Questions and Answers
The process by which individuals acquire their political opinions is called?
Libertarians are opposed to governmental intervention in?
A person who favors government intervention in both social and economic affairs is a(n)?
Which of the following is NOT a primary socializing agent?
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Sources of polling error can include?
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Party identification refers to?
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Change in party identification is uncommon and is almost always a consequence of?
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The policy of affirmative action arose when?
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In general, public opinion?
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A general belief about the role and purpose of government is called?
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Conventional forms of political participation include all of the following EXCEPT?
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Compared with U.S. citizens of higher incomes, those of lower incomes are?
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Robert Putnam argues in 'Bowling Alone' that?
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When the nation was founded, who was eligible to vote?
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In the United States, the primary responsibility for registration of the individual voter rests with the?
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Voter turnout is LOWEST in which age group?
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States with the most restrictive voter registration laws also have?
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The frequency of elections in the United States reduces voter turnout by?
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Eighteen, nineteen, and twenty-year-old Americans were granted the right to vote by the passage of the __________ Amendment.
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Regular voters tend to be characterized by a?
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Proportional representation systems encourage the formation of smaller parties by enabling parties to?
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The most recent party realignment had a realigning election in?
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The history of democratic government is virtually synonymous with the history of?
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The Civil Rights Act of 1968 addressed?
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The winner-take-all system is also known as the ________ system.
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The major reason for the persistence of the American two-party system is?
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All of the following are characteristic of a party realignment EXCEPT?
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Political parties serve to?
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The MOST obvious sign of the party realignment of recent decades has been the strong tendency of?
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Which of the following represents the greatest blow to the organizational strength of U.S. parties?
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Economic groups have an advantage over noneconomic groups because?
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Some groups pursue collective goods. A collective good is one that?
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An interest group that focuses on policy benefits for senior citizens would be an example of?
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A basic reason for the existence of so many interest groups in the United States is?
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The most fully organized interests are those that have which of the following as their primary purpose?
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A flaw in pluralism theory is the fact that?
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PACs tend to contribute the most money to?
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Another name for an interest group is?
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Citizens' interest groups are distinguished from economic interest groups by the fact that?
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The term iron triangle refers to?
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Study Notes
Political Socialization and Opinions
- Political socialization is the process of acquiring political opinions.
- Libertarians advocate against government intervention in both economic and social spheres.
- Populists favor significant government intervention across social and economic activities.
Socializing Agents and Polling
- Peers are not regarded as primary socializing agents, unlike family, school, and church.
- Sources of polling error include unrepresentative samples, question wording, order, and lack of respondent knowledge.
Party Identification and Change
- Party identification is defined as an emotional attachment to a political party.
- Changes in party identification are rare, often stemming from major upheaval.
- The policy of affirmative action emerged from the recognition that legal measures alone were insufficient for equal opportunities.
Public Opinion and Political Ideologies
- Public opinion sets limits on governmental actions rather than directly determining them.
- Ideology represents a general belief regarding the role and purpose of government.
Political Participation
- Conventional political participation includes voting, campaigning, and lobbying, while violent protests are not conventional.
- Voter turnout is significantly lower among younger age groups compared to older citizens.
- Individuals are primarily responsible for their voter registration in the U.S.
Election Dynamics and Systems
- States with strict voter registration laws tend to have lower turnout rates.
- Frequent elections can decrease turnout due to the increased effort required from voters.
- The Twenty-Sixth Amendment granted voting rights to 18- to 20-year-olds.
Characteristics of Voters
- Regular voters often exhibit a strong sense of civic duty.
- Proportional representation systems enable smaller parties to secure legislative seats without needing a majority of votes.
Party Realignment and Political Parties
- The most recent party realignment did not have a distinct realigning election.
- Political parties have historically played a critical role in democratic governance.
- The South's recent trend to vote Republican indicates significant political shifts.
Interest Groups and Their Influence
- Economic interest groups typically have an advantage due to better financial resources compared to noneconomic groups.
- A collective good is one that cannot be selectively granted or denied; it must be available for all.
- Citizens' interest groups differ from economic groups as their members do not receive direct economic benefits from their goals.
Power Dynamics and PACs
- PACs most commonly contribute funds to incumbents to leverage established influence.
- The term "iron triangle" describes a stable relationship between bureaucrats, legislators, and lobbyists focusing on specific interests.
General Notes on Political Dynamics
- Interest groups proliferate in the U.S. due to federalism, free association, and a wide range of societal interests.
- Pluralism theory has a flaw: it often overlooks the disproportionate influence of well-organized groups over underrepresented interests.
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Test your knowledge on key concepts from American Government units 6-10 with these flashcards. Topics include political socialization and libertarian viewpoints. Perfect for students preparing for exams or anyone looking to strengthen their understanding of political ideologies.