Knowt
Note
Studied by 139 peopleNoteStudied by 1 personNoteStudied by 66 peopleNoteStudied by 31 peopleNoteStudied by 3 peopleNoteStudied by 9 people
PSC Test 2
What is conservatism?
A political ideology advocating for limited government, free-market economy, traditional values, and a strong national defense.
What is liberalism?
A political ideology supporting an active government role in social and economic issues, advocating for welfare programs, regulations, and social equality.
What is the primary goal of political parties?
To win elections and influence government policies.
What are the major differences between Republicans and Democrats?
Republicans favor limited government and free markets, while Democrats support government intervention and social welfare programs.
What is political socialization?
The process through which individuals develop their political beliefs and values.
What are the main agents of political socialization?
Family, education, peers, media, and significant life events.
Why is public opinion important?
It influences policy decisions, elections, and government legitimacy.
How is public opinion measured?
Through polling and surveys using population samples and random sampling.
What is the free-rider problem?
When individuals benefit from a group's efforts without actively contributing.
What strategies do interest groups use to overcome the free-rider problem?
Providing material, solidary, and purposive benefits.
What is agenda-setting in the media?
The media’s ability to influence which issues receive public attention.
What is framing in the media?
The way media presents and shapes how an issue is perceived.
What is the watchdog role of the media?
Holding government officials accountable through investigative journalism.
What is the Equal Time Provision?
An FCC regulation ensuring fairness in broadcasting political content.
What is the difference between soft news and hard news?
Soft news includes entertainment and human-interest stories, while hard news focuses on political, economic, and policy issues.
What is the difference between a unified and divided government?
Unified government occurs when one party controls the White House and Congress; divided government occurs when different parties control different branches, leading to gridlock.
What is a realignment in political history?
A shift in political party support, such as the New Deal Realignment in the 1930s.
What is an incumbent?
A current officeholder who is running for reelection.
What advantages do incumbents have over challengers?
Name recognition, fundraising ability, and policy experience.
What is the difference between plurality and majority voting?
Plurality voting awards victory to the candidate with the most votes, while majority voting requires more than 50% of votes, sometimes leading to runoffs.
How does the Electoral College work?
Presidents are elected through electoral votes allocated by states, rather than by direct popular vote.
What are swing states?
Competitive states that can determine the outcome of presidential elections.
What is the revolving door in politics?
The movement of individuals between government positions and lobbying jobs.
What is the difference between inside and outside lobbying strategies?
Inside strategies involve direct lobbying with policymakers, while outside strategies mobilize public opinion to influence policy.
What are PACs and Super PACs?
Political Action Committees (PACs) donate directly to campaigns, while Super PACs can spend unlimited funds on advertisements but cannot coordinate with candidates.
What is grassroots mobilization?
Encouraging the general public to contact lawmakers and advocate for policy changes.
What role do national party committees (DNC, RNC) play?
They oversee party operations, fundraising, and election strategies.
What is mail-in and early voting, and how does it affect elections?
These methods allow voters to cast ballots before Election Day, increasing voter turnout and accessibility.
What is proportional representation?
An electoral system where parties gain seats based on the percentage of votes received.
What is single-member district plurality voting (SMDP)?
A winner-takes-all system where the candidate with the most votes wins.
What is the role of interest groups in elections?
They influence public policy through lobbying, campaign contributions, and voter mobilization.
How do interest groups differ from political parties?
Interest groups advocate for specific policies, while political parties aim to win elections and control government.
What are material benefits provided by interest groups?
Tangible rewards such as discounts, services, or financial incentives.
What is the role of media conglomeration in news reporting?
Large corporations owning multiple news outlets can influence news content and perspective based on financial interests.
What is an example of media bias?
Selective reporting that favors one political viewpoint over another.
What is proportional allocation in elections?
Distributing delegates or seats based on the proportion of votes each candidate or party receives.
Why do third parties struggle in the U.S. electoral system?
The winner-takes-all system and major party dominance limit their success.
What is the difference between retrospective and prospective voting?
Retrospective voting is based on past performance, while prospective voting considers future policies.
How do media profit motives impact news coverage?
Sensational stories may be prioritized over substantive policy coverage.
What are Super PACs allowed to do that regular PACs cannot?
Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited amounts on advertisements without coordinating with candidates.
NoteStudied by 139 peopleNoteStudied by 1 personNoteStudied by 66 peopleNoteStudied by 31 peopleNoteStudied by 3 peopleNoteStudied by 9 people