Question 1

In what ways could party-centered campaigns benefit a democratic nation, and in what ways could they hinder a democracy?

Accepted Answer

Party-centered campaigns can benefit a democratic nation by providing voters with clear and distinct policy choices. When political parties clearly articulate their platforms and policies, it allows voters to make informed decisions about the direction they want the country to take. This can lead to a more engaged and informed electorate, which is essential for a healthy democracy. Additionally, party-centered campaigns can help to mobilize and organize voters, leading to higher voter turnout and participation in the democratic process.

However, party-centered campaigns can also hinder a democracy in several ways. First, they can lead to polarization and division within the electorate. When political parties focus on attacking their opponents rather than promoting their own policies, it can create a toxic and divisive political environment. This can lead to increased partisanship and a lack of willingness to compromise, which is detrimental to the functioning of a democracy.

Furthermore, party-centered campaigns can also limit the diversity of voices and perspectives within the political system. When parties dominate the political landscape, it can be difficult for independent or third-party candidates to gain traction and have their voices heard. This can lead to a lack of representation for certain groups and can limit the range of policy options available to voters.

In conclusion, while party-centered campaigns can provide clarity and mobilization in a democratic nation, they also have the potential to exacerbate polarization and limit diversity within the political system. It is important for political parties to strike a balance between promoting their own policies and engaging in constructive dialogue with their opponents in order to maintain a healthy and functioning democracy.

Question 2

Which of the following has been found to be more effective in activating voters than phone contact?

Accepted Answer

A)  Campaign mailings. 
B)  Door-to-door canvassing. 
C)  Push-polling. 
D)  None of the above has been found to be effective. 
A)  Campaign mailings. 
B)  Door-to-door canvassing. 
C)  Push-polling. 
D)  None of the above has been found to be effective. B

Question 3

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties.
-Candidate-centered vs. party-centered campaigns.

Accepted Answer

Candidate-centered vs. party-centered campaigns refer to the focus of political campaigns on either the individual candidate or the political party as a whole. In candidate-centered campaigns, the emphasis is on the personal qualities, beliefs, and policies of the candidate, with less emphasis on party affiliation. In party-centered campaigns, the focus is on promoting the party's platform, values, and overall agenda, with less emphasis on the individual candidate.

This distinction is relevant to the study of political parties because it reflects the different strategies and dynamics at play within the electoral process. Understanding the balance between candidate-centered and party-centered campaigns can provide insight into the influence of individual personalities versus party loyalty, the role of grassroots movements versus party machinery, and the overall effectiveness of different campaign approaches in mobilizing voters and shaping public opinion. Additionally, it can shed light on the evolving nature of political parties and their ability to adapt to changing political landscapes.

Question 4

What have the party organizations done in recent elections to try to make themselves more visible in U.S. Senate and House races? In what types of campaigns have the parties concentrated their efforts?

Accepted Answer

In recent elections, party organizations

Question 5

An advantage of using the broadcast media to run campaign ads is that:

Accepted Answer

A)  they are particularly good at reaching specialized, targeted audiences 
B)  they are an efficient means to reach large numbers of people 
C)  their use is inexpensive 
D)  they communicate different messages to different groups of people 
A)  they are particularly good at reaching specialized, targeted audiences 
B)  they are an efficient means to reach large numbers of people 
C)  their use is inexpensive 
D)  they communicate different messages to different groups of people

Question 6

One important effect of candidate-centered campaigns is that:

Accepted Answer

A)  candidates are less able to make their own decisions on campaign strategies 
B)  the party organization has a very minimal role in candidates' campaigns 
C)  less money is needed to run effective campaigns 
D)  candidates are free to form alliances with interest groups, which enhance the ability of these groups to influence public policy 
A)  candidates are less able to make their own decisions on campaign strategies 
B)  the party organization has a very minimal role in candidates' campaigns 
C)  less money is needed to run effective campaigns 
D)  candidates are free to form alliances with interest groups, which enhance the ability of these groups to influence public policy

Question 7

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties.
-The "air war."

Accepted Answer

The "air war" is a term used in politica

Question 8

What forces have caused canvassing to become more common or less common during the past half-century? How has canvassing changed during this time? In what ways have the changes in door-to-door canvassing enhanced the functioning of a democratic system, and in what ways have they hampered the functioning of a democracy?

Accepted Answer

There are several forces that have cause

Question 9

Describe the ways in which social media can now be used as a part of campaigns. If you were a candidate for the U.S. Senate, what types of social media users would you target, how would you reach them, and what would be the contents of your appeal? In what ways could the use of social media in campaigns enhance the quality of a democracy, and in what ways could this social media use detract from the quality of a democracy?

Accepted Answer

Social media has become an integral part

Question 10

Midterm (congressional) election voters are more likely to be:

Accepted Answer

A)  white, younger, and less affluent than those who vote in the general election 
B)  female, younger, and less affluent than those who vote in the general election 
C)  about the same as general election voters 
D)  white, older, and wealthier than those who vote in the general election 
A)  white, younger, and less affluent than those who vote in the general election 
B)  female, younger, and less affluent than those who vote in the general election 
C)  about the same as general election voters 
D)  white, older, and wealthier than those who vote in the general election

Question 11

Campaigns that target their message to specialized "niche" audiences are engaging in:

Accepted Answer

A)  broadcasting 
B)  the "air war" 
C)  push polling 
D)  narrowcasting 
A)  broadcasting 
B)  the "air war" 
C)  push polling 
D)  narrowcasting

Question 12

Attack messages disguised as public opinion calls, often done as part of a robo-call, are known as:

Accepted Answer

A)  micro-targeting 
B)  push polling 
C)  phone banks 
D)  the "air war" 
A)  micro-targeting 
B)  push polling 
C)  phone banks 
D)  the "air war"

Question 13

Which of the following is true with respect to whether campaigns affect election results?

Accepted Answer

A)  Canvassing has not been found to affect turnout. 
B)  Campaigning is directed primarily at changing people's previous opinions. 
C)  Canvassing has a small but potentially meaningful effect on turnout. 
D)  Campaign debates have not been found to affect election results. 
A)  Canvassing has not been found to affect turnout. 
B)  Campaigning is directed primarily at changing people's previous opinions. 
C)  Canvassing has a small but potentially meaningful effect on turnout. 
D)  Campaign debates have not been found to affect election results.

Question 14

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties.
-Free (or "earned") media.

Accepted Answer

Free media, also known as "earned" media

Question 15

What accounts for the greatest portion of most presidential candidates' spending?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mass mailings. 
B)  Flying around the country to attend many events. 
C)  Television ads. 
D)  Salaries for staff and pollsters. 
A)  Mass mailings. 
B)  Flying around the country to attend many events. 
C)  Television ads. 
D)  Salaries for staff and pollsters.

Question 16

After individuals have made their vote choices, attack ads are more likely to:

Accepted Answer

A)  depress turnout, especially among people who are not strong partisans 
B)  cause voters to change their minds about which candidate to support 
C)  encourage turnout, especially among people who are not strong partisans 
D)  have no effect on turnout 
A)  depress turnout, especially among people who are not strong partisans 
B)  cause voters to change their minds about which candidate to support 
C)  encourage turnout, especially among people who are not strong partisans 
D)  have no effect on turnout

Question 17

Sending personalized letters to millions of people who might be inclined to support a campaign is called:

Accepted Answer

A)  broadcast advertising 
B)  pop-up ads 
C)  direct mail 
D)  phishing 
A)  broadcast advertising 
B)  pop-up ads 
C)  direct mail 
D)  phishing

Question 18

During the past few national election campaigns:

Accepted Answer

A)  both the Democrats and the Republicans have won "wave" elections 
B)  Democrats have consistently won more congressional seats 
C)  Republicans have consistently won majorities in both houses of Congress 
D)  candidates have relied less frequently on big databases to mobilize voters 
A)  both the Democrats and the Republicans have won "wave" elections 
B)  Democrats have consistently won more congressional seats 
C)  Republicans have consistently won majorities in both houses of Congress 
D)  candidates have relied less frequently on big databases to mobilize voters

Question 19

House-to-house canvassing and phone calls that permit communication with a selected group of people is known as:

Accepted Answer

A)  broadcasting 
B)  viral marketing 
C)  direct mail 
D)  the ground war 
A)  broadcasting 
B)  viral marketing 
C)  direct mail 
D)  the ground war

Question 20

Challengers usually do better in elections if they campaign on:

Accepted Answer

A)  issues "owned" by their party 
B)  their name recognition 
C)  their service to the district 
D)  their advantage over incumbents in fund-raising 
A)  issues "owned" by their party 
B)  their name recognition 
C)  their service to the district 
D)  their advantage over incumbents in fund-raising

In what ways could party-centered campaigns benefit a democratic nation, and in what ways could they hinder a democracy?

Which of the following has been found to be more effective in activating voters than phone contact?

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties. -Candidate-centered vs. party-centered campaigns.

What have the party organizations done in recent elections to try to make themselves more visible in U.S. Senate and House races? In what types of campaigns have the parties concentrated their efforts?

An advantage of using the broadcast media to run campaign ads is that:

One important effect of candidate-centered campaigns is that:

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties. -The "air war."

Midterm (congressional) election voters are more likely to be:

Campaigns that target their message to specialized "niche" audiences are engaging in:

Attack messages disguised as public opinion calls, often done as part of a robo-call, are known as:

Which of the following is true with respect to whether campaigns affect election results?

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties. -Free (or "earned") media.

What accounts for the greatest portion of most presidential candidates' spending?

After individuals have made their vote choices, attack ads are more likely to:

Sending personalized letters to millions of people who might be inclined to support a campaign is called:

During the past few national election campaigns:

House-to-house canvassing and phone calls that permit communication with a selected group of people is known as:

Challengers usually do better in elections if they campaign on:

What Are Political Parties

The American Two-Party System

State and Local Party Organizations

The Parties National Organizations

Party Activists

Party Identification

Party Coalitions and Party Change

Parties and Voter Turnout

How Parties Choose Candidates

Choosing the Presidential Nominees

Financing the Campaigns

Parties in Congress and State Legislatures

The Party in the Executive and the Courts

The Semi-Responsible Parties

The Place of Parties in American Politics

Filters

Exam 11: The General Election

In what ways could party-centered campaigns benefit a democratic nation, and in what ways could they hinder a democracy?

Which of the following has been found to be more effective in activating voters than phone contact?

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties. -Candidate-centered vs. party-centered campaigns.

What have the party organizations done in recent elections to try to make themselves more visible in U.S. Senate and House races? In what types of campaigns have the parties concentrated their efforts?

An advantage of using the broadcast media to run campaign ads is that:

One important effect of candidate-centered campaigns is that:

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties. -The "air war."

Midterm (congressional) election voters are more likely to be:

Campaigns that target their message to specialized "niche" audiences are engaging in:

Attack messages disguised as public opinion calls, often done as part of a robo-call, are known as:

Which of the following is true with respect to whether campaigns affect election results?

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties. -Free (or "earned") media.

What accounts for the greatest portion of most presidential candidates' spending?

After individuals have made their vote choices, attack ads are more likely to:

Sending personalized letters to millions of people who might be inclined to support a campaign is called:

During the past few national election campaigns:

House-to-house canvassing and phone calls that permit communication with a selected group of people is known as:

Challengers usually do better in elections if they campaign on:

What Are Political Parties

The American Two-Party System

State and Local Party Organizations

The Parties National Organizations

Party Activists

Party Identification

Party Coalitions and Party Change

Parties and Voter Turnout

How Parties Choose Candidates

Choosing the Presidential Nominees

Financing the Campaigns

Parties in Congress and State Legislatures

The Party in the Executive and the Courts

The Semi-Responsible Parties

The Place of Parties in American Politics

Filters