American Democracy Formative Test #2: Study Guide (Chapters 17-20)

1. Identify the different functions of political parties: (649-651)

a. Educating the Public d. Dispensing Patronage
b.Implementing Policy e. Electing (Nominating) Candidates
c.Government Watchdog (Loyal Opposition)
2. Briefly describe how the following below have contributed to the 2 Party System: (654-655)
a. The Historical Basis c. The Force of Tradition
b. The Electoral System d. Ideological Consensus
3. Identify and briefly describe the 4 types of Minor/3rd Parties. (656)
4. What guides an individual’s membership in a particular political party? (661)
5. Congressional elections must be held on which year, month and day? (693)
6. What is a referendum, initiative and recall? (694 & 462-464)
7. What is the difference between a District, Ward and Precinct, and which one will determine
where you vote? (714-715)
8. Define a ballot and a polling place. (714-715)
9. What is a poll watcher and why is it important? (716 & Notes)
10. Identify and briefly describe the 3 universal requirements for voting. (711)
11. What is voter registration, and why do they have it? (711)
12. Define grandfather clause, literacy test and poll tax. Explain why they were made illegal.
(686-687)
13. Which amendment gave women the right to vote and in what year did it go into effect?
(688-689)
14. Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18 and how did turnout change for people
between the age of 18-20 years old when comparing 1972 with 2000? (682-683, 688-690)
15. Answer the following dealing with voter turnout: (Notes, 690 & 695-699)
a. What effect does Ballot Fatigue have on those who go and vote?
b. How does an off-year election compare with a presidential election year, and why is
there a difference?
16. What is the difference between a Caucus, Convention and Direct Primary and which type of
the above is used the most by states? (671-674)
17. What is the difference between an Open and Closed Primary? (671-674)
18. Campaign Finance (Notes & 705-709)
a. To qualify for public financing, minor party candidates must receive what percentage of
the votes in the general election?
b. What are the 4 sources of Campaign Contributions?
c. How does Soft Money get around Campaign Finance Laws?
d. What are PAC’s, what is its purpose, and which has the most of them?
19. Identify the different Sociological factors that contribute to how one will vote in an election and
which one is the most accurate? (725-727)
20. What are the 5 major mediums of the Mass Media and which one is used the most by
American to gain information about the government? Which one do Americans use the most?
(704-705, 726)
21. What is the major role played by the media when covering the government and politics?
(704-705, 726)
22. What is Public Opinion and which factor plays the largest role in shaping it? (729-730)
23. What are the 5 ways that public opinion can be measured, and which one is regarded as the
best? (734-739)
24. Identify the characteristics of these propaganda techniques (Notes)
a. Binary Choice c. Testimonial
b. Glittering Generalities d. Selective Omission
25. What are the 6 valuable functions of Interest Groups? (740-748)
26. Identify the type of interest being represented with each of the below: (740-748)
a. National Rifle Association c. Surfrider Foundation
b. National Education Association d. NAACP