Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is public opinion?
What is public opinion?
What is political ideology?
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 does conservatism in international affairs support?
What is Libertarianism?
What is Libertarianism?
Signup and view all the answers
What are America's fundamental political values?
What are America's fundamental political values?
Signup and view all the answers
Liberals generally oppose abortion rights.
Liberals generally oppose abortion rights.
Signup and view all the answers
Opposition to abortion is a position MOST likely supported by ____________.
Opposition to abortion is a position MOST likely supported by ____________.
Signup and view all the answers
Conservatives are more likely than liberals to support ___.
Conservatives are more likely than liberals to support ___.
Signup and view all the answers
A liberal would MOST likely support __________.
A liberal would MOST likely support __________.
Signup and view all the answers
The vast majority of Americans describe themselves as __________.
The vast majority of Americans describe themselves as __________.
Signup and view all the answers
Declining levels of trust in government are important because declining trust has been linked to ___________.
Declining levels of trust in government are important because declining trust has been linked to ___________.
Signup and view all the answers
A person's political party preferences are primarily acquired through the influence of ____________.
A person's political party preferences are primarily acquired through the influence of ____________.
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of the 'gender gap'?
What is an example of the 'gender gap'?
Signup and view all the answers
Individuals who attend church frequently are more likely to be ________________ in their political views than people who are not religious.
Individuals who attend church frequently are more likely to be ________________ in their political views than people who are not religious.
Signup and view all the answers
What makes a considerable difference in participation among people with a college education?
What makes a considerable difference in participation among people with a college education?
Signup and view all the answers
Differences between political opinions of Democrats and Republicans are greater today than during any other period in the last 40 years.
Differences between political opinions of Democrats and Republicans are greater today than during any other period in the last 40 years.
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'fake news' refer to?
What does 'fake news' refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
The competition between varying opinions and ideas that are in public forums is called the __________.
The competition between varying opinions and ideas that are in public forums is called the __________.
Signup and view all the answers
Why might political leaders prefer communicating through social media?
Why might political leaders prefer communicating through social media?
Signup and view all the answers
The practice of lobbying is protected by the First Amendment.
The practice of lobbying is protected by the First Amendment.
Signup and view all the answers
What is grassroots mobilization?
What is grassroots mobilization?
Signup and view all the answers
An organization that tries to influence the government by getting its members elected is called a __________.
An organization that tries to influence the government by getting its members elected is called a __________.
Signup and view all the answers
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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
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.
