Questions and Answers
What is public opinion?
What is a political ideology?
A complex set of beliefs and values that forms a general philosophy about the government.
What are political values?
The basic principles that people hold about government.
What are political attitudes?
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What is liberty?
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What does political socialization refer to?
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What is the belief that government should be limited to as few activities as possible?
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The statement 'The poor are generally less supportive of economic and social programs than the wealthy' is true.
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What does the term 'gender gap' refer to?
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What do liberal policies emphasize?
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What is a socialist?
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What illustrates Americans' commitment to liberty?
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What terms describe America's fundamental political views?
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What does the controversial nature of affirmative action reveal?
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What is political socialization?
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What does the term 'marketplace of ideas' refer to?
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What were the Lincoln-Douglas debates?
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What primarily influences people's political party preference?
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A liberal would most likely support what?
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Which core American value is most important to liberal ideology?
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What core political value is most highly prized by American conservatives?
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Liberals support abortion while conservatives do not.
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Conservatives are more likely to support ________ than liberals are.
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What have recent studies shown about the average American's knowledge of political institutions?
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What does the concept 'marketplace of ideas' refer to?
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What is a sample quota?
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What is a push poll?
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What was the nature of the poll conducted during the 2000 South Carolina Republican primary?
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What does research into public opinion and public policy highlight?
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Study Notes
Public Opinion and Political Ideology
- Public opinion refers to citizens' attitudes towards political issues, leaders, institutions, and events, influencing voting behavior.
- Political ideology is a complex set of beliefs and values shaping one's perspective on government, often influenced by public opinion and parental views.
- Political values are the fundamental principles individuals hold regarding government operation.
Political Attitudes and Liberty
- Political attitudes are specific preferences regarding the pace and scope of changes balancing freedom and equality.
- Liberty is characterized as freedom from governmental control, highly valued by American conservatives.
Political Socialization
- Political socialization involves the formation of underlying political beliefs and values, primarily influenced by family.
Gender Gap and Ideological Differences
- The gender gap describes distinct voting behaviors between men and women.
- Liberals advocate for government intervention to solve societal issues, while conservatives prioritize personal responsibility and limited government.
Socialism and Economic Equality
- Socialism supports community ownership of property and government control of major industries to reduce economic and social inequality.
American Values and Policy Preferences
- Core American political values include liberty, equality, and democracy.
- The affirmation of different policy preferences highlights varying interpretations of shared principles, illustrated by the controversy surrounding affirmative action.
Political Debates and Influence
- The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858 focused on the slavery issue, establishing Lincoln as a strong candidate by challenging Douglas's views on popular sovereignty.
Public Knowledge and Ideas Exchange
- Recent studies indicate that the average American has limited knowledge about political institutions and processes.
- The "marketplace of ideas" describes the public forum where diverse beliefs and ideas compete, facilitating discourse among differing opinions.
Polling Techniques
- Quota sampling is a method for gathering representative data from specific groups.
- Push polling is a technique where questions are crafted to manipulate or shape the respondent's opinions, exemplified in the 2000 South Carolina Republican primary regarding John McCain.
Influence on Public Policy
- Research shows that public opinion significantly affects policy decisions, though not all citizens impact politics equitably.
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Description
Test your knowledge on public opinion, political ideology, and the factors influencing political attitudes. This quiz covers the formation of beliefs, the concept of liberty, and gender gaps in voting behavior. Dive into the complexities that shape political perspectives.
