
Significance: Act as a linkage institution and face challenges like the free rider problem.

Elections

Definition: Formal processes through which citizens choose candidates or policies.
Significance: Core feature of democratic participation and representation.

Media

Definition: Means of communication that disseminate information to the public.
Significance: Shapes political perceptions and acts as a watchdog on government.

First Amendment

Definition: Protects freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.
Significance: Fundamental to political expression and advocacy in the U.S.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Definition: Organizations that raise money to support political candidates or legislation.
Significance: Subject to limits and regulations by the FEC.

Campaign Finance

Definition: The fundraising and spending of money intended to influence elections.
Significance: Highly regulated due to concerns about influence and corruption.

Republicanism

Definition: A philosophy of government where elected officials represent the people.
Significance: Foundational principle of the U.S. political system.

Prospective Voting

Definition: Voting based on what a candidate promises to do in the future.
Significance: Reflects voters’ hopes and alignment with policy goals.

Party Platform

Definition: A political party’s formal statement of its positions on major issues.
Significance: Helps voters understand party priorities and values.

Selection Bias

Definition: A polling error in which the sample is not representative of the population.
Significance: Leads to inaccurate polling results.

Ideological Orientation

Definition: A consistent pattern of political beliefs and values.
Significance: Influences political behavior and party affiliation.

Social Contract

Definition: The theory that people consent to government authority in exchange for protection of rights.
Significance: Root of American democratic ideas (inspired by Locke, Rousseau).

The Rule of Law

Definition: The principle that all individuals and institutions are subject to the law.
Significance: Ensures justice and limits arbitrary power.

Party Realignment

Definition: When a significant number of voters shift party allegiance, often after a critical election.
Significance: Alters the political landscape and party strength.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Facts: Citizens United, a conservative nonprofit, created a film critical of Hillary Clinton and wanted to air it close to the 2008 Democratic primaries, violating campaign finance laws restricting "electioneering communications" by corporations near elections.

Issue: Can the government limit independent political expenditures by corporations and unions under the First Amendment?

Ruling: The Supreme Court ruled (5–4) that corporations and unions can spend unlimited funds on independent political broadcasts in elections.

Significance:

• Struck down parts of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA).

• Led to the rise of Super PACs.

• Expanded the interpretation of free speech to include corporate funding of independent political speech.