GOVT 2305 (Blinn-Hicks) Exam 3

Know the influence third parties have on politics

3rd parties are generally given no chance to win an election but are used as a protest movement against the two major parties while promoting specific issues. 3rd parties are often sources of new ideas and realignment and can also take votes from one major party allowing the other to win.

Know the difference between 527 committees and 501(c)(4) committees

527 committees are a tax-exempt group that raises money for political activities; have to disclose where they receive their money501(c)(4) committees engage in political activities so long as that doesn't become their main focus; not legally required to disclose money sources

Know what a contested convention is

A contested convention is referring to 3 things1. At the time the convention begins, no candidate has a clear majority of delegates.2. When the delegates actually vote, no candidate gets a majority.3. A candidate does enter the convention with support from a majority of delegates, but there's a serious, organized effort to depose him.

what is niche journalism?

A form of news reporting devoted to a targeted portion of a journalism market sector or for a portion of readers/viewers based on content or ideological presentation

what is an opinion?

A report which not only includes what they know but contains a form of influence towards a point of view. Usually comes from a less "experienced" source.

Know what policy entrepreneurs are

An individual who identifies a problem as a political issue and brings a policy proposal into the political agenda

What are some tools people use to analyze incumbent performance?

Approval ratings, laws/bills they vote on, personal beliefs, etc.

what is news reporting?

Comes from governments, politicians, corporations, and interest groups in order to draw attention to an issue and tell their side of the story. They strictly report what they currently know.

Know the results from the biology/ideology study we viewed in class.

Conservatives are more sensitive to threatening images, and liberals are more sensitive to pictures of loved ones

what are benefits of digital media?

Convenient, Current, Depth, Diversity

Know the criticisms of the Electoral College

Each Vote is not counted equallyWinner of the popular vote doesn't always winDoes not guarantee small states influence

Know the types of interests groups. Be able to recall examples of the types of groups

Economic and corporate groups; ex: the National Association of Manufacturers,Labor groups; ex: the United Mine WorkersProfessional Associations; ex:American Bar AssociationCitizen Groups (or Public Interest Groups); ex: the Sierra ClubIdeological Groups; ex: The National Right to LifePublic-Sector Groups; ex: the National League of Cities

Know the effective techniques for mobilization

Face-to-face interactionUsing social media as a platform for campaigningCampaigns conducted near college campuses

Know the factors influencing political socialization

Family and social networkEducationRace/EthnicityGenderPolitical affiliationEconomic class

Know the barriers to third-party candidates in the general election

First, most US elections operate by the winner-take-all system, which awards seats only to the candidate or party who wins the most votes in an election; independent or third-party candidates, who have neither the name recognition nor the organizational support provided by the major parties, rarely win the majority of votes.Second, the two major parties frequently incorporate the platforms of third parties into their own platforms; voters who identified with a third-party issue will often vote for a major party candidate who has adopted that issue because major parties are more likely to succeed.

Know the different types of advertisements

Humorous ads make the person watching the ad feel like the person is relatable and funny.Biographical ads give the audience background on who this person is/where they came from.Issues ads bring awareness to certain problems or issues.Comparison ads compares two or more people or brands usually trying to show how one is better than the other.

Know the different political attitudes and voting patterns of the youth

In the 2008 presidential elections, youth turnout was at its highest level in decades, with 44 percent of those aged 18 to 24 voting - still significantly lower than all other voter eligible age groups. In 2016 youth turnout remained lower than the average across all age groups. The primary reason young people don't vote is that they lack an interest in politics or have not been mobilized to participate. Another reason younger people vote less is that political campaigns rarely target young voters.

Know the history of the media relations with the presidency

In the early 1900s, presidents like Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson utilized the media to promote themselves independent of a party organizationA good example is president Franklin Roosevelt using the radio for his "fireside chats"The media also served to expose news, such as the leaked documents in the Vietnam War or Nixon's Watergate scandal

what is an analysis?

Includes facts but not an opinion. The conclusions drawn come straight from the evidence. Tells the reader what they are looking for not necessarily what they want hear.

Know the benefits of interest groups. Be able to name examples of the benefits

Informational benefits: Members receive information via online communication. ex: ConferencesMaterial benefits: anything that can be measured monetarily. ex: Travel packagesSolidary benefits: friendship and networking opportunities provided. ex: Networking opportunitiesPurposive benefits: businesses joining trade associations to further their economic interests. ex: representation before government

what are concerns of digital media?

Loss of investigative power, variation in quality, effects on knowledge and tolerance, propaganda

Know the practices other nations have implemented which have resulted in higher turnout

People can vote over the internet with few security risks. Or by mail weeks in advanceIn Switzerland, anyone can vote by mail a few weeks ahead of election daySome countries make Election Day a national holiday; Or election day is on a Saturday or Sunday

know the barriers to voting

Restriction on the voting rights of people who have committed a felonyRequirement for voters to provide proof of identityElections are held on working days which make it difficult for some people to vote due to the demands of work and family

what is a run-off election?

Run-off elections are held when no candidate received the majority of the votes. The top two candidates have another election to see who gets the majority and wins.

Know the process of public opinion polls- what are samples?

Samples are small groups that are representative of the population. Samples sizes must be used because polling an entire country's population is very costly and unrealistic.

Know the history of the regulation of lobbying

The Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946 is a statute enacted by the United States Congress to reduce the influence on lobbyists. The primary purpose of the Act was to provide information to members of Congress about those that lobby them.

Know the history of PACs, Super PACs, and campaign spending by groups

The first PAC was created in 1944 by the congress of industrial organizations which sought to raise funds to assist the reelection of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.Super PACS were established in 2010 following the U.S Supreme courts Citizens United v. Federal Election Commision decision which allowed both corporations and unions to make independent expenditures from their general treasuries; and nonconnected PAC's which are independent of corporations, unions, and political parties and which make contributions and expenditures to support a particular ideology or issue.Campaign spending form 2011-2015 has gone down by 2 million dollars in U.S Chambers of commerce. Has increased by 2 million in American medical association. And has decreased by 10 million in General Electric and AARP.

How do we determine the amount of electoral votes a state gets in the Electoral College?

This is determined by the population of the state (+2 senators for each state)

Know the main purpose of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

To eliminate the increased use of soft money to fund advertising by political parties on behalf of their candidates

know the process of voter registration

Unlike other nations, the United States requires a two-step process: registering to vote and then voting. In every American state but North Dakota, individuals who are eligible to vote must register with the state election board before they can vote, although a growing number of states allow same-day registration.

Know the history of voter rights

Voters rights have progressed throughout time dramatically. The restrictions and laws put against them have changed to make it fairer since it was first introduced. Started by only rich white men --> to all men can vote --> then to women voting --> young people (18+). All with many different implications and changes in the law throughout the time it's been created.

What do you need to be a digital citizen? What are some drawbacks to this?

You have to have internet access. Not everyone has highspeed internet

what is a majority system?

a candidate needs more than 50% of the votes in order to win.

what is plurality system?

a candidate only needs more votes than his opponent to win.

what is a political party?

a group of people who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy

what is an interest group?

a group of people who share common goals and who actively try to influence policymakers.

what is dealignment?

a movement away from major political parties or a decline in partisan attachment

what is realignment?

a point in history when a new party supplants the ruling party

Know what a double-barreled question is

a question composed of more than two separate issues or topics, but which can only have one answer.

what is a open primary?

allow voters in any party to vote in any party's primaries regardless of their affiliations.

what is public opinion?

citizens attitudes about political issues, leaders, institutions and events

what is polarization?

division into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs.

what is a socialist?

generally believes in social ownership, strong government, free markets, and promoting economic equality

What is a liberal?

generally support social and political reform, government intervention in the economy, more economic equality, expansion of federal social services, and greater concern for the consumer

what is a conservative?

generally support the social and economic status quo and are suspicious of efforts to introduce new political formulas and economic arrangements

what is framing?

how events are interpreted

what is partisanship?

identification with or support of a political party

Know what the bandwagon effect is

is a psychological phenomenon in which people do something primarily because other people are doing it, regardless of their own beliefs, which they may ignore or override.

what is agenda setting>?

is the power of the media to bring public attention to particular issues and problems

what is selection bias?

is the tendency to focus news coverage on only one aspect of an event or issue, avoiding coverage of other aspects

what is political knowledge?

knowing the rules and strategies that govern political institutions and the principles on which they are based, and they relate to your own personal interest

What are the psychological trends related to politics?

likely to follow family, social networks, education and the media

what is indirect lobbying?

more likely to describe efforts to influence the electorate rather than representatives or administrators.

what is direct lobbying?

most likely to refer to direct contacts with legislators and administrators aimed at influencing public policy.

what is a closed primary?

only allows voters affiliated with their party vote in that party's primaries.

Know what a push poll is

opinion poll in which the true objective is to sway voters using loaded or manipulative questions.

How do you make sure a poll is representative?

pollsters have to ensure that the sample group accurately represents the larger population. If 50 percent of voters are female, then 50 percent of the sample group needs to be female. The same applies to characteristics like age, race and geographic location.

what is priming?

preparing the public to bring specific criteria to mind during evaluation

what is a libertarian?

someone who emphasizes freedom and believes in voluntary association with small government

What is the golden standard?

the "golden standard" for polling is a sample size of 1,000

What is the marketplace of ideas?

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

What is cognitive dissonance?

the state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, especially as relating to behavioral decisions and attitude change.

What is confirmation bias related to politics?

the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one's existing beliefs or theories

what is participation?

voting, attending campaigns, rallies, fundraisers, displaying campaign signs, contacting elected officials, donating money, protest, and digital politics Know the process

what is retrospective voting?

when someone votes based on a candidate's past

what is perspective voting?

when someone votes based on what they think will happen in the future

what is straight-ticket voting?

when you vote for all the candidates from one specific party (Republican, Democrat, etc.)