Chapter 5 – Public Opinion and Participation Reading Comprehension Quiz Multiple Choice Questions 1. The process by which we develop our political attitudes, values, and beliefs is called A. learning. B. education. C. political socialization. D. indoctrination. E. behavioral programming. Answer: C 2. Approximately 25 percent of the population is interested in politics most of the time. They are called the A. smart ones. B. public-spirited people. C. attentive public. D. core constituents. E. disillusioned minority. Answer: C 3. The 40 percent of the people who selectively participate in elections are called the A. apathetic public. B. representative citizens. C. core constituents. D. attentive public. E. part-time citizens. Answer: E 4. A consistent pattern of beliefs about political values and the role of government is called A. capitalism. B. robber barons. C. political ideology. D. liberalism. E. conservatism. Answer: C 5. In its current U.S. usage, liberalism refers to a belief in A. limited government involvement in economic issues. B. creation of the welfare state. C. democratic socialism. D. the positive uses of government to bring about justice and equality of opportunity. E. keeping government small and allowing market forces to manage the economy. Answer: D 6. A person who believes that government should allow the return of organized prayer in public schools is likely to be a A. liberal. B. traditional conservative. C. socialist. D. social conservative. E. libertarian. Answer: D 7. In a random sample, A. individuals are chosen for the sample based on their proportion in the population. B. only a neutral, independent party may select individuals for the sample. C. the probability of any person being chosen for the sample is impossible to determine. D. only individuals with real opinions are eligible for being selected. E. every individual in the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample. Answer: E 8. How strongly people hold beliefs, or the degree to which those beliefs are held, is termed A. reliability. B. intensity. C. fervor. D. patriotism. E. consistency. Answer: B 9. The distribution of individual preferences or evaluation of a given issue, candidate, or institution within a population is called A. cumulative attitudes. B. public opinion. C. individual preference. D. distribution. E. consensus. Answer: B 10. Compared to most other democracies, turnout in American elections A. is about the same. B. is significantly higher. C. is impossible to measure. D. is lower. E. is a little bit higher. Answer: D 11. When two or more Democrats compete against one another to try to become their party’s nominee, they compete in a ________ election. A. primary B. recall C. liberal D. corrupt E. retention Answer: A 12. Compared to other countries, America holds elections A. much less frequently. B. about as frequently. C. more frequently. D. a little less frequently. E. at more irregular times. Answer: C 13. Holding an incumbent responsible for past performance on issues is referred to as what? A. Prospective issue voting B. Retrospective issue voting C. Respective issue voting D. Wedge voting E. None of the above Answer: B 14. Issues that motivate particular segments of the electorate to vote, and on which the opposing candidate or party has a less popular position, are often called A. exploitive issues. B. prospective issues. C. losing issues. D. wedge issues. E. popular issues. Answer: D 15. ________________ voting is voting based on what a candidate pledges to do in the future about an issue if elected. A. Candidate appeal B. Prospective issue C. Straight-ticket D. Retrospective issue E. Platform issue Answer: B True/False Questions 1. The most powerful socializing agent is family. Answer: True 2. People who are rarely interested in politics or public affairs and seldom vote are called political know-nothings. Answer: True 3. A consistent pattern of beliefs about political values and the role of government is called a political ideology. Answer: True 4. Social conservatives believe that the government should continue the constitutional separation of church and state. Answer: False 5. The Literary Digest poll of 1936 is an example of a random sample. Answer: False 6. All governments in all nations must be concerned with public opinion. Answer: True 7. Protest is the most common form of political participation. Answer: False 8. The voting age was lowered to 18 with the ratification of the Twenty-sixth Amendment in 1971. Answer: True 9. Voters tend to vote against an incumbent during a bad economy. Answer: True 10. Prospective-issue voting is voting based on what a candidate pledges to do. Answer: True Chapter Examination Multiple Choice Questions 1. Political attitudes can first be measured A. in infancy. B. in young children. C. in teenagers. D. in young adults. E. at age 21. Answer: B 2. Political attitudes may stem from religious, racial, gender, ethnic, or economic beliefs and values, but all are formed A. individually. B. without thought or reflection. C. based on media influences. D. in groups. E. in college. Answer: D 3. The most powerful socializing agent is A. the family. B. the Internet. C. peers. D. television. E. schools. Answer: A 4. Sources of American public opinion include A. mass media. B. religious and ethnic heritage. C. schools. D. families. E. All of the above Answer: E 5. Individuals choosing to access media with which they agree, or avoiding media with which they disagree, is called A. tendency reinforcement. B. stereotype challenging. C. limited attention. D. selective exposure. E. discriminating analysis. Answer: D 6. A conservative friend of yours avoids reading the New York Times because she believes it is a liberal newspaper. This is an example of A. discriminating analysis. B. limited attention. C. tendency reinforcement. D. stereotype challenging. E. selective exposure. Answer: E 7. Information held by the general public concerning congressional names and issues indicates that A. few people know the names of their members of Congress. B. most constituents know where their members of Congress stand on important issues. C. most people had a surprisingly high level of information. D. most people know the names of both candidates in congressional elections. E. most people can provide detailed information about the backgrounds of their members of Congress. Answer: A 8. Approximately __________ percent of the population is interested in politics most of the time. A. 90 B. 50 C. 2 D. 25 E. 75 Answer: D 9. What percentage of the United States population has indicated that they are interested in politics “only now and then” or “hardly at all”? A. 2 percent B. 8 percent C. 25 percent D. 33 percent E. 52 percent Answer: D 10. People who are rarely interested in politics or public affairs and seldom vote are called A. the attentive public. B. irrational residents. C. political know-nothings. D. in-betweeners. E. part-time citizens. Answer: C 11. A person who believes that government needs to intervene to correct the defects of capitalism is likely to be a A. liberal. B. traditional conservative. C. socialist. D. social conservative. E. libertarian. Answer: A 12. Democrats are more likely to be ______________ than Republicans. A. liberal B. moderate C. libertarians D. socialists E. conservative Answer: A 13. A person whose primary concerns about government reflect an opposition to most government regulation of business is likely to be a A. liberal. B. traditional conservative. C. socialist. D. social conservative. E. libertarian. Answer: B 14. Today, traditional conservatives tend to be opposed to all of the following EXCEPT A. antitrust legislation. B. environmental regulations. C. trade regulations. D. lower taxes. E. financial market regulation. Answer: D 15. Social conservatives believe that the government should A. impose social controls upon U.S. citizens. B. allow wide freedom of action by U.S. citizens. C. support affirmative action initiatives to redress discrimination. D. allow any adult to marry as he or she pleases. E. continue the constitutional separation of church and state. Answer: A 16. The Libertarian Party would do away with A. the Federal Bureau of Investigation. B. the Central Intelligence Agency. C. the Food and Drug Administration. D. absolutely all government regulation. E. All of the above Answer: E 17. U.S. socialists tend to favor A. limited government. B. government ownership of all property. C. an expanded role for government. D. increased defense spending. E. market deregulation. Answer: C 18. Canada and most of the Western European democracies A. have been more influenced by socialism than has the United States. B. have been less influenced by socialism than has the United States. C. transitioned from communism to democracy with the fall of the Soviet Union. D. have become more socialist over the past ten years. E. are actually socialist governments. Answer: A 19. The economic and governmental system based on public ownership of the means of production and exchange is called A. socialism. B. feudalism. C. libertarianism. D. capitalism. E. democracy. Answer: A 20. A person who believes that government should institute a public jobs program so that all who want to work can work is likely to be a A. liberal. B. traditional conservative. C. socialist. D. social conservative. E. libertarian. Answer: C 21. A person who believes that government should engage in centralized planning of the economy is likely to be a A. liberal. B. traditional conservative. C. communist. D. social conservative. E. libertarian. Answer: C 22. A person who opposes all government regulation, including, for example, mandatory seatbelt and helmet laws, is likely to be a A. liberal. B. traditional conservative. C. socialist. D. social conservative. E. libertarian. Answer: E 23. Libertarianism is a political ideology that A. wants government to regulate the economy. B. insists on sharply limited government. C. thinks that government behaves responsibly. D. seeks government regulation of social programs. E. supports laws to regulate personal morality. Answer: B 24. The major criticism of liberals is that they A. will destroy individual initiative and thereby economic growth. B. are naïve. C. are better at diagnosing problems than providing substantial policies and programs. D. are misinformed. E. are nonreligious. Answer: A 25. Liberals A. are likely to use government to maintain order. B. shy away from government action. C. favor government intervention to foster equality. D. favor small government. E. All of the above Answer: C 26. A person who opposes government regulation of business is likely to be a A. liberal. B. conservative. C. socialist. D. communist. E. libertarian. Answer: B 27. A general description of political ideology in the United States is that A. about 50 percent of Americans are liberal. B. most people have a mixed set of opinions that do not neatly coincide with the terms liberal and conservative. C. most Americans are liberal. D. ideology plays no role in politics. E. approximately 50 percent identify as conservative, but observers see this number growing in the next decade. Answer: B 28. What percentage of Americans see themselves as extreme liberals? A. 2–3 percent B. 10 percent C. 15 percent D. 25 percent E. Over 25 percent Answer: A 29. Which is true? A. Liberals outnumber conservatives, but their proportion did not increase in the 1980s and 1990s. B. Conservatives outnumber liberals, but their proportion did not increase in the 1980s and 1990s. C. Liberals outnumber conservatives, and their proportion increased in the 1980s and 1990s. D. Conservatives outnumber liberals, and their proportion increased in the 1980s and 1990s. E. Libertarians outnumber liberals, and their proportion increased in the 1980s and 1990s. Answer: B 30. When every individual in a population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample, it is said to be A. open ended. B. a random sample. C. specific sampling. D. appropriate. E. a weighted sample. Answer: B 31. The Literary Digest poll of 1936 A. predicted that Alf Landon would win the presidential election. B. predicted the outcome of the election within one percentage point. C. was the first survey to obtain a truly random sample. D. had a 100 percent response rate. E. All of the above Answer: A 32. In order to achieve a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent, a sample should be at least ______ individuals. A. 100 B. 1 million C. 100,000 D. 1,000 E. 250 Answer: D 33. Open-ended questions A. are easier to record and compare than closed-ended questions. B. permit respondents to answer in their own words rather than by choosing responses from set categories. C. make it difficult for respondents to express their views clearly. D. can never provide deep insight into respondents’ thinking. E. are impossible to administer on surveys. Answer: B 34. When a substantial percentage of a sample of the population agrees on an issue there is a A. preference. B. belief. C. consensus. D. fervor. E. majority mentality. Answer: C 35. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the need for homeland security became a widely shared and consciously held view among Americans. This is an example of a A. conceding consensus. B. polarization. C. private position. D. manifest opinion. E. public opinion. Answer: D 36. When a large portion of opposing sides feels intensely about an issue (such as the Vietnam War), opinion is said to be A. uninformed. B. distinct. C. undemocratic. D. polarized. E. consensual. Answer: D 37. Survey questions asking people how strongly they feel about an issue or about a politician are designed to measure A. intensity. B. consistency. C. fervor. D. reliability. E. patriotism. Answer: A 38. Political opinions that exist but have not been fully expressed are said to be A. latent. B. uninformed. C. salient. D. random. E. polarized. Answer: A 39. A widely shared and consciously held view is called a A. polarized position. B. tragic consensus. C. manifest opinion. D. random sample. E. manifest destiny. Answer: C 40. The extent to which people feel issues are relevant to them is called A. informed. B. latent. C. intensity. D. salience. E. important. Answer: D 41. A system designed to reduce voter fraud by limiting voting to those who have established eligibility to vote by submitting the proper documents is called A. voter suppression. B. Republican strategizing. C. voter registration. D. voter qualification. E. citizen verification. Answer: C 42. Automatic registration is practiced by A. only the United States. B. most of the world’s democracies. C. all authoritarian countries. D. no countries in the world. E. None of the above Answer: B 43. Voter turnout in presidential elections A. is the same every year. B. was lowest in the 1910s. C. was highest in the early 1800s. D. has steadily risen since 1920. E. was highest in the late 1800s. Answer: E 44. Undecided voters are also often called ________ voters. A. committed B. partisan C. clueless D. swing E. competitive Answer: D 45. Compared to other countries, Americans hold A. more elections for more offices. B. fewer elections for more offices. C. fewer elections for fewer offices. D. more elections for fewer offices. E. the same number of elections for the same number of offices. Answer: A 46. Elections in which voters elect officeholders are called A. primary elections. B. referenda. C. caucuses. D. general elections. E. turnout elections. Answer: D 47. American voters determine party nominees for the general election in __________ elections. A. referendum B. retention C. recall D. general E. primary Answer: E 48. Elections held in years when presidential candidates are on the ballot are called A. midterm elections. B. special elections. C. off-year elections. D. primary elections. E. presidential elections. Answer: E 49. Elections held midway between presidential elections are known as A. off-year elections. B. primary elections. C. special elections. D. midterm elections. E. registration elections. Answer: D 50. Midterm elections elect A. presidents. B. about one-third of senators. C. one-half of representatives. D. all governors. E. All of the above Answer: B 51. The proportion of the voting-age public that votes is the typical measure of A. public opinion. B. political interest. C. the census. D. voter turnout. E. citizen activism. Answer: D 52. If one were to divide the number of ballots cast in an election by the voting-age public, one would be calculating A. presidential approval. B. voter turnout. C. the census. D. political interest. E. public opinion. Answer: B 53. The process by which campaigners learn which issues matter to potential voters and which candidates these voters prefer by conducting interviews on the telephone or in person is called a(n) A. canvass. B. focus group. C. strategy session. D. exploratory committee. E. testing trial. Answer: A 54. Which of the following is true about voter turnout rates? A. Men tend to vote more than women. B. Hispanics vote more than African Americans. C. African Americans vote more than whites. D. Hispanics vote more than whites. E. None of the above Answer: E 55. Which of these voters is a major focus of mobilization efforts? A. Strong Democrats B. Strong Independents C. Swing voters D. White males E. Conservative Republicans Answer: C 56. Which of the following is true about “Pure Independents?” A. They typically have lower turnout than Democrats and Republicans. B. They usually vote for the loser in elections. C. They compose about 40 percent of the American electorate. D. They are often more loyal to a party in their voting than are individuals identifying themselves as Democrats or Republicans. E. They are not permitted by most states to vote in general elections. Answer: A 57. How voters feel about a candidate’s background, personality, leadership ability, and other personal qualities is known as candidate A. identification. B. incumbency. C. advantage. D. voting. E. appeal. Answer: E 58. Holding incumbents (usually the president’s party) responsible for their records on issues, such as the economy or foreign policy, is known as A. retrospective issue voting. B. candidate appeal voting. C. straight-ticket voting. D. irrational voting. E. prospective issue voting. Answer: A 59. Issues that motivate particular segments of the electorate to vote, and on which the opposing candidate or party has a less popular position, are often called A. exploitive issues. B. prospective issues. C. losing issues. D. wedge issues. E. popular issues. Answer: D 60. This—including competence, integrity, and energy—is something more important in an election than issues. A. Candidate grace B. Positive candidate opinion C. Public opinion D. Candidate appeal E. None of the above Answer: D 61. ________________ voting is voting based on what a candidate pledges to do in the future about an issue if elected. A. Candidate appeal B. Prospective issue C. Straight-ticket D. Retrospective issue E. Platform issue Answer: B True/False Questions 1. The process by which we develop our political attitudes, values, and beliefs is called behavioral programming. Answer: False 2. The pluralistic political culture of the United States makes the sources of our views immensely varied. Answer: True 3. Schools have no effect in modeling young citizens’ attitudes. Answer: False 4. Individuals choosing to access media with which they agree or avoiding media with which they disagree is called selective exposure. Answer: True 5. Approximately 90 percent of the population is interested in politics most of the time. Answer: False 6. The 40 percent of the people who selectively participate in elections are called core constituents. Answer: False 7. The New Right favors expansion of government control over drinking, drugs, abortion, prayer, and lifestyle. Answer: True 8. Socialists advocate the withdrawal of our forces from all military bases abroad and the decriminalization of drug possession. Answer: False 9. In contrast to contemporary liberals, conservatives want to keep government limited EXCEPT in the area of defense. Answer: True 10. Traditional conservatives opposed the New Deal programs of the 1930s, opposed the War on Poverty in the 1960s, opposed civil rights legislation, and opposed affirmative action regulations. Answer: True 11. Political labels have the same meanings across national boundaries as well as over time. Answer: False 12. Today, traditional conservatives tend to be opposed to environmental regulations and antitrust legislation. Answer: True 13. Conservatism is the ideology that stresses the importance of government’s role in promoting equality of opportunity. Answer: False 14. Classical liberals fought to minimize the role of government because they saw government as the primary threat to individual rights and liberties. Answer: True 15. The major criticism leveled against contemporary liberals is that they will destroy individual initiative. Answer: True 16. Most voters are consistent in their political views. Answer: False 17. Liberals outnumber conservatives, and the proportion of liberals increased in the 1980s and 1990s. Answer: False 18. The distribution of individual preferences or evaluation of a given issue, candidate, or institution within a population is known as citizen sentiment. Answer: False 19. The idea that a sample accurately reflects the population within a certain range is known as margin of error. Answer: True 20. Open-ended questions permit respondents to answer in their own words rather than by choosing responses from set categories. Answer: True 21. Intensity refers to how strongly people hold beliefs, or the degree to which those beliefs are held. Answer: True 22. Intensity refers to the extent to which people feel issues are relevant to them. Answer: False 23. For most people in the United States, politics is a private activity. Answer: True 24. Voting is the least typical political activity in the United States. Answer: False 25. Since the founding of the country, voting eligibility standards have been expanded. Answer: True 26. Citizen verification refers to a system designed to reduce voter fraud by limiting voting to those who have established eligibility to vote by submitting the proper documents. Answer: False 27. In most democracies around the world, voter registration is automatic. Answer: True 28. Voter turnout is usually higher in midterm elections than in presidential elections. Answer: False 29. The United States holds more elections for more offices than any other democracy. Answer: True 30. Voter turnout is usually measured as the proportion of the entire American population that votes. Answer: False 31. Compared to most other democracies, turnout in American elections is lower. Answer: True 32. Women were granted the right to vote with the adoption of the Twentieth Amendment in 1920. Answer: True 33. Retrospective issue voting is voting based on what a candidate has done. Answer: True 34. Voters tend NOT to hold the president accountable for national economic problems. Answer: False Short Answer Questions 1. Define attentive public, part-time citizens, and political know-nothings. Answer: 1. Attentive Public: Informed and actively engaged in politics. Part-Time Citizens: Participate occasionally in politics but are not deeply involved. Political Know-Nothings: Lack knowledge or interest in political issues. 2. Identify the agents of political socialization. Answer: Agents of Political Socialization: Family, schools, peers, media, and religious institutions. 3. Define the term socialism and identify two examples of such policies in the United States. Answer: Socialism: An economic system advocating for public ownership and control of resources. Examples: Social Security, Medicare. 4. Define social conservatism and provide an example of a policy favored by those who subscribe to that ideology. Answer: Social Conservatism: Emphasizes traditional values and moral issues. Example: Support for banning abortion. 5. Explain one major criticism leveled against conservatives. Answer: Major Criticism of Conservatives: Often criticized for prioritizing economic benefits over social equity and environmental concerns. 6. Define libertarianism and identify two policies/programs/agencies the Libertarian Party would eliminate. Answer: Libertarianism: Advocates for minimal government intervention in both economic and personal matters. Eliminations: Federal Reserve, Department of Education. 7. Why did Karl Marx describe socialism as a transitional stage between capitalism and communism? Answer: Transitional Stage: Marx saw socialism as a step toward a classless, stateless society (communism), where socialism would manage the transition from capitalism by redistributing wealth and controlling production. 8. Define the term political ideology and explain the differences among the four ideologies discussed in the text. Answer: Political Ideology: A set of beliefs about the role of government and society. Differences: Liberalism supports active government intervention; conservatism favors limited government; socialism advocates for public ownership; libertarianism emphasizes minimal government. 9. Define public opinion and identify how it is typically measured. Answer: Public Opinion: The collective attitudes and beliefs of the population. Measurement: Typically measured through surveys and polls. 10. Define a random sample and explain its importance for measuring public opinion. Answer: Random Sample: A sample where every individual has an equal chance of being selected. Importance: Ensures the sample is representative of the entire population, improving the accuracy of public opinion measurement. 11. On what issues is public opinion likely to be more stable? On what issues is it more likely to vary over time? Why? Answer: Stable Issues: Core values and long-standing principles, like fundamental political beliefs. Variable Issues: Specific policies or candidates, influenced by current events and media coverage. 12. Identify three ways it has become “easier” to vote in the United States in recent years. Answer: Easier Voting: Introduction of early voting, mail-in ballots, and online voter registration. 13. Identify four different types of elections within the United States and assess which have higher and which have lower voter turnout. Answer: Types of Elections: Presidential (higher turnout), midterm (lower turnout), local (lowest turnout), primary (generally lower turnout). 14. Identify groups (characteristics of people) that are more and less likely to vote in elections. Answer: More Likely to Vote: Higher education levels, older age, higher income. Less Likely to Vote: Younger age, lower education levels, lower income. 15. What is meant by mobilization, and who is typically mobilized in election campaigns? Answer: Mobilization: The process of encouraging and increasing voter participation. Typically Mobilized: Party supporters, swing voters, and underrepresented groups. 16. Differentiate prospective and retrospective voting patterns and evaluate how voters choose candidates. Answer: Prospective Voting: Voting based on future promises and policies. Retrospective Voting: Voting based on past performance and results. 17. Evaluate the impact of campaigns on voter choices. Answer: Impact of Campaigns: Campaigns can sway voter opinions, increase awareness, and influence election outcomes through advertising and direct engagement. 18. Define party identification and explain its importance in voter choices. Answer: Party Identification: A psychological attachment to a political party. Importance: Influences voter preferences, party loyalty, and voting behavior. Essay Questions 1. Evaluate the role of schools and education in political socialization. Answer: Schools and education play a crucial role in political socialization by: 1. Civic Education: Teaching students about government structure, political processes, and civic responsibilities helps form foundational political knowledge and values. 2. Critical Thinking: Encouraging critical thinking and discussion about political issues promotes informed and engaged future citizens. 3. Socialization: Schools often reinforce societal norms and values, shaping students' attitudes toward politics and their role in the democratic process. 4. Exposure to Diverse Views: Education can introduce students to a range of political perspectives, fostering a broader understanding of different viewpoints. Overall, schools and education significantly influence political attitudes, knowledge, and engagement, shaping how individuals interact with and participate in the political system. 2. Evaluate three different types of political awareness and how the level of political awareness impacts the activities of Americans. Answer: 1. High Political Awareness: Individuals stay informed about current events, policies, and candidates. They engage actively in voting, campaigning, and advocacy, often shaping public discourse. 2. Moderate Political Awareness: Individuals have a general understanding of politics but may not follow every detail. They participate in elections and may express opinions but are less likely to engage in detailed activism or in-depth policy analysis. 3. Low Political Awareness: Individuals lack detailed knowledge about politics and current events. Their participation is limited, often only involving sporadic voting, and they may rely on others for information and opinions. Higher political awareness generally leads to more informed participation and advocacy, while lower awareness can result in less engagement and influence on political outcomes. 3. Compare and contrast social conservatism and traditional conservatism regarding their different and similar ideological assumptions about government. Answer: Social Conservatism: Emphasizes traditional values and moral issues, advocating for government involvement in enforcing social norms (e.g., opposition to abortion, support for family values). Traditional Conservatism: Focuses on limited government, free markets, and individual liberty, advocating for minimal government intervention in economic affairs and personal choices. Similarities: Both ideologies support a limited role of government in economic regulation and emphasize personal responsibility. Differences: Social conservatism seeks to use government to uphold moral standards, while traditional conservatism prioritizes economic freedom and limited government intervention in personal lives. 4. Compare and contrast socialism and liberalism regarding their different and similar ideological assumptions about government. Answer: Socialism vs. Liberalism: • Similarities: Both support government intervention to enhance social welfare and reduce inequalities. • Differences: Socialism advocates for collective ownership and extensive state control over the economy to achieve equality, whereas liberalism supports a mixed economy with individual rights and freedoms, emphasizing limited government intervention in personal affairs and market regulation. 5. Compare and contrast conservatism with liberalism regarding their different and similar ideological assumptions about government. Answer: Conservatism vs. Liberalism: • Similarities: Both recognize the necessity of government to maintain order and stability. • Differences: Conservatism prioritizes tradition, gradual change, and minimal government interference in the economy, focusing on preserving societal structures. In contrast, liberalism values progressive reforms, individual liberties, and an active role of government in addressing social inequalities and promoting change. 6. Evaluate the major criticisms of conservatism and discuss their validity. Answer: Criticisms of Conservatism: • Resistance to Change: Critics argue conservatism's focus on tradition can impede necessary social and political reforms, reinforcing outdated practices. • Reinforcement of Inequality: By upholding existing social structures, conservatism may perpetuate economic and social inequalities. • Validity: These criticisms are valid in some cases, as conservative policies can sometimes hinder progressive change and fail to address systemic inequalities effectively. 7. What went “wrong” with the Literary Digest poll of 1936, and how does it relate to the measurement of public opinion? Answer: The Literary Digest poll of 1936, which predicted a landslide victory for Alf Landon over Franklin D. Roosevelt, went critically wrong due to several methodological flaws. The poll's sample was heavily biased towards wealthy individuals, as it was drawn from phone directories and automobile registries, which predominantly included affluent citizens. This skewed sample did not accurately represent the broader electorate, which was more supportive of Roosevelt's New Deal policies. As a result, the poll's predictions were dramatically off the mark, revealing its lack of representativeness. This error highlights a fundamental principle in public opinion measurement: the necessity of a representative sample that mirrors the diversity of the entire population to ensure accurate and reliable results. Proper sampling techniques are crucial for capturing the true sentiment of the electorate and avoiding misleading conclusions. 8. Discuss intensity, latency, and salience as they relate to public opinion polls. Answer: Intensity, Latency, and Salience in Public Opinion Polls: In public opinion polls, intensity refers to the strength with which individuals hold their opinions on an issue. For example, a person may strongly support environmental regulations or merely have a passing interest. Intensity is crucial for understanding how fervently people feel about particular issues, which can influence political engagement and policy impact. Latency represents opinions that individuals may not currently express but could become relevant over time. These are latent views that may surface in response to emerging issues or changing conditions. Polls must account for latent opinions to anticipate shifts in public sentiment. Salience indicates the importance of an issue to individuals. An issue with high salience is one that people consider crucial and are likely to act upon. For instance, healthcare reform might be highly salient to voters, impacting their voting behavior significantly. Salience helps polls gauge which issues are likely to influence election outcomes or public policy debates. 9. Identify four constitutional amendments that expanded voting rights since the founding of the country. Answer: Four Constitutional Amendments Expanding Voting Rights: 1. 15th Amendment (1870): Prohibits voting rights denial based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude, aiming to enfranchise African American men. 2. 19th Amendment (1920): Grants women the right to vote, marking a significant advancement in gender equality. 3. 24th Amendment (1964): Abolishes poll taxes, removing financial barriers to voting and helping to enfranchise economically disadvantaged voters. 4. 26th Amendment (1971): Lowers the voting age to 18, recognizing the political maturity of younger citizens and expanding electoral participation. 10. Define voter registration and how it differs in the United States from most democracies. Answer: Voter Registration and Its Differences in the U.S.: Voter Registration is the process by which eligible individuals formally sign up to vote in elections. In the United States, voter registration is largely the responsibility of the individual, requiring them to proactively register before voting. This process can vary significantly by state, with some requiring registration well in advance of an election. In contrast, many other democracies employ automatic voter registration systems, where eligible citizens are automatically registered based on government records, such as those from national identity systems or tax records. This method tends to increase voter participation by reducing the barriers associated with registration. 11. Identify and discuss three reasons why voter turnout in the United States is lower than in other democracies. Answer: Reasons for Lower Voter Turnout in the U.S.: 1. Complex Registration Processes: In the U.S., the need for individuals to actively register and navigate varying state regulations can discourage participation, especially among those with limited resources or mobility. 2. Election Day as a Workday: U.S. elections are held on a Tuesday, a regular workday for many, which can create logistical challenges for voters who have to take time off to participate. 3. Political Apathy and Cynicism: Many Americans feel disillusioned with the political system or believe their vote does not make a difference, leading to lower motivation to vote compared to countries with higher turnout rates where citizens may feel more engaged or see a more direct impact of their vote. 12. Evaluate the nature of the voting public (who does and does not vote) in the United States. Members of which groups are more/less likely to participate? What is the best predictor of whether or not someone will vote? Answer: Nature of the Voting Public in the United States: In the U.S., voter turnout varies significantly across different demographic groups. Generally, older adults, higher-income individuals, and those with higher levels of education are more likely to vote. These groups often have greater resources, awareness, and motivation to participate in elections. Conversely, younger voters, lower-income individuals, and less-educated citizens are less likely to vote. Factors contributing to lower turnout among these groups include economic barriers, less flexibility to take time off work, and a perceived lack of impact from their vote. Education level is the strongest predictor of voting behavior, as individuals with higher education are more likely to engage in the electoral process. 13. Define candidate appeal and explain its role in voters’ decisions. Include a discussion of how candidate appeal helps explain recent presidential elections. Answer: Candidate Appeal: Candidate appeal refers to the qualities, personality, and public image of a candidate that resonate with voters. It includes attributes such as charisma, relatability, and perceived competence. This appeal significantly influences voter decisions, as candidates who can connect personally with voters and present themselves effectively are more likely to garner support. Recent presidential elections have highlighted the importance of candidate appeal, with media portrayal and personal charisma often playing a critical role. For instance, candidates like Barack Obama and Donald Trump leveraged strong personal appeal and media presence to shape voter perceptions and mobilize support. 14. Evaluate three determinants of how voters decide for whom to vote in elections.. Answer: Determinants of Voting Decisions: 1. Party Identification: One of the strongest predictors of voting behavior is party affiliation. Voters often choose candidates from their preferred political party due to a shared ideological alignment and loyalty. This allegiance can guide decisions, particularly in partisan contexts where party identity strongly influences policy preferences and electoral outcomes. 2. Candidate Characteristics: Voters are significantly swayed by the personal attributes of candidates, such as their charisma, credibility, and perceived competence. Candidates who effectively communicate their qualifications, exhibit strong leadership qualities, and connect with voters on a personal level are more likely to garner support. This factor has become increasingly important in media-driven campaigns. 3. Issue Positions: Voters are influenced by how well candidates' positions align with their own views on critical issues, such as the economy, healthcare, and social policies. Candidates who articulate policies that resonate with voters’ concerns or propose solutions to pressing problems can effectively mobilize support. Issue alignment can be particularly decisive in close elections where voters weigh policy impacts heavily. Test Bank for Government by the People David B. Magleby, Paul C. Light, Christine L. Nemacheck 9780205073245, 9780134732831
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