Voting Behavior
What is political efficacy
The belief that one's political participation makes a difference and that the government responds to citizens' input.
What is a party realignment?
A significant and lasting shift in the party system, often leading to the emergence of a new dominant party.
What is a primary election?
An election in which voters choose a political party’s candidate for a general election.
What is a PAC?
A Political Action Committee (PAC) is an organization that raises and spends money to influence elections or legislation.
What is the "watchdog" role of the media?
The media serves as a "watchdog" by monitoring and reporting on government actions, uncovering corruption, and holding public officials accountable.
What is the difference between prospective and retrospective voting?
Prospective voting is based on future promises of a candidate, while retrospective voting is based on a candidate's past actions or performance.
What is the purpose of party platforms?
A party platform is a set of principles and policies that a political party supports, aiming to guide its actions and attract voters.
What is the Electoral College?
A system used to elect the president of the United States, where electors from each state cast votes based on the outcome of the popular vote in their state.
What is lobbying?
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence lawmakers or government officials to pass or defeat legislation favorable to the interest of an individual or group.
What is horse-race journalism?
Horse-race journalism focuses on the competition between candidates, emphasizing polling data and election results rather than in-depth policy discussions.
Name one factor that increases voter turnout.
Factors like higher levels of education, income, and age generally lead to increased voter turnout.
What is dealignment?
The trend where voters increasingly identify as independents rather than aligning with a specific political party.
What is the difference between open and closed primaries?
In an open primary, any registered voter can participate regardless of party affiliation. In a closed primary, only registered party members can vote to select their party's candidate.
What is an iron triangle?
An iron triangle is a policy-making relationship between congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups, where each party benefits from the others' cooperation.
How does the media influence public agenda?
The media plays a role in shaping public opinion by deciding which issues to highlight, thus influencing the priorities and focus of the public and policymakers.
What demographic is most likely to vote?
Older, more educated, and wealthier individuals are more likely to vote.
How do third parties influence elections?
Third parties can bring attention to specific issues, act as "spoilers" by drawing votes away from major parties, or help shift the policy focus.
What is the Citizens United v. FEC ruling?
A 2010 Supreme Court decision that allowed corporations and unions to spend unlimited money on political campaigns, leading to the rise of Super PACs.
What is the difference between interest groups and political parties?
Interest groups focus on advocating for specific issues and influencing policy, while political parties seek to win elections and control government offices to implement their broad policy agendas.
What is selective exposure?
Selective exposure refers to the tendency of individuals to consume media that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs, leading to less exposure to opposing viewpoints.
What are voter ID laws and how do they impact turnout?
Voter ID laws require citizens to show official identification when voting, which can disproportionately affect low-income, minority, and elderly voters, often reducing turnout.
How do parties function as linkage institutions?
Political parties act as a bridge between the government and the people by organizing elections, aggregating interests, and providing channels for political participation.
How has campaign finance changed since the 1970s?
Campaign finance has evolved with reforms like the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA), and the Citizens United decision, allowing for more money to flow into campaigns.
What is grassroots mobilization?
Grassroots mobilization involves organizing local members or the public to take action (like contacting legislators or protesting) in support of a cause or issue.
What is media consolidation and why is it controversial?
Media consolidation refers to the increasing concentration of media ownership in the hands of a few large corporations. It is controversial because it can limit diversity of viewpoints and lead to biased reporting.