Political Parties and Public Opinion Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the main goals of long coalitions formed by parties in government?

To allow members to compete against one another

To ensure members continue to vote together (correct)

To enable members to vote independently

To reduce legislative sessions

What consequence might Mr. Business face if he betrays the coalition after Bill 1 passes?

Strengthening the coalition

Ruining the coalition (correct)

Increased popularity among voters

Gaining more legislative power

How do parties help individual members win elections?

By causing confusion among voters

Through branding and common ideas (correct)

By increasing voter registration fees

By preventing external funding

What role do parties play in influencing public opinion?

They function as a heuristic and provide a sense of identity Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the functions of party organization?

To enhance career opportunities for party activists Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the view of political scientists regarding the goals of parties?

Parties primarily seek to obtain benefits for their members Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Americans reportedly have a clear preference when asked about their political affiliation?

90% Signup and view all the answers

What key problem do representatives face in the principal-agent relationship?

Identifying whom they primarily serve Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of UNF students identify as Democratic?

45% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following social issues had the highest support for legalization among UNF students?

Marijuana Signup and view all the answers

What is the predominant view of UNF students regarding climate change?

It is real and caused by human activity. Signup and view all the answers

How do moderates typically differ from ideological extremes according to the content?

They have conflicting views from both ends of the spectrum. Signup and view all the answers

What is the percentage of UNF students who support the pathway to citizenship for all immigrants?

76% Signup and view all the answers

In terms of economic issues, what percentage of UNF students support an increase in the federal minimum wage?

68% Signup and view all the answers

What proportion of UNF students are classified as moderate in general ideology?

26% Signup and view all the answers

What is the main attitude of UNF students towards the Second Amendment?

A large number oppose ending it. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common consequence of individuals selecting their preferred media?

Formation of echo chambers Signup and view all the answers

What should be prioritized when consuming news media?

In-depth journalism and investigative reporting Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT typically help in discerning real news from opinion?

Relying on social media influencers Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reason for the loss of gatekeeping ability in media?

Increased access to various media outlets Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to understand the difference between consumption of news and belief?

Reading widely can enhance critical thinking Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best represents an effective strategy for engaging with media?

Skepticism towards highly emotional content Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of polling was noted as an error in both the 2016 and 2020 elections?

Underestimating support for Republicans Signup and view all the answers

Identifying which type of experts is essential for reliable news consumption?

Trained journalists Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of de facto racism?

Private discrimination in housing Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'One-drop Rule' refer to?

A belief that any black ancestry defines a person as black Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a consequence faced by newly freed slaves after Reconstruction?

Increased job opportunities in agriculture Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant finding of Alexis de Tocqueville about the American culture in terms of social structure?

It was formed mostly from those seeking fortune. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the early tools that helped to propagate racism in society?

Phrenology Signup and view all the answers

Which principle is NOT a widely accepted component of the American Creed?

Classical Conservatism Signup and view all the answers

What was the main outcome of redlining?

Systematic denial of housing for certain communities Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'worse than slavery' signify in the context of black incarceration?

Harsh conditions of labor in prison Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of American identity is contested regarding the English language?

Whether it is essential to being American. Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic is least likely to value English as important to being 'truly American'?

Younger individuals Signup and view all the answers

Why was the early end of Reconstruction significant for freed slaves?

It deprived them of economic support like '40 acres and a mule'. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Americans believe English is very important to their identity as 'truly American'?

70% Signup and view all the answers

What psychological concept contributes to the formation of ingroup-outgroup distinctions?

Mirror neurons Signup and view all the answers

Which group was primarily identified as fortune-seekers by de Tocqueville?

Southerners Signup and view all the answers

Which principle ensures that government protects numerical minorities from the majority?

Minority Rights Signup and view all the answers

What does American Exceptionalism imply?

America is different and better than other nations. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002?

To regulate spending by non-candidates during elections Signup and view all the answers

What identifies a Super PAC's main advantage over regular PACs?

Capacity for unlimited spending Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following donations requires full identification to the FEC?

Donations over $250 Signup and view all the answers

What did the Supreme Court rule regarding the limitations set by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act?

They declared such limitations unconstitutional Signup and view all the answers

What is Tullock's Puzzle in the context of political funding?

The expectation that political donations are excessive Signup and view all the answers

Why do organizations like the NRA tend to give most of their donations to members with 'A' ratings?

To strengthen existing alliances Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes spending by corporations after the Citizens United ruling?

Corporate spending habits remained unchanged Signup and view all the answers

What is a major disadvantage of Super PACs?

Steep penalties for legal violations Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lecture Summaries

10/14 - Lecture 12 Political Parties:
- Founders missed or underestimated the importance of political parties, viewing them as "factions."
- Key figures like Madison, Washington, and Jefferson held different perspectives on the role of parties in government
- Political parties emerged as a necessary element to facilitate legislative coalitions.
- Early party systems like the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans formed around contrasting viewpoints on governance.
10/16 - Lecture 13 Polarization:
- Ideological polarization is a significant societal trend.
- Mass polarization isn't widely present, but elite-level polarization is increasing.
- Demographic, geographic, and ideological sorting contribute to polarization.
- The causes of polarization encompass historical, cultural, and social contexts, including the effect of media.
10/23 - Lecture 14 Political Psychology:
- Ideology is a set of values and principles influencing desired political outcomes.
- Common ideological labels exist (liberal, conservative, libertarian, etc.), but public's understanding can be imperfect
- Voting behavior is shaped more by factors like party affiliation (heuristics, etc.) than by ideology.
- Factors affecting political behavior may include political psychology, personality assessments, group affiliations.
10/21 - Lecture 15 The Media, Old and New:
- Media outlets have diverse goals, driven by elements like profit and partisanship.
- The accuracy of media sources may be more concerning than apparent bias
- Traditional and social media outlets often cater to specific perspectives/audiences
- An understanding of media incentives helps in evaluating information bias
10/28 - Lecture 16 Attitudes and Polling:
- Polling has practical use in understanding public opinion.
- Increased accuracy through aggregation is important.
- Response rates and sample size are critical concerns regarding polling accuracy.
- Social desirability bias can impact polling results' reliability.
10/30 - Lecture 17 Voting, Campaigns, and Elections:
- Voting styles and eligibility criteria have evolved over time.
- Voter turnout varies across demographics and political systems.
- Voter turnout is impacted by factors including ease of participation, the importance of an election, and societal trust.
- Campaign effects may be relatively minor, but significant in low-level elections or in situations with more engagement among electorate
11/4 - Lecture 18 Race and Ethnicity:
- Social constructs often shape racial and ethnic categories, rather biological differences.
- Historic and contemporary systems have created inequalities (e.g., black codes, redlining).
- Mass incarceration and racial bias in the criminal justice system represent significant racial disparities.
11/6 - Lecture 19 Immigration:
- Immigration history has been marked by periods of open and restricted immigration.
- Various factors such as economic conditions, social unrest, and political instability has historically influenced immigration patterns.
- Contemporary issues relating to immigration include paths to citizenship, sanctuary laws, and refugee policies..
11/20 - Lecture 20 American Political Culture:
- American political culture is a complex blend of ideals (e.g. liberty, equality, etc.) and behaviors.
- Ideals are often debated and contested, often in relation to social issues and identity, while the political culture itself is influenced by demographic (religious, ethnic, etc.) differences. Various historical figures have offered varied perspectives on American political culture.
12/2 - Lecture 22 Money in Politics:
- Historical regulation of political money, with early regulations proving ineffective
- Laws have been put in place at different points in history, and faced various challenges.
- Current regulations and limitations on political contributions are designed to mitigate potential for undue influence by special interests.
12/4 - Lecture 23 Economic Inequality:
- Economic inequality in the U.S. has risen in recent decades, with various theories concerning the causation of inequality
- Unequal distribution of wealth is impacting various systems, like poverty and education.
Lecture 24 & 25 - Democratic Accountability:
- Public opinion is often poorly understood by political actors, leading to poor policy decisions
Case Studies:
- Numerous case studies on political interest groups, including those related to business, gun rights, and civil liberties, have been highlighted.
Additional Topics:
- Additional topics regarding social movements, voter turnout and their impact on political outcomes and the impact of political campaign tactics are also covered in notes.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the roles and functions of political parties, their influence on public opinion, and the preferences of American voters. This quiz covers various aspects of political organization and individual political affiliations with a focus on UNF students' perspectives. Explore how parties shape election outcomes and public sentiment.