Test Review – Chapters 7, 8 & 9

March 12, 2009

Ballots

What method of voting do we use in the U.S. today?

Australian Ballot – specifically the Office-Group Ballot

Ballots

What method of voting was used during colonial elections?

Voice voting.

Do we still use this?

No

Ballots

Name three advantages of Online Voting.Increases voter turnout, efficient, cheap

Name three disadvantages of Online Voting.Hackers, technical failures, some voters (older

people) don’t use technology.

Ballots

What sort of ballot/voting machine system do we use in Harris County?

E-Slate

Types of Elections

In this type of election, members of the same party gather to decide whom they will support in an election (hint: it takes a loooong time)

Caucus

Types of Elections

An election held within a party to pick that party’s candidates for a general election.

Primary

Types of Elections

In this type of primary, only declared party members may vote for candidates for their party.

Closed Primary

Types of Elections

In this type of primary, qualified voters from either party or independents may vote for a party’s candidates.

Open Primary

Types of Elections

This type of election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Voters may select candidates from either party.

General Election

Money & Elections

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is part of which level and branch of government?

Federal Executive

Money & Elections

Name the FEC’s four areas of responsibility.

1.Timely disclosure of campaign finance data2.Limits on campaign contributions3.Limits on campaign expenditures4.Provide public funds for the presidential

elections

Money & Elections

What is the maximum individual contribution to a federal candidate (per election)?

$2,400

Money & Elections

In the 2008 presidential election, did either candidate accept federal matching funds?

Yes, John McCain accepted matching funds. This limited his spending in the general election to $84 million.

Barack Obama, who did not accept matching funds, spent $150 million on the general election.

Money & Elections

Money given directly to the candidate or campaign. Subject to FEC regulation.

Hard money

Money & Elections

Funds spent by organizations that are not contributed directly to candidate campaigns, and which do not "expressly advocate" the election or defeat of a candidate.

Soft money

Money & Elections

Arms of labor unions, corporations, and interest groups that collect and donate money to political parties and candidates.

Political Action Committees

Money & Elections

True/False: Some wealthy individuals give money to political campaigns because they hope to gain influence or be offered important political jobs (cabinet post, ambassadorship).

True

Money & Elections

Who gives the most to candidates? Individuals or PACs?

Individuals. PACs are in second place.

Money & Elections

What is one reason why interest groups, through PACs, give money to political candidates?

They want access to the candidates once they are elected.

Money & Elections

This government agency deals with campaign financing of federal (national) elections.

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

Mass Media

How does mass media affect public policy?

The media have the power to get the public to focus on a certain issue.

Mass Media

What is the #1 media source for most Americans?

Newspapers, radio, TV, Internet, movies, books, art?

TV

Mass Media

What factors limit the influence of the mass media?

Most people do not follow public events closely.People tend to select sources of information

that reflect and support views they already hold.

Most media focus on entertainment, rather than on informing the public/serious news.

Mass Media

Which media source provides the best in-depth reporting?

Newspapers

Public Opinion

True/False: An election is the best way to measure public opinion.

False

Public Opinion

Definition: The attitudes held by a significant number of people on matters of government and politics.

Vocab Term:Public opinion

Public Opinion

What are the six factors that shape public opinion?

Family, schools, mass media, peer groups, opinion leaders, historic events

Which factor is the most important?FAMILY

Public Opinion

What is political socialization?

How you get your political opinions; the influences that shape your political views.

Public Opinion

What are the five steps of scientific polling, in order:

1.Define the universe2.Construct a sample3.Prepare valid questions4.Conduct interviews5.Report the poll’s findings

Public OpinionIn a poll, what is the difference between a random sample and

a quota sample?

1. Random sample: a certain number of randomly selected people who live in a certain number of randomly selected places. (example: the first 1,000 people who walk by)

2. Quota sample: sample deliberately constructed to reflect several of the major characteristics of a given universe. (example: interviewing 50 percent men, 50 percent women; 25 percent seniors, 25 percent juniors, 25 percent sophomores, 25 percent freshmen)

Public Opinion

How do biased/loaded questions influence opinion polls?

They create inaccurate responses.

Give an example of a biased/loaded question.

Public Opinion

Definition: Poll that seeks to read the public’s mind simply by asking the same question of a large number of people.

Vocab term: Straw Poll

Public Opinion

What is the best way to measure public opinion?

Opinion Polls

Interest Groups

Most interest groups are formed on the basis of…

A shared attitude/common opinion on a specific issue

Interest Groups

Who is targeted by lobbyists?

All 3 branchesLegislative -- pass favorable lawsExecutive -- how laws are/aren’t enforced;

executive appointmentsJudicial -- nominations to bench, influencing judge’s

opinions

Interest Groups

Definition: A group that pushes for public policies that benefit all of society

Vocab Term:Public Interest Group

Interest Groups

The AFL-CIO, the Fraternal Order of Police, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union are examples of which type of interest group?

Labor Groups

Interest GroupsName the 6 functions of Interest Groups

1. Stimulate interest in public affairs2. Represent members based on shared attitudes,

instead of shared geography3. Provide specialized information to government

agencies4. Serve as vehicles for political participation5. Provide additional checks and balances6. Compete with one another in the public arena

Interest Groups

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Chamber of Commerce, and the United States Brewers Association are examples of which type of interest group?

Business Groups

Interest Groups

National Grange, American Farm Bureau, National Farmers Union are examples of which type of Interest Group?

Agricultural Groups

Interest Groups

ACLU, Sierra Club, National Women’s Political Caucus are examples of which type of interest group?

Groups that promote causes

Interest Groups

League of Women Voters, Common Cause, Public Citizen are examples of which type of interest group?

Public Interest Groups

Interest Groups

National Council of Churches, American Jewish Congress, National Catholic Welfare Council are examples of which type of interest group?

Religious Organizations

Propaganda Techniques

“John Carlin is a ‘tax-and-spend,’ bleeding-heart liberal. He raised taxes 57 times as governor of California.”

Name the propaganda technique.

Name-calling/mudslinging

Propaganda Techniques

“Joan Finney stands for American values. She will create jobs. She has a proven track record on crime. She believes in strong families.”

Name the propaganda technique

Glittering generalities

Propaganda Techniques

“A vote for Mike Hayden will not keep America safe. The United States will likely face another terror attack if he is elected.”

Name the propaganda technique

Fear

Propaganda Techniques

“Bill Graves led the fight for a balanced budget. He fought to improve education and expand the number of children with health insurance.” (neglecting to mention he was caught accepting bribes from an insurance company lobbyist)

Name the propaganda technique:

Card-staking

Propaganda Techniques

“Today, Senator Ted Kennedy and JFK’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, endorsed Barack Obama for president.”

Name the propaganda technique

Testimonial

Propaganda Techniques

“Robert Docking was born in a small town. He was the first in his family to graduate from college. He came back home, took over the family store…”

Name the propaganda technique

Plain Folks

Propaganda Techniques

Name the propaganda technique

Transfer

Propaganda Techniques

“The Electricians’ Union, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Plumbers’ Union, all of the barbers in town, and the old guys who hang out in the diner have endorsed Bob Bennett for governor. Shouldn’t you?”

Name the propaganda technique

Bandwagon