PSCI 2305 Final Exam Questions and Answers A single-event in which groups of voters switch party loyalty is known as what? - Answer -A critical election Which of the following activities would be considered a conventional form of participation? - Answer -voting Which of the following offers the best definition of political participation according to the text? - Answer -any action that seeks to change or support a government official or policy If you decide to vote for a candidate because you like what she has promised to do once in office, you are engaging in what type of voting? - Answer -prospective A voter who makes a ballot choice based on how candidates have performed during past terms in office is engaging in what kind of voting? - Answer -retrospective What term is used to describe the phenomenon that occurs when Americans begin to lose interest in politics because there are so many elections to follow? - Answer -voter fatigue Undecided voters are likely to vote for the candidate they think is most likely to win.What is this phenomenon called? - Answer -being influenced by the bandwagon effect What is the difference between an open primary and a closed primary? - Answer -An open primary does not require voters to declare the party with which they are affiliated, while a closed primary does.If the name on your identification does not match the name on the official voter rolls, what happens? - Answer -You may cast a provisional ballot What distinguishes interest groups from political parties? - Answer -their narrow set of issue concerns What is one way a lobbyist could influence the judicial branch? - Answer -file an amicus brief 1 / 2
Interest groups that observe and report on governmental activities are known as what? - Answer -Blue Dogs A person who enjoys the benefits of collective action without contributing to their attainment are known as what? - Answer -Free riders If an interest group provides someone with a sense of community, it can be said to be providing what kind of benefit? - Answer -solidarity How can interest groups overcome the collective action problem? - Answer -require beneficiaries of group efforts to also be registered members What is the purpose of a "candidate scorecard"? - Answer -to show how two candidates compare in their support of issues that matter to an interest group What are the two major American political parties? - Answer -Democratic and Republican What is the ultimate purpose of a political party? - Answer -to influence public policy According to Duverger's Law, a two-party system will occur under what circumstances?
- Answer -when plurality voting occurs in single-member districts
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A party's official positions on major policy issues are organized into what document? - Answer -the party platform Who makes up the party in the electorate? - Answer -citizens Which political party dominates Texas politics today? - Answer -Republican Party A candidate who has won using a plurality voting rule has accomplished which feat? - Answer -He or she collected more votes than any other candidate To become president, which of the following must happen? - Answer -You must win a majority of the Electoral College votes Which of the following represents an accurate distinction between primaries and caucuses? - Answer -Primaries are much more common than caucuses Why would a state chose to move its primary election to an earlier date? - Answer - States want to maximize their influence on the candidate selection process The first caucus is held in what state? - Answer -Iowa What happens if no presidential candidate gets a majority of the Electoral College votes? - Answer -The House of Representatives selects a president