Political Science - American Government

Political Socialization

Complex process by which people get their sense of political identity, beliefs, and values (family, school, media, religion, national events-all help to socialize)

Republican Majority 1896 - 1930

2nd Critical Election (1896) William McKinley (R) vs William Jennings Bryan (D): McKinley favored business, industry, conservatives

Democratic Majority 1932 - 1964

3rd Critical Election (1932) Herbert Hoover (R) vs Franklin D. Roosevelt (D)

Rough Balance 1968 - Present

4th Critical Election (1968) Richard Nixon (R) vs Huberty Humphrey (D)

Social Groups & Political Values

Education = increased awareness & understanding of political issues; more tolerance Income Region Ethnicity & race Socioeconomic status Religion Gender

The Preparty Period

Federalist #10 argued that a federal system would prevent factional influences from controlling gov't. Colonial period: Torries & Loyalists vs. Whigs or Patriots Constitution: Federalists vs. AntiFederalists Constitution originally gave the electoral college the power to elect President & Vice President. Caucus: a closed meeting of the members of a political party to decide questions of policy and the selection of candidates for office. Factions arise: Hamilton's Federalists & Jefferson's (Democratic) Republicans

plurism

James Madison believed that various groups would compete within our democratic system, the result would be effective policymaking. This theory can be best described as

Americans are less likely to _____ than citizens of other countries.

Join a demonstration

Watchdog journalism

Journalism that scrutinizes public and business institutions and publicizes perceived misconduct.

Public Opinion & Models of Democracy

Polling started in the 1930s and greatly increased in the 1950s because of computers Majoritarian: government should do what the people want; most people hold clear, consistent views Pluralist: government should consider public opinion, but it is seldom clear or consistent

Paradox in America?

US has low political apathy, but also low voter turnout

Direct Action

Unconventional participation that involves assembling crowds to confront businesses and local governments to demand a hearing

Gatekeepers:

media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who direct the flow of news (no internet gatekeepers)

Function of third parties

policy advocates; safety valves; and challenging the current system

A 2009 study showed that half of all voters are unaware that they can

register at motor vehicle offices.

Conventional Participation

relatively routine political behavior that uses institutional channels and is acceptable to the dominant culture

Parties of Ideological Protest

seeks radical change (Socialist; Libertarian; & Green parties)

Political System

set of interrelated institutions that links people with government

Critical election of 1860

established a two-party system

Majority Representation

the system by which one office, contested by two or more candidates, is won by the single candidate who collects the most votes

The majoritarian model of democracy favors

voting as the primary means of participation.

Farmer-Labor Parties

working class party, supported Populist Party

The text defines suffrage and franchise as the right to

vote

Party identification

voter's sense of psychological attachment to a party

Whigs

"Opposition to the monarchy". The Whigs first emerged as a identifiable group in the Senate where Clay, Webster and Calhoun joined forces in 1834 to pass a motion censuring Jackson for his single-handed removal of federal deposits from the Bank of the United States. The Whigs evolved into a potent national political force by attracting other groups alienated by Jackson. Whigs thought of themselves as conservatives, yet they were progressive in their support of active government programs and reforms.

Progressivism

(1900-1925): a philosophy of political reform based on the goodness and wisdom of individual citizens (rather than special interests...corporations, traditional political parties) Advocated direct primaries, recalls, referendums, & initiatives.

False Flag

...

Horse race news

...

The American Two-Party System Minor Parties in America: 4 types

1) Bolter Party 2) Farmer-Labor Parties: 3) Parties of Ideological Protest: seeks radical change 4) Single-Issue Parties: (

What 4 functions do political parties serve?

1) Nominating Candidates (peer review; talent search) 2) Structuring the Voting Choice (limiting field of candidates, & the amount of info voters need to know) 3) Proposing Alternatives to Government Programs (voters know the general values of party & candidate) 4) Coordinating the Actions of Government Officials (links individuals in different branches of governments

The __________ to the Constitution prohibits states from denying the right to vote "on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."

15th Amendment

What is a party machine?

A centralized party organization that dominates local parties by controlling elections.

Party Ideology

A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and public purpose. It helps give meaning to political events, personalities, and policies.

National Committee

A standing committee of a national political party established to direct and coordinate party activities between national party conventions.

What percentage of the federal budget is spent on foreign aid?

About 1%

National Republicans

After the 1824 election, part of the Democratic - Republican party joined John Q. Adams, Clay, and Daniel Webster to oppose Andrew Jackson. They favored nationalistic measures like recharter of the Bank of the United States, high tariffs, and internal improvements at national expense. They were supported mainly by Northwesterners and were not very successful. They joined with the Whigs in the 1830's.

Where do humans get their first political views?

Agents of Early Socialization Family Earliest political memories linked to family Politically involved parents create politically involved children Party identification learned from parents School Elementary: social order; national slogans and symbols, norms of behavior, decision making High School: build good citizens; rights, responsibilities; greater awareness of political process College: question authority and dominant political values Community and peers Homogenous communities: strong influence Pressure to conform Peer groups defend against community pressure Continuing Socialization Adulthood: peer groups and mass media assume greater importance Agents of Early Socialization

Proportional Representation

An election system in which each party running receives the proportion of legislative seats corresponding to its proportion of the vote.

What is the term for leaders who follow news in specific policy areas?

Attentive policy elites

Which of the following activities is NOT an example of supportive behavior?

Contributing money to a political candidate

Conventional Participation in America

Democracy = a system of government in which citizens can affect policies by acting through its institutions. Some participation requires little effort (saying the pledge, attending a parade) some requires more (voting, organizing a protest, filing a class action lawsuit, etc).

Participation & Models of Democracy

Elections socialize political activity Elections institutionalize access to political power Elections bolster the state's power & authority Majoritarianism: favors institutionalized behavior; favors equality of participation; Pluralism: citizens can be engaged as they want to be; favors freedom; participation via lobbying, etc

What is the term for the change in voting patterns that occurs during an election that produces a sharp change in the existing pattern of party loyalty?

Electoral Realignment

Why the two-party system?

Electoral system (majority representation vs. proportional representation) Our historical patterns of socialization (we don't know anything other than Republican and Democrat)

2nd Party System: Democrats & Whigs

Enfranchisement is expanding, as more people vote, the political leaders of state legislatures are not enough. Parties move from a caucus in Congress to a National Convention pick candidates, develop party platform Jacksonian Democrats vs. JQA's National Republicans National Republicans, Anti-Masons, & others form Whigs

Participation & Freedom, Equality, & Order

Freedom: you're free to vote or not vote (but do it!) Free to use your other resources, money, etc? Equality: one person = one vote Order: participation in the system = order

The following are function of a third party.

Getting the major parties to address issues they weren't previously addressing. Providing a "safety valve" for voters who are not satisfied with either major party. Providing a challenge to the established system.

Government Regulation of the Media

Government regulation focuses on: Technical considerations: FCC Federal Communications Commission ; issue broadcast license Ownership: Before Telecommunications Act of 1996, limited to 12 TV stations & 40 radio stations...after, limit is 35% of national TV market & no radio limit...next big issue: NET NEUTRALITY Content: 1st Amendment (freedom of the press); issues of 'obscenities,' equal opportunities rule (equal time for political candidates); fairness doctrine (cover both sides, repealed in 1987); reasonable access rule (make facilities available for expressions of conflicting views)

Congressional Party Conferences

Group of party members in legislature consistently vote for policies promised in party platforms.

Which of the following is NOT one of the types of minor parties in US politics?

House parties

Some politicians try to define an issue in a particular way in order to gain support. For example, the term used to describe a tax on the wealth of someone deceased (as in the money left to the family in a will) is called an 'estate tax' by those who support it, and a 'death tax' by those who oppose it. What is this an example of?

Issue framing

Political agenda

Issues that people believe require governmental action

factions

Interest groups arising from the unequal distribution of property or wealth that James Madison attacked in Federalist Paper No. 10. Today's parties or interest groups are what Madison had in mind when he warned of the instability in government caused by factions.

The Development of the Mass Media in the US

Mass media: the means employed in mass communication; traditionally divided into print media (newspapers & magazines) and broadcast media (TV & radio). Media is a "linkage mechanism" connecting government & citizens Newspapers: first informational, with a purpose; then profitable with ads, entertaining; threatened by radio & TV; online versions Magazines: opinions/analysis over news; target attentive policy elites (leaders who follow news in specific policy areas); facilitate two-step flow of communication (elite reads, tells followers, all pressure government) Radio: began 1920; "hear personality" Television The Internet: began in 1969; 1983 networks became linked (creating the internet); blog (weblog)

Single-Issue Parties

Parties that concentrate on only one public policy matter (Anti-Masonic; Free Soil; &Prohibition parties)

The text defines __________ as the actions of private citizens by which they seek to influence or support government and politics.

Political Participation

The book argues that political freedom in America is best protected by what type of media ownership?

Private

Private Ownership of the Media

Private ownership = political freedom...BUT... Advertising = profits = certain content favored Newsworthiness based on audience appeal; leads to market driven journalism Infotainment TV = 3 major networks

Rhino

Republican in name only.

Critical Election

Sharp changes in the existing patterns of party loyalty due to changing social and economic conditions

Explaining Political Participation

Summary: can be conventional or unconventional, can require little or much initiative, and can serve to support the government or influence its decisions. Low socioeconomic status = less likely to vote Economists: why vote, low payoff Younger = less likely to vote (no one in this class!)

Electoral Realignment

The change in voting patterns that occurs after a critical election

According to the book, which minor party had the most impact on the outcome of a national election?

Teddy Roosevelt's Progressive Party

Terrorism:

Terrorism: "premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents." Terrorism may be unconventional political behavior, but it is not political participation

Which of the following was the first known act of unconventional participation in America?

The Boston Tea Party

1st Party System: Federalists & Democratic Republicans

The Current Party System: Democrats & Republicans 1854: Republican Party formed, partly in opposition to slavery Democrats split between Northern & Southern 1860 1st Critical Election (an election that produces a sharp change in the existing pattern of party loyalties among groups of voters) ^ The change in voting patterns that occurs after a critical election is called electoral realignment Republicans = northern support; Democrats = south Lasted until 1952 (Eisenhower)

John Quincy Adams was a member of what political party?

The National Republicans

What principle states that "what is learned first is learned best?"

The Primary Principle

According to the book, which of the following groups was NOT considered a political party during the 2012 election?

The Tea Party

The first political struggle to be based on party politics occurred with what election?

The Vice Presidential election of John Adams in 1792

According to the book, which movie has been seen by some historians as a promotion of the Populist movement?

The Wizard of Oz

Federalist Paper #10 spoke about how the federal system would impact factions (or parties). What is its main point about federalism and factions?

The federal system would prevent factional influences from controlling the government.

National Party Organization

The institution through which political parties exist at the national, state, and local levels, primarily focused on articulating policy positions, raising money, organizing volunteers, and providing services to candidates.

Voting History In America

The right to vote = suffrage, or franchise 15th Amendment (no prohibition on voting based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude). Smith v. Allwright (1944) African Americans can vote in primaries The Civil Rights Act (1965) no voting tests Harper v. Virginia State Board of Elections (1966) no poll tax 19th Amendment (no prohibition on account of sex) 1869, Wyoming granted women the right to vote Belva A. Lockwood, 1884, first female presidential candidate 26th Amendment (voting age lowered to 18)

In his farewell address, what policy did George Washington advocate regarding the United States' relationship with other countries?

Trade and commerce with all nations but neutrality in all other matters

Democracy & Political Participation

Voting doesn't make a democracy (USSR voted) Political participation can be conventional (voting & writing letters) or unconventional (strikes & public performance) .

_______ is a behavior; _________ is a state of mind.

Voting; identification

Which of the following topics is NOT one on which George Washington offered advice in his farewell address?

Which of the following topics is NOT one on which George Washington offered advice in his farewell address?

Functions of the Mass Media for the Political System

Who decides what is important? Reporting the News: 1902, President Roosevelt gives reporters WH access News releases from politicians: controlling the story Bringing news from politicians to the public Interpreting & Presenting the News

Which of the following is NOT considered a critical election?

Woodrow Wilson (1912)

What was the first state to enfranchise women

Wyoming

Party machine

a centralized party organization that dominates local politics by controlling elections

Electoral dealignment

a lessening of the importance of party loyalties in voting decisions.

Congressional Campaign Committees:

a party committee in congress that provides funds to members and would-be members

Responsible Party Government

a set of principles formalizing the ideal role of parties in a majoritarian democracy Principles: Parties should present clear & coherent programs to voters Voters should choose candidates on the basis of party programs The winning party should carry out its program once in office Voters should hold the governing party responsible at the next election for executing its program

Responsible party Government

a set of principles that idealizes a strong role for parties in defining their stance on issues, mobilizing voters, and fulfilling their campaign promises once in office

Going public

a strategy whereby a president seeks to influence policy elites and media coverage by appealing directly to the American people.

Party Identification

a voter's sense of psychological attachment to a party

Supportive Behavior

action that expresses allegiance to government and country

Political Party

an organization that sponsors candidates for political office under the organization's name. (Candidates earn the party nomination

Influencing Behavior

behavior that seeks to modify or reverse government policy to serve political interests

Bolter Party

candidates unsatisfied with their own party break away and form their own (Teddy Roosevelt's Bull Moose Party, etc)

Horse Race NewsElection

coverage by the mass media that focuses on which candidate is ahead rather than on national issues.

Characteristics frequently associated with nonvoters are

low education, low income, and being relatively young.

Anti-Masons

people who believed that the Free-Mason Society was "undemocratic" and "exclusive" because it was a secret society. Formed part of the Whig Party, because both Jackson and Van Buren were Free-Masons

Unconventional Participation

political participation that attempts to influence the political process through unusual or extreme measures, such as protests, boycotts, and picketing Relatively uncommon political behavior that challenges or defies established institutions & dominant norms

Television hypothesis

the belief that television is to blame for the low level of citizens' knowledge about public affairs

The framers of the Constitution left the issue of voter enfranchisement to

the states

Studies of Americans who engage in "contacting behavior" like complaining to city hall find

they are more likely to vote than other Americans

Primary Principle:

what is learned first is learned best -Agents of Early Socialization

Structuring Principle

what is learned first structures later learning -Agents of Early Socialization