Question 1

In 1971 Daniel Ellsberg,working for the Department of Defense,found a large collection of classified documents that showed that many members of the U.S.government did not believe the Vietnam War was winnable,despite public assertions to the contrary.Ellsberg turned to the fourth Estate,giving the documents to:

Accepted Answer

Daniel Ellsberg gave the classified documents to the New York Times, which published them in a series of articles known as the "Pentagon Papers." This was a major revelation to the American public and had a significant impact on public opinion about the Vietnam War.

Question 2

During the 2012 presidential election,Barack Obama was endorsed by singer and celebrity Beyoncé Knowles.To the extent that people pay attention to her and care about what she says,she is a(n):

Accepted Answer

Beyoncé Knowles is an opinion leader, as she has a significant following and influence on her fans and supporters. Her endorsement of Barack Obama could have potentially swayed some of her followers to vote for him.

Question 3

When John f.Kennedy and Richard Nixon debated during the 1960 presidential campaign,voters who watched the debate on television were more likely to see Kennedy as the winner than those who listened to it on radio.Why?

Accepted Answer

Nixon's refusal to take advice on hair, makeup, and clothing made him appear less favorable on television compared to Kennedy, who appeared more charismatic and composed, influencing viewers' perceptions.

Question 4

During the most recent wave of conflict between Israel and Palestine,images of Palestinian children maimed and killed on the beach by Israeli missiles were televised across the world.Israeli officials argued that these images were a public relations tool by Palestinian organizations to gain sympathy for their cause.This example demonstrates the:

Accepted Answer

The answer of During the most recent wave of conflict...

Question 5

Why are political action committees much more important to political campaigns now than they were in the past?

Accepted Answer

Political action committees, or PACs, are able to receive unlimited donations from individuals, which has made them a significant source of funding for political campaigns. In the past, there were stricter limits on how much individuals could donate to political campaigns, making PACs less influential.

Question 6

In August 2009,House Republican leader John Boehner asked rank-and-file Republicans to use social media like Twitter to get out their message about America's health-care system.Given that a Twitter post can only be 140 characters long,what feature of modern politics closely resembles Twitter posts?

Accepted Answer

Soundbites, like Twitter posts, require concise and attention-grabbing messages within a limited timeframe (such as a 30-second news clip or a 140-character tweet). Both are commonly used in modern politics to quickly convey key points and gain attention from the public.

Question 7

Organizations formed expressly to raise and spend money in order to influence elected officials are called:

Accepted Answer

Special interest groups are created to lobby elected officials and influence legislation. They often have a specific focus or issue that they support or oppose, and their primary goal is to use their resources to sway political decision-making in their favor.

Question 8

In Soviet Russia,it was a common practice to edit old photographs to reflect the current political mood,and to treat the doctored photos as representations of reality,rather than modifications of it.for example,Stalin's friends who turned into his enemies were cut out of pictures with him.These pictures were examples of:

Accepted Answer

The practice of editing old photographs to reflect the current political mood and treating the doctored photos as representations of reality is an example of simulacrum. Simulacrum means a representation or imitation of a person or thing, often with an altered or exaggerated portrayal, intended to create a particular image or perception. This practice was used to manipulate people's perception of reality and create a false sense of history. It was not an example of spin doctors, opinion leaders, or a free press.

Question 9

What large-scale social change has made celebrity politicians more popular and successful?

Accepted Answer

The increasing importance of television has made celebrity politicians more popular and successful. With the rise of television as a primary medium for political campaigns, celebrities who are already well-known and have a large following can easily capture the attention of the public and convey their political message effectively. This has led to an increase in the number of celebrity politicians who successfully run for public office.

Question 10

Mike McCurry was the White House press secretary from 1995 to 1998.It was his job to field questions from the press and explain the president's policies and attitudes in language that was compelling and persuasive.According to this job description,he could be called a(n):

Accepted Answer

The term "spin doctor" is often used to describe a spokesperson or public relations professional who aims to present information in a way that is favorable or persuasive to a particular audience. McCurry's job as White House press secretary involved a significant amount of "spinning" when it came to explaining the president's policies and agenda to the press and the public.

Question 11

High-profile individuals who interpret political information and influence the voting habits of the public are called:

Accepted Answer

Opinion leaders are individuals who have a significant influence on the opinions and behaviors of others in their social group or community. They often hold a position of authority or have a high-profile platform, such as media personalities or public figures, and use their influence to shape the political views and behavior of the public. Lobbyists, political action leaders, and talking heads may also influence political information, but they do not necessarily have the same level of public influence or interpretive power as opinion leaders.

Question 12

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in England,the curriculum at schools like Trinity College at Cambridge (The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity)leaned very heavily on theology.Today,the vast majority of university students will never take any theology classes.Why did this change?

Accepted Answer

The knowledge, values, and expectations required to succeed in contemporary society have changed since the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and theology is no longer considered an essential subject for most career paths. Additionally, the diversity of fields of study available today means that students can pursue their interests and career goals without being restricted to a limited curriculum. The state control over universities in the past is not a sufficient explanation for this change, and the role of the Internet is not relevant to the decline of theology as a subject in universities. The availability of more colleges is also not a significant factor in this shift.

Question 13

What is the central means by which modern society transmits knowledge,values,and expectations to its members?

Accepted Answer

Education is the central means by which modern society transmits knowledge, values, and expectations to its members. Formal education institutions, such as schools and universities, provide a structured approach to imparting knowledge and shaping values and expectations. Education also includes the informal, or hidden curriculum, which encompasses the values and behaviors that are learned through the experiences, interactions, and observations in and outside of the classroom. While religion and politics can also play a role in shaping values and expectations, education is the primary means of transmitting knowledge and preparing individuals for their roles in society.

Question 14

In 2009,shortly after Sarah Palin resigned as governor of Alaska,a Republican political strategist asked: If Sarah Palin were not attractive,"would we even be talking about her today?" This quote reminds us that politics today:

Accepted Answer

The quote suggests that Sarah Palin's attractiveness played a role in her political success and the attention she received. This implies that politics rewards a candidate's style (in this case, physical appearance) over their substance or policy positions.

Question 15

Organizations designed to raise money to support the interests of a particular group are called:

Accepted Answer

Political action committees (PACs) are specifically created to raise money to support the interests of a particular group, such as labor unions, corporations, or advocacy organizations. They can contribute to political campaigns and engage in other political activities, making them an important part of the American political system.

Question 16

Short sentences or phrases on a political subject,designed to be catchy and memorable but not necessarily to convey much information,are called:

Accepted Answer

Short sentences or phrases that are catchy and memorable but not necessarily informative are referred to as soundbites.

Question 17

In the past,most voters formed political opinions by listening to speeches,meeting with representatives of political parties,or attending town hall meetings.How do voters today tend to learn about political issues?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the past,most voters formed political opinions...

Question 18

What does Jean Baudrillard call an image in the media that people can no longer distinguish from the reality that it is supposed to represent?

Accepted Answer

Jean Baudrillard introduced the concept of simulacrum as an image or representation of something that has no basis in reality or has lost its connection with reality to the extent that it becomes indistinguishable from reality.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of a special interest group?

Accepted Answer

Police unions are a type of special interest group that advocate for the specific interests of police officers. The other options are not necessarily considered special interest groups.

Question 20

Which of the following would be an example of social media?

Accepted Answer

Politicians using Twitter to communicate with their constituents and hear back from them directly is an example of social media. Social media platforms like Twitter allow for two-way communication and engagement between politicians and their audiences.

Quiz 10: Social Institutions: Politics, Education, and Religion

During the 2012 presidential election,Barack Obama was endorsed by singer and celebrity Beyoncé Knowles.To the extent that people pay attention to her and care about what she says,she is a(n) :