Questions and Answers
What is public opinion?
What is political ideology?
A cohesive set of beliefs that form a general philosophy about the government.
What does conservatism in international affairs support?
What is Libertarianism?
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What are America's fundamental political values?
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Liberals generally oppose abortion rights.
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Opposition to abortion is a position MOST likely supported by ____________.
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Conservatives are more likely than liberals to support ___.
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A liberal would MOST likely support __________.
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The vast majority of Americans describe themselves as __________.
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Declining levels of trust in government are important because declining trust has been linked to ___________.
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A person's political party preferences are primarily acquired through the influence of ____________.
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What is an example of the 'gender gap'?
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Individuals who attend church frequently are more likely to be ________________ in their political views than people who are not religious.
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What makes a considerable difference in participation among people with a college education?
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Differences between political opinions of Democrats and Republicans are greater today than during any other period in the last 40 years.
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What does 'fake news' refer to?
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The competition between varying opinions and ideas that are in public forums is called the __________.
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Why might political leaders prefer communicating through social media?
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The practice of lobbying is protected by the First Amendment.
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What is grassroots mobilization?
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An organization that tries to influence the government by getting its members elected is called a __________.
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Study Notes
Public Opinion and Political Ideology
- Public opinion encompasses attitudes toward political issues, leaders, institutions, and events.
- Political ideology is a cohesive set of beliefs that form a general philosophy about government functioning.
Political Alignments
- Conservatism in international affairs supports military intervention and sustaining American military power.
- Liberals advocate for abortion rights and oppose state involvement in religious institutions.
- Libertarianism emphasizes personal freedom and minimal government intervention in individuals' lives.
American Political Values
- Core values include liberty, equality of opportunity, and democracy.
- The average American often lacks comprehensive knowledge of political institutions and processes.
Political Participation Trends
- Political participation, including voting, has decreased, linked to declining trust in government.
- The family greatly influences individual political party preferences.
- Young people typically participate less in politics than older demographics.
Social Media and Political Influence
- Social media usage can amplify partisan polarization by allowing users to curate their friend networks, avoiding opposing viewpoints.
- Digital citizenship encompasses those with home internet access and necessary technology skills.
Media's Role in Politics
- The media serves as a watchdog, exposing corruption among officials.
- It acts as the "Fourth Branch of Government," providing checks on political power.
- The First Amendment protects the freedom of the press and lobbying practices.
Political Parties and Elections
- The ultimate goal of political parties is to win elections.
- Incumbents are current officeholders seeking reelection, while primary elections determine party candidates.
- American politics is primarily dominated by two major political parties.
Interest Groups and Influence
- Interest groups compete to influence governmental policies; their focus differs from political parties, which target personnel.
- Pluralism suggests that competition among interest groups leads to balance in policymaking.
- Criticisms of pluralism point to class biases favoring those with more financial resources.
- Free riders benefit from collective efforts without contributing.
Campaign Financing and Lobbying
- Political action committees (PACs) often represent business and professional interests.
- Lobbying is used to exert direct pressure on lawmakers, providing critical information to government officials.
- Grassroots campaigns mobilize members to reach out to their representatives, emphasizing civilian participation in policy advocacy.
Other Key Concepts
- Niche journalism focuses on specific reader demographics, while citizen journalism comprises news produced by non-professionals.
- The digital divide indicates disparities in internet access based on education levels and socioeconomic status.
- The legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015 is a significant example of successful advocacy through litigation by interest groups.
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Description
Review key concepts in public opinion and political ideologies with this flashcard quiz. Understand important terms like conservatism in international affairs and libertarianism to prepare for your Government 2305 exam. Test your knowledge and reinforce your understanding of political science fundamentals.
