Government Class: Linkage Institutions Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are the four types of linkage institutions?

Political parties (correct)

Media (correct)

Elections (correct)

Special interest groups (correct)

What is the purpose of linkage institutions?

Links the government and the people together.

How does an 'election-oriented' political party attempt to control the government?

Through winning elections.

What are the functions of a political party in the USA?

To win elections, control government, and influence government policies. Signup and view all the answers

What is a special interest group?

Interest groups gather people and resources to support public policies. Signup and view all the answers

What does NRA stand for?

National Rifle Association. Signup and view all the answers

What does ACLU stand for?

American Civil Liberties Union. Signup and view all the answers

What does PETA stand for?

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Signup and view all the answers

What does AFT stand for?

American Federation of Teachers. Signup and view all the answers

What is Planned Parenthood?

A non-profit organization that provides reproductive health services. Signup and view all the answers

What does AARP stand for?

American Association of Retired Persons. Signup and view all the answers

What does MADD stand for?

Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Signup and view all the answers

What are the differences between political parties and special interest groups?

Political parties focus on many different issues while interest groups focus on one specific issue. Signup and view all the answers

What is a lobbyist and what do they do?

Lobbyists meet with government members to discuss issues and provide information. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two roles of third parties?

To improve the system by focusing on issues and acting as spoilers. Signup and view all the answers

How did Ralph Nader influence the election outcome?

He acted as a spoiler and took away votes from the major party. Signup and view all the answers

What do interest groups provide to their members?

A way to participate in politics and detailed information to the government. Signup and view all the answers

What month is Super Tuesday and what is happening on this day?

Mid-February; most states hold their primary elections. Signup and view all the answers

Which two states usually hold their primary/caucus earliest during an election year?

Iowa and New Hampshire. Signup and view all the answers

Who do members of a political party compete against in a 'primary' election?

Their own party members. Signup and view all the answers

When does the 'General Election' for government leaders happen in the USA?

Tuesday after the first Monday in November every even-numbered year. Signup and view all the answers

To win the presidential election, how many electoral votes must a candidate get?

270 votes. Signup and view all the answers

If no candidate gets enough electoral votes, which group decides the winner?

House of Representatives. Signup and view all the answers

The winner of the 'popular vote' will always win the Electoral College.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are 'swing states'?

States that can go either way regarding their electoral vote. Signup and view all the answers

What does the number of electoral votes tell us about each state?

The number of representatives, senators, and total electoral votes. Signup and view all the answers

Watching political ads/commercials will help you become well-informed about politics.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which type of media helps citizens get the majority of their information about political issues?

TV. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'mass media'?

Examples include radio, TV, Internet, newspapers. Signup and view all the answers

What are some common complaints about America's modern media?

They are biased and do not give the entire story. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Plain Folks'?

A technique designed to send the message that a politician is 'just like you'. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'logical fallacy'?

Two true statements put together that may create a misleading conclusion. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Fear' in political messaging?

Leading people to associate fear with a product, idea, or politician. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Bandwagon'?

A phenomenon where people choose to follow what the majority does. Signup and view all the answers

What are 'Glittering Generalities'?

Messages that portray a subject positively without providing substantial information. Signup and view all the answers

How often do presidential elections occur?

Every 4 years. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Linkage Institutions

Four types: Political parties, Elections, Special interest groups, Media
Purpose is to connect the government with the public

Political Parties

Aim to win elections to control government and influence policies
Functions also include organizing broad common interests

Special Interest Groups

Gather resources to support specific public policies beneficial to their members
Examples include:
- NRA (National Rifle Association): Advocates for gun rights
- ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union): Advocates for individual rights
- PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals): Focuses on animal rights
- AFT (American Federation of Teachers): Represents educators
- Planned Parenthood: Provides reproductive health services
- AARP (American Association of Retired Persons): Serves individuals aged 50 and over
- MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving): Aims to end drunk driving

Political Parties vs. Special Interest Groups

Political parties cover multiple issues, while interest groups focus on specific topics

Lobbying

Lobbyists meet government members to discuss their groups' issues and provide information

Third Parties

Two roles: Raise awareness by focusing on key issues and act as spoilers in elections

Electoral Process

Super Tuesday: Mid-February; most states hold primary elections
Early primary/caucus states: Iowa and New Hampshire
Primary elections involve competing candidates from the same political party
General election occurs on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November every even-numbered year
Winning the presidential election requires 270 electoral votes
If no candidate achieves this, the House of Representatives decides the winner

Electoral Votes

Votes reflect the number of representatives and senators per state
Swing states can vote for either major party in elections

Media and Politics

Popular vote does not guarantee winning the electoral college
TV is the primary source of political information for citizens
Mass media encompasses radio, TV, internet, and newspapers
Common complaints about modern media: Bias and lack of comprehensive coverage
Political advertising techniques include:
- Plain Folks: Politician shown as relatable to the ordinary citizen
- Logical Fallacy: Combining two true statements leading to faulty conclusions
- Fear: Associating issues with fear to sway opinions
- Bandwagon: Encouraging people to follow the crowd
- Glittering Generalities: Presenting the subject positively with vague information

Presidential Elections

Occur every four years

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Description

Test your knowledge on the key concepts of linkage institutions in government. This quiz covers the types of linkage institutions, their purpose, and how political parties operate within the electoral framework. Perfect for students studying government and politics.