Shared Flashcard Set

Details

GOVT 2301.1S2
EXAM II
200
Political Studies
Undergraduate 3
06/24/2012

Additional Political Studies Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Political participation includes all of the following activities EXCEPT
proposing a referendum.
lobbying government officials.
voting.
handing out leaflets at a rally, protest, or political demonstration.
watching the evening news.
Definition
watching the evening news
Term
If your class mates are like most people, which of the following groups/institutions had the most influence on their political beliefs?
education system
government
church
family
media
Definition
family
Term
If a survey researcher interviews you immediately after you cast your vote on election day, what type of poll are you participating in?
straw poll
telephone poll
tracking poll
internal poll
exit poll
Definition
exit poll
Term
According to the United States Census Bureau, the fastest growing ethnic category in the United States is
hispanic/latino
white/non-hispanic
african american
multiracial
native american
Definition
multiracial
Term
Which political institution typically receives the highest confidence ratings in public opinion surveys?
the presidency
congress
organized labor
church
military
Definition
military
Term
Which of the following questions CANNOT be answered using a standard survey of nationwide public opinion?
Did the president’s speech increase support for the health care bill?
Which group of voters is most strongly opposed to the health care bill?
Does the public support passage of the health care bill?

Will the health care bill increase access to affordable health care?
Will people like the health care bill better if we call it the “health equity act"?
Definition
will the health care bill increase access to affordable health care?
Term
Why would an online survey of 2,000 visitors to your college’s website be of little use in assessing the neighboring community’s opinion about the location of a new athletic complex?
The sample is not representative.
Internet polls are prohibitively expensive.
Issue positions can only be measured by exit polls.
The sample size is not large enough.
Surveys cannot measure public opinion on issue positions.
Definition
sample is not representative
Term
Which group of people in your community is most likely to provide high levels of support for Republican candidates?
military veterans
ideological liberals
unionized workers
african-americans
women
Definition
military veterans
Term
According to a 2008 survey, a majority of young voters (18-29) identified _________ as the most important issue facing the nation.
health care
economy
energy policy
terrorism
the war in iraq
Definition
economy
Term
What percentage of the voting-age population typically votes in midterm congressional elections?
more than 1/10
more than 1/3
more than 1/2
more than 2/3
more than 3/4
Definition
more than 1/3
Term
In the history of voting rights in the United States, all of the following are important milestones toward universal suffrage EXCEPT extending voting rights to foreign workers who live and work in the United States. the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which granted African Americans the right to vote. the prohibition of the poll tax in federal elections. the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. abolition of property qualifications for white men.
Definition
extending voting rights to foreign workers who live and work in the United States.
Term

Why does the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) have more influence over members of Congress than groups which represent the interests of college students?

 

 Students who receive subsidized student loans are prohibited by law from lobbying Congress.

 Young people are generally not affected by any of the policies that are debated in Congress.

 In comparison with young people, seniors have more resources and are more likely to vote.

 Seniors are concentrated in a small number of key congressional districts.

 The vast majority of House and Senate members are seniors above 65 years of age.

Definition
In comparison with young people, seniors have more resources and are more likely to vote.
Term

Many college freshmen are too young to vote, but they can still participate in politics in all of the following ways EXCEPT

 

 joining a boycott.

 enlisting in the army.

 signing a political petition.

 attending a political rally.

 volunteering for a congressman or congresswoman.

 
Definition
signing a political petition
Term

In which of the following activities are young people between the ages of 18 and 25 more likely to engage than older citizens over the course of a given year?

 

 Displaying a political sign or sticker

 Participating in a protest or demonstration

 Voting in a primary election

 Donating to a candidate

 Joining a political group

Definition
participating in a protest or demonstration
Term

Which of the following is an example of civil disobedience?

 

 Students on your campus form an anti-tuition interest group to lobby the state legislature for laws that will block future tuition increases.

 Students on your campus stage a “sit-in” at the college president’s office and block access to the office to protest a tuition increase.

 A group of student leaders meets with the college president to inform her that a proposed tuition increase will be an undue hardship on many students.

 A group of students purchase advertising space in the college newspaper demanding that the college’s board of trustees reject a proposed tuition increase.

 Students on your campus organize a write-in campaign to send letters to the college president in protest of a proposed tuition increase.

Definition
Students on your campus stage a “sit-in” at the college president’s office and block access to the office to protest a tuition increase.
Term

What law makes it possible for people in most states to register to vote when they go to the department of motor vehicles to renew their driver’s license?

 

 The Lemon Law

 The Motor Voter Law

 The Sunshine Law

 The Responsible Driving Act

 The Citizen Driver Law

Definition
motor voter law
Term

In November 2010, California voters considered a proposition to legalize the sale of marijuana in the state. This vote is an example of

 

 deliberative democracy.

 direct democracy.

 partisan polarization.

 smoke-and-mirrors politics.

 republican government.

Definition
direct democracy
Term

Public opinion nationwide can be effectively and reliably measured with a random sample of about 1,500 people.

 

True

 False

Definition
true
Term

Public opinion surveys indicate that the American people are very ideological when it comes to political issues.

 

 

True

 False

Definition
false
Term

Democratic nations do not typically engage in political socialization.

 

TRUE 

FALSE

Definition
false
Term

Public opinion surveys showed that Americans who hold conservative political views were strongly opposed to President Obama’s national health care bill.

 

TRUE

FALSE

Definition
true
Term

All Americans are required by law to devote at least one year to public service prior to their 25th birthday.

 

TRUE

FALSE

Definition
false
Term

Young people who attend college are more likely to vote and participate in political activities than young people who do not attend college.

 

TRUE

FALSE

Definition
true
Term

In comparison with men, women are less likely to vote in presidential elections.

 

TRUE

FALSE

Definition
false
Term

It has been proven that political participation has little or no effect on policy.

 

TRUE

FALSE

Definition
true
Term

Hispanic voters are generally opposed to

 

 abortion.

 military intervention.

 government job creation.

 federal spending on education.

 immigration.

Definition
abortion
Term

Major shifts in public opinion in the United States generally translate into

 

 nothing.

 recalled leadership.

 party shifts.

 policy changes.

 revolutions.

Definition
policy changes
Term

 

The "halo effect" causes survey data to

 

 overestimate socially reprehensible behaviors.

 underestimate good behaviors and bad behaviors.

 underestimate bad behaviors and overestimate good behaviors.

 underestimate good behaviors and overestimate bad behaviors.

 underestimate the public ’ s knowledge on issues.

Definition
underestimate bad behaviors and overestimate good behaviors
Term

Public marches or demonstrations designed to call attention to an issue and motivate others to apply pressure on public officials are called

 

 protests.

 redresses.

 grievances.

 revolutions.

 movements.

 
Definition
protests
Term

All of the following are agents of political socialization EXCEPT

 

 school.

 family.

 church.

 health clubs.

 the media.

Definition
health clubs
Term

When only half the eligible population votes in a presidential election, it is easy to question whether government truly

 

 supports suffrage.

 is authoritarian.

 cares about the people.

 represents the people.

 supports alienation.

Definition
represents the people
Term

Religion plays a measurable role in political attitudes on all of the following issues EXCEPT

 

 homosexuality.

 the death penalty.

 abortion.

 hobbies.

 drugs.

Definition
hobbies
Term

 

People who generally believe that government should provide more services, even if it means an increase in spending, are described as

 

 conservative.

 moderate.

 liberal.

 libertarian.

 independent.

 
Definition
liberal
Term

Which of the following are women more likely to support than men?

 

 Abolition of affirmative action policies

 Restrictions on firearms

 Decreased spending on social programs

 Abortion rights

 Programs using U.S. military intervention

 
Definition
restrictions on firearms
Term

 

Which of the following is an accurate generalization of the views of most African Americans?

 

 African Americans support a government role in reducing income inequality in society.

 More than half of blacks identify themselves as conservative.

 Blacks support the death penalty more than whites.

 African Americans oppose busing to achieve racial balance in public schools.

 Blacks are more supportive of the criminal justice system than whites.

Definition
African Americans support a government role in reducing income inequality in society.
Term

All of the following are reasons why Western European democracies have higher voter turnout rates than the United States EXCEPT for

 

 the American tradition of self-reliance (not looking to government for solutions).

 the American winner-take-all election rule.

 the mandatory voting law in many European nations.

 the voluntary voter registration in the U.S.

 the greater patriotism of Americans.

Definition
greater patriotism of americans
Term

What is more important to democratic government than voter turnout?

 

 The right to protest

 The right to riot

 The right to hold a press conference

 The right to advertise

 The right to vote

Definition
the right to vote
Term

 

According to political scientist V.O. Key, Jr., the linkage between the ordinary citizen and democratic government depends heavily on

 

 public opinion.

 the media.

 the political party system.

 social situations.

 the elite.

Definition
the elite
Term

 

When asked if leaders of the nation should pay more attention to the public, most who were polled agreed that

 

 the nation would be much better off today.

 leaders actually have paid attention to the public opinion.

 the nation would be much worse off today.

 the people shouldn ’t have a say in matters of such importance.

 they don ’t know if the nation would be better or worse off.

Definition
the nation would be better off today
Term

Following political issues and campaigns, acquiring knowledge, forming opinions about public affairs, and expressing views to others are all forms of _____ political participation.

 

 lazy

 passive

 aggressive

 negative

 pointless

 
Definition
passive
Term

 

The Founders believed that only men of property had a sufficient _____ to exercise their vote in a responsible fashion.

 

 level of class

 level of education

 stake in society

 amount of money

 skill level

Definition
stake in society
Term

 

According to the Fifteenth Amendment, states retain their right to determine voter qualifications, as long as they

 

 do not require minorities to take literacy tests.

 provide ballot boxes to all minority communities.

 extend voting privileges to voters who are registered.

 use required voting machines.

 do not practice racial discrimination.

Definition
do not practice racial discrimination
Term

 

One of the reasons that Hispanics tend to affiliate with the Democratic party is that

 

 they support the death penalty.

 they support a strong military.

 they support same-sex marriage.

 they oppose higher taxes.

 they favor government provision of health insurance for all.

 
Definition
they favor government provision of health insurance for all.
Term

Which of the following does not explain the high voter turnout in 2004?

 

 An increase in younger voters’ political interest

 The expected closeness of the election

 The 2000 voting issues in Florida

 An increasing concern with "moral values" among churchgoers

 Concern over the war in Iraq

 
Definition
an increase in younger voter's political interests
Term

 

All of the following are more likely to vote than those who do not EXCEPT those who

 

 have a higher education.

 are more elderly.

 feel alienated from politics.

 live in areas with strong party organizations.

 feel strongly about politics.

Definition
feel alienated from politics
Term

 

Most whites believe that there is little discrimination against blacks in jobs, housing, and education.

 

True

 False

 

Definition
true
Term

Jacksonian principles of democracy caused most states to eliminate their property qualifications for voting, by 1840.

 

TRUE

FALSE

Definition
true
Term

 

Voter turnout is almost always greater than 50 percent of eligible voters, even in years when there is not a presidential election.

 

TRUE
FALSE 

Definition
false
Term

 

Two-thirds of the public feel that public officials don’t care about the problems of people like themselves.

 

TRUE

FALSE

Definition
true
Term

The purpose of civil disobedience is to call attention to an injustice.

 

TRUE
FALSE 

Definition
true
Term

The lack of informed public opinion on specific policy issues

 

 allows in-depth analysis of policy proposals.

 creates a more legitimate democratic government.

 encourages elected officials to make unbiased decisions.

 increases the influence of lobbyists who have direct access to policy makers.

 creates a politically active citizenry.

Definition
increases the influence of lobbyists who have direct access to policy makers.
Term

 

The tendency of survey respondents to provide socially acceptable answers to questions is called

 

 knowledge levels.

 survey research.

 random sampling.

 the halo effect.

 political socialization.

 
Definition
the halo effect
Term

 

Hispanic voters are a growing force in American politics because of

 

 the popularity of Latin music.

 the Summit of the Americas.

 their projected population increase in the U.S.

 the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

 the proximity of Mexico.

Definition
their projected population increase in the US
Term

Which of the following can the news media do most easily?

 

 Indoctrinate people in democratic values

 Set the agenda

 Present unbiased coverage

 Mobilize potential voters

 Change existing opinions

Definition
set the agenda
Term

 

Which of the following shapes political opinion the most?

 

 Club affiliation

 Strength of religious conviction

 Parental opinions on specific policies

 Peer group values

 Place of residence

Definition
strength of religious conviction
Term

Conservatives, more than liberals, tend to believe all of the following EXCEPT

 

 that gun purchases should be easier or at least no more difficult.

 that the U.S. should spend as much or more on defense.

 that the death penalty should be an available option.

 that government should reduce services to the public.

 that abortion should be permitted always or as needed.

Definition
that abortion should be permitted always or as needed
Term

 

Most whites in the United States believe that differences between blacks and whites in our society are due to differences in

 

 discrimination.

 motivation.

 health care.

 job opportunities.

 education.

Definition
motivation
Term

 

All of the following may explain the low voter turnout of Hispanics EXCEPT for

 

 their noncitizenship status.

 their language difference.

 their rapidly increasing population.

 their lack of cultural assimilation.

 their recent immigration.

Definition
their rapidly increasing population
Term

 

Which of the following has the most impact on policy making?

 

 A small number of political activists

 Young people

 Mass public opinion

 Uneducated people

 Hispanics

Definition
a small number of political activists
Term

Who once said, "Your representative owes you not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion?"

 

 Alexander Hamilton

 James Madison

 Thomas Jefferson

 Edmund Burke

 John Stuart Mill

Definition
edmund burke
Term

Which of the following issues do Hispanics identify as the most important problems confronting the U.S.?

 

 Drug law enforcement and police department funding

 Affirmative action and the elimination of racial profiling

 Jobs and the economy

 Terrorism and homeland security

 Illegal immigration and border security

Definition
jobs and the economy
Term

 

Before the Civil War began, the right to vote had been extended to virtually all

 

 male inhabitants.

 white males over 21 years of age.

 educated white males.

 adult citizens.

 males over 25 years of age.

Definition
white males over 21 years of age
Term

The Nineteenth Amendment guaranteed that

 

 former slaves now had the right to vote.

 women had the right to vote in all elections.

 no one had to pay a poll tax in order to vote.

 all men over the age of 18 could vote in federal elections.

 literacy tests were banished.

Definition
women had the right to vote in all elections
Term

 

All of the following are constitutionally protected forms of political participation EXCEPT

 

 violence and rioting.

 demonstrating.

 voting.

 taking part in marches.

 running for public office.

 
Definition
violence and rioting
Term

 

The belief that politics is irrelevant to one’s life and that one cannot personally affect public affairs is called political

 

 malaise.

 alienation.

 socialization.

 isolation.

 registration.

 
Definition
alienation
Term

 

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, speech, "I Have a Dream," was intended to do all of the following EXCEPT

 

 call attention to the injustices of segregation.

 force civil rights onto the political agenda.

 incite a violent revolution.

 call attention to the plight of black people.

 inspire African Americans.

Definition
incite a violent revolution
Term

The Mayflower Compact asserted that democratic government derives its "just powers from the consent of the governed."

 

True

 False

Definition
false
Term

Men and women have very different opinions on women’s issues, such as abortion.

 

True

 False

Definition
false
Term

 

Gender gap differences are likely to appear on issues related to the use of force, such as gun control or U.S. military intervention.

 

True

 False

Definition
true
Term

African Americans generally support a more active role by government in reducing inequality.

 

 True

 False

 
Definition
true
Term

 

Blacks and whites with the same education and income levels register and vote with the same frequency.

 

True

 False

 

Definition
true
Term

 

It is widely assumed that in a democracy, public opinion has little influence on government policy.

 

 True

 False

Definition
false
Term

 

The white primary was made possible because of the strong hold the Democratic Party had on the political culture of the south.

 

True

 False

Definition
true
Term

 

Voting is considered an irrational act that makes little sense without the application of intrinsic rewards.

 

True

 False

Definition
true
Term

 

Protests are likely to be effective when directed at general conditions in society rather than specific problems or laws.

 

True

 False

Definition
false
Term

 

All of the following are media of mass communication EXCEPT

 

 radio.

 newspapers.

 television.

 public speeches.

 the Internet.

Definition
public speeches
Term

 

Specifically, Americans say they get most of their news from

 

 the Internet.

 MSNBC.

 CNN.

 local television news.

 newspapers.

Definition
local television news
Term

 

The "CNN effect" refers to

 

 the 24-hour news cycle.

 Larry King’s effect on ratings.

 television’s power to inflame public opinion with emotion-evoking images.

 liberal bias in the media.

 the globalization of news-gathering.

Definition
television’s power to inflame public opinion with emotion-evoking images.
Term

 

The First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of the press was originally designed to protect the

 

 public from false advertising.

 minorities’ rights to demand equality.

 newspapers from unhappy advertisers.

 press from government investigation into political candidates.

 press from government attempts to silence criticism.

Definition
press from government attempts to silence criticism.
Term

 

Tactics of agenda setting involve all of the following EXCEPT

 

 allowing an issue to remain unknown.

 turning an issue into a "crisis."

 publicizing an issue.

 forcing government to do something about an issue.

 creating an issue.

Definition
allowing an issue to remain unknown
Term

 

The primary business of the media is to

 

 sensationalize the news for prime-time audiences.

 involve itself in selecting political candidates.

 assemble large crowds of onlookers for the cameras.

 concentrate on lightweight entertainment.

 gather mass audiences for advertisers to sell to.

Definition
gather mass audiences for advertisers to sell to
Term

 

Congress established the _____ to provide "non-commercial, high quality programs...to inform, enlighten and enrich the public."

 

 History Channel

 Corporation for Public Broadcasting

 Public Broadcasting Station

 Disney Corporation

 Federal Communications Commission

 
Definition
Corporation for Public Broadcoasting
Term

 

When it comes to news programming, 20/20, Primetime Live, 60 Minutes, and 48 Hours are all examples of

 

 hard programming.

 the ability to change the thinking of American audiences.

 "lightweight" entertainment.

 tabloid news.

 soft news.

Definition
soft news
Term

 

The economic interest of the media has led to all of the following EXCEPT

 

 incivility on political shows.

 public service.

 a bias toward the negative.

 a bias toward hype and sensationalism.

 a "feeding frenzy."

Definition
public service
Term

 

Party organizations and personal contacts as the means by which candidates communicate with voters have been largely replaced by

 

 print news.

 television.

 campaign managers.

 radio.

 political consultants.

 
Definition
television
Term

The one medium where conservatism usually prevails is

 

 in newspaper stories.

 in newspaper editorials.

 on television network news.

 on talk radio.

 in magazines.

Definition
on talk radio
Term

 

 

 

The horse-race coverage given to election campaigns by the media emphasizes all of the following EXCEPT

 

 how much money the candidates are spending.

 the candidates’ current standing in the polls.

 policy issues.

 who is ahead or behind.

 the candidates’ strategies for winning.

Definition
policy issues
Term

 

Which of the following involves government actions to restrict the publication of a magazine, newspaper, or book before actual publication of the work?

 

 Journalistic stays

 The FCC

 Prior restraint

 Press prevention

 Libel laws

Definition
prior restraint
Term

 

Writings that are false and malicious and intended to damage an individual are called

 

 slander.

 libel.

 selective perception.

 prior restraint.

 equal- time.

Definition
libel
Term

 

 

 

The regulatory agency established in 1934 to allocate broadcast frequencies and license stations is the

 

 Civil Radio Frequency.

 National Communications Agency.

 Federal Control Frequency.

 National Public Radio.

 Federal Communications Commission.

 
Definition
Federal Communications Commission
Term

 

The Internet provides a channel for an extremely interactive mass media.

 

True

 False

Definition
True
Term

The Internet was first conceived as a means to communicate during and after a nuclear attack.

 

True

 False

Definition
False
Term

 

The Sullivan rule protects public officials from libel and slander.

 

True

 False

Definition
False
Term

 

If the media is inattentive to an issue, political leaders are able to ignore the issue.

 

 True

 False

Definition
True
Term

 

Recent research has discovered that television newscasters have the greatest impact on public opinion change when people’s opinions alter over time.

 

 True

 False

 

Definition
True
Term

 

An FCC requirement that broadcast networks that sell time to a political candidate must make time available to opposing candidates at the same price is called the equal-time rule.

 

 True

 False

Definition
True
Term

 

National Public Radio appeals to liberals and moderates more than conservatives.

 

 True

 False

Definition
True
Term

Conservatives listen, watch, and read the news more than liberals do.

 

True

 False

Definition
True
Term

 

When content filters are placed on computers in public libraries, issues arise under the Fourth Amendment.

 

 True

 False

Definition
False
Term

Shield laws protect reporters from having to reveal their sources of information.

 

True

 False

 

Definition
True
Term

 

On broad policy issues, Americans generally

 

 prefer conservative solutions.

 cluster to the far left.

 are not interested.

 cluster to the center.

 cluster to the far right.

Definition
cluster to the center
Term

 

The Founders regarded both political parties and interest groups as

 

 intellectual luminaries.

 political opponents.

 troublesome factions.

 political extremists.

 the fourth branch of government.

 
Definition
troublesome factions
Term

 

By the 1790s the Anti-Federalists would call themselves the

 

 Independents.

 Democrats.

 New Federalists.

 Free Masons.

 Democratic-Republicans.

 
Definition
democratic-republicans
Term

 

Andrew Jackson formed the _____ Party which democratized and nationalized the party system.

 

 Federalist

 Independence

 Democratic

 Socialist

 Republican

 
Definition
Democratic
Term

The 1980 and 1984 presidential elections were easily dominated by

 

 Ronald Reagan.

 William Clinton.

 Richard Nixon.

 George H. W. Bush.

 Walter Mondale.

Definition
Ronald Reagan
Term

 

Most of the public perceives the Republican Party to be conservative and the Democratic Party to be

 

 liberal.

 socialist.

 libertarian.

 moderate.

 communist.

 
Definition
liberal
Term

 

Elections to choose party nominees for public office are the

 

 congressional elections.

 general elections.

 runoff elections.

 recall elections.

 primary elections.

Definition
primary elections
Term

 

A _____ electoral system results in one elected winner with all other candidates going home.

 

 nonpartisan

 noncontested

 nondemocratic

 proportional representation

 winner-takes-all

Definition
winner-takes-all
Term

 

_____ elections are most common in local elections, for city councils and school boards.

 

 Bipartisan

 Primary

 Nonpartisan

 Caucus

 Parliamentary

 
Definition
nonpartisan
Term

An election to choose among candidates nominated by parties and/or independent candidates who seek public office is called the

 

 runoff primary.

 runoff election.

 general election.

 open primary.

 closed primary.

 
Definition
general election
Term

 

The idea of the "party-in-the-electorate"appears to be

 

 gathering strength.

 extremely difficult to measure.

 increasingly important to social stability.

 less important to the party.

 on the decline.

Definition
on the decline
Term

 

_____ was the first president to be nominated by convention.

 

 

 James Monroe

 James Madison

 John Quincy Adams

 Andrew Jackson

 Thomas Jefferson

Definition
andrew jackson
Term

 

The expectation of the Democratic Leadership Council was that _____ would be more moderate than regular delegates.

 

 state-convention delegates

 Congressional majority leaders

 superdelegates

 caucus attendees

 electoral college members

 
Definition
superdelegates
Term

 

Based on opinion polls, the _____ Party has historically been able to lay claim to the title of majority party in the United States.

 

 Republican

 Democratic

 Moderate

 Independence

 Populist

Definition
democratic
Term

 

A political organization that is concerned with public policy and is involved in the electoral process only to further those policy aims is the

 

 media organization.

 political liaison.

 political consultant.

 interest group.

 power broker.

Definition
interest group
Term

Party platforms are nonbinding on party nominees, and are thus largely symbolic.

 

 True

 False

Definition
false
Term

Party dealignment in the U.S. is on the decline.

 

 True

 False

Definition
false
Term

 

Thomas Nast is credited with giving the Democratic and Republican Parties their current symbols: the donkey and the elephant.

 

 True

 False

Definition
true
Term

 

Political parties are thought to be essential for an organizing majority to exercise control over government.

 

 True

 False

Definition
true
Term

 

Hollywood predominantly supports Republican candidates.

 

 True

 False

Definition
false
Term

 

The difference in the amount of money that the two major parties have been able to raise has narrowed over the years.

 

 True

 False

 

Definition
true
Term

 

Despite the erosion of many of their functions, America’s political parties survive as the principal institutions for organizing elections.

 

 True

 False

Definition
true
Term

 

Democratic and Republican state committees all behave in the same manner.

 

 True

 False

Definition
false
Term

 

In recent years, the party’s presidential candidate is usually known before the national convention meets.

 

True

 False

Definition
true
Term

Third-party activity is a common feature of American politics.

 

 True

 False

Definition
true
Term

 

The perception of popular support for a program or policy based on the margin of electoral victory won by a candidate who proposed it during a campaign is referred to as

 

 a mandate.

 an edict.

 a majority.

 a predate.

 a policy.

 
Definition
a mandate
Term

 

Speeches, commercials, or advertising that personally attack a political opponent during a campaign is known as

 

 negative campaigning.

 false advertising.

 false campaigning.

 issue campaigning.

 sound biting.

Definition
negative campaigning
Term

 

The increasing number of officeholders for whom politics is a full-time occupation is called

 

 careerism.

 politicism.

 professionalism.

 institutionalism.

 occupationalism.

 
Definition
professionalism
Term

One reason for incumbent success over challengers is their greater

 

 name recognition.

 careerism.

 professionalism.

 distance from their district.

 congressional support.

Definition
name recognition
Term

 

Free use of the U.S. mail, granted to members of Congress to promote communication with constituents is called

 

 "bringing home the bacon."

 congressional pork barreling.

 the franking privilege.

 a congressional mandate.

 postal allowance.

Definition
the franking privilege
Term

 

Election campaigns serve the primary purpose of

 

 running negative ads.

 persuading undecided voters to vote.

 bringing recognition to the party.

 mobilizing undecided voters.

 mobilizing core supporters.

 

Definition
mobilizing core supporters
Term

 

A small number of people brought together to discuss and respond to themes and issues, thus allowing campaign managers to develop and analyze strategies is called a

 

 campaign staff.

 focus group.

 campaign mechanism.

 campaign opportunity.

 media interest group.

 
Definition
focus group
Term

 

Campaign costs are _____ with each election cycle.

 

 tripling

 rising

 staying the same

 dropping

 doubling

Definition
rising
Term

 

 

 

The agency charged with enforcing federal elections laws and disbursing public presidential campaign funds is the

 

 Federal Election Commission.

 Federal Campaign Council.

 National Election Council.

 Federal Communications Commission.

 Political Action Committee.

Definition
federal election commission
Term

 

It is tradition to split the members of the Federal Election Commission according to

 

 party affiliation.

 region of the country.

 age group.

 race.

 gender.

Definition
party affiliation
Term

 

Most organizations channel their campaign contributions through

 

 political action funds.

 political parties.

 interest groups.

 the congressional election commission.

 political action committees.

Definition
political action committees
Term

 

The Supreme Court has recognized that limiting campaign contributions is good for preventing corruption, but it has been reluctant to

 

 interfere in elections.

 express its views publicly.

 issue an opinion saying so.

 allow limitations on campaign expenditures.

 limit those contributions.

Definition
allow limitations on campaign expenditures
Term

 

States that are not considered to be firmly in the Democratic or Republican column are known as

 

 primary states.

 swing states.

 electoral states.

 usually conservative.

 independent states.

 
Definition
swing states
Term

 

 

 

The 538 people who officially vote for the president and vice president are the

 

 national committee for elections.

 popular representatives.

 electoral college delegates.

 chosen delegates.

 presidential voters.

Definition
electoral college delegates
Term

 

 

 

In America, candidates, once elected to office, are legally bound to uphold their campaign promises.

 

True

 False

 
Definition
false
Term

 

Today, about half the seats in the U.S. Congress are held by lawyers.

 

True

 False

Definition
true
Term

 

Democratic government is government by "consent of the governed."

 

 True

 False

Definition
true
Term

 

Voters will typically re-elect incumbents, even when they are involved in well-publicized scandals.

 

 True

 False

Definition
true
Term

 

Individuals are restricted by law from spending as much as they wish of their own money on their own campaigns.

 

 True

 False

Definition
false
Term

 

Candidates spend more time on fund raising than they spend on any other campaign activity.

 

 True

 False

 

Definition
true
Term

 

A loophole to the 2002 campaign reform laws emerged in the creation of unregulated 527 organizations.

 

 True

 False

Definition
true
Term

 

The campaign strategy used in the primary election is the same as the one used in the general election.

 

 True

 False

Definition
false
Term

 

Big money contributors expect access to their candidates, once elected.

 

True

 False

Definition
true
Term

 

The Front-End strategy in a presidential campaign involves spending all or most of a candidate’ s resources in California and Florida.

 

 True

 False

Definition
false
Term

 

Hard economic times hurt incumbents and favor challengers.

 

 True

 False

Definition
true
Term

The electoral system is organized to represent geographical constituencies, but the _____ is organized to represent economic, professional, ideological, religious, racial, gender, and issue constituencies.

 

 congressional system

 political system

 judicial system

 bureaucratic system

 interest-group system

 
Definition
interest group system
Term

 

James Madison viewed interest groups as

 

 an unnecessary element of government.

 factions that contribute to the common good.

 a required factor in electoral politics.

 a system of checks and balances.

 a necessary evil in politics.

Definition
a necessary evil in politics
Term

 

The costs of interest-group-concentrated benefits are usually dispersed to all

 

 judges.

 teachers.

 legislators.

 government employees.

 taxpayers.

Definition
taxpayers
Term

 

James Madison identified ___________ interests as the most prevalent in politics.

 

 state

 rural

 economic

 educational

 social

Definition
economic
Term

 

Which associations rival business and trade organizations in lobbying influence?

 

 Religious

 Union

 Arts

 Agricultural

 Professional

 
Definition
professional
Term

 

Many large lobbying groups have never registered as lobbyists because

 

 their offices are not in Washington, D.C.

 it is not a law.

 of tax regulations.

 lobbying is not their principal activity.

 their clients ask them not to.

Definition
lobbying is not their principle activity
Term

 

Experienced lobbyists develop a reputation for

 

 spending large sums of money.

 bribery.

 accurate information.

 accurate accounting.

 traveling.

Definition
accurate information
Term

 

Lobbyists in Washington, D.C. share the ultimate common goal of

 

 enlarging their membership.

 influencing the making and enforcing of laws.

 soliciting large amounts of funds from large companies.

 meeting with congressional leaders.

 meeting with the president of the United States.

Definition
influencing the making and enforcing of laws
Term

 

Washington’s army of lobbyists includes many former members of the

 

 Socialist Party.

 Democratic Party.

 Reagan administration.

 Republican Party.

 U.S. Congress.

Definition
US Congress
Term

Many of the key cases brought to the federal courts are initiated by

 

 Republicans.

 interest groups.

 Democrats.

 third-party candidates.

 nonvoters.

Definition
interest groups
Term

Which set of interest groups have played a key part in recent judicial confirmations?

 

 Abortion-rights activists

 Trade groups

 Free-market supporters

 Environmental groups

 Labor unions

Definition
abortion-rights activist
Term

 

According to pluralist theorists, policy in a democracy is the result of various special-interest groups

 

 destroying the political system.

 not affecting the political system.

 radicalizing the country.

 dominating the country.

 reaching equilibrium.

Definition
reaching equilibrium
Term

 

Over time, the buildup of special protections, privileges, and treatments in society results in

 

 a greater sense of unity.

 greater liberty for all.

 a booming economy.

 institutional sclerosis.

 more efficient government.

 
Definition
institutional sclerosis
Term

 

Iron triangles are more likely to develop in specialized policy areas over which there is relatively little

 

 oversight.

 money.

 internal conflict.

 opposition.

 external conflict.

 
Definition
internal conflict
Term

 

Grass-roots lobbying attempts to influence government decision making by

 

 inspiring constituents to contact their representatives.

 the organizing of protests in city parks.

 flying members of Congress to exotic resorts.

 the distribution of PAC money.

 the building of coalitions within parallel groups.

Definition
inspiring constituents to contact their representatives
Term

In interest groups, "free riders" are

 

 the attachments to the organizations’ membership applications.

 leaders who create organizations and market memberships.

 lobbyists who receive an annual stipend.

 people who are not dues-paying members, yet nevertheless benefit from the organizations’ activities.

 transportation discounts offered by these organizations.

Definition
people who are not due-paying members, yet benefit from activities
Term

 

Majoritarianism is the tendency of

 

 historians to focus on the majority’s preferences in elections.

 special interests to dominate the political process.

 the legal system to discriminate against people who are under the age of twenty-one.

 democratic governments to allow the faint preferences of a majority to prevail over the intense feelings of minorities.

 individual voters to alter their opinions in order to conform to the majority.

Definition
democratic governments to allow the faint preferences of a majority to prevail over the intense feelings of minorities.
Term

 

What lobbying organization is composed of the chief executive officers of the largest corporations in America?

 

 National League of Cities

 National Small Business Association

 ABA

 The Business Roundtable

 NAACP

Definition
the business roundtable
Term

 

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is a good example of a single-issue interest group.

 

 True

 False

 

 

 
Definition
true
Term

 

Large organizations rely heavily on tangible benefits to solicit members.

 

 True

 False

Definition
true
Term

Most interest groups are governed democratically.

 

True

 False

Definition
false
Term

 

Senior citizens are the most politically powerful age group in the population.

 

True

 False

Definition
true
Term

 

Women’s organizations date back to the antislavery societies in pre-Civil War America.

 

 True

 False

Definition
true
Term

Former members of Congress must wait five years before lobbying Congress.

 

 True

 False

Definition
false
Term

 

PAC contributions go overwhelmingly to challengers in political races.

 

 True

 False

Definition
true
Term

 

Powerful pressure groups usually evolve in states with

 

 strong political parties.

 strong education systems.

 weak political parties.

 strong governors.

 weak education systems.

Definition
weak political parties
Term

 

According to one view, from 1938 to 1957, Texas was governed by an extremely conservative plutocracy, collectively dubbed

 

 the Clan.

 the Texas Rangers.

 the Establishment.

 the Cowboys.

 the Oilmen.

Definition
the establishment
Term

 

The decline of ______________ helped diffuse the business lobby into competing factions in Texas in the 1970s.

 

 minorities in the legislature

 high-tech manufacturing

 environmental groups

 oil and gas production

 organized labor

Definition
oil and gas production
Term

The 2003 constitutional amendment imposing new limits on monetary damages in medical malpractice cases was a victory for

 

 the Sierra Club.

 the NAACP.

 the United Auto Workers.

 the Texas association of trial lawyers.

 the Texas Medical Association.

Definition
the texas medical association
Term

 

Party organizations are built around geographic election districts, starting with the

 

 precincts.

 counties.

 cities.

 regions.

 suburbs.

 
Definition
precincts
Term

 

Throughout much of the twentieth century, Texas state government was dominated by large corporations, banks, oil companies, and agricultural interests that backed

 

 the traditional liberal Republican officeholders.

 the traditional liberal Democratic officeholders.

 the conservative Democratic officeholders.

 Republican-dominated legislatures.

 the new conservative Republican officeholders.

 
Definition
the conservative democratic holders
Term

All of the following are reasons why Texas political parties are unable to function in accordance with the responsible party model, EXCEPT

 

 the coalitions that the parties form with different interest groups.

 the devotion of "yellow dog" voters.

 the decentralization of the political parties.

 the independence of party candidates’ fund-raising.

 the large number of elected officials.

Definition
the devotion of "yellow dog" voters
Term

 

Small farmers, African Americans, and an urban labor class suffered under the anti-Republican Democratic Party of Texas and turned their discontent into support for the

 

 Green Party.

 Populist Party.

 Progressive Party.

 Republican Party.

 Libertarian Party.

 
Definition
populist party
Term

 

What was the impact of the administration of President Franklin Roosevelt on Texas politics?

 

 It helped liberals gain complete control of the Democratic Party.

 It divided Texas Democrats along liberal and conservative lines.

 It destroyed the conservative wing of the Democratic Party.

 It created a strong Republican Party.

 It created a strong Democratic Party.

Definition
It divided Texas Democrats along liberal and conservative lines.
Term

 

General elections for state and federal offices are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in ____________ in even-numbered years.

 

 October

 September

 December

 November

 August

 
Definition
november
Term

 

_______________ is when voters selectively cast their votes as they fill out the general election ballot.

 

 Ticket cracking

 Ballot cracking

 Ballot splitting

 Ticket indecision

 Ticket splitting

 
Definition
ticket-splitting
Term

 

The expression "yellow dogs" is associated with which party in Texas?

 

 Democratic

 Republican

 Socialist

 Libertarian

 Progressive

 
Definition
democratic
Term

 

The marked rise in the number of Hispanics holding elected office in Texas can be attributed to all of the following factors, EXCEPT

 

 increasing assimilation of Hispanics.

 the growth of the Hispanic population.

 the lower educational level of many Hispanics.

 a more equitable apportionment of city and county political boundaries.

 increased organizational efforts among Hispanics.

Definition
the lower educational level of hispanics
Term

 

The poll tax was outlawed by the ___________ Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, adopted in 1964.

 

 Twenty-Sixth

 Fourteenth

 Nineteenth

 Twenty-Fourth

 Fifteenth

 

Definition
twenty-fourth
Term

 

Prior to Ann Richards’ election as state treasurer in 1982, how many women had been elected to statewide office in Texas?

 

 10

 Over 100

 2

 50

 None

 
Definition
2
Term

One study of Texas’ long domination by the Democratic party suggested that the elites were able to institutionalize their control through the adoption of segregation legislation called

 

 the Yellow Dog rule.

 the Klan policies.

 tort law.

 the Establishment code.

 Jim Crow laws.

Definition
jim crow laws
Term

 

Candidates for state office file campaign finance reports with the state

 

 Department of Commerce.

 Senate.

 Supreme Court.

 Ethics Commission.

 Treasury Department.

Definition
ethics commission
Term

 

Conservative Texas Democrats who voted for 1952 Republican presidential nominee, Dwight D. Eisenhower, were called the

 

 Ikecrats.

 Shivercrats.

 Dixiecrats.

 Yellow Cats.

 Republicrats.

 

Definition
shivercrats
Term

 

As a result of changes over the past 20 years, Texas may be moving from a pluralist to an elitist system.

 

 True

 False

 

Definition
false
Term

 

Texas now has one of the most progressive voter registration laws in the United States.

 

 True

 False

Definition
true
Term

 

Texans have numerous opportunities to vote, often as many as three or four times a year.

 

True

 False

Definition
true
Term

 

In Texas, ideological voting patterns in the legislature often cross party lines.

 

True

 False

Definition
true
Term

There are no membership requirements for either the Democratic or the Republican Party in Texas.

 

True

 False

Definition
true
Term

 

The Texas Association of Business was a highly visible backer of Democratic candidates for the Texas legislature in 2002.

 

True

 False

 

Definition
false
Term

The campaign finance disclosure law, passed in 1973, required candidates to list the addresses and names of donors and the amounts and dates of contributions.

 

True

 False

Definition
true
Supporting users have an ad free experience!