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STUDY GUIDE
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 do Republicans generally support?
Limited government intervention, free-market policies, and conservative social values.
What do Democrats generally support?
Government intervention in social and economic issues, progressive policies, 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 soft news?
Entertainment and human-interest stories, often less focused on policy issues.
What is hard news?
Reporting that focuses on political, economic, and policy-related issues.
What is a unified government?
When one party controls both the White House and Congress.
What is a divided government?
When different parties control different branches of government, often 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 is a challenger in an election?
A candidate running against an incumbent for office.
What advantages do incumbents have over challengers?
Name recognition, fundraising ability, and policy experience.
What is plurality voting?
A system where the candidate with the most votes wins, even if under 50%.
What is majority voting?
A system where a candidate must receive more than 50% of the votes to win, 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 inside lobbying?
Direct interaction with policymakers to influence legislation.
What is outside lobbying?
Mobilizing public opinion to put pressure on policymakers.
What are PACs (Political Action Committees)?
Organizations that raise money to support political candidates.
What are Super PACs?
Groups that can raise and 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 voting?
A process allowing voters to cast ballots by mail rather than in person.
What is early voting?
Allowing voters to cast ballots before the official Election Day.
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 retrospective voting?
Voting based on a candidate’s past performance.
What is prospective voting?
Voting based on a candidate’s proposed 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 517 peopleNoteStudied by 5 peopleNoteStudied by 48 peopleNoteStudied by 3 peopleNoteStudied by 6559 peopleNoteStudied by 18 people