Public Opinion
What are the core principles of liberalism and conservatism in the United States?
Liberalism emphasizes political and social reform, supporting large government involvement in society and the economy, while conservatism prioritizes deliberate change, suspicion of large government, and emphasis on individual effort and free market.
According to the notes, what responsibilities do journalists have in informing the public discourse, and what role do they play in the marketplace of ideas?
Journalists are responsible for informing discussions, providing forums for debate on policies and issues, and acting as watchdogs on government actions. They play a crucial role in the marketplace of ideas by shaping public opinion through the dissemination of information.
Describe the evolution of the American party system from the first party system to the contemporary system.
The American party system evolved from the Federalists and Anti-Federalists in the first party system to the dominance of Democrats and Whigs in the second party system. Subsequent systems emerged around the Civil War, the New Deal era, and the contemporary era characterized by shifts in party support and the rise of third-party influences
What factors influence voter turnout, and why has political efficacy decreased in recent years?
Voter turnout is influenced by factors such as education, income levels, and the perception of impact. Political efficacy has decreased due to low trust in government, feelings of disempowerment, dissatisfaction with available candidates, and a perceived lack of impact.
What term describes traditional forms of political involvement such as voting, volunteering, and donating money?
What is political participation?
What are the main influences on political socialization according to the notes, and how do they shape public opinion?
The main influences include family, social networks, education, social groups, race/ethnicity, gender, religion, and external events. These factors shape public opinion by instilling values, beliefs, and attitudes towards politics and society
How does the federal government regulate broadcast media, and what are some specific rules governing broadcast content?
The federal government regulates over-the-air broadcast media through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Broadcast TV and radio require FCC licenses and are subject to regulations regarding obscenity, profanity, and indecency. Specific rules include the Equal Time Rule, Right of Rebuttal, and the Fairness Doctrine.
Reminder: Cable networks do not need to follow FCC rules
What role do third parties play in American politics, and how do interest groups differ from political parties?
Third parties represent social and economic interests not voiced by the major parties and often serve to protest the policies of the major parties. Interest groups, on the other hand, focus on specific policy goals and lobbying efforts rather than winning elected office.
How do state electoral laws impact voter turnout, and what are some factors influencing how voters decide whom to vote for?
State electoral laws vary and can impact voter turnout through conditions placed on voting. These conditions include voter id laws, early voting, mail in voting. Factors influencing voter decisions include partisan loyalty, policy preferences, and candidate characteristics such as race, ethnicity, and religion.
What political ideology advocates for government control of the means of production and services to reduce economic and social inequality?
What type of socialism do we have in the United States?
What is socialism?
The type of socialism somewhat popular in the United States is known as: Social Democracy (Bernie Sanders). Differs from traditional definition of Socialism. More focused on reducing social and economic inequality.
How does the media influence public opinion according to the notes, and what role does it play in shaping political agendas?
The media has an enormous impact on public attitude through various channels such as broadcast, print, social media, and entertainment. It sets the agenda by framing events, interpreting news, and promoting certain issues over others, thus shaping public opinion
What are some characteristics of digital news consumption, and how has citizen journalism changed the landscape of news reporting?
Digital news consumption is widespread, with news aggregators like "the drudge report" and digital-only sources like Bloomberg and Breitbart gaining popularity. Citizen journalism, reported by ordinary citizens through blogs and social media, has supplemented or replaced traditional journalism, acting as a watchdog on the media.
How do interest groups influence government policy through lobbying, and what are some of the top-spending interest groups in influencing government decisions?
Interest groups influence policy by lobbying public officials through face-to-face contact, providing information on key legislation, and testifying before congressional committees. Top-spending interest groups include Lockheed Martin and the National Association of Realtors.
Describe the different types of elections in the United States and explain the concepts of direct democracy, including initiatives, referendums, and recall elections.
Elections in the United States include primary elections, general elections, and presidential elections. Direct democracy mechanisms such as initiatives, referendums, and recall elections allow citizens to propose laws, vote on legislative proposals, and remove officials from office, respectively.
What phenomenon describes how experts correctly identify flaws in media stories within their expertise but believe the same media about subjects outside their expertise?
What is the Gell-Man Effect?
What are the challenges and potential biases associated with polling, as mentioned in the notes?
Challenges include the social desirability effect, selection bias, and the influence of push polling and bandwagon effects. Polling accuracy can be affected by these biases, leading to misleading results.
How do agenda setting, framing, and priming influence public opinion, as discussed in the notes?
Agenda setting refers to the media's power to bring public attention to specific issues or problems. Framing influences how events and issues are interpreted by emphasizing positive or negative characteristics. Priming prepares the public to bring specific criteria to mind when evaluating information.
What are some reasons why people join interest groups, and how do interest groups provide benefits to their members?
People join interest groups for benefits such as information, material goods, solidarity, and the pursuit of goals or causes. Interest groups provide benefits through newsletters, programs, networking opportunities, and advocacy efforts. Interested in Policy
How does the Electoral College work in presidential elections, and why was it established by the founders?
In presidential elections, the Electoral College selects the president based on the results of a general election. Each state's number of electors is determined by the number of House members plus two senators. The Electoral College was established by the founders to balance the influence of large and small states and prevent urban areas from overshadowing smaller states.
What political ideology emphasizes individual liberty and voluntary association with a small government?
What is libertarianism?
How do government actions, private groups, and the marketplace of ideas influence public opinion, according to the notes?
Governments shape public opinion through speeches, media appearances, and social media usage. Private groups like businesses, interest groups, and community organizations also influence opinion, along with the marketplace of ideas, where beliefs and ideas compete in informal forums.
What is adversarial journalism, and what are some common sources of leaks to the media, as mentioned in the notes?
Adversarial journalism involves challenging and skeptical reporting, including asking loaded questions and being critical of authority. Common sources of leaks to the media include whistleblowers, such as senior government officials and political activists, who often expose fraud, waste, and abuse.
How is lobbying regulated in the United States, and what challenges exist in regulating interest group activity?
Additionally what is Lobbying?
Lobbying is regulated by federal law, with reforms enacted in 2007 aimed at increasing transparency. However, lobbyists often find ways to circumvent these rules, presenting challenges to effective regulation.
Lobbying- Influencing policy through persuasion of public officials. Face to face contact with legislators or top staff. Provide info to legislators on key legislation, testimony before congressional committees. Sometimes lobbying veers into corruption.
What are the sources of campaign funding in the United States, and what regulations govern campaign finance?
Campaign funding can come from individual donations, parties, Political Action Committees (PACs), or public funding. Regulations limit the amount individuals can donate and provide candidates with options for public or private funding. Candidates can use unlimited personal funds if they're running for president.
What term describes the process by which individuals form their political beliefs and values within their life context, influenced by factors such as family, education, and social networks?
What is political socialization?