Chapter 9: Public Opinion (1&3)
What is a one party system
A single political party controls government
Define third party
Any political party in a two party system besides the two major ones
Who led the Democratic-Republican
Maddison and Jefferson
What is "the penny press"
The inexpensive newspapers covered issues of interest o working class people
define sampling error
The margin of error
What were the belifs of the Democratic-Republican
The nations strength was in its agricultural base and in ordinary citizens living in small communities
What do conservatives support
United government, lower taxes, and traditional social views
Identify three ways political parties benefit amercan democracy
1. Bothe parties filter our extreme or unconventional ideas 2. Parties provide stability against rapid and disruptive change 3. Parties try to include as broad a base of support as they can
Explain 4 ways political parties aid in the electoral process
1. Educate people about issues and try to motivate people 2. Voters can determine a candidates view on political issues based on brand party theyre involved in 3. Help electorate register to vote, learn about issues and partys position, and find out where to vote 4. Parties use their issues success and other partys failures to attract voters to their own candidates
Name 2 ways political parties differ from interest groups
1. Interest groups pressure parties from the outside 2, Parties address a variety of issues, interest groups address one and not the other
identify 4 major criticism of our poilitical parties
1. Lacks unity, discipline, and loyalty because trying to appeal to as many voters as possible 2. Contributions influence parties and their office holders to act in ways that benefit narrow interests than serve large public good 3. Parties are full of office seekers who are interested move in their personal success than in serving the public good 4. Partisan bickering between major parties. More interested in winning votes than actually solving the major party problems confronting the nation
Give 3 examples of how party leaders/members help run the government
1. Majority controls the house 2. Those appointed to judicial/executive branches are members of the presidential party 3. Parties may provide ways for branches to work out their differences
What are the 3 main roles parties play in the political system
1. Nominating candidates for political office 2. Assisting electoral process (ex. educate voters) 3. Helping to operate the government (ex. control house and senate)
What are the two views of public opinion
1. Public as one large body that can be led 2. Public is many separated "public's" with opinions on specific issues
What is a two party system
2 major parties compete to control government
Define poll
A survey of people scientifically selected to provide opnions about something
Define poltical parites
An organization that tries to elect its members to public office so that its views can become public policy
why is public opinion important
Because it helps shape public policy
What are 4 criticisms of the media
Bias in reporting Bias in story selection Factual inaccuracy Media consolidation
How does media shape public opinion
By the issues it covers and the ones it ignores
explain media consolidation
Critics argue that this media concentration destroys the independent sources of information our democracy has (About 2 dozen companies own US media outlets)
explain factual inaccuracy
Critics warn that news sources, especially non traditional sources, maybe careless about factual innacuracy
Since 1824 what have the 2 major poltiical parties been
Democrats and Republicans
Define bias
Errors introduced by polling methods that lead to one outcome over the other
What is the most direct, even if we disagree, way people acquire political beliefs
Family
Who led the federalist party
Hamilton
Which groups generally identify with the Democratic Pary
Labor unions, women, racial and ethnic minorities, and educated urban voters
What may shape public opinion and public agenda
Mass media
Define mass media
Means of communication that provide information to a large audience (doesnt take sides, but focuses attention on important issues)
What is a key characteristic of multiparty system
Most common party system
What are 4 examples of mass media
NY Times, television, radio, social media
What is a key characteristic of one party system
Other parties may, or may not, be allowed to operate, bu they usually have no power
How does party organization reflect our system in federalism
Parties are organized at all levels, from small local committees to the large national committees
Define political socialization
Process by which people acquire political beliefs
Which group generally identify with the Republican party
Religious conservatives, corporate and business interests, and white men
What is a multiparty systenm
Several parties compete for control
Define propaganda
Statements meant to influence public opinion or promote a cause or viewpoint
In order to receive a partys support what is true of a candidates views?
The candidates views must generally fit the partys beliefs
What was the first form of electronic media
The radio
What is the "Yellow Journalism"
Uses sensationalism, scandals, and appeals patriotism to attract and influence readers
Define ideology
When a party unites its idea and goals into a social and political spectrum
What is an example of other personal factors that influence a persons political belief
Younger persons' opinion about social security benefits may differ from someone older
Define public opinion
collection of views people have on public issues
How are political socialization influenced
family and friends, school and work, and personal factors like age
What is objectivity
freedom from bias and outside factors like timing
What do liberals support
government action to change social, political, or economic policies that are believed to be unfair
Why might media be bias in story selection
if its boring and they want more views
The medias affect on public policy and public opinion is most visible in what 2 areas
its monitors, shapes, and determines the public agenda it covers electoral politics
during what age are more people independent of family influences
late teens or early twenties
On the political spectrum what is the democratic party considered? republican?
liberal. conservative
Explain bias in story selection
media outlet may focus on one issue and ignore or downplay others
What is a key characteristic of 2 party system
other parties may exist and may affect elections but rarely have enough support to elect a national leader or control legislation
What is the most enduring form of mass media
Explain Bias in reporting
reporting may be slanted toward a certain viewpoint
Where do we formally learn about the government, citizenship, and other values
school
Define precinct
smallest unit for administering elections and local voting
Define exit polls
surveys a randomly selected fraction of voters after they have voted and tells pollsters how people have voted before the official vote count
define public policy
the choices the government makes and the actions it takes in response to a particular issue or problem
Define sample
the group of people who take part in the poll
What were the beliefs of the federalist party
the nations future lay in a strong central government, large cities, and a strong manufacturing base
What does the accuracy of polls depend on
the number of people answering questions, how those people are chosen, how the questions are asked, and the absence of bias
