Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Review Sheet
Stony Brook
59
Political Studies
Undergraduate 2
02/29/2012

Additional Political Studies Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Unconventional/Confrontational
Definition
Activism, protests, marchses (usually wealthy and highly educated)
Term
Normative Model
Definition
How citizens ought to act (in terms of who is considered a good citizen)
Term
Empirical Model
Definition
How citizens act in reality.
Term
Socio-Economic Status (SES)
Definition
Higher educations and financial status result in higher participation. Age and race also affects participation rates. SES is a poor indicator of position issues though.
Term
 US Voter Turnout
Definition
Has decreased overall, with US being second to last (Switzerland is last) among all nations in voter turnout, but among those who ARE registered, vote at a steady percentage in each election.
Term
Low Turnout
Definition
People are not registering because it takes time and money; it is up to the individual to seek out necessary information until the MOTOR VOTER LAW passed in 1993, which allowed people to register at the DMV or through the mail.
Term
1964
Definition
Black participation higher than white (VIA CIVIL RIGHTS ACT) but long road to get there. Early 1900's presence of legal barriers such as poll taxes, white primaries, grandfather clause, literacy tests etc and intimidation or force (lynching)
Term
Political Culture
Definition
A distinctive and patterned way of thinking about how political and economic life ough to be carried out. (people believe everyone should be equal politically, not economically)
Term
Filtering Devices
Definition

Framed in constitution to protect government from "bad opinions"

 

Term
Electoral College
Definition
States get electorial votes. Voters in each state select "electors" who cast state electoral votes (vote majority needed for president and vipe president, if no majority, house elects president and senate elects vice president).
Term
Senate
Definition
Originally, state voters elect state legislators who choose Senators until 17th amendment in 1913, which provided for the direct election of Senators.
Term
Judicial Branch
Definition
President nominates judges, Senate gives its "advice and consent" with no role for public opinion.
Term
Bicameral Legislature
Definition
Each chamber acts separately on legislation (filtering device because House is not elected).
Term
Federalist Papers
Definition

Madison clearly states that he mistrusts public opinion, which is still an issues today.

The entire purpose of The Federalist Papers was to gain popular support for the then-proposed Constitution. Some would call it the most significant public-relations campaign in history; it is, in fact, studied in many public relations classes as a prime example of how to conduct a successful campaign

Term

Five Basic Beliefs of PC

Liberty

Definition
Basic rights we assume we posses via DI and BR (birth right).
Term

Five Basic Beliefs of PC

Equality

Definition
Equal Vote for all, equal chance to advance in society or government. However, equal chance doesnt mean equal results.
Term

Five Basic Beliefs of PC

Democracy

Definition
Democractic rules of the game with majority rule along with minority rights.
Term

Five Basic Beliefs of PC

Civic Duty

Definition
We have duty as citizens to be active participants.
Term

Five Basic Beliefs of PC

Individual Responsibility

Definition
Held accountable for our actions.
Term
Five Basic Beliefs of PC
Definition
Seem obvious of us, but they are not part of other political cultures.
Term
Trust in Leaders/Government
Definition
Overall, we have more trust in our leaders and in our government than other countries. However with the war and other divisive issues, there is a growing mistrust in leadership.
Term
Political Tolerance
Definition

The willingless to let those with whom we disagress speak, petition, demonstrate etc to shape public opinion.

No evidence in decline but 90-95% agree that peoiple in the minority should be free to try to win majority support for their opinions but only 70% agree that a group of black militants should be allowed to circulate a petition.

Term
Political Ideology
Definition
Coherent and conssitent set of beliefs about who should rule, what priniciples rulers should obey and what policies they should pursue.
Term

Survey Research

Random Sample

Definition

Sample in whcih each item has the same chance of selection as any other.

Hard to get.

Term

Survey Research

Sampling Error

Definition

Inevitable differences in results from sample to sample in a population (all of these items to be analyzed)

To reduce sampling error, increase the sample size (increase the part of the poopulation acting being tested.)

Term
Question Wording
Definition
Intentional or unintentional bias in the question wording leads to skewed/unreliable results.
Term
Non-Attitude
Definition
Answers that are given due to the pressues of the interview situation, rather than based on genuine opinions or simply not understanding the question or issues.
Term
Media
Definition
Includes print (newspapers, magazines) and electronic (internet, radio, TV).
Term
Electronic Media
Definition
More constraints than print media via the FCC which ensures equal time (time to one candidate equals time to the other.)
Term
Print Media
Definition
Less self censorship and no government regulation due to the 1st Amendment, which guarantees the protection for freedom of the press. However, they can be sued for libel, obscenity and incitement to illegal acts. Also rely on wire services to collection national and international news.
Term
Libel
Definition
A reporter unjustly tarnishes a person/candidates reputation or character.
Term

Roles of Media

Gatekeeper

Definition
Sets public agenda by devoting time to certain subjects.
Term

Roles of Media

Scorekeeper

Definition
Tracks political reputations and candidacies.
Term

Roles of Media

WatchDog

Definition
Investigates personalities and exposes scandals.
Term
Selective Attention
Definition
The public has the option to pay attention to certain information or ignore it.
Term
Selective Perception
Definition
Can perceive information so it will be consistent with prior beliefs.
Term
Roles of Media
Definition
Has the ability to influence but not as powerful. People can and do ward off information they either do not agreee with or simply do not care about.
Term
Referendum
Definition

Allows voters to accept or reject propsosals adopted by state legislature.

BY VOTING, THE PUBLIC CAN SET POLICY DIRECTLY WITH THIS

Term
initiative
Definition

Allows voters to put legislative measures directly on ballot.

BY VOTING, THE PUBLIC CAN SET POLICY DIRECTLY WITH THIS .

Term
Voting as Indirect Form
Definition
Influences policy making indirectly by voting for candidate who shares your beliefs.
Term
PIC Model
Definition

Outcome is based on PARTY (basic loyalties of electorate), ISSUES raised by candidates or by voters and CAMPAIGNS (formal efforts to win over potential supporters).

PARTY ISSUES CAMPAIGNS

Term
Outcome
Definition
Is largely based on Party Identification (PID)
Term
Long term Model
Definition
Focuses on party loyalty.
Term
Short Term Model
Definition
Focuses on Certain issues, scandals, war and the economy.
Term
Sources of PID
Definition

Largely family influences similar to ethnic and religious identification.

CURRENTLY MORE INDEPENDENTS AND FEW STRONG PARTISANS 

Term
State of Economy
Definition
Arguably the most important issue because people tend to vote with their pockets and are often concerned with the national economy.
Term
Good Economy
Definition
Vote for incumbent (one is going for reelection)
Term
Bad Economy
Definition

Vote for challenger.

Term
Prospective Voter
Definition
Forward-looking evaluations may be hard for voters.
Term
Retrospective Voters
Definition

MORE COMMON

Easier to evaluate past than future for most voters.

Term
If party identification and the economy matter so much, why campaign?
Definition

1. Campaigns weaken party loyalties but also strengthen the base.

2. Campaigns give voters a chance to see how the candidate handles pressure.

3. Campaigns allow voters to judge the character and core values of candidates.

Term
Incumbency Advantage
Definition

Name familiarity

$$$$$

In a position to give favors or owed favors.

Experience running a campaign.

Gerrymandering

Term
Gerrymandering
Definition
to divide (a territorial unit) into election districts to give one political party an electoral majority in a large number of districts while concentrating the voting strength of the opposition in as few districts as possible
Term

Election Types

Primaries

Definition
Party holds elections to choose candidate for ballot.
Term

Election Types

Primaries

Closed

Definition
Only party registrants
Term

Election Types

Primaries

Open

Definition
Open to voters regardless of party registration
Term

Election Types

Primaries

Blanket

Definition
Both major parties on same ballot. PARTIES ARE NOT DISCLOSED ON BALLOT.
Term

Election Types

General Election

Definition
Primary winners of the Republican, Democrat, Independent or other small parties run for office.
Supporting users have an ad free experience!