What is party identification? How has it changed over time? How does party identification among younger voters differ from the party identification of other citizens?
What will be an ideal response?
An ideal response will:
1, Define party identification as a long-term self-identification with a political party that becomes part of one's social identity.
2, Describe how party identification has weakened over time. While party identification used to be the single best predictor of someone's voting behavior, many Americans today are so-called floating voters who prefer to select the best candidate rather than the best party.
3, Note that younger voters are particularly likely to be floating voters or to support candidates who are not Democrats or Republicans.
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In the chapter's "Unresolved Debate" box, researcher Chris Achen insists that instability in responses to public opinion surveys is not the result of Americans' incapacity to make good political decisions but something else. What is it?
a. poorly worded survey questions b. sampling error c. interviewer bias d. lack of conviction e. accumulation of nonattitudes
A referendum is a proposal submitted by common citizens to the state representatives for consideration
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
Which of the following is true of social contract theory?
a. It views the consent of the people as the source of legitimate governmental authority. b. It views political power as being held by a few individuals in leadership positions in large businesses. c. It argues that public opinion should have a minimal influence on government policy. d. It played no role in the thinking of the founders of American democracy.
The largest expense at the state level of government is for
A) education. B) parks and recreation. C) police. D) highways. E) welfare.