Questions and Answers
What are the functions of a political party? (Select all that apply)
What are the similarities between political parties? (Select all that apply)
What is liberal?
Believing the government should get involved more in the lives of the people to help in all ways possible.
What is a conservative?
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What are the differences between the parties?
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What does a third party do? (Select all that apply)
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What are some strategies for evaluating campaign speeches, literature, and advertisements for accuracy? (Select all that apply)
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What is the meaning of propaganda?
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What is the meaning of bias?
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What are the mass media roles in an election? (Select all that apply)
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What is the effect of rising campaign costs? (Select all that apply)
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What happens when interest groups have money and candidates need money?
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What is the effect of campaign finance reform? (Select all that apply)
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Only citizens who register can participate in primary and general elections, is a part of what?
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What are the qualifications to register to vote in Virginia?
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How do you register in Virginia to vote?
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Why is registration closed 22 days before the elections?
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Education, age, and income are all factors for what?
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Why do citizens tend not to vote? (Select all that apply)
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What is the participation rate in presidential elections compared to state and local elections?
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How does the electoral college process work? (Select all that apply)
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Study Notes
Functions of Political Parties
- Recruit and nominate candidates for public office.
- Educate the electorate on campaign issues and priorities.
- Assist candidates in winning elections through support and resources.
- Monitor and evaluate the actions of elected officials to ensure accountability.
Similarities Between Political Parties
- Organized efforts to win elections and gain power.
- Influence public policy and legislative agendas.
- Reflect a mix of liberal and conservative viewpoints to cater to diverse constituents.
- Seek broad appeal by centering their platforms to attract majority support.
Definitions of Political Ideologies
- Liberal: Advocates for increased government involvement in economic and social matters to promote welfare.
- Conservative: Supports limited government intervention in daily life, advocating for personal responsibility and free-market principles.
Differences in Political Parties
- Variances are articulated in party platforms and are evident in campaign approaches and messaging.
Role of Third Parties
- Introduce innovative ideas or prioritize specific political issues.
- Often centered around influential political personalities, like Theodore Roosevelt.
Evaluating Campaign Communications
- Distinguish between factual information and personal opinions.
- Recognize and assess potential biases present in the materials.
- Evaluate the credibility and background of information sources.
- Identify propaganda techniques aimed at manipulating public sentiment.
Propaganda and Bias
- Propaganda: Efforts to influence community attitudes towards particular ideas or policies.
- Bias: A predisposition or partiality that skews objectivity or fairness in presenting information, often resulting in a one-sided perspective.
Mass Media's Role in Elections
- Identify candidate profiles and platforms.
- Highlight critical issues pertinent to the election.
- Produce editorials, political cartoons, and opinion pieces that shape public discourse.
- Broadcast diverse viewpoints to inform voters.
Rising Campaign Costs
- Necessitate extensive fundraising efforts from candidates.
- Create barriers for less affluent individuals aiming for public office.
- Provide advantages for wealthy candidates, skewing electoral competitiveness.
- Encourage the growth of political action committees (PACs) which influence political funding.
- Amplify the impact of special interest groups in politics.
Interest Groups and Candidates
- Candidates often align with the interests of Special Interest Groups to secure financial backing and electoral support.
Campaign Finance Reform
- Ongoing initiatives to address escalating campaign costs through regulatory measures.
- Imposes limits on individual contributions to political candidates and campaign efforts.
Voter Registration and Voting in Virginia
- Eligibility: Only registered citizens can vote in primary and general elections.
- Qualifications: Must be a U.S. citizen, resident of Virginia, and at least 18 years old by election day.
- Registration Process: Applications can be submitted via mail or in person at various designated locations.
Registration Deadlines
- Registration closes 22 days prior to elections to allow governmental processing of applications.
Predictive Factors for Voter Turnout
- Education, age, and income level significantly influence the likelihood of participation in elections.
Reasons for Low Voter Participation
- General disinterest and apathy concerning electoral processes.
- Barriers related to registration can prevent participation.
- Common belief that individual votes have little impact on outcomes.
Voter Participation in Elections
- Generally, turnout is higher for presidential elections than for state or local contests, emphasizing the importance of every vote.
Electoral College Process
- Electors are chosen by popular vote in each state, often using a winner-take-all system.
- Electors convene to cast votes for President and Vice President.
- The winner-take-all mechanism biases campaigning towards large, populous states.
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Explore the important functions and similarities of political parties through these flashcards. Understand how they recruit candidates, educate voters, and influence public policy. Perfect for students looking to enhance their political knowledge.