Political Culture

Which of the following best explains why delegates to both the Republican and Democratic Conventions in 1996 were much more likely to have college and postgraduate degrees than was the rest of the voting population?

• College education increases the likelihood of holding liberal political positions.
• College education increases the likelihood of holding conservative political positions.
• Political activism increases with education levels.
• Some states require delegates to hold college degrees.

An electoral system based on single-member districts is usually characterized by

• strong, centralized political parties and a weak executive.
• higher rates of voter turnout.
• representation of each party in proportion to the number of votes it receives.
• domination by two political parties.

The term “horse-race journalism” refers to the tendency of the media to

• cover Congress by focusing on committee chairs rather than on the work of the committees.
• cover campaigns by emphasizing the relative standings of the candidates in the polls rather than the issues they discuss.
• cover politics by concentrating on scandal and corruption rather than on instances of integrity and honorable action.
• compete for access to sources rather than to cooperate in gathering news.

Of the following, the most important role in the political socialization of children is played by

• their peer groups.
• the family.
• the media.
• school.

The concept of “critical elections” is most clearly associated with

• the electoral college process.
• the nomination process.
• economic recession.
• party realignment.

Because some parts of the nation are growing faster than others, which of the following is true?

• The number of electoral votes changes every presidential election.
• The number of members of the House of Representatives changes every decade.
• Every ten years, some states gain and other states lose electoral votes.
• The number of Supreme Court justices changes frequently.

All of the following statements about America are true EXCEPT

• a higher percentage of young people than old people live in poverty.
• the percentage of the population over 65 is increasing.
• there is a gender gap in the voting tendencies of men and women.
• the American geographic population center is shifting north.

Which of the following is the most accurate generalization about American political ideology?

• Americans are not very satisfied with how democracy works.
• Most Americans change their political ideology with every election.
• Most Americans are on the left of the political spectrum.
• Most Americans are politically moderate.

Political socialization is the process by which

• the use of private property is regulated by the government.
• public attitudes toward government are measured and reported.
• political values are gained and passed to the next generation.
• America is becoming more Socialist with each passing generation.

In the past, when observers spoke of the “Solid South,” they were referring to the fact that the South

• voted for Democrats at all levels of government.
• was overwhelmingly agrarian.
• was experiencing rapid population growth.
• was pro-segregation.