Exam #2 Flashcards

Front 1

Define any type of communication that reaches a large number of people.

Back 1

1.Television
2. Radio
3. Newspapers
4. Magazines
5. Billboard
6. Fliers
7. Internet etc.

Front 2

How do politicians control what news the public sees?

Back 2

1. Media events – planned event that attract people to engage support.

(i.e. Press Conferences, Rallies, Debates)

Front 3

T.V. Commercials:

Back 3

Paid commercials to convey messages.

Front 4

How much money was spent on Ads in the pass election?

Back 4

44 million (Obama)

44.2 million (Romney)

Front 5

Negative ads:

Back 5

85% (Obama)

91% (Romney)

Front 6

Beats:

Back 6

Specialized report on issues (news reporters at special places).

(Congress, White House, State Department)

Front 7

1. Trial Balloons:

2. Elements/source of trial Balloons:

Back 7

1. Information leaked to the media to gage reactions.

2. Independent sources and government leaks.

Front 8

Indicator of Political Power:

Back 8

Perception (health; old vs young, etc.)

Front 9

Ability to do a job (President Reagan’s 7 principles):

Back 9

1. Plan ahead

2. Stay on the offensive (always attack on positive)

3. Control the flow of information.

4. Limit reporter access.

5. Talk about the issues you like (positive issues)

6. Speak in one voice (to express confidence and be personal).

7. Repeat same message (positive image to yourself and party).

Front 10

-Development of Media Politics-

Vietnam War:

Back 10

Questioned Media's truthfulness.

Front 11

-Development of Media Politics-

Watergate Scandal:

Back 11

Nixon: Wire tapping- lead to distrust in government.

Front 12

-Development of Media-

Investigative Journalism:

Duty of a journalist:

Back 12

1. Focus on topic issue.

2. Use skills to find out what's really going on.

Duty of a journalist is to scrutinize.

Front 13

What is the Role of Media?

Back 13

1. Watch dog over government- to see if they are truthful.

2. Clarify electoral choices.

3. Provide policy information.

Front 14

2 Types of Media:

Back 14

1. Print Media (newspaper and magazine)

2. Electronic Media (television, radio, internet)

Front 15

-Electronic Media-

Kennedy vs. Nixon:

Back 15

1. 1st debate shown on TV- People saw Kennedy and thought he was attractive.

Front 16

-Electronic Media-

Vietnam War:

Back 16

1. Not portray what was really going on; media the direct link to government.

Front 17

Who Regulates Electronic Media?

Back 17

Federal Communication Commission (FCC)

Front 18

What are the duties of FCC:

Back 18

1. Prevent Monopolies- one entity- too biased.

2. Conduct period examination goals and performances- standard high; best person for the job.

3. Issue fair treatment rules.

Front 19

Define Narrowcasting on Cable TV:

Back 19

Focus on special interest and aimed at particular audience.

(i.e. CNN, Fox News, CSPAN)

Front 20

What are the criticisms of Narrowcasting:

Back 20

Only one side of the story, biased.

Front 21

What is the effect of internet on politicians?

Back 21

1. Increases the ability of politicians, journalists, interest groups to communicate to the public. (i.e. internet donation)

2. Increasing mobilization for political parties.

Front 22

-Policymakers in the Media-

Define: Policy Agenda

Back 22

Policy Agenda: Issue that attracts serious attention of public officials who are actively involved in politics.

Policy Agenda is a list of subjects or problems to which people inside and outside government are paying serious attention to at any given time.


Example: A State Policy Agenda to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.

(i.e. Ukraine, Olympics, depends on time)

Front 23

Define: Policy Entrepreneurs

Back 23

Policy Entrepreneurs:

Individual seeking to influence policy agenda by getting the media to pay attention to the issues that they are concerned with (i.e. press releases/conferences, etc.)

Front 24

-Political Parties-

Define: Political Parties

Back 24

A team of men and women seeking to control the governing system by gaining office in elections.

Front 25

-Political Parties-

Rational Choice Theory:

Back 25

Individuals are acting in their best interests when they weigh the cost and benefits of their policy choice.

Front 26

What is the Responsible Party Model:

Back 26

1. Parties must prevent a comprehensive program to govern the nation (ideal world).

2. Each party's candidate must be committed to their program (follow through with them).

3. The majority party must implement its programs and the minority party must state what it would do if it was in power.

4. The majority party must accept responsibility for the performance of the government.

Front 27

What is the role of Political Parties:

Back 27

1. Pick political candidates.

2. Run political campaigns.

3. Give cues to voters.

4. Articulate policies for the party.

5. Coordinate policymaking between Congress and President.

Front 28

-3 Types of Political Parties- (Electorate)

1. Define- Party in Electorate:

Back 28

Definition: Voter's perceptions on what the party stands for.

1. Party ID
2. Ticket Splitting

Front 29

-3 Types of Political Parties- (Electorate)

Define Party Identification:

Back 29

Party Identification (for trend- issues to focus on campaign)

Definition: Preference of one party over the other.

Front 30

-3 Types of Political Parties- (Electorate)

What is Ticket Splitting:

Back 30

Vote on 1 party for 1 office and the other for another office.

Front 31

-3 Types of Political Parties- (Party as an Org.)

Define Party as an Organization:

Back 31

Definition:

Most important. Organized through a pyramid structure.

Front 32

-3 Types of Political Parties- (Party as an Org.)

Top: National Committee/National Convention

Back 32

1. Most important

2. Keeps party operating

3. Every 4 years

4. National Chairperson- Most important "boss"

Front 33

-3 Types of Political Parties- (Party as an Org.)

Middle of pyramid:

Back 33

State party organizations (50 states party systems)

Front 34

-3 Types of Political Parties- (Party as an Org.)

Bottom: Local party organization

Back 34

1. Not as important because of competition.

2. Party Machines (patronage system)

Front 35

-3 Types of Political Parties- (Party in Government)

Define Party in Government:

Back 35

Party that holds most of the offices in government and will have the most influence in politics.

(i.e. Obama can veto; Democratic have power)

2. Coalition.

Front 36

-3 Types of Political Parties- (Party in Government)

Define Coalition:

Back 36

Definition: Group of individuals with common interests.

Front 37

Party Eras in American History (Terms)

Define Party Eras:

Back 37

Definition: Period in which a majority of the voters supported the party in power and that party won the majority of the elections.

Front 38

Party Eras in American History (Terms)

Define Critical Election:

Back 38

New conditions are formed and the majority party is then replaced by the minority party.

Front 39

Party Eras in American History (Terms)

Define Party Realignment:

Back 39

Majority party is replaces by the minority party during critical election.

Front 40

Party Eras in American History (Terms)

Define Party Dealignment:

Back 40

A shift towards not identifying with either political party/non-partisanship.

Front 41

-Eras in Party Development 1796-1824-

1. Federalist Party:

Back 41

1. Started by Hamilton.

2. Defeated by Jeffersonian (Democratic Republicans)

3. Example: Critical Election and Party Realignment.

Front 42

-Eras in Party Development 1796-1824-

2. Democrats (1826-1856):

Back 42

1. Expanding political opportunity by eliminating barriers and mobilizing masses.

Example: Party Era

Front 43

-Eras in Party Development 1796-1824-

3. The Republican (1860-1928):

Back 43

1. Abraham Lincoln

2. Over 60 years

Example: Party Era

Front 44

-Eras in Party Development 1796-1824-

4. New Deal Coalition (1932-1964):

Back 44

1. Headed by FDR

2. Who comprised this coalition?

Front 45

-Eras in Party Development 1796-1824-

5. Southern Realignment and Divided Party Government:

Back 45

1. Nixon Southern Strategy:

2. Party Dealignment.

Front 46

-3rd Parties-

Back 46

1. Parties that promote a certain cause (green party)

2. Splinter parties

3. Extension of popular individual with presidential aspiration.

Front 47

-3rd Parties)-

Splinter Parties:

Back 47

1. Party that detached themselves (green party)

Front 48

-Interest Groups-

Define Interest Groups:

Back 48

Definition: An organization of people with similar goals that seek to achieve their goals by entering the political process.

1. Interest groups exist in all areas of government.

Front 49

-Theories of Interest Groups-

Back 49

1. Pluralism

2. Elitism

3. Hyper-pluralism

Front 50

-Theories of Interest Groups-

What is Pluralism?

Back 50

Political process is open to all groups with shared interest in influencing public policy.

Front 51

-Theories of Interest Groups-

What are 5 Arguments for Pluralism?

Back 51

1. Link between people and government

2. Groups compete.

3. No one group dominates.

4. Group that lacks one resource can use another.

5. Labor= Numbers // Corporate= Money

Front 52

-Theories of Interest Groups-

What is Elitism?

Back 52

Elites in society hold the power in policymaking.

Front 53

-Theories of Interest Groups-

What are 2 Arguments for elitism:?

Back 53

1. Largest corporations hold the most power.

2. Corporate elites prevail when it comes to big decision.

Front 54

-Theories of Interest Groups-

What is Hyper-pluralism?

Back 54

Theory that states that groups are so strong that government is weakened.

Front 55

Types of Interest Groups:

Back 55

1. Economic groups

2. Citizen's Groups

3. Government's Interest Groups

Front 56

Types of Interest Groups:

Economic Groups:

Back 56

Advocates favorable economic benefits for members.

1. Labor Unions (teacher labor union)

2. Farm Groups (American Farm Bureau Federation)

3. Professional Association (American Medical Assoc.)

Front 57

Types of Interest Groups:

Citizen's Groups:

Back 57

1. Single Issue Groups: Have narrow interest (ex: War and Gun Control)

2. Public Interest Groups: Groups that seek collective goods and benefits for all (Sierra Club - Environment)

Front 58

Types of Interest Groups:

Governments Interest Groups:

Back 58

1. Focus on bringing local and state issues to Congress.

Example: National Governers' Association // National League of Cities

Front 59

- Problems with Large Interest Groups -

Potential Groups vs. Actual Groups:

Back 59

1. Potential Groups: All people who might be members because they share a common interest.

2. Actual Group: People who actually join.

Front 60

- Problems with Large Interest Groups -

Collective Good:

Back 60

Something that is worth value that can't be withheld from potential or actual members.

(clean air, water, roads)

Front 61

- Problems with Large Interest Groups -

Free Rider:

Back 61

People that don't join but benefit from the group's activities.

Why is it a problem?

Front 62

- Problems with Large Interest Groups -

Selective Benefits:

Back 62

Goods that groups can restrict to those who actually join.

Example: Travel discount.

Front 63

How do groups shape policy making?

Back 63

1. Lobbying

2. Electioneering

3. Litigation

Front 64

-How groups shape policymaking-

1. Lobbying: Definition

2. Lobbyist: Definition/Duties

Back 64

1. Definition: Act of influencing legislators or other public officials for a specific interest/cause for a group.

2. Lobbyist: An individual who tries to influence the government on the behalf of a group for a specific interest/cause.

Duties:

1. Supply officials with information in order to have policy support.

2. To show group strength in order to influence policy.

Front 65

-How groups shape policymaking-

1. Electioneering:

2. Political Committees (PAC's)

Back 65

1. Electioneering: Direct involvement by groups in the electoral process.

2. PAC's: A federal regulated organization that is free to make a campaign contributions to a campaign or political candidate.

Front 66

-How groups shape policymaking-

Litigation:

Back 66

1. Going through the court system.

2. Civil Rights during the 1950's

3. Consumer groups

4. Groups that bring law suit in order to pressure federal agencies and businesses in order to change regulation for the betterment of the consumer.

Front 67

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

Definition:

Back 67

Distribution of the popular beliefs about politics.

Front 68

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

Political Socializations:

Back 68

Process in which individuals in society acquire their political knowledge, feelings, and views about politics

(family, friends, school, media, work, religion)

Front 69

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

Why is it difficult to study public opinion?

Back 69

1. Diverse and Homogenous: Needs of one state differs from the other

2. Changing Opinions: Overtime needs change and so will opinions (i.e. healthcare)

Front 70

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

Demography:

Back 70

Studying the changes in population.

Front 71

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

Census:

Back 71

The process of obtaining information about the population every 10 years.

Front 72

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

1. Constitutional Mandated

Why is it important?

Back 72

1. Distribution of $400 billion dollars of federal funding.

(ex: increase population = $$$)

2. Reapportionment reallocation of seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years based on the census (435 seats) - if 6050 move away - lost a seat in the house.

Front 73

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

How do you measure public opinion?

-Define Gallup:

Back 73

Conduct through polls:

1.Gallup

2. Sample

Front 74

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

Define Gallup:

Back 74

Gallup: Research based company known to conducting public opinion poll // most used and reliable.

Front 75

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

Define Sample:

Back 75

Sample: 1000-1500 people who are chosen to represent the whole- U.S. as a whole.

Front 76

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

Why only a small sample?

Back 76

Too costly and time consuming.

Front 77

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

Types of Sampling and Accuracy?

Back 77

1. Random sampling

2. Sampling error

3. Random Digit Dialing

Front 78

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

Random sampling:

Back 78

Everyone should have an equal probability of being selected as part of the sample.

Front 79

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

Sampling error:

Back 79

+/- 0-10

The level of confidence in the findings of public opinion poll.

Front 80

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

Random digit dialing:

Back 80

Calls are made randomly to both listed and unlisted numbers

Problem: Not everyone has a cell phone/landline.

Front 81

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

What are the effects of polling?

Back 81

1. Politicians can see what the public prefers.

2. Politicians are following the public rather than leading them.

3. Voters might support candidate because they see others are supporting that candidate.

Front 82

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

(Effects of polling)

Exit Poll:

Back 82

1. Surveying the small percentage of voters take after they leave a polling place.

2. Problem: Discourage others to vote if they see that a winner has been declared.

Front 83

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

What are the problems with the census?

Back 83

- 2010: 72% respondent and 28% door to door

1. Changes in population.
2. Melting Pot
3. Minority Majority

Front 84

What are the problems with the census?

Melting Pot:

Back 84

The idea that cultures, ideas, and people blend into 1.

Front 85

What are the problems with the census?

Minority Majority

Back 85

Non Hispanic white // in 2030-2040: Minority group will be the Majority.

Front 86

What are the problems with the census?

1965 Legal Immigration Act:

Back 86

Eliminates nationality criteria. Everyone has an equal chance.

Front 87

-Public Opinion and Political Outcomes-

Illegal Immigration: 2013-11.7 million

Mazzoli Act (1986):

Back 87

1. Employers must document the citizenship of individuals.

2. Civil and criminal penalties will be assessed if an employer knowingly employs.

Front 88

-Political Participation-

Definition:

Back 88

Citizens use all types of activities to influence the political process.

Front 89

Types of Political Participation:

Back 89

1. Voting/Protest

2. Can be violent by nature.

3. Pol. Participation is high among those with a higher social economic status.

Front 90

-Political Participation-

Protest:

Back 90

A type of political participation where citizens utilize dramatic and unconventional means to achieve policy change.

Front 91

-Political Participation-

Civil Disobedience:

Back 91

A type of political participation where citizens intentionally break a law they see as unjust.

(Rose Parks)

Front 92

-Political Participation-

Other types of political participation:

Back 92

1. Donating money

2. Campaigning

3. Volunteering

Front 93

-Political Participation- Voting

Rational Voting:

Back 93

Individuals utilizing logic when deciding who or what to vote for.

Front 94

-Political Participation-

What is the vote based on?

Back 94

1. An individuals opinion about policy issues.

2. Candidates opinions about policy issues.

3. Candidate that is most like you.

4. Individual's opinion about the ability of the candidate to govern.

Front 95

Why is rational voting important?

Back 95

1. Restricts and Monitors- politicians don't have free reign.

2. Determines reelection- if a candidate is good they will get reelected.

Front 96

Are American's rational voters?

Back 96

Yes and No.

No: Many don't even know who their political representative is.

Front 97

Does the voting situation allow for rational voting?

Back 97

No, politicians get elected but don't follow through // it's difficult to find a politician that mirrors exactly.

Front 98

How can voters be more rational?

Initiative voting:

Back 98

1. Vote on issues you care about

2. Vote on law or constitutional amendments that will affect you.

3. See who is backing the initiative- look for bias or not

4. Examine nonpartisan- see both sides of the story.

5. If uncertain vote for status quo- don't vote.