1. What Is Campaigning? What Are the Features of Modern Campaigning? Elaborate on Each

Questions in Preparation for Exam 3
(All answers must be typed and turned in for credit on Monday, Nov. 16, at the beginning of class)

1. What is campaigning? What are the features of modern campaigning? Elaborate on each feature briefly. (consult power point here)

2. What is the electoral college? Why did the founding fathers invent this institution? How does the electoral college work? Why is it considered undemocratic in the eyes of many? Should the electoral college be abolished? If so why, if not why not?

3. What are PACs? What is the controversy surrounding PACs and campaign finance? What do defenders of PACs argue? What do opponents of PACs reply?

4. What is voter turnout? In general, how does the voter turnout rate in the U.S. compare to other countries? Does low-voter turnout affect democracy? What are the opposing perspectives here and what does each side maintain (in short, yes it does affect democracy and no, it does not affect democracy). Discuss.

5. What is the 1974 FECA? What are its central characteristics? Why is it so difficult to pass effective campaign finance legislation? Who enforces it?

6. What are the central provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002? Did it effectively fix the loopholes of previous campaign finance legislation? Why or why not? (make sure to distinguish between hard and soft money). Explain.

7. Define and explain the relevance of the following terms: reapportionment; redistricting; gerrymandering.

8. Compare and contrast retrospective with prospective voting. Provide an empirical example for each.

9. What is the National Party Convention and what relevance does this convention have today? Why?

10. What is political socialization? What are the agents of political socialization? Which agents are most influential today in affecting someone’s political views? Why?

11. What are opinion polls and what relevance do opinion polls have on politics?
Are all opinion polls equally reliable and valid? Why or why not? Discuss and provide specific empirical evidence whenever appropriate.

12. What factors have an impact on what Americans perceive as the “most important problem”? (consult ch. 6 in your textbook here)

13. Describe and explain the recent trend regarding Americans’ trust in government.
Do you trust your government? Do you trust one branch of government more than another or are you distrustful of all branches? Explain and provide empirical evidence to argue your viewpoint.

14. What are some opportunities for civic engagement related to elections, campaigns, and voting?

15. What are the different kinds of elections in the United States? What is the difference between a primary election and a general election?

16. What factors influence whether a person will vote or not?

17. What factors influence how or for whom the individual will vote?

18. What is the rational abstention thesis? Is it rational? What factors might not be calculated into the costs and benefits of voting?