Political Science Review

1. Why do we use polls? To measure public opinions, predict elections, and to gage confidence in political order

2. The literary digest failed because… had a biased sample that didn’t represent the full election. 

3. George Gallup succeeded because… used a random sample which is better than a biased sample

4. Is polling accurate? It depends on how the poll is conducted but is better today.

5. Random statistical errors… are unpredictable changes in measurements that happen because of chance and are hard to identify which leads to inconsistent results 

6. Example of push poll? Push public opinions rather than measure them.

7. Perceptual lens that guides action? Partisanship is the lens that guides future action

8. Best predictor of person’s party ID? Their parents

9. Reasons knowledge is not worrisome? Collectively rational, jurisdictions,

10. Democrats and Republicans are farther apart on spectrum... One is liberal while the other is not. Political polarization

11. Is the public polarized? We don’t know but they’re biased against the opposing party. 

12. Why doesn’t the gov’t regulate print media? Is a check and balance within gov’t but is a check outside gov’t

13. Freedom of the press is protected by? 1st amendment

14. Who uncovered the Watergate scandal? Washington Post

15. Worries about change in media? Concentration of media ownership, fewer facts, selective exposure, misinformation, rise in cable TV leads to a decline, soft news.

16. What is the “Minimal effects model”? Media influence a small part of the public.

17. What is “Selective exposure”? Choose to only consume certain types of media that they agree with

18. What is “selective perception”? Perceiving the same information differently

19. What is the “not so minimal effects model”? Media is more effective than we thought but in subtle ways.

20. Interest groups are good because…bring attention to particular issues, can collectively bargain, can get their voices heard, advance economic well-being, 

21. Interest groups are bad because… influence of money and politics, get to meet people with the same views.

22. What is the “revolving door”? Most rallies held public sector jobs.

23. What does the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) do? Monitors financing of campaigns

24. 2010 Supreme Court ruling? Cooperations have the same 1st amendment rights as people do. Lead to less regulation of campaign finance

25. What is the “free rider” problem? People not contributing to something but getting the same benefits.

26. What was ruled unconstitutional in 2000? 

27. Which party has a greater demand for diversity? Democratic Party

28. What happened in 1932 and 1968 to change the 2 parties? 1932 FDR created the New Deal and in 1968 the New Society was created

29. Modern-day liberal democrats… would support the New Deal and Great Society.

30. Modern-day conservative Republicans would oppose the New Deal and Great Society. .

31. Duverger’s law… will always be 2 main political parties.

32. The 17th amendment… allowed people to directly appoint senators. Lead to more power to public since we couldn’t do so before. 

33. Why the Electoral College? Supportive in democracy-didn’t trust people to be in charge, and wanted to enhance state power.

34. Can a president win without a popular vote? Yes, has happened multiple times

35. What does the 12th Amendment do? Elect president and vice president together.

36. Campaign spending increased or decreased? Increased by a lot.

37. General election campaigning… focus on battleground or spring states

38. What is replacing traditional ads? Microtargeting. Target messages to fit specific groups of people

39. U.S. turnout… is low compared to other countries because election day isn’t a national holiday.

40. What is motivating Gerrymandering? Voting Rights Act which gave votes to minorities and wanted to stop that.

41. What are presidential coattails?

1. Democracy is…all of the above

2. The framers generally wanted a balanced society

3. Conservatives generally believe what on economic issues? Lower taxes will eventually benefit everyone, and less govt interference

4. The very definition of tyranny? … in one place

5. Which is not a check and balance. President chooses majority, house and senate leader

6. Has the election of the Senate changed? Members of senate

7. Race to the bottom? - States may wish to…

8. Opponents of gun rights focus on which part of the 2nd amendment? The first part

9. Privatizations of prisons: good or bad thing? Bad - created incentives for people to make money.

Racial bias in the prison system? Yes