1. Chapter Quiz
One reasons why public policy often differs from public opinion is that
The U.S. constitution places many checks on the influence of public opinion
Public opinion polling tends to express the opinions of the political elite
While public opinion is easy to tell, public policy is not
Public opinion tends to change much more slowly than public policy
Public opinion is rarely informed at the beginning of the policy making process

2. Chapter Quiz
2) The validity of public opinion polls may be affected by several factors, including
Poll overrepresentation of the views of a political elite
The fact that public opinion tends to be relatively stable over time
The wording of questions on a poll
Poll overrepresentation of political culture factors such as liberty and civic duty
Excessive polling in certain party of the country

3. Chapter Quiz
3) Some 60 percent of adults adopt the party preference of their
Peers
Employers
Teachers
Physicians
Parents

4. Chapter Quiz
4) Liberal preferences on various policy issues are displayed LEAST often by
Jews
White Protestants
African-Americans
White Catholics
African-American Catholics

5. Chapter Quiz
5) Recently, the Democratic party has been the party MOST likely to benefit from
Direct mail contributions
Paid political advertising
The votes of independents
The gender gap
Interest group money

6. Chapter Quiz
6) Cleavages in public opinion are more common in the United States than in many other countries because the United States
Has a socially heterogeneous population
Is a relatively classless society
Has a high degree of religious freedom
Places a high value on social equality
Is more protective of freedom of press

7. Chapter Quiz
7) Which of the following is NOT a source of cleavage in public opinion?
Race
Class
Region
The Family
Ethnicity

8. Chapter Quiz
8) A coherent and consistent set of beliefs about who should rule and how is referred to as
Political efficacy
Public opinion
Pragmatism
Realism
Political Ideology

9. Chapter Quiz
9) You want to keep Japanese cars out of the country and close down strip clubs in your town. On the basis of these two issues you would best be classified as
Pure liberal
Pure conservative
Libertarian
Populist
Neo-libertarian

10. Chapter Quiz
10) Compared to the average citizen, political activists (elites) are usually more
Conservative
Liberal
Ideological
Nonpartisan
Moderate

11. Political Participation
Political Beliefs and Behaviors #5

12. Participation
Political Participation The tendency is to look at participation as just voting in elections. However it refers to every way we take part in politics and government.
Educating yourself on issues
Having a reasoned debate over issues
Joining a political party
Voting
Giving a candidate a donation for their campaign

13. Two Ways to Look at Voting
Voting Age Population
Voting Eligible Participation
Measuring the vote of all people who have reached the age of 18.
Many people in this group are not eligible to vote (non-citizens, convicted felons)
In 2008: 56.8% voter turnout based on VAP
Measuring the vote of all people who are legally allowed to vote.
In 2008: 61.7% voter turnout based on VEP

14. Why Do People Not Vote? Registration Process is a barrier to voting
Although it does not take “much” effort it is still a burden on the individual to go through the process of registering to vote.
What about those who are registered but don’t vote?
25% surveyed said they were too busy or had a scheduling conflict
12% said family obligations
12% said they didn’t think their vote would matter.
In Europe registration is automatic, in the U.S. the burden lies on the individual

15. Attempts to Encourage Voting
Early Voting, Absentee Voting, Mail-in Voting
Forty million registered voters failed to vote in recent elections
Forty million voting-age citizens failed to register in either of the two elections
Get Out the Vote Drives
Limited impact. Door-to-door and phone calls were most effective
In 2008, 38% of voters say they were convinced to vote in this way
Easier Registration (Motor Voter Law, etc)
Increased registration but not voter turnout by a significant factor

16. Rise of the American Electorate
Under the Constitution states were able to establish who could vote and for what offices.
Led to wide variations in Federal Offices
Some House members were elected by district
Others elected in a state wide election

17. Evolution of Voting
1971: 26th Amendment gives suffrage to all eighteen-year-olds. Turnout low and has fallen since.
1842: All House Members must be elected by districts
1920: 19th Amendment gives right to vote to women. Increased participation but no impact on results.
1870: 15th Amendment gives right to vote to African Americans
1965: Voting Rights Act guarantees the right to vote for African Americans

18. Evolution in Voting
In all cases it was the Federal Government stepping in and dictating to the states who was eligible to vote and how elections are to take place. This reflects the overall theme of Centralization of Government. More and more the Federal Government is exerting power in more areas.

19. Voter Turnout Two Theories Real Decline
Decreasing Popular Interest in Government
Decreasing Power of Parties to Mobilize Voters
Apparent Decline
Fraud Once Prevalent

20. Barriers To Voting Age: 18 years or older Citizenship Requirement
Criminal Record: Most states bar felons from voting
Registration Requirement
Not automatic
Residency Requirements
Registration must occur in advance of election

21. “Likely” Voters Older Voters High Income More Educated
When income is taken into account African Americans and Whites vote at the same rate, which is a higher one than Latinos (although that doubled from 1996 to 2008)
People who attend religious services

22. Political Participation
Verba and Nie have categorized 6 forms of participation in U.S. citizens
Inactives: Rarely vote, give money, or discuss politics (little education, low income, young,22%)
Voting Specialists: Vote but do little else (not much education or income, older)
Campaigners: Vote and get involved in campaign activities. (More educated, more interested in politics, identify with a party, have strong positions)

23. Political Participation
4) Communalists: Nonpartisan community activists with a local focus. 5) Parochial Participants: Don’t vote or participate in campaigns but will contact politicians about specific problems 6) Activists: Participate in all forms of politics (highly educated, high income, middle aged; 11% of population)