Government: Exam 2

What is political socialization and what are the main means through which people are socialized?

The induction of individuals into the political culture; learning the underlying beliefs and values on which the political system is based; family and social network, social groups and race, political party affiliation, education, and political environment

What is the marketplace of idea?

The public forum in which beliefs and ideas are exchanged and compete

What are the dominant political ideologies?

Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism, Libertarianism

What is public opinion?

citizen's attitudes about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events

How has digital media changed the way Americans get their news?

93%of adults read their news online

How is political ideology defined?

A cohesive set of beliefs that forms a general philosophy about the role of the government

What is the gender gap?

A distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the differences in views between women and men

What is proportional representation?

A multiple-member district system in which many competing political parties are awarded legislative seats in rough proportion to the percentage of popular votes that each party wins

What is dark money?

political spending by nonprofit organizations that are not required to disclose their donors. Such organizations can receive unlimited donations from corporations, individuals and unions.

What are 3 ways interest groups can use the courts to affect public policy?

1. By bringing suit directly on behalf of the group itself 2. By financing suits brought by individuals 3. By filing a companion brief as a friend of the court to an existing court case

What are the 3 roles of the media in political life?

1. To help inform the public about current political issues and events 2. To provide a forum through which candidates, politicians, and the public can debate policies and issues 3. To act as a watchdog on the actions of the government and political actors

What is a margin of error and why is it important?

A polling area that arises based on the small size of the sample

What is a random sample?

A sample in which every individual has an equal probability as the respondent

What is the bandwagon effect?

A shift in electoral support to the candidate whom public opinion polls report as the front-runner

What is a sample?

A small group selected by researchers to represent the most important characteristics of an entire population

What are agenda setting and framing?

Agenda setting is the power of the media to bring public attention to particular issues and problems Framing is the power of the media to influence how events and issues are interpreted

How are values defined? How do they differ from attitudes?

Basic principles that shape a person's opinions about political issues and events. Attitude is a specific preference on a particular issue. Attitude is the response that is a result of our values.

What are different types of interest groups and who do they represent? Provide examples

Economic: Direct economic interest in government policy; Businesses and corporations & trade associations Labor: support of public employees; labor unions: 2% Professional associations: dentist, accountants, teachers, real estate agents: 10% Public Interest: represent the general good rather than its own economic interests: 20% Ideological: organized in support of certain political and philosophical perspectives Public-Sector: Universities and groups that have interest in gov. funding for research and support: 10%

What is important when selecting a group for a survey of the population?

Have a large population size

What is an open versus closed primary?

In a closed primary, only voters registered for the party which is holding the primary may vote. An open primary is a primary election in which any registered voter can vote in any party's primary.

How do interest groups mobilize their membership?

Institutional advertising, protests and demonstrations, grassroots mobilization

What is internal versus external mobilization?

Internal: political conflicts break out and government officials and competing factions seek to mobilize popular support External: a group of politicians outside government organize popular support to win governmental power

Why has social media become a popular means for politicians to communicate?

It allows them to control the content unfiltered by the mainstream press

What are the most prominent political ideologies in the US and how are they defined?

Liberalism- support political and social reform; government intervention and progressive taxation; workers rights Conservatism- support social and economic status quo; suspicious of efforts to introduce new political formulae and economic arrangements

What impact does declining political participation have on people's trust in government?

Low confidence in government is related to perception that the government is unable to solve problems, spend money in an effective way, or represent interests and policy preferences of average voters.

What is the fairness doctrine?

Required for broadcasters who aired programs on controversial issues to provide time for opposing views

What are filter bubbles?

Screens out exposure to info that might challenge or broaden our worldview

What is the role of political parties in American politics?

Seeks to control the entire government by electing its members into office

What is the social desirability effect?

The effect that results when respondents in a survey report what they expect the interviewer wishes to hear rather than what they believe

Who regulates broadcast media?

The Federal Communications Commission

What is digital citizenship?

The ability to participate in culture and politics online

How does the media influence public opinion and politics?

They can shape and modify the public's perception of events, issues and institutions. Use agenda setting framing and priming

How do political parties help to get out the vote?

They contact voters and have field offices to spread the word

What is the purpose of micro-targeting and how is it used during elections?

This enables political parties to target candidates strategies and messages to these very specific groups. They tailor campaign messages to individuals in small, homogenous groups.

What is the purpose of primary elections?

To pick each parties candidates for the general election

Why do candidates conduct push polling?

To plant negative ideas about the opposing candidate

What are typical trends in state/local election turnout?

Turnout is really low compared to state elections. Presidential: 6 in 10 Midterm: one third of eligible voters Local: even lower

How is Freedom of the Press protected in the Constitution?

Under the First Amendment: Freedom of Speech, Religion, and Press

What are different forms of political participation?

Voting, volunteering, and digital participation

When do electoral realignments typically occur?

When new issues, combined with economic or political crises, mobilize new voters and persuade large numbers of voters to permanently shift their support from one party to another