Question 1

Of the following ways that citizens may participate in politics,which should be classified as active?

Accepted Answer

Attending a fundraising event for a mayoral candidate involves actively participating in the political process by supporting a candidate and potentially making a financial contribution. The other options involve passive activities such as reading, learning, and expressing opinions.

Question 2

The influence of which of the following agents of socialization best explains why a young adult might have opinions about a 30-percent minimum tax on wealthy Americans?

Accepted Answer

Television is a powerful agent of socialization that can shape public opinion by highlighting certain issues, such as tax policies, and influencing viewers' perceptions and attitudes.

Question 3

By which means were African Americans "legally" disenfranchised from participating in the electoral process in the American South by the Democratic Party?

Accepted Answer

The white primary was a legal mechanism used by the Democratic Party in the American South to disenfranchise African Americans from participating in the electoral process. This was achieved by limiting political participation to only white voters through primary elections, effectively excluding African American voters from the political process.

Question 4

on political participation rates,which form of political participation do members of the voting-age population engage in more often than the others?

Accepted Answer

Voting in a presidential election is the most common form of political participation among members of the voting-age population. While other forms of participation, such as making a campaign contribution or belonging to an organization, are important, the act of voting is the most tangible and direct way individuals can participate in the political process. Talking politics is a more informal form of participation and may not be as consistent or widespread as voting.

Question 5

What is the essential link between opinion and policy?

Accepted Answer

Political participation is the essential link between opinion and policy because it is through participation in the political process (voting, campaigning, contacting elected officials, etc.) that individuals can express their opinions and influence policy decisions.

Question 6

on political participation rates,which form of political participation do members of the voting-age population engage in less often than the others?

Accepted Answer

Participating in a protest is generally engaged in less often by members of the voting-age population compared to other forms of political participation like wearing campaign buttons, belonging to organizations, or calling officials. Protests require a higher level of commitment and often involve more risk, which can deter participation.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about government leaders and public opinion is true,based on the information presented in the "What Do You Think" box on this subject?

Accepted Answer

The statement "Many politicians boast of their own courage and independence and of their willingness to ignore public opinion polls on major issues" indicates that some politicians are not influenced by public opinion and instead prioritize their own beliefs and values. The other answer choices are contradicted by the information presented in the "What Do You Think" box.

Question 8

Which of the following is most likely to identify as a conservative?

Accepted Answer

Fundamentalist Christians are more likely to identify as conservatives than Reform Jews, atheists or agnostics.

Question 9

According to the BBC survey data depicted in the textbook's "Compared to What?" feature box,which country has the highest rating for being a positive influence on world affairs?

Accepted Answer

According to the BBC survey data, Germany had the highest rating for being a positive influence on world affairs, with 59% of respondents giving a positive rating. The United States came in second at 51%, followed by Brazil at 49% and North Korea at 4%.

Question 10

on political participation rates,what percentage of Americans of voting age votes in presidential elections?

Accepted Answer

Voter turnout in U.S. presidential elections typically hovers a little more than 50 percent of the voting-age population. This rate has varied over time and across different elections, but it generally falls within this range, rather than reaching as high as 60-70 percent or 75 percent.

Question 11

In the United States,women are more likely than men to oppose __________.

Accepted Answer

Women in the United States are generally more likely than men to oppose U.S. military intervention, often due to differing views on conflict and its consequences.

Question 12

The political views of Hispanic Americans tend to be consistent with the __________ religious tradition in the United States.

Accepted Answer

The majority of Hispanic Americans identify as Roman Catholic, therefore their political views tend to align with the Catholic Church's social teachings and stances on issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and immigration.

Question 13

If you agree that political participation is the essential link between opinion and policy,which group of people is likely to have the least influence on public policy?

Accepted Answer

People who have unformed opinions on a wide variety of public issues are likely to have the least influence on public policy because they have not taken the time to educate themselves on the issues and are less likely to be politically engaged. Those who call or write their elected representatives, attend meetings, rallies, and demonstrations, and join organizations are all taking active steps towards political participation and are therefore more likely to have an impact on public policy.

Question 14

Generally,the Founders believed the only group with a sufficient stake in society to exercise their vote responsibly were __________.

Accepted Answer

The Founders believed that property ownership was a qualification for voting because they believed that only those who owned property had a sufficient stake in society to exercise their vote responsibly. Therefore, the only group with a sufficient stake in society to exercise their vote responsibly, according to the Founders, were property-owning white men.

Question 15

How do African American perceptions of the criminal justice system compare with those of whites?

Accepted Answer

African American perceptions of the criminal justice system are generally more critical than those of whites, with many African Americans viewing the system as unfair, while a larger proportion of whites tend to believe it is fundamentally fair. This reflects broader societal discussions and research findings on systemic biases and racial disparities within the criminal justice system.

Question 16

Although African Americans generally support a more positive role for government in reducing inequality in society,about __________ of African Americans identify themselves as conservative.

Accepted Answer

One-fourth of African Americans identify themselves as conservative, according to a Pew Research Center study conducted in 2017. However, it should be noted that "conservative" can have different meanings and interpretations for different individuals and groups, and may not necessarily be synonymous with supporting limited government intervention in reducing inequality.

Question 17

Women are more likely than men to identify themselves as members of which political party?

Accepted Answer

According to numerous surveys and research studies, women are consistently more likely to identify themselves as Democrats than Republicans or members of any other political party. This may be due to the Democratic Party's stances on issues that women prioritize, such as reproductive rights, healthcare, and education, as well as the role of women in political leadership.

Question 18

Breanna is an academic superstar and very competitive about grades.When she learns that 50 percent of her grade in her introductory political science class will be based on a special assignment that requires students to engage in some form of political participation and to blog about their experiences,she is determined to choose a form of participation that the fewest Americans ever experience.Which form of political participation should Breanna get involved in,given her desire to do the most unusual thing?

Accepted Answer

Running for office is a relatively uncommon form of political participation, especially for college students. While participating in a protest or writing to a political figure may be more common, running for office requires a significant amount of effort and dedication, making it a unique choice for Breanna who is determined to stand out. Additionally, running for office would provide Breanna with valuable experience and skills that could be valuable for her future academic and professional pursuits.

Question 19

Of the following ways that citizens may participate in politics,which does the textbook classify as a passive means of participation?

Accepted Answer

Acquiring political knowledge is considered a passive means of participation as it does not involve directly engaging in the political process, but rather involves educating oneself about politics and issues. The other options (making financial contributions, attending rallies, and running for office) are all considered active means of political participation.

Question 20

During the late 19th century and into the 20th century,the most common form of disfranchisement of African Americans was __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of During the late 19th century and into...

Quiz 5: Opinion and Participation: Thinking and Acting in Politics