federal gov test 2

Define public opinion

The collective attitudes and beliefs people hold about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events.

Political socialization, agents of socialization

Political socialization is how individuals acquire political beliefs; agents include family, schools, peers, media, and religion.

The First Amendment entails ________

Freedoms of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition.

Define the media and the purpose of the news in government

Media inform the public, act as watchdogs, and shape political discourse.

What is a media monopoly?

When a few corporations control most media outlets, limiting viewpoint diversity.

What are examples of broadcast media outlets?

ABC, NBC, CBS, NPR, CNN, Fox News.

What is meant by the digital divide?

The gap between those with access to digital technology and those without.

Younger and older Americans get their news from different sources such as _____

Younger: social media and websites; Older: TV and newspapers.

A traditional form of political activity is ______

Voting.

What is voter turnout?

The percentage of eligible voters who actually vote.

Traditional political participation entails___

Voting, attending rallies, volunteering for campaigns.

Digital political participation entails _____

Online petitions, social media activism, digital donations.

Define mobilization

Efforts to encourage political participation, often by parties or interest groups.

Age groups vary in their voting

Older Americans vote more consistently than younger ones.

What are permanent absentee ballots?

Ballots automatically mailed to voters for each election without reapplying.

All of the following are important roles for the media in American democracy EXCEPT

Making laws (media do not legislate).

Suppose several states enact voter ID laws in the run up to an election. How might this policy change affect minority and non-White voter turnout?

It may reduce turnout due to access barriers.

The media are sometimes referred to as the “fourth branch of government” because

They monitor government actions and inform the public.

Which agency regulates broadcast media?

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

What change has occurred with mass media ownership in the recent past years?

Increased consolidation under fewer corporations.

The electoral college is

A body of electors who formally elect the president.

Difference between an open primary and a closed primary

Open: any voter can participate; Closed: only registered party members.

The first caucus in the presidential primary campaign is held in ________, while the first primary election in the presidential primary campaign is held in ________.

Caucus: Iowa; Primary: New Hampshire.

In addition to nominating a presidential candidate, national party conventions are important because they

Unify the party and adopt the platform.

A(n) ________ is a proposed law or policy change that is placed on the ballot by citizens or interest groups for a vote.

Initiative.

Difference between split ticket and straight ticket voting

Split: voting for multiple parties; Straight: voting for one party only.

For a political party to select a candidate to run in the general election, it holds a(n)

Primary election or caucus.

When Richard Nixon employed his “southern strategy,” he

Appealed to conservative white voters in the South.

The 1980s Republican party coalition, the 1930s Democratic party coalition

GOP: evangelicals, business interests; Democrats: labor, minorities.

What issue led to the demise of the Whig Party?

Internal divisions over slavery.

The first party system was characterized by conflict between these two groups ______.

Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.

Which of the following groups is most likely to affiliate with the Republican Party?

White evangelical Protestants.

Support for the Republican Party currently comes from the

Rural areas, white voters, business interests.

Men are more likely than women to prioritize economic and national security issues. Women are more likely to prioritize healthcare and education issues.

True — this reflects the gender gap in issue priorities.

The difference in who men and women tend to vote for is known as

The gender gap.

Since the 1930s, most African Americans have identified as

Democrats.

Which statement about party identification in the United States is most accurate?

Most Americans lean toward a party, even if they call themselves independent.

Which list of issue positions is most likely to be supported by the national leadership of the Democratic Party?

Healthcare expansion, climate action, abortion rights, gun control.

Political Party platform contains ______

The party’s principles and policy goals.

The three most important tasks accomplished at a party’s national convention are nominating the party’s

Presidential and vice presidential candidates, and adopting the platform.

Political parties hold primary elections or caucuses in order to

Select nominees for the general election.

Which of the following is the best definition of redistricting?

Redrawing electoral district boundaries after the census.

General elections, primary elections

General: final selection of officeholders; Primary: choose party nominees.

A referendum is the

Direct vote by citizens on a law passed by the legislature.

Why are Latinos a critically important group for politicians?

They are the fastest-growing minority group with increasing political influence.

Over the past decade, polls have shown that Asian American voters are moving

Toward the Democratic Party.

This form of political participation is rejected by many.

Civil disobedience or illegal protest.

The Libertarian Party and Green party are _____

Third parties.

Define Linked Fate, gender gap, group consciousness

Linked Fate: group outcomes affect personal outcomes; Gender gap: voting differences; Group consciousness: shared political identity.

What is an incumbent?

A current officeholder seeking re-election.

Two political parties in the late 1780s were _____

Federalists and Anti-Federalists.

Midterm elections, off-year elections, special elections

Midterm: halfway through presidency; Off-year: non-federal years; Special: fill vacancies.

Which of the following is an example of a public broadcasting organization?

PBS (Public Broadcasting Service).

Liberalism and conservatism are examples of

Political ideologies.

Opposition to legalized abortion is a position most likely supported by ________, while support for legalized abortion is a position most likely supported by ________.

Conservatives/Republicans; Liberals/Democrats.

How do privately owned media companies and public media companies earn their revenues?

Private: ads and subscriptions; Public: government funding and donations.

What is citizen journalism?

News reported by ordinary individuals, often online.

Define the meaning of digital divide?

The gap in access to digital technology.

Gerrymandering and Redistricting

Gerrymandering: manipulating districts for advantage; Redistricting: redrawing boundaries.

Referendum, recall, initiative

Referendum: vote on law; Recall: remove official; Initiative: propose law via petition.

What was the outcome of the 1965 Voting Rights Act?

Banned racial discrimination in voting; increased minority participation.

Democrats and Republicans are concentrated in different geographical areas in the U.S.

Democrats: urban/coastal; Republicans: rural/interior.

Direct Democracy which is _____ was supported by this groups

Direct democracy, which allows citizens to vote directly on laws and policies, was supported by Progressive reformers and populist movements.