Political
Behavior
American Citizen
 What is a citizen? A member of a state or nation who
owes allegiance to it and is entitled to certain rights
In the United States, defined by the 14th Amendment:
 “All persons born or naturalized in the
United States and subject to the jurisdiction
thereof, are citizens of the United States
and the State wherein they reside”

Rights of Being a Citizen
 Freedom of Religion
 Freedom of
Assembly
 To Keep and Bear
Arms
 Freedom of Speech
 Freedom of the
Press
 Rights for those
Accused of Crimes
Responsibilities of Being a Citizen
 Voting
 Paying taxes (honestly and on-time)
 Obeying the law
 Jury Duty
 Respect other people’s rights
 Being informed about issues
facing the nation
 Making a commitment to
personal responsibility for the
welfare of ourselves, family
and community
 Getting involved to help solve
problems and build a better
future for everyone
QUESTION??
What does an effective citizen
need to know?
What skills and attitudes does an
effective citizen need to have?
What should an effective citizen
do?
Part 1:
Public Opinion
What is Public Opinion?
Public opinion: those attitudes held by a significant
number of people on matters of government and politics
Public affairs: those events and issues that concern the
public at large
So what influences our public opinion?
Political Socialization
 Political Socialization: what influences your politics
 Family
 Friends
 Religion
 Gender
 Age
 Mass Media
 Education
 Work
 Community
 Opinion Leaders
 Historic Events
QUESTION??
Of the list on the
previous page, what
3 things affect you
politically the most?
How?
How do we measure public opinion?
Elections
•
Candidates who win an election are said to have a mandate, or a
command from the voters, to carry out campaign promises, SO if
they keep winning, the public likes them
Interest Groups
•
The larger the group, the more popular the interest/subject
The Media
•
The media are frequently described as “mirrors” as well as “molders”
of opinion
Personal Contacts
•
Public officials rely on frequent and wide-ranging contacts with their
constituents, such as reading their mail, answering calls, and
meeting people in public.
POLLS…
Polls
Public opinion is best measured by polls: devices that attempt
to collect information by asking people questions.
Straw Votes
A straw vote is a method of
polling that seeks to read the
public’s mind simply by
asking the same question of
a large number of people.
(The straw-vote technique is
highly unreliable, however)
The Scientific Polling Process
5 Steps:
1. Defining the Universe
•
The population that the poll wants to question or measure
2. Constructing a Sample
•
A sample is a representative slice of the total population. Most professional pollsters
draw a random sample, where they randomly pick people to question
3. Preparing Valid Questions
4. Interviewing
5. Analyzing Data
Linkage Institutions
 In summary of the first several slides…. 
 WE (you and me) are citizens of the US. As citizens,
we form public opinion. Our public opinion is given
to politicians through linkage institutions:
channels of access to politicians.
 There are 5 main linkage institutions:





Elections
Political Parties
Interest Groups
Voting
Mass Media
Part 2:
The Electoral Process
In a Nutshell…
In the United States, the election process
occurs in two steps:
1. Nomination
1.
Where the field of candidates is narrowed
2. General election
2.
The regularly scheduled election where voters make the final
choice of officeholder
Nominating and Electing a Candidate
Three Ways to Nominate
Self-Announcement: When a person who wants to
run for office announces their candidacy.
Whenever a write-in candidate appears on the
ballot, the self-announcement process has been
used.
The Caucus: A meeting of party members to agree
on who should run
The Convention: Convention delegates are selected
to represent the people’s wishes in a party
convention election for the nomination
The Direct Primary
Types of Direct Primaries- elections held
before the general election in November to
narrow the field of candidates
Closed
Primary
Open
Primary
Only declared
party members
can vote.
Any qualified
voter can take
part.
Blanket Primary
Qualified voters can
vote for any
candidate,
regardless of party
Runoff Primary
If a required majority
is not met, the two
people with the most
votes run again
Nonpartisan
Primary
Candidates are not
identified by party
labels
Administration of Elections
 Elections are primarily regulated by State law, but
there are some overreaching federal regulations…

Congress has the power to set the time, place, and manner of
congressional and presidential elections.
So its every first Tuesday after the first Monday in November
 Every even year for congressional elections and every four years
for presidential elections

So what do you need to win an election?
MONEY!!!
But it doesn’t grow on trees (unfortunately )
Sources of Funding
Private and Public Sources of
Campaign Money
Small
contributors
Nonparty
groups such as
PACs
Wealthy
supporters
Temporary
fund-raising
organizations
Candidates
Government
subsidies
Regulating Campaign Financing
 People spend A LOT on their campaigns so…
 Early campaign regulations were created but feebly enforced.
 The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1971 was passed
to replaced the former, ineffective legislation.

FECA created the Federal Election Commission
Federal Election Commission
The Federal Election Commission
(FEC) enforces:
 The timely disclosure of campaign finance
information
 Limits on campaign contributions
 Limits on campaign expenditures
 Provisions for public funding of presidential
campaigns
Loopholes in the Law
“More loophole than law…” —Lyndon Johnson
 Soft money—money given to State and local party
organizations for “party-building activities” that is filtered
to presidential or congressional campaigns. $500 million
was given to campaigns in this way in 2000.
 Independent campaign spending—a person unrelated
and unconnected to a candidate or party can spend as much
money as they want to benefit or work against candidates.
 Issue ads—take a stand on certain issues in order to
criticize or support a certain candidate without actually
mentioning that person’s name.
Part 3:
Political Parties
The Political Spectrum
People who have similar opinions on political issues
are generally grouped according to whether they are
“left,” “right,” or “center” on the political spectrum.
People who group together on the political
spectrum are called Political Parties….
ASSIGNMENT
At this time, complete the
Political Compass Activity and
Analysis. (It would be really interesting to
have your parents do this with you!)
Also read the Conservative vs.
Liberal Beliefs. You will find
this very interesting!
Political Party

Political party: a group of persons who seek to control
government by winning elections and holding office.

The two major parties in American politics are

Republican and Democrat
 SO what do they do?

Inform and Activate Supporters

Govern

Nominate Candidates

Act as a Watchdog—Parties keep a close eye on the actions of the
opposing party for a blunder to use against them in the next election.
Types of Party Systems
 Two-Party System

What the US has because of tradition.

Easier to run gov because people can congregate within two
major sides
 Multiparty System
 Usually found in Europe
 Gives voters more decisions at the polls
 One-Party System
 “No Party” System?
 Usually very militaristic like Communism or Theocracies
National Party Machinery
National Convention:
Held
every four years to
solidify nominations and
party platform
National Chairperson:
Heads
Congressional
Campaign Committees:
Groups
within the party
that work to re-elect
members already holding
office (incumbents)
the National Party
National Committee:
Puts
together the National
Convention
State and Local Party Machinery
State and local party organization varies from State to State,
but usually follow the general principles below.
The Future of Major Parties
 Increased conflict and disorganization within parties causes
distrust and disdain for politics and politicians
 More people are unwilling to label themselves as
“Democrats” or “Republicans”
 Changes in the technology of campaigning and politics has
caused more people to think of issues on their own
 Split-ticket voting—voting for candidates of different
parties for different offices at the same election
All of the above will cause decline of major parties and rise of minor parties…
Minor Parties in the United States
Ideological
Parties
Single-issue
Parties
Example:
Socialism Party
Example: Free
Soil Party
Economic Protest
Parties
Example: The
Greenback Party
Splinter Party
Example: “Bull
Moose”
Progressive Party
Why Minor Parties Are Important
 Minor parties play several important roles:
“Spoiler Role”

Minor party candidates can pull decisive votes away from one of the
major parties’ candidates, especially if the minor party candidate is
from a splinter party.
Critic

Minor parties, especially single-issue parties, often take stands on
and draw attention to controversial issues that the major parties
would prefer to ignore.
Innovator

Often, minor parties will draw attention to important issues and
propose innovative solutions to problems. If these proposals gain
popular support, they are often integrated into the platforms of the
two major parties.
Part 4:
Interest Groups
Role of Interest Groups
 Interest groups: are private organizations
whose members share certain views and
work to shape public policy

Public policy: all of the goals a government sets and the
various courses of action it pursues
 Functions?






Are vehicles for political participation.
Raise awareness
Provide people a place to share their attitudes and opinions
Provide information to government agencies and legislators
Become a watchdog on various public agencies and officials.
Provide competition
Good or Bad?
Pros
Cons
 Unites interests of any
 Some groups have an influence
group of people
(economic,
professional,
environmental,
welfare, and religious)
 Easy way to be
politically active
far out of proportion to their
size or importance
 It can be difficult to tell who or
how many people are served by
a group
 Groups do not always represent
the views of the people they
claim to speak for.
 In rare cases, groups use tactics
such as bribery, threats, and so
on
Why?
Interest groups reach out to the public:
1. To supply information in support of the
group’s interests
2. To build a positive image for the group
3. To promote a particular public policy
How do Interest Groups influence?
 Lobbying: any activity by which a group pressures
legislators and influences the legislative process




Send articles, reports, and other information to officeholders.
Testify before legislative committees.
Rate candidates and publicize the ratings.
Make campaign contributions.
 Propaganda: advertisements to persuade beliefs
 Political Action Committees: (PACs) raise and
distribute money to candidates who will further their
goals
Different examples of famous Propaganda…
Part 5:
Voting
History of Voting Rights
 Suffrage: the right to vote
 Initially, the right to vote in America was limited to white
male property owners.
 Today, over 200 million people in America can vote!
Extending Suffrage
5 ways:
1. Religious, property, and tax payment qualifications were eliminated
2. 15th Amendment: intended to end race-based voting requirements
3. 19th Amendment: granted right to vote to women! (YAY )
4. 26th Amendment: lowered the voting age to 18
5. Voting Rights Act: guaranteed the right to vote for minorities
Voting Qualifications
There are three factors that States require
people to meet to be eligible to vote:
Citizenship
 You have to have United States citizenship
Residence
 You must be a legal resident of a State
 Most States require residency for minimum
amounts of time in order to vote in the State.
Age
 You have to be at least 18 years old
How to Vote…
Precincts
 A precinct is a voting
district
Polling Places
 A polling place is where
the voters who live in a
precinct go to vote.
 It is located in or near each
precinct. Polling places are
supposed to be located
conveniently for voters.
Ballots
 Office-Group

Grouping candidates by
office (governor, senate, etc)
 Party-Column
 Grouping candidates by
political party (rep vs dem)
Voting Machines
 Electronic Machines
Why People Do Not Vote
 Only 50% of Americans actually vote!! WHAT?
 Some people cannot vote for various reasons, such
as physical or mental illness, unexpected travel,
and religion
 However, most nonvoters do not vote because
Do not believe that their vote will make a difference
 Distrust politics and political candidates
 Voting is inconvenient

QUESTION?? and ASSIGNMENT
Do you think it is important to
vote? Why? What would you tell
people who do not vote in order to
encourage them to vote?
Now complete the Voting
Advertisement Assignment.
(Think of it as a piece of propaganda. Be creative!)
Part 6:
Mass Media
The Role of Mass Media
Mass Media: major forms of communication
Internet
• Newest form of Mass Media
• Most used source for political information especially since
you can carry it in your pocket
TV
• Provides dozens of news programs on network and public
channels
• More TVs in homes than toilets!!
Radio
Newspapers
• Major source of news for most of the working class
• Oldest form of Mass Media
• In decline but still one of the best source for political
information for many Americans
QUESTION??
Which form of Mass Media do you
use the most?
Which form of Mass Media
influences you the most? Why?
Which form of Mass Media is the
most reliable in your opinion?
The Mass Media and Politics
The Public Agenda
 The media play a large role in
shaping the public agenda, the
societal problems that political
leaders and citizens agree need
government attention
Electoral Politics
 Today, Mass Media allows
candidates to appeal directly to
the people, without the help of a
party organization.
 Candidates regularly try to use
media coverage to their
advantage.
 Newscasts featuring candidates
are usually short, sharply focused
sound bites—snappy reports
that can be aired in 30 to 45
seconds.
Limits on Media Influence
 Only a small part of the public actually takes in and
understands much of what the media have to say
about public affairs.
 Many media sources mostly skim the news,
reporting only what their news editors judge to be
the most important and/or most interesting stories
of the day
THE END!!
WRAP-UP
Ok so you are now versed in Political
Behavior. Some of it may not have made any
sense.
Do you have any questions? (email me!)
Now….STUDY STUDY STUDY for the Unit
Test and take it when you are ready.
GOOD LUCK!
Political Compass Activity & Analysis
Take the Political Compass Self Evaluation (found in the Resources Section). As you answer each question, add up your
points for each section (Social/Moral/Personal Freedom and Government/Economic) separately.
Once you have your two totals, use the Political Compass Graph (found in the Resources Section) to see where you fall
on the political spectrum. Find your total for Social/Moral/Personal Freedom on the graph and follow the line until it
meets your score for Government/Economic.
After you have discovered your position on the political spectrum, complete the following questions for the assignment
points.
Answer the following questions with adequate responses (at least 2-3 sentences each):
1. What is the first political event you can recall? How did you and others around you react to it?
2. If you discuss politics with family or friends, how have they influenced your thinking, if at all?
3. Where do you get information about politics- newspapers, television, the Internet? Are you influenced most by
what you read or see or hear?
4. According to the political test you just took, do you agree with what you ended up being (I AM NOT ASKING
WHAT YOU ENDED UP BEING)? Why or why not?
Political Compass Self-Evaluation
Instructions: Circle the numbered response that most accurately describes your opinion for each question.
SOCIAL, MORAL, AND PERSONAL FREEDOM ISSUES
1. Abortion should be:
10 – Legal upon demand
6.7 – legal, with few restrictions
3.3 – illegal, except for life-threatening situations
0 – illegal in all cases
2. The exclusionary rule (where court said that evidence obtained illegally can’t be used in court) regarding arrests,
searches, and interrogations should:
10 – Be strictly enforced by courts to uphold the spirit and meaning of the 4th Amendment
6.7 – be enforced, except for paperwork, clerical, or other minor and harmless errors that might occur
3.3 – allow for “good faith” exceptions (where it would have been found anyway or accidentally)
0 – should be eliminated for it is not in the constitution and hinders police from doing their jobs
3. Same-sex couples should:
10 – Be afforded the same equality in all things
6.7 – be afforded some of the rights but not all
3.3 – be afforded equality only by majority approval in Congress and states’ legislatures
0 – not be afforded any rights
4. The content and demeanor of programs appearing on network TV and/or cable should:
10 – Not be regulated in any way because that prohibits free speech
6.7 – not be regulated by government, but should be encouraged to control the content
3.3 – be regulated through licensing standards to eliminate unnecessary content (violence, sex,
profanity)
0 – should be heavily regulated and have their licenses revoked for any violations of proper content
5. Hate groups like the Neo-Nazis, skinheads, and the KKK should:
10 – Be allowed the same freedom and protection in their demonstrations and protests as other groups
6.7 – be allowed to express themselves, but their content and actions should be carefully watched
3.3 – be required to register with the government as to their size, objectives, and protest manner
0 – not be allowed to protest or demonstrate freely as their message is hatred, violent, and unnecessary
6. With respect to drugs and narcotics:
10 – Drugs should be legalized and regulated by the market as we waste billions of dollars needlessly
attempting to control people’s behavior
6.7 – individual use of drugs should be legal, but major drug offenses (manufacturing and selling) should
remain illegal
3.3 – the government should maintain and even increase its current efforts to stop their illegal use,
including starting the death penalty for major traffickers and mandatory sentencing for repeat offenders
0 – drug dealers and users must face mandatory punishments, including fines, imprisonment, and the
death penalty, for contributing to the demand that makes the drug trade profitable
7. “English only” or English-as-an-official language in public schools:
10 – Is a discriminatory and unconstitutional policy that should continue to be resisted
6.7 – should not be a law; students should have the option to learn in their native language as well as
encouraged to learn English
3.3 – should be stressed and emphasized in public schools, proficiency in the English language should be
a requirement for graduation
0 – should be required by state and federal law in order to improve academic standards and establish a
common ground for communication
8. Promoting equality of opportunity, the government should:
10 – Require affirmative action (giving preference to minorities for jobs and education) or other
mandatory preferential treatment programs to make up for the discriminatory practices of the past and
present
6.7 – promote and provide incentives for those private businesses that practice affirmative action or
other preferential treatment programs in their hiring and business practices
3.3 – encourage and talk about equality of opportunity, even recognize those businesses who voluntarily
engage in affirmative action, but should remain neutral as to any specific policies in this matter
0 – reject any affirmative action or preferential treatment efforts
9. Regarding the public funding of the arts:
10 – The government should foster, encourage, and promote artistic expression of all kinds through
several grants
6.7 – the government should continue funding, but limit funding of art that is obscene or profane
3.3 – the government should reduce the amount of funding and prohibit the funding of work that has no
redeeming value
0 – the government should not be in the business of supporting or funding artistic expression
10. With respect to immigration:
10 – The government should encourage and promote immigrants from all cultures as it contributes to
our greatness and diversity as a wealthy, powerful, and free nation
6.7 – immigration should be encouraged within reason and the government should not make policies
that upset foreign countries or cultures who may have immigrants wanting to come here
3.3 – the government’s quota (the amount of immigrants that can come legally each year) policies
should be enforced and efforts made to keep undesirable people out
0 – the government should increase its quota policies and do everything possible to stop illegal
immigration, and ban, if necessary, certain cultures from coming here
TOTAL: __________
GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMIC ISSUES
1. The government’s budget:
10 – Should be balanced, but not at the expense of the entitlement programs (Social Security, Medicaid,
Food Stamps) already promised to millions of citizens
6.7 – should be balanced, but all programs and people should make a sacrifice for their fair share
3.3 – should be balanced through the elimination of entitlement programs (Medicaid, Food Stamps) that
could be turned over to the states
0 – should be balanced through a constitutional amendment and the elimination of programs and
agencies deemed unnecessary should take place immediately
2. Farmers in the United States:
10 – Need to be protected by the government in the form of tax cuts and loans so they can compete and
obtain fair prices for their produce
6.7 – should be encouraged by government to compete through government agreements with foreign
countries
3.3 – should be encouraged to compete but not depend on government for their livelihoods through tax
cuts and loans
0 – should not be limited by government and should be able to produce whatever and as much as they
like in the free market
3. Social Security:
10 – Must not be messed with and should pay its obligation to every retired person by any means
possible through the government
6.7 – should be maintained, but payments should be based on need, not on demand
3.3 – needs to be reformed for current retired people, but a new system should be developed for future
generations that is optional and has a variety of retirement features to choose from
0 – should be gradually phased out and replace with individual retirement accounts outside of
government control
4. Minimum wage laws:
10 – Need to be raised periodically to improve the standard of living for the working class
6.7 – need to be raised only when there are periods of high inflation
3.3 – should not be guaranteed by law, but by the quality of work each individual does
0 – should be eliminated to stop its influence on jobs, and wages should be determined by the employer
5. Generally speaking, government involvement in the economy:
10 – Should be active to promote the creation of jobs in our ever-changing and uncertain economy
6.7 – should be active and allow some sort of grant to the private sector to create a stable economy
3.3 – should only offer tax incentives to the private sector that encourages economic growth
0 – should be hands off entirely
6. The current tax system:
10 – Needs to be examined and reformed so that the wealthy pay their fair share
6.7 – is in need of only slight revision as it is a fair way to raise revenue
3.3 – needs to be reformed because the current way discourages businesses to grow due to taxes
0 – needs to be eliminated and replaced with an alternative and simpler method (flat tax for everyone)
7. Health care coverage:
10 – Should be guaranteed to all and required by law for all employees
6.7 – should be provided by employers with over 20 workers and have some sort of system for those not
covered by their employer
3.3 – should remain privatized and the government should only cover extreme or catastrophic
conditions
0 – is an individual decision to be made voluntarily by employers and workers
8. Leave from work for family and personal reasons:
10 – Should be guaranteed by law for up to 12 weeks, without pay, to eliminate fear of losing one’s job
because of illness, emergencies, or other unexpected situations that arise from time to time
6.7 – should be granted upon request by employees without fear
3.3 – should not be legislated, but encouraged by the government through tax incentives to employers
0 – is a private matter between employers and employees
9. Defense spending:
10 – Is adequate at the present time, but should be limited in peace time with leftover money going to
social programs (Social Security, Medicaid, Food Stamps)
6.7 – is adequate at the present time, any excess should be invested into the economy in the form of tax
breaks for businesses and individuals
3.3 – needs to be increased so that our position in the world is never questioned
0 – needs to be increased, it is only through security of our nation that our economy can be good
10. Regulatory agencies (Food and Drug Administration, Federal Communications Commission, etc.):
10 – Need to be maintained at a high level in order to maintain and preserve a clean and safe
environment and workplace
6.7 – need to be sensitive to the demands they put on businesses and maintain a balance between
reality and fantasy
3.3 – need to be reduced in the amount of rules and regulations because these tend to discourage
growth in businesses
0 – need to be eliminated because the best type of regulation is self-regulation of the business and all
the regulation is driving the prices of products too high
TOTAL: __________
StudentNewsDaily.com
Conservative vs. Liberal Beliefs Copyright 2005 (revised 2010) StudentNewsDaily.com We all want the same things in life. We want freedom; we want the chance for prosperity; we want as few people suffering as possible; we want healthy children; we want to have crime-­free streets. The argument is how to achieve them… Liberals believe in government action to achieve equal Conservatives believe in personal responsibility, opportunity and equality for all. It is the duty of the limited government, free markets, individual liberty, government to alleviate social ills and to protect civil traditional American values and a strong national liberties and individual and human rights. Believe the defense. Believe the role of government should be to role of the government should be to guarantee that no provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their one is in need. Liberal policies generally emphasize the own goals. Conservative policies generally emphasize need for the government to solve problems. empowerment of the individual to solve problems. NOTE: The terms “left” and “right” define opposite ends of the political spectrum. In the United States, liberals are referred to as the left or left-­wing and conservatives are referred to as the right or right-­wing. On the U.S. political map, blue represents the Democratic Party (which generally upholds liberal principles) and red represents the Republican party (which generally upholds conservative principles). THE ISSUES: (In alphabetical order) Abortion
Liberal A woman has the right to decide what happens with her body. A fetus is not a human life, so it does not have separate individual rights. The government should provide taxpayer funded abortions for women who cannot afford them. The decision to have an abortion is a personal choice of a woman regarding her own body and the government must protect this right. Women have the right to affordable, safe and legal abortions, including partial birth abortion. Conservative Human life begins at conception. Abortion is the murder of a human being. An unborn baby, as a living human being, has separate rights from those of the mother. Oppose taxpayer-­‐funded abortion. Taxpayer dollars should not be used for the government to provide abortions. Support legislation to prohibit partial birth abortions, called the "Partial Birth Abortion* Ban" (*Partial Birth Abortion: the killing of an unborn baby of at least 20 weeks by pulling it out of the birth canal with forceps, but leaving the head inside. An incision is made in the back of the baby's neck and the brain tissue is suctioned out. The head is then removed from the uterus.)  2005 (revised 2010) StudentNewsDaily.com 1 Affirmative Action
Liberal Due to prevalent racism in the past, minorities were deprived of the same education and employment opportunities as whites. The government must work to make up for that. America is still a racist society, therefore a federal affirmative action law is necessary. Due to unequal opportunity, minorities still lag behind whites in all statistical measurements of success. Conservative Individuals should be admitted to schools and hired for jobs based on their ability. It is unfair to use race as a factor in the selection process. Reverse-­‐discrimination is not a solution for racism. Some individuals in society are racist, but American society as a whole is not. Preferential treatment of certain races through affirmative action is wrong. Death Penalty
Liberal The death penalty should be abolished. It is inhumane and is ‘cruel and unusual' punishment. Imprisonment is the appropriate punishment for murder. Every execution risks killing an innocent person. Conservative The death penalty is a punishment that fits the crime of murder; it is neither ‘cruel' nor ‘unusual.' Executing a murderer is the appropriate punishment for taking an innocent life. Economy
Liberal A market system in which government regulates the economy is best. Government must protect citizens from the greed of big business. Unlike the private sector, the government is motivated by public interest. Government regulation in all areas of the economy is needed to level the playing field. Conservative The free market system, competitive capitalism, and private enterprise create the greatest opportunity and the highest standard of living for all. Free markets produce more economic growth, more jobs and higher standards of living than those systems burdened by excessive government regulation. Education – vouchers & charter schools
Liberal Public schools are the best way to educate students. Vouchers take money away from public schools. Government should focus additional funds on existing public schools, raising teacher salaries and reducing class size. Conservative School vouchers create competition and therefore encourage schools to improve performance. Vouchers will give all parents the right to choose good schools for their children, not just those who can afford private schools. Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Liberal Support the use of embryonic stem cells for research. It is necessary (and ethical) for the government to fund embryonic stem cell research, which will assist scientists in finding treatments and cures for diseases. An embryo is not a human. The tiny blastocyst (embryos used in embryonic stem cell research) has no human features. Experimenting on embryos/embryonic stem cells is not murder. Embryonic stem cells have the potential to cure chronic and degenerative diseases which current medicine has been unable to effectively treat. Embryonic stem cells have been shown to be effective in treating heart damage in mice.  2005 (revised 2010) StudentNewsDaily.com Conservative Support the use of adult and umbilical cord stem cells only for research. It is morally and ethically wrong for the government to fund embryonic stem cell research. Human life begins at conception. The extraction of stem cells from an embryo requires its destruction. In other words, it requires that a human life be killed. Adult stem cells have already been used to treat spinal cord injuries, Leukemia, and even Parkinson's disease. Adult stem cells are derived from umbilical cords, placentas, amniotic fluid, various tissues and organ systems like skin and the liver, and even fat obtained from liposuction. Embryonic stem cells have not been successfully used to help cure disease. 2 Energy
Liberal Oil is a depleting resource. Other sources of energy must be explored. The government must produce a national plan for all energy resources and subsidize (partially pay for) alternative energy research and production. Support increased exploration of alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power. Support government control of gas and electric industries. Euthanasia & Physician-assisted suicide
Liberal Euthanasia should be legalized. A person has a right to die with dignity, by his own choice. A terminally ill person should have the right to choose to end pain and suffering. It is wrong for the government to take away the means for a terminally ill person to hasten his death. It is wrong to force a person to go through so much pain and suffering. Legalizing euthanasia would not lead to doctor-­‐assisted suicides of non-­‐critical patients. Permitting euthanasia would reduce health care costs, which would then make funds available for those who could truly benefit from medical care. Conservative Oil, gas and coal are all good sources of energy and are abundant in the U.S. Oil drilling should be increased both on land and at sea. Increased domestic production creates lower prices and less dependence on other countries for oil. Support increased production of nuclear energy. Wind and solar sources will never provide plentiful, affordable sources of power. Support private ownership of gas and electric industries. Conservative Neither euthanasia nor physician-­‐assisted suicide should be legalized. It is immoral and unethical to deliberately end the life of a terminally ill person (euthanasia), or enable another person to end their own life (assisted suicide). The goal should be compassionate care and easing the suffering of terminally ill people. Legalizing euthanasia could lead to doctor-­‐assisted suicides of non-­‐
critical patients. If euthanasia were legalized, insurance companies could pressure doctors to withhold life-­‐
saving treatment for dying patients. Many religions prohibit suicide and euthanasia. These practices devalue human life. Global Warming/Climate Change
Liberal Global warming is caused by an increased production of carbon dioxide through the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas). The U.S. is a major contributor to global warming because it produces 25% of the world’s carbon dioxide. Proposed laws to reduce carbon emissions in the U.S. are urgently needed and should be enacted immediately to save the planet. Many reputable scientists support this theory. Conservative Change in global temperature is natural over long periods of time. Science has not shown that humans can affect permanent change to the earth’s temperature. Proposed laws to reduce carbon emissions will do nothing to help the environment and will cause significant price increases for all. Many reputable scientists support this theory. Gun Control
Liberal The Second Amendment does not give citizens the right to keep and bear arms, but only allows for the state to keep a militia (National Guard). Individuals do not need guns for protection; it is the role of local and federal government to protect the people through law enforcement agencies and the military. Additional gun control laws are necessary to stop gun violence and limit the ability of criminals to obtain guns. More guns mean more violence. Conservative The Second Amendment gives citizens the right to keep and bear arms. Individuals have the right to defend themselves. There are too many gun control laws – additional laws will not lower gun crime rates. What is needed is enforcement of current laws. Gun control laws do not prevent criminals from obtaining guns. More guns in the hands of law-­‐abiding citizens mean less crime.  2005 (revised 2010) StudentNewsDaily.com 3 Healthcare
Liberal Support free or low-­‐cost government controlled health care. There are millions of Americans who can’t afford health care and are deprived of this basic right. Every American has a right to affordable health care. The government should provide equal health care benefits for all, regardless of their ability to pay. Homeland Security
Liberal Airport security – Passenger profiling is wrong, period. Selection of passengers for extra security screening should be random. Using other criteria (such as ethnicity) is discriminatory and offensive to Arabs and Muslims, who are generally innocent and law-­‐abiding. Terrorists don’t fit a profile. “…Arabs, Muslims and South Asians are no more likely than whites to be terrorists.”(American Civil Liberties Union ACLU) Asked on 60 Minutes if a 70-­‐year-­‐old white woman from Vero Beach should receive the same level of scrutiny as a Muslim from Jersey City, President Obama’s Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said, “Basically, I would hope so.” Immigration
Liberal Support legal immigration. Support blanket amnesty for those who enter the U.S. illegally (undocumented immigrants). Also believe that undocumented immigrants have a right to: -­‐-­‐ all educational and health benefits that citizens receive (financial aid, welfare, social security and medicaid), regardless of legal status. -­‐-­‐ the same rights as American citizens. It is unfair to arrest millions of undocumented immigrants.  2005 (revised 2010) StudentNewsDaily.com Conservative Support competitive, free market health care system. All Americans have access to health care. The debate is about who should pay for it. Free and low-­‐cost government-­‐run programs (socialized medicine) result in higher costs and everyone receiving the same poor-­‐
quality health care. Health care should remain privatized. The problem of uninsured individuals should be addressed and solved within the free market healthcare system – the government should not control healthcare. Conservative Airport security – Choosing passengers randomly for extra security searches is not effective. Rather, profiling and intelligence data should be used to single out passengers for extra screening. Those who do not meet the criteria for suspicion should not be subjected to intense screening. The terrorists currently posing a threat to the U.S. are primarily Islamic/Muslim men between the ages of 18 and 38. Our resources should be focused on this group. Profiling is good logical police work. “If people are offended (by profiling), that’s unfortunate, but I don’t think we can afford to take the risk that terrorism brings to us. They’ve wasted masses of resources on far too many people doing things that really don’t have a big payoff in terms of security.” – Northwestern University Aviation Expert, A.Gellman. Conservative Support legal immigration only. Oppose amnesty for those who enter the U.S. illegally (illegal immigrants). Those who break the law by entering the U.S. illegally do not have the same rights as those who obey the law and enter legally. The borders should be secured before addressing the problem of the illegal immigrants currently in the country. The Federal Government should secure the borders and enforce current immigration law. 4 Private Property
Liberal Government has the right to use eminent domain (seizure of private property by the government-­‐-­‐with compensation to the owner) to accomplish a public end. Religion & Government
Liberal Support the separation of church and state. The Bill of Rights implies a separation of church and state. Religious expression has no place in government. The two should be completely separate. Government should not support religious expression in any way. All reference to God in public and government spaces should be removed (eg., the Ten Commandments should not be displayed in Federal buildings). Religious expression has no place in government. Conservative Respect ownership and private property rights. Eminent domain (seizure of private property by the government-­‐-­‐
with compensation to the owner) in most cases is wrong. Eminent domain should not be used for private development. Conservative The phrase “separation of church and state” is not in the Constitution. The First Amendment to the Constitution states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” This prevents the government from establishing a national church/denomination. However, it does not prohibit God from being acknowledged in schools and government buildings. Symbols of Christian heritage should not be removed from public and government spaces (eg., the Ten Commandments should continue to be displayed in Federal buildings). Government should not interfere with religion and religious freedom. Same-sex Marriage
Liberal Marriage is the union of people who love each other. It should be legal for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, to ensure equal rights for all. Support same-­‐
sex marriage. Opposed to the creation of a constitutional amendment establishing marriage as the union of one man and one woman. All individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, have the right to marry. Prohibiting same-­‐sex citizens from marrying denies them their civil rights. [Opinions vary on whether this issue is equal to civil rights for African Americans.] Conservative Marriage is the union of one man and one woman. Oppose same-­‐sex marriage. Support Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), passed in 1996, which affirms the right of states not to recognize same-­‐sex marriages licensed in other states. Requiring citizens to sanction same-­‐sex relationships violates moral and religious beliefs of millions of Christians, Jews, Muslims and others, who believe marriage is the union of one man and one woman. Social Security
Liberal The Social Security system should be protected at all costs. Reduction in future benefits is not a reasonable option. [Opinions vary on the extent of the current system's financial stability.] Social Security provides a safety net for the nation's poor and needy. Changing the system would cause a reduction in benefits and many people would suffer as a result. Conservative The Social Security system is in serious financial trouble. Major changes to the current system are urgently needed. In its current state, the Social Security system is not financially sustainable. It will collapse if nothing is done to address the problems. Many will suffer as a result. Social Security must be made more efficient through privatization and/or allowing individuals to manage their own savings.  2005 (revised 2010) StudentNewsDaily.com 5 Taxes
Liberal Higher taxes (primarily for the wealthy) and a larger government are necessary to address inequity/injustice in society (government should help the poor and needy using tax dollars from the rich). Support a large government to provide for the needs of the people and create equality. Taxes enable the government to create jobs and provide welfare programs for those in need. Government programs are a caring way to provide for the poor and needy in society. Conservative Lower taxes and a smaller government with limited power will improve the standard of living for all. Support lower taxes and a smaller government. Lower taxes create more incentive for people to work, save, invest, and engage in entrepreneurial endeavors. Money is best spent by those who earn it, not the government. Government programs encourage people to become dependent and lazy, rather than encouraging work and independence. United Nations
Liberal The UN promotes peace and human rights. The United States has a moral and a legal obligation to support the United Nations (UN). The U.S. should not act as a sovereign nation, but as one member of a world community. The U.S. should submit its national interests to the greater good of the global community (as defined by the UN). The U.S. should defer to the UN in military/peacekeeping matters. The United Nations Charter gives the United Nations Security Council the power and responsibility to take collective action to maintain international peace and security. U.S. troops should submit to UN command. Conservative The UN has repeatedly failed in its essential mission to promote world peace and human rights. The wars, genocide and human rights abuses taking place in many Human Rights Council member states (and the UN's failure to stop them) prove this point. History shows that the United States, not the UN, is the global force for spreading freedom, prosperity, tolerance and peace. The U.S. should never subvert its national interests to those of the UN. The U.S. should never place troops under UN control. U.S. military should always wear the U.S. military uniform, not that of UN peacekeepers. [Opinions vary on whether the U.S. should withdraw from the UN.] War on Terror/Terrorism
Liberal Global warming, not terrorism, poses the greatest threat to the U.S., according to Democrats in Congress. Terrorism is a result of arrogant U.S. foreign policy. Good diplomacy is the best way to deal with terrorism. Relying on military force to defeat terrorism creates hatred that leads to more terrorism. Captured terrorists should be handled by law enforcement and tried in civilian courts. Welfare
Liberal Support welfare, including long-­‐term welfare. Welfare is a safety net which provides for the needs of the poor. Welfare is necessary to bring fairness to American economic life. It is a device for protecting the poor.  2005 (revised 2010) StudentNewsDaily.com Conservative Terrorism poses one of the greatest threats to the U.S. The world toward which the militant Islamists strive cannot peacefully co-­‐exist with the Western world. In the last decade, militant Islamists have repeatedly attacked Americans and American interests here and abroad. Terrorists must be stopped and destroyed. The use of intelligence-­‐gathering and military force are the best ways to defeat terrorism around the world. Captured terrorists should be treated as enemy combatants and tried in military courts. Conservative Oppose long-­‐term welfare. Opportunities should be provided to make it possible for those in need to become self-­‐reliant. It is far more compassionate and effective to encourage people to become self-­‐reliant, rather than allowing them to remain dependent on the government for provisions. 6 Voting Advertisement
Using Microsoft Word, Paint, Glogster or any other method you choose*, create a Voting Advertisement
that encourages others to vote.
Your ad must be ORIGINAL (you may use clip art, but the idea must be yours alone) and PERSUASIVE,
meaning you need to make a convincing argument for voting. MAKE IT LOOK GOOD!
*If you are particularly artistic, you may draw or paint your ad and turn it in!
Political Behavior Unit Exam
1. What are the attitudes held by a significant number of people on matters of government and politics?
a. Public Affairs
b. Public Opinion
c. Public Policy
d. Public Socialization
2. What are the events and issues that concern the public at large?
a. Public Affairs
b. Public Opinion
c. Public Policy
d. Public Socialization
3. What is one of the things that lends to political socialization?
a. Family
b. Education
c. Religion
d. All of the Above
4. What is one of the ways to measure public opinion?
a. Elections
b. Interest Groups
c. The Media
d. All of the Above
5. Public opinion is best measured by _____________, that attempt to collect information by asking people
questions.
a. Elections
b. Mass Media
c. Polls
d. Interest Groups
6. What type of polling is highly unreliable and therefore not used?
a. Interest
b. Straw Vote
c. Scientific Polling
d. Random
7. What is the first step in the scientific polling process?
a. Defining the Universe
b. Constructing a Sample
c. Preparing Valid Questions
d. Interviewing
8. At the end of a scientific poll, what is the final step?
a. Analyzing Data
b. Preparing Valid Questions
c. Constructing a Sample
d. Defining the Universe
9. A _____________ is a representative slice of the total population.
a. Sample
b. Universe
c. Interest Groups
d. Poll
10. Which of the following is not a key linkage institution?
a. Elections
b. Voting
c. Mass Media
d. Religions
11. What are the channels of access we the people have to our politicians?
a. Public Policy
b. Polls
c. Religions
d. Linkage Institutions
12. What are the two steps in the election process?
a. Nomination then General Election
b. General Election then Nomination
c. Nomination then Winning
d. Political Office then General Election
13. What is NOT one of the 4 ways to nominate a candidate for election?
a. Self-Announcement
b. Petition
c. Caucus/Convention
d. All of the Above
14. What way to nominate someone for election is when a person who wants to run for office just goes ahead and
announces their candidacy?
a. Petition
b. Caucus
c. Convention
d. Self-Announcement
15. What is a primary where two people with the most votes run again in order to meet a majority requirement?
a. Nonpartisan Primary
b. Open Primary
c. Closed Primary
d. Runoff Primary
16. What is a primary where candidates are not identified by party labels?
a. Runoff Primary
b. Nonpartisan Primary
c. Blanket Primary
d. Open Primary
17. What is a primary where qualified voters can vote for any candidate, regardless of party?
a. Blanket Primary
b. Open Primary
c. Runoff Primary
d. Closed Primary
18. Who regulates and runs elections?
a. National Government
b. Congress
c. States
d. None of the Above
19. Who decides on the time, place, and manner of congressional and presidential elections?
a. National Government
b. Congress
c. States
d. None of the Above
20. How often do presidential elections occur?
a. Every 2 years
b. Every 6 years
c. Every year
d. Every 4 years
21. What is the most important thing you need to win an election?
a. Interest Groups
b. Media Support
c. Good Polls
d. Money
22. Someone who favors extreme change to create an altered or entirely new social system falls where on the
political spectrum?
a. Radical
b. Moderate
c. Conservative
d. Reactionary
e. Liberal
23. Someone who believes that government must take action to change economic, political, and ideological policies
thought to be unfair falls where on the political spectrum?
a. Radical
b. Liberal
c. Moderate
d. Conservative
e. Reactionary
24. Someone who holds beliefs that fall between liberal and conservative views, usually including some of both falls
where on the political spectrum?
a. Radical
b. Moderate
c. Reactionary
d. Conservative
e. Liberal
25. Someone who seeks to keep in place the economic, political, and social structures of society falls where on the
political spectrum?
a. Reactionary
b. Moderate
c. Radical
d. Liberal
e. Conservative
26. Someone who favors extreme change to restore society to an earlier, more conservative state falls where on the
political spectrum?
a. Reactionary
b. Conservative
c. Moderate
d. Liberal
e. Radical
27. What group informs and activates supporters, governs, nominates candidates, and acts as a watchdog in the
political world?
a. Interest Groups
b. Political Party
c. Polling Center
d. Political Action Committee
28. What type of party system does the US have where there are two major parties such as the Republicans and
Democrats and is easier to run government because people can congregate within two major sides?
a. Two-Party
b. Multiparty
c. One-Party
d. Coalition
29. What type of party system do most of the countries in Europe have where there are plenty of options which give
voters more decisions at the polls?
a. Two-Party
b. Multiparty
c. One-Party
d. Coalition
30. What type of party system could almost be characterized as a no party system such as communism or
theocracies?
a. Two-Party
b. Multiparty
c. One-Party
d. Coalition
31. What is held every four years and put together by the National Committees to solidify nominations and the
party platform?
a. National Convention
b. General Elections
c. Nominations
d. Caucuses
32. What type of minor party believes in one issue such as right to life?
a. Ideological Party
b. Single-Issue Party
c. Economic Protest Party
d. Splinter Party
33. What type of minor party believes in arguing about the economy and the way things are headed?
a. Ideological Party
b. Single-Issue Party
c. Economic Protest Party
d. Splinter Party
34. What role does a minor party play where they can pull decisive votes away from one of the major parties’
candidates?
a. Critic
b. Innovator
c. Spoiler Role
d. Watchdog
35. What is one of the valuable functions of Interest Groups?
a. To raise awareness of different issues
b. To provide information to government agencies and legislators
c. To provide people a place to share their attitudes and opinions
d. All of the Above
36. Why would Interest Groups reach out to the public?
a. To supply information in support of the group’s interests
b. To build a positive image for the group
c. To promote a particular public policy
d. All of the Above
37. What do lobbyists do for Interest Groups?
a. Send reports and other information to officeholders
b. Make campaign contributions
c. Rate candidates and publicize the ratings
d. All of the Above
38. Who initially had the right to vote in America?
a. Any white people
b. All people of any race
c. Only white male property owners
d. Anybody who owned property
39. What are the qualifications to be able to vote?
a. You have to be a citizen of the United States
b. You must be a legal resident of the State in which you want to vote in
c. You have to be at least 18 years old
d. All of the Above
40. What type of ballot groups candidates by office?
a. Office-Group
b. Party-Column
c. Sample
d. Absentee
41. What type of ballot groups candidates by political party?
a. Office-Group
b. Party-Column
c. Sample
d. Absentee
42. What form of voting do all states use that makes taking and counting the votes really easy?
a. Online
b. Electronic
c. Punch Paper
d. Roll Call
43. What is a reason why people cannot vote?
a. Physical or mental illness
b. Unexpected travel
c. Religion
d. All of the Above
44. What is a reason why people choose not to vote?
a. They do not believe that their vote will make a difference
b. They distrust politics and political candidates
c. Voting is inconvenient
d. All of the Above
45. What is the newest form of Mass Media that is most used for political information because chances are you can
carry it in your pocket?
a. Internet
b. TV
c. Radio
d. Newspapers
46. What source of Mass Media provides dozens of news programs on network and public channels?
a. Internet
b. TV
c. Radio
d. Newspapers
47. What source of Mass Media is the second oldest form and is the major source of news for most of the working
class?
a. Internet
b. TV
c. Radio
d. Newspapers
48. What is the oldest form of mass Media that is in decline but still one of the best sources for political information
for many Americans?
a. Internet
b. TV
c. Radio
d. Newspapers
49. Today, Mass Media allows candidates to appeal directly to the people so newscasts air ___________ which are
short, sharply focused snappy reports that can be aired in 30 to 45 seconds.
a. Sound Bites
b. Public Agenda
c. Talking Heads
d. Interviews
50. What is NOT a limit of media influence on political behavior?
a. Only a small part of the public actually takes in and understands much of what the media has to say
b. Many media sources only skim the news, reporting only what they judge is important
c. People can choose what media outlet they listen to resulting in bias news from different sources
d. The media has helped to shape how a candidate is viewed making their campaign easier
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