United States Government & Politics
Free-Response Questions
Unit 2 – Political Voices in America
Directions: You have 50 minutes to answer two of the following questions. Unless the directions indicate otherwise, respond to all parts of the question. It is suggested that you take a few minutes to plan and outline each answer. Spend approximately one-half your time (25 minutes) on each question. In your response, use substantive examples where appropriate.
1. Political Ideology (25 points)
(a) What is a political ideology? (5 points)
(b) What is the effect of ideology on public opinion in America? Do people really think in ideological terms? (5 points)
(c) Compare and contrast liberalism and conservatism. (10 points)
(d) Does the liberal-conservative dimension adequately capture how Americans feel about political issues? (5 points)
2. Public Opinion Polls (25 points)
Public opinion polls are a way to link the public with elected officials. Members of Congress often use polls to understand the views of their constituents, but they must also pay attention to other political considerations.
(a) Identify two characteristics of a valid, scientific, public opinion poll. (5 points)
(b) Describe how public opinion polls make our system more democratic. (5 points)
(c) Present a critique of public opinion polling. (5 points)
(d) Briefly summarize your findings from the polling research you conducted.(10 points)
3. The Media (25 points)
(a) Has the increase in information technologies in society created a more informed citizenry? Why or why not?(5 points)
(b) How have the Internet and cable television, in particular, impacted American politics?(5 points)
(c) How do the news media shape what people believe about the American political system? Give examples from research in this area.(5 points)
(d) Is the news media impartial, or does it have a liberal or conservative bias?(10 points)
Test continues on next page
4. Interest Groups (25 points)
Interest groups seek to influence political processes in ways that benefit their members. In doing so, however, they may not act in the overall public interest.
(a) Identify two powerful interest groups today. Explain what their political objectives are. (5 points)
(b) Explain how interest groups use twoof the following to influence government decision making: (10 points)
- Lobbying
- Electioneering
- Litigation
(c) What are Political Action Committees (PACs)? Did the Supreme Court issue the correct ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)?(10 points)