PSC 101- Exam 2 Questions With All Correct
& Verified Answers
Interest Groups Correct answer-Group of individuals with a common interest who attempt to
influence government policy
Importance of Interest groups Correct answer--Most Americans are either part of or benefit from
interest group activity
-interest groups are a longtime part of American Politics
-Interest groups are vital - yet biased- part of the political process
-Most Americans do not recognize that they are part of the interest group system.
Political parties Correct answer-A group of individuals with some ideological agreement who
organize to win elections, run government and make public policy. Attempt to create broad coalitions
(links to proximity voting)
Roles of parties in american politics Correct answer-provide/recruit candidates
conduct elections
educate the public
organize government
make public policy
provide loyal opposition
provide a "cue" for voters
Characteristics of american parties Correct answer-Two parties, Highly decentralized, Semi-public,
Open Organizations, Loose coalitions, fairly non-ideological.
Party regulations Correct answer--Founding fathers generally distrusted parties and did not include
them in the constitution
-Parties quickly became part of how American Politics worked
-Because of this Key public role, parties were a logical "target" for regulation
-most regulation comes thorough state law
Factors influencing likelihood of voting Correct answer-age, income, education
strong party identification
group membership
perceive closeness of the election
silence of the election (well known candidates, issues and perceived importance)
Elections Correct answer--Most direct form of linkage between public and gov't decision makers
-occur on a regular cycle (calendar)
-Most occur at state and local level
-highly "rule governed" to insure fairness
-election law largely state law within basic parameters of federal rights
Elements of Election Law Correct answer-Who may vote, what is voted upon, direct democracy,
electoral calendar.
Who may vote Correct answer-most anyone over 18
must be registered
, States may set some rules on registration, but federal law limits what states can do
What is voted upon Correct answer-primaries, general election, Referendum,Initiative, Recall
Primaries Correct answer-select candidates, generally run by party
Closed Primary Correct answer-only vote in party of your registration
Open primary Correct answer-may vote in either party primary, but not both
Blanket Correct answer-vote for either party by office
run-off Correct answer-few states: when a candidate fails to get 50% of vote, top 2 candidates to
run again
general election Correct answer-selects office holders
Referendum Correct answer-direct citizen vote on an existing law or law proposed by the
legislature
Initiative Correct answer-direct citizen vote on citizen initiated legislation
recall Correct answer-remove office holder before term by citizen vote
Electoral calendar Correct answer-One year
Off year
Odd year
One year electoral calendar Correct answer-election held at same time as presidential
Off year electoral calendar Correct answer-elections held in presidential midterm
Odd year electoral calendar Correct answer-elections held in odd numbered years
Ideology Correct answer-An organized set of beliefs concerning social goals and the best
governmental arrangements for achieving them.
Americans view on ideology Correct answer--Americans tend to be less ideological
-Experiences often pull american in multiple ways
-Social change affects belief structures (aging, world view changes, economic advancement)
Importance of public opinion Correct answer-gauge on america (and what we believe and expect)
sets some parameters on debate and policy action
issue publics - groups with particular interest or societal position- must be considered
opinion leaders can shape public attitudes
Prevailing attitude about interest groups Correct answer-They are a corrupting influence on
American politics
Interest groups buy elections and politicians
& Verified Answers
Interest Groups Correct answer-Group of individuals with a common interest who attempt to
influence government policy
Importance of Interest groups Correct answer--Most Americans are either part of or benefit from
interest group activity
-interest groups are a longtime part of American Politics
-Interest groups are vital - yet biased- part of the political process
-Most Americans do not recognize that they are part of the interest group system.
Political parties Correct answer-A group of individuals with some ideological agreement who
organize to win elections, run government and make public policy. Attempt to create broad coalitions
(links to proximity voting)
Roles of parties in american politics Correct answer-provide/recruit candidates
conduct elections
educate the public
organize government
make public policy
provide loyal opposition
provide a "cue" for voters
Characteristics of american parties Correct answer-Two parties, Highly decentralized, Semi-public,
Open Organizations, Loose coalitions, fairly non-ideological.
Party regulations Correct answer--Founding fathers generally distrusted parties and did not include
them in the constitution
-Parties quickly became part of how American Politics worked
-Because of this Key public role, parties were a logical "target" for regulation
-most regulation comes thorough state law
Factors influencing likelihood of voting Correct answer-age, income, education
strong party identification
group membership
perceive closeness of the election
silence of the election (well known candidates, issues and perceived importance)
Elections Correct answer--Most direct form of linkage between public and gov't decision makers
-occur on a regular cycle (calendar)
-Most occur at state and local level
-highly "rule governed" to insure fairness
-election law largely state law within basic parameters of federal rights
Elements of Election Law Correct answer-Who may vote, what is voted upon, direct democracy,
electoral calendar.
Who may vote Correct answer-most anyone over 18
must be registered
, States may set some rules on registration, but federal law limits what states can do
What is voted upon Correct answer-primaries, general election, Referendum,Initiative, Recall
Primaries Correct answer-select candidates, generally run by party
Closed Primary Correct answer-only vote in party of your registration
Open primary Correct answer-may vote in either party primary, but not both
Blanket Correct answer-vote for either party by office
run-off Correct answer-few states: when a candidate fails to get 50% of vote, top 2 candidates to
run again
general election Correct answer-selects office holders
Referendum Correct answer-direct citizen vote on an existing law or law proposed by the
legislature
Initiative Correct answer-direct citizen vote on citizen initiated legislation
recall Correct answer-remove office holder before term by citizen vote
Electoral calendar Correct answer-One year
Off year
Odd year
One year electoral calendar Correct answer-election held at same time as presidential
Off year electoral calendar Correct answer-elections held in presidential midterm
Odd year electoral calendar Correct answer-elections held in odd numbered years
Ideology Correct answer-An organized set of beliefs concerning social goals and the best
governmental arrangements for achieving them.
Americans view on ideology Correct answer--Americans tend to be less ideological
-Experiences often pull american in multiple ways
-Social change affects belief structures (aging, world view changes, economic advancement)
Importance of public opinion Correct answer-gauge on america (and what we believe and expect)
sets some parameters on debate and policy action
issue publics - groups with particular interest or societal position- must be considered
opinion leaders can shape public attitudes
Prevailing attitude about interest groups Correct answer-They are a corrupting influence on
American politics
Interest groups buy elections and politicians
