NOTE: Please be careful to click on the space BELOW your question instead of next to it to type your answer. This helps avoid messing up the numbering. Also, your textbook and class notes should be your primary sources of information, as these questions align with the book. Due: September 28 th (A-day) & September 29 th (B-day) Chapter 6: Thoroughly answer the questions assigned to you in your own words. 1. Describe the three great waves of immigration to the United States. There have been three great waves of immigration to the U.S. The first wave took place prior to the late nineteenth century when northwestern europeans (Irish, English, Germans, and Scandinavians) travelled to the United States. The second wave was during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century when southern and eastern Europeans (Italians, Jews, Poles, Russians, and others) mostly passed through Ellis Island. In recent decades, the third wave has started consisting of Hispanics (from Cuba, Central America, And Mexico) and Asians (from Vietnam, Korea, the Philippines, and elsewhere). 2. Explain the goal of the Simpson-Mazzoli Act. The goal of the Simpson-Mazzoli Act was to reform the status of illegal immigrants and make employees prove their citizenship with documentation. 3. Complete the chart explaining how the following demographic changes have affected American politics. Demographic How It Has Affected Political Changes Change Immigration Immigration leads to population increases in certain areas which affects the Census, and therefor affects where government spending goes, such as more government money going towards minorities Regional Shifts Population growth affects the population in certain states (i.e. the Sunbelt) which changes those states' congressional representation and results in reapportionment Aging Population Because the number of older people dwarfs the number of young people with the fastest growing age group being of people 65 and older, pressure is put on Social Security to provide the benefits promised, especially when it is the second most costly public policy 4. Identify the agents of political socialization and describe how each is a source of political learning. 1. Age- The most experienced segment of the population, the elderly have undergone the most political socialization. The Government aims their socialization efforts largely at the young, not the elderly. Indoctrination at an early age.
2. Family- Time and emotional commitment. People s party identification corresponds with that of their parents. Despite youthful rebellion, children still find more agreement than disagreement across the generational divide. 3. Mass Media- Television now displaces parents as the chief source of information as children get older. Many studies have attributed the relative lack of political knowledge of today s youth to their media consumption. i.e. TV, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms. 4. School- Governments often use schools to promote national loyalty and support for it s basic values. i.e. Teachers leading students in the Pledge of Allegiance. Another example, to this kind of thinking warp the minds of some young people growing up in Nazi Germany. 5. Describe two ways in which aging affects political behavior. Aging increases political participation. As a citizen gets older, he or she becomes more and more politically involved. When a citizen ages, he or she also become more attached to a single party 6. Explain why random sampling is key to polling accuracy, and describe how the size of a sample impacts the sampling error. Random selection is essential in polling accuracy because it helps prevent biased results. Because of random selection, the participants in a poll are from varying background, ethnicities, genders, and other groups, which foster more variety in results and keeps a poll from being dominated by one group in particular. The sampling error is the level of confidence in the results of a poll. As the sample size increases, the sampling error decreases because the more people interviewed, the more varied and representative the poll results are. 7. Describe three criticisms of polls in American democracy. 8. Fill in the following table describing two political ideologies. Ideology General Beliefs Typical Demographic Characteristics Liberal Liberals tend to believe that the government should do everything in its power to create fair and equal opportunities for everyone in every situation, also that the government should play a bigger role in the economy. People under the age of 30 tend to be more liberal. Conservative Conservatives tend to believe in a limited People over the age of government with individuals being responsible for 30 tend to be more conservative.
themselves; with free markets and a strong national defense and "typical" American values. 9. Explain how the role of religion in influencing political ideology has changed. Catholics and Jews have always been known as a minority group that has struggled for equality. Because of this they have been more liberal than Protestants. While Jews have stayed liberal. The ideological gap between Catholics and Protestants are much smaller than they were before. The policy issues of traditional family values have recently tied themselves in the aspects of religious beliefs to political ideology. 10. Compare and contrast conventional and unconventional political participation, being sure to describe several examples of each. Conventional and Unconventional political participation are quite similar in a sense that they are both different ways of participating in government. Although both ways of participating in government, they are quite different as conventional participation is a more mature and appropriate way of participating in government with things like: voting, serving in public office, or even volunteering for a political campaign. Opposed to unconventional participation which is legal, but usually deemed inappropriate and sometimes rash. Supporting or participating in boycotts, signing petitions, or even protesting in front of buildings are all examples of unconventional political participation. 11. Complete the following table, describing how each of the following characteristics relates to political participation rates. Income Education Minority groups 12. Describe how Americans lack of political knowledge and low participation rate affects democracy. Americans are among the most fortunate citizens of any country in the world to live in a nation that has adopted a system of democracy that allows them endless amounts of opportunity to participate in the political processes of our local, state, and federal governments. Yet, many Americans do not take advantage of the potential political participation they have access to. Therefore, many citizens and their concerns aren t represented as equally by elected officials in our democracy, compared to the smaller minority of those who do participate. This trend of decreasing political participation throughout the years also coexists with a lack of public political knowledge. As a result, our democracy suffers from the rise of political experts, in which there is but a small group of individuals who are highly informed on current political climates. This further discourages the majority of others who are less informed to seek out the necessary information to become well-informed participants in a system of government that would benefit them much more if they were to use their opportunities to better our democracy.
Define and explain the significance of the terms assigned to you in your own words. 13. public opinion Public opinion refers to the distribution and differentiation of beliefs about governmental policy, leaders, political issues, and events in a society. The varying viewpoints of public opinion help political leaders socialize themselves with issues that citizens are actually concerned with. 14. demography the study of statistics such as births, deaths, income, or the incidence of disease, which illustrate the changing structure of human populations. The significance of demography is that we can tell where people are and the traits about them. 15. Census- Valuable too for understanding demographic changes. The constitution requires that the government conduct an "actual enumeration"of the population every ten years. 16. minority majority 17. political culture Political culture is a consistent way of thinking on how politics and government should be carried out. This helps give meaning to political events, policies and personalities. 18. Reapportionment A process that happens every ten years in which congressional districts are redrawn and seats are redistributed among states in the house. It is significant Because each district must have an equal number of residents. 19. exit polls These are polls taken after someone has already voted asking who they voted for. The media then reports these results. Thus, this affects how people who haven't voted will vote, and they may choose to not vote at all depending on what the results show.
20. political ideology A consistent set of opinions or beliefs dealing with politics, public policy, and public purpose. Political ideology allows for people to organize themselves with others who have likeminded opinions and gives significance to political events, personalities, and policies. 21. gender gap Refers to the pattern by which women are generally far less conservative in political views and support of candidates than men. For example, women are more likely to support spending for civil services than national defense. 22. civil disobedience Civil Disobedience is the intentional and deliberate refusal to comply with laws or taxes in order to make a political protest statement. The breaking of laws is intended to make a statement and the offender will in turn suffer the consequences of the resulting action. Civil Disobedience often occurs in riots after a decision has been made by the government that people disagree with. It is effective in its boldness but ineffective in its tendency to spark mass controversy. Chapter 7: Thoroughly answer the questions assigned to you in your own words. 23. Describe the outlook and tactics of Ronald Reagan and his administration in terms of media coverage. Reagan views the media as an asset, but operated seven principles to manage Reagan's image. (ex. "limit reporters' access to the president.") Reagan's administrations was careful on how the president's image was presented in media. (For example, his advisors would place the media at a distance and use the helicopter engine so that the president could not hear the reporters. This was used to avoid unprepared answers asked by the reporters.) 24. Explain two media techniques used most effectively by President Franklin Roosevelt. President Franklin Roosevelt was told to be the inventor of media politics. Two media techniques used before and during his time in office are the use of the radio and occasional press conferences. His time on air with his "fireside chats" not only reassured the people during the depression but helped him win four elections. He also scheduled press conferences twice a week to keep the public updated on his actions and plans. Roosevelt was good at using his presidential wrath to control reporters and their stories.
25. Explain the effect television had on the war in Vietnam. Vietnam was the first war to be television to the public. This means that anybody could view what was happening in combat and the like. They were able to see the horrors of war on the American troops and the Vietnamese people. This caused for major backlash from the people back in America since many didn't believe America had any reason to be at war, especially after the Tet Offensive. Many protests broke out and many men drafted for the war fled to escape it. 26.Explain the three ways in which the Federal Communication Commission has regulated the airwaves. The first way the FCC regulated the airwaves is by making a rule to limit the number of stations owned/controlled by one company to prevent near-monopiles of control over a broadcast market. No single owner can own more than 35 percent of the broadcast market. The second way is by conducting periodic examinations of the performances and goals of stations as part of its licensing authority. In order to receive a licenses, stations have to serve the public interest. The third way was by issuing a number of fair treatment rules concerning access to the airwaves or political candidates and office holders. The rule states that if a station sells advertising time to one candidate it must be willing to sell equal time to other candidates running for office. 27. Describe the impact cable TV and the Internet have had on news reporting. Cable TV and the internet have led news reporting to become a business and, to a lot of media outlets, it's all about the profits and they must choose stories that are entertaining and new to the average viewer. 28. Describe two consequences of private control of the media in the United States. One consequence of private control in the media is that getting the biggest audience is the objective. This is an issue because at least ¾ of the information being reported is circulated by massive media companies, which alters the factual and most relevant quality of the coverage. Another consequence to private control of the media is how American Journalism has been affected. Before large businesses controlled media coverage, television has bureaus allover the world. There has been an obvious decrease in world-wide coverage of media, leaving most people uninformed. 29. Describe what is meant by a sound bite, and explain the implications of this for how news is reported. "Sound bites" refer to short15 second or less clips from speeches given by political figures that are played on news networks when the issue that the speech is about is being discussed, and is typically the only part of the speech shown. Because of sound bites, issues are often not fully covered and are shortened down to only the essentials for the public to hear about.
30. Explain the major way the news media tend to be biased, according to your textbook. The media are individual businesses that project the opinions, theories, and disposition of its owners. The product is perception, not necessarily truth, facts, or perceptions. There is no requirement for the media to be fair, accurate, or unbiased, because in a free society the Fourth Estate (the media) is relied upon to be the watchdog of the other branches of government and their actions. 31. Describe an example of how the media have had an effect on how the public evaluates specific events. The media affect public opinion when news coverage is extensive and is either predominantly negative or positive. For example, the constant coverage of negative images broadcasted from Vietnam in the 60s is credited with turning many Americans against the war. 32. Explain how the media serve an agenda-setting function. The media serves as an agenda-setting function by selectively choosing to either broadcast or report on certain issues which the public view as important, or that they feel are important for the public to know. By doing this, the media places a big role in shaping public opinion, and, in return, the policy agenda. 33. Explain how the media act as watchdogs, and how the First Amendment impacts this. 34. Explain the difference between the information society and the informed society, according to your textbook. An informed society is a society that is truly politically informed and educated, while an information society is one that has the means to be politically informed and educated, but isn't truly. Define and explain the significance of the terms assigned to you in your own words. 35. media events A set up order of events to gain media exposure for a candidate to win an upcoming election. Media events are important for candidates because it helps them gain more support especially in swing states. 36. press conferences
An organized meeting or grouping of an important public official with the press, the official answers questions or presents information on recent or upcoming news. The press help release important, and the majority of the time, accurate information to the public that was received from the press conference to help keep the public updated and somewhat in the loop of recent affairs. 37. investigative journalism 38. print media Print media is a form of communication that mainly consists of newspapers and magazines. For a long period of time throughout the United States, these were the main outlets for distributing political knowledge to citizens. In current years, print media is being overshadowed and significantly replaced throughout our society by broadcast media, as most Americans now get their information from news network and online resources. 39. broadcast media Broadcast media refers to television and radio, and features spoken news. Broadcast media has surpassed print media in popularity due to its wide range of accessibility, from smartphones to radios. 40. narrowcasting transmit a television program, especially by cable, or otherwise disseminate information, to a comparatively small audience defined by special interest or geographical location. The significance of narrowcasting is to be able to provide information to a specific group. 41. Chains- Newspapers published by massive media conglomerates that account for almost three quarters of the nation's daily circulation. they often control broadcast media. 42. beats 43. trial balloons
Trial balloons are intentional new leaks that focus on how the public reacts. This can affect a huge deal of things, such whether or not a policy is set. 44. talking head politicians who use sound bites to present a look at a policy position rather than an in-depth approach to explaining their views. 45. policy agenda This is a set of issues or problems that government officials consider important and top priority. The mass media play an important role in influencing what exactly gets put on the agenda because by reporting on certain things, people will lean a certain direction on an issue. So, the more people to complain or talk about a problem, the more likely it is to be put on the agenda. Chapter 11 Thoroughly answer the questions assigned to you in your own words. 46. Describe two factors that distinguish interest groups from political parties. Interest groups may support candidates that would be in favor of the policies they want; however, they do not have serious candidates running on the ballot. Also, interest groups are "policy specialists" because that is normally their singular focus, whereas political parties are "policy generalists". 47. Describe the essential arguments of the pluralists group theory of politics. Pluralism states that power is divided amongst many groups who are competing for their policies to be adopted. Pluralists believe that with more groups, there will be more compromise. They also believe that groups provide better representation. 48. Describe the essential arguments of the elitist view of interest groups. Most single-interest groups, hold their views to a very high, ultimate standard. Their central arguments typically revolve around religion and/or personal freedoms. Elitist groups typically only see an argument from one side and leave no other room for interpretation. The strong standings of these groups tend to cause mass contreversy on both sides of the spectrum. 49. Describe the essential arguments of the hyperpluralist position on interest groups. 1) Hyperpluralist believe that individual groups are becoming too powerful in the political process and the government tries too appease every interest. 2) If the government is trying to appease every group, it will be confusing and might contradict each other.
3) Interest liberalism is aggravated by many subgovernments comfortable relationships among government agency. In other words, interest groups relationship with the government have been "too cozy." 50. Describe the difference between a potential group and an actual group. A potential group are people who share a common believe with an interest group but never join the group. They have potential to help raise awareness of their belief but never do, whether in fear of or unable, due to finances or time consumption. An actual group are the people who actually join the group and possibly receive membership to the group in the form of a card. The potential group is almost always bigger than the actual group. Most potential group citizens ride off the collective goods given to them because of the actions of the actual group, such as AFL-CIO (labor wages interest group). 51. Compare and contrast collective goods and selective benefits. Collective goods are benefits that apply to everyone whether they are in an interest group or not. These may include clean air, a tax write-off, and a raised minimum wage. Selective benefits are benefits that only go to people in interest groups. These benefits can include publications, discounts, and group insurance rates. They are similar in how they are achieved. Both must lobby and propose these benefits before the government will consider them. Selective benefits are considered necessary to have people join and be involved with interest groups accord to Olson, who says only a separate and selective incentive will stimulate a rational individual in a latent group to act in a group-oriented way." 52. Lobbying is one of four strategies that interest groups use to try to shape policy. Describe the two basic types of lobbyists. The first type of lobbyist is a paid employee of a corporation, association or union. Their offices are located in Washington regardless of where their company headquarters are located at. They might hold a title of vice president for a government relations. The second type of lobbyist is for hire temporarily. A small group might use a temporary lobbyist because they can't afford a full time one. They can also be used to access Congress or the executive branch. Lobbyist are used to influence congress members, but they can also help them. 53. Explain how lobbyists can both influence members of Congress but also help them. Lobbyists influence members of congress by trying to change or affect their decision, but lobbyists can also help members of congress by being an important source of information since they are usually experts in one area, helping politicians with a political strategy of how to get a legislation through as they are good consultants, helping to
formulate campaign strategies and back the campaign, and being a good source of ideas and innovations. 54. Electioneering is one of four strategies that interest groups use to try to shape policy. Explain how this tactic is used. In the process of electioneering, groups become directly involved with the electoral process. This can translate to aiding a candidate financially, providing testimony, and creating groups (political action committees) to work for the candidate. 55. Explain why PAC (political action committee) money goes overwhelmingly to incumbents. An important part of PACs is to maximize their money, and since incumbents in Congress have high re-election rates, incumbents are seen as a sound investment that will pay off in the future, versus newcomers to politics that are less likely to be successful than incumbents. 56. Litigation is one of four strategies that interest groups use to try to shape policy. Explain how this tactic is used. Litigation climbs the ladder of high moral ground. By winning a case through the judicial system in America, an interest group gets to claim the correctness of their position as ruled by the court and than promotes that victory when arguing that particular special interest. Litigation is the super highway of American jurisprudence. 57. Going public is one of four strategies that interest groups use to try to shape policy. Explain how this tactic is used. Interest groups appeal to the public for support because political opinion ultimately makes its way to policymakers; therefore, these interest groups must carefully cultivate their public image. Interest groups encourage public participation to advance their particular issues. 58. Describe the main purpose of the Taft-Hartley Act. The main purpose of the Taft-Hartley Act, which was passed in 1947 was to permit states to adopt right-to-work laws. Right-to-work laws are state laws forbidding requirements that workers must join a union when working. The law was created in an effort to straighten out many industry-related debates and give workers more equality with unions when bargaining and during other labor-related activities. 59. Compare and contrast the major concerns of labor and business interest groups.
60. Describe at least two items environmental groups have promoted and two items they have opposed, and why. Environmental groups have promoted policies for pollution control and wilderness protection. Pollution control policies referring to businesses being taxed for polluting, and wilderness protection policies referring to the upkeep and preservation of our national forests and parks. Environmental groups have opposed strip mining and the Alaskan Pipeline. Strip mining is a process used to mine precious metals that is seen as harmful and damaging to the environment, and the Alaskan Pipeline is controversial because environmental groups see it as touching what should be protected land an could potentially help global warming along. 61. Name two important organizations involved in promoting equality and describe their major goals. The National Organization for Women (NOW), and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The NAACP was an organization to end discrimination against colored people, and even argued before the supreme court (Brown v. Board). The NOW was an organization to end discrimination against women and even advocated a passage for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). 62. Explain how interest groups affect the scope of government. Interest groups affect the scope of government as they hold a major influence. Interest groups have certain policies that they want the government to adhere to in order to satisfy a certain percent of the public. With different interest groups constantly influencing policy makers into passing new bills or laws, the entire government is then attempting to appeal to the masses of interest groups therefore allowing the government to preside over many issues interest groups present. Define and explain the significance of the terms assigned to you in your own words. 63. interest group 64. subgovernments Sub-governments, also known as iron triangles, are the relationships between congressional subcommittees, a government agency, and the interest group it deals with. These networks are self-determined and are often criticized by hyper-pluralists. Hyper-pluralists believe that these groups promote interest group liberalism, causing
them to exercise too much control and manipulation over specific policy areas throughout the federal government. Furthermore, this concept greatly widens the already large gap of ideological differences between hyper-pluralists and pluralists. 65. free-rider problem The free rider-problem is an issue faced by interest groups when potential members claim the benefits which actual members work toward. Actual group members may have a problem with this because they must put forth the work and effort to be an actual member, while potential members do not have to actively engage in the efforts of the group. 66. single-issue groups Single-issue groups are an organized group of people fighting for one specific goal. An example would be the NAACP. These are significant because they use their influence to change the policy agenda. 67. political action committees (PACs)- Funding vehicles created by the 1974 campaign finance reforms. A cooperation, union, or other interest group can start a PAC and register it with the Federal Election Commission, which will meticulously monitor the PAC's expenditures. 68. amicus curiae briefs 69. class action lawsuits Lawsuits from a small group of people on the behalf of a majority with the same issue. This greatly affected how public policy is created in the court, although creates somewhat of an issue with people almost like free riders, who do not want to take action but want to take part in the benefit. 70. union shop A provision found in some collective bargaining agreements requiring all employees of a business to join the union within a short period, and to remain members as a condition of employment. 71. right-to-work laws
These are state laws that forbid requirements stating that workers must join a union to hold their jobs. These laws are important because it secures the rights stated in the First Amendment. 72. public interest lobby This can also be referred to as the "collective good", meaning that not only do active members benefit from the actions of the interest group but potential, or outside, members benefit a well. This can lead to a "free-rider" problem but is usually dealt with through active member receiving benefits that potential members cannot receive.