POLS 207 Exam 100% Solved Correctly

POLS 207 Exam 100% Solved Correctly Why is participation vital to democracy? - Answer- It's the essence and definition of democracy. Participation includes voting, running for office, participating in marches, etc. Who votes & who doesn't? Characteristics of those who are more/less likely to cast a ballot. - Answer- More likely to vote: educated & higher earning citizens Least likely to vote: the young, the poor, the less educated, 1st generation immigrants, etc. What is meant by a rational voter? - Answer- One who votes after deciding the personal benefits outweigh the costs. Most people end up voting due to a sense is civic duty/commitment to democracy, rather than what's rational. Most Americans know the likely hood of one vote determining the outcome of the elections is remote, but still vote anyway. Why do some states have higher voter turnout rates than others? - Answer- Location: Minnesota, Wisconsin, swing states, battleground states, and purple states have higher voter turnout. Deep south states have less turnout. Overall education level, white population is higher creates more of a turnout for voting. How can we increase voter turnout? - Answer- Create online access, easier location, process, timing, vote by mail, better equipment/ballot layouts. Same day registration/Election day registration, register 15-30 days in advance. 15th, 19th, 24th and 26th amendment In determining voter qualifications, what do states have to follow? - Answer- Civil Rights Act of 1964: unlawful for registrars to apply unequal standards in registration procedures 24th Amendment: poll taxes are unconstitutional Voting Rights Act of 1965: abolished literacy tests & replaced local registrars to federal registrars Know ways in which south disenfranchised (took away right to vote) minority voters. - Answer- Tried to go around the 15th amendment by "white primary." Threats of violence when going to polls, declared the democratic party a private club that blacks couldn't join, literacy tests, would take lunch breaks when black applicants appeared, etc. Which age group when it comes to politics is most/least powerful? - Answer- Old people: most powerful Young people: least powerful What do lobbyists do? - Answer- Have connections to politics. Can influence people in office that benefit their clients, communicate useful technical & political information, informing politics on policy preferences, knowledge of the lawmaking process. Why do states require lobbyists to register? - Answer- They want their submission reports about their membership and finances. Meant to spotlight the activities of lobbyists. What is grassroot lobbying? - Answer- Involves group efforts to get constituents to call/write to their legislature on the behalf of the groups position on pending legislation. Could be direct call, faxes, emails or letter. Interest groups influence constituents to do this because they know legislators are more likely to listen. Who do PACS give their money to? - Answer- Incumbents- people running for reelction Know the different types of interest systems - Answer- Strong party states= weak interest groups Weak party states= string interest groups Wealthy urban industrial states have weaker interest groups because of diversity. Where parties are strong, pressure groups are weak; were parties are weak, pressure groups are strong. When is protest successful? - Answer- The participation of the news media "third parties" is essential to the success of civil disobedience. Know the criteria/distinctions of the responsible party model - Answer- Develop & clarify alternative policy positions. Educate the people about issues & simplify choices for them. Recruit candidates who agree with parties positions. Organize & direct campaigns. Hold elected officials responsible. Organize legislature to ensure party control. How have media and single interest groups affected the electoral process? - Answer- Media is the way to expose candidates on TV, radio or newspapers Why are primaries important? What do they actually do for the system? - Answer- They democratized the nomination process and narrow it down to 2 candidates Know the different types of primaries - Answer- Closed: only voters who have previously registered as members of a party may vote in that primary election Semi-open: allow voters to change party registration on election day Open: chose when they enter the polling place which party primary they wish to vote on Blanket: both parties appear on the same ballot Runoff: additional vote held between top 2 voters in a primary where no candidates recieved majority votes Be able to describe the party structure - Answer- National chair, national committee, state committee, county committee, city/ward/precinct committee, party-in-the-electorate What do national committees do for the parties? - Answer- Exist primarily for the purpose of holding national conventions every 4 years to select the parties presidential campaign raises and spends money on political campaign, not only during elections but between elections