Unit 2 High School Government

4. Explain the difference between exclusive, concurrent, and reserved powers. Then provide two examples of each type of power.

"Exclusive power," refers to the powers of the federal government alone. Examples of exclusive power/federal power are those regarding matters of defense, foreign affairs, overseas trade, etc. "Concurrent powers," are those powers which are shared by both federal and state governments, both may act or intervene, but the federal government overrides the state if there is conflict. "Residual powers," are those that are left to, or designated to the states. In other words, everything that is, "left over." Examples of residual powers are those regarding civil law, urban planning, property issues, etc.

6. Define the following terms: electorate, gerrymandering, and political socialization.

Electorate: all the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election Gerrymandering: a practice that attempts to establish a political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating district boundaries to create partisan advantaged districts. Political socialization: the "study of the developmental processes by which people of all ages and adolescents acquire political cognition, attitudes, and behaviors". It refers to a learning process by which norms and behavior acceptable to a well running political system are transmitted from one generation to another. It is through the performance of this function that individuals are inducted into the political culture and their orientations towards political objects are formed.

What is the difference between federal, unitary, and confederation styles of government?

Federal System: Power is shared by a powerful central government and states or provinces that are given considerable self-rule, usually through their own legislatures. Examples: The United States, Australia, the Federal Republic of Germany. Unitary System: One central government controls weaker states. Power is not shared between states, counties, or provinces. Examples: China, United Kingdom (although Scotland has been granted self-rule). Confederal System: Weak or loose organization of states agrees to follow a powerful central government. nations can choose to follow or not follow the lead of the weak central government. Examples: The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), formerly known as the Soviet Union. Also, Switzerland's canton system and the Confederate States of America (1861-1865) Summary: A unitary form of government is one in which political power rests with one central/national government. A confederal form of government in one in which virtually all political power rests with the individual states, and very little with the central/national government. A federal form of government is one in which some political power rests with the national (or federal) government but other, equally important, powers rest with the state governments.

5. What historical events caused the two-party system to emerge in American politics?

The ELECTION OF 1796 was the first election in American history where political CANDIDATES at the local, state, and national level began to run for OFFICE as members of organized political parties that held strongly opposed political principles. This was a stunning new phenomenon that shocked most of the older leaders of the Revolutionary Era. Even Madison, who was one of the earliest to see the value of political parties, believed that they would only serve as temporary coalitions for specific controversial elections. The older leaders failed to understand the dynamic new conditions that had been created by the importance of popular sovereignty — democracy — to the American Revolution. The people now understood themselves as a fundamental force in legitimating government authority. In the modern American political system, voters mainly express themselves through allegiances within a competitive party system. 1796 was the first election where this defining element of modern political life began to appear. The two parties adopted names that reflected their most cherished values. The Federalists of 1796 attached themselves to the successful campaign in favor of the Constitution and were solid supporters of the federal administration. Although Washington denounced parties as a horrid threat to the republic, his vice president John Adams became the de facto presidential candidate of the Federalists. The party had its strongest support among those who favored Hamilton's policies. Merchants, creditors and urban artisans who built the growing commercial economy of the northeast provided its most dedicated supporters and strongest regional support. Mural This mural, located at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., represents Thomas Jefferson's views on the necessity of education. The opposition party adopted the name DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANS, which suggested that they were more fully committed to extending the Revolution to ordinary people. The supporters of the Democratic-Republicans (often referred to as the Republicans) were drawn from many segments of American society and included farmers throughout the country with high popularity among German and Scots-Irish ethnic groups. Although it effectively reached ordinary citizens, its key leaders were wealthy southern tobacco elites like Jefferson and Madison. While the Democratic-Republicans were more diverse, the Federalists were wealthier and carried more prestige, especially by association with the retired Washington. The 1796 election was waged with uncommon intensity. Federalists thought of themselves as the "friends of order" and good government. They viewed their opponents as dangerous radicals who would bring the anarchy of the French Revolution to America. The Democratic-Republicans despised Federalist policies. According to one Republican-minded New York newspaper, the Federalists were "aristocrats, endeavoring to lay the foundations of monarchical government, and Republicans [were] the real supporters of independence, friends to equal rights, and warm advocates of free elective government." 1796 electoral votes This chart depicts the electoral vote distribution for the election of 1796. John Adams (green) edged out Thomas Jefferson (yellow) for the Presidency, with Thomas Pinckney (purple) and Aaron Burr (blue) leading the runners-up. Jefferson's second-place earned him the Vice Presidency. Clearly there was little room for compromise in this hostile environment. The outcome of the presidential election indicated the close balance between the two sides. New England strongly favored Adams, while Jefferson overwhelmingly carried the southern states. The key to the election lay in the mid-Atlantic colonies where party organizations were the most fully developed. Adams ended up narrowly winning in the electoral college 71 to 68. A sure sign of the great novelty of political parties was that the Constitution had established that the runner-up in the presidential election would become the vice president. John Adams took office after a harsh campaign and narrow victory. His political opponent Jefferson served as second in command.

7. Why is the Federal Election Commission (FEC) not overly effective in enforcing campaign finance law?

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) - The FEC is an independent agency whose members set limits on campaign contributions and spending, require prompt disclosure of campaign finance data, and administer public funds for parts of the presidential election process. An important function of the FEC is to keep records of all significant campaign contributions to candidates for federal office.

4. What is the relationship between the 10th Amendment and the concept of federalism?

The Tenth Amendment is the Constitution's clearest endorsement of federalism: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the People."

8. Define public agenda

The public agenda consists of issues that are perceived by the political community as meriting public attention and governmental action. Media plays an important role in governing the government, silencing these individuals regardless if they disagree with you or not is unacceptable.

8. What factor(s) influence a person's political opinions more so than any other?

Many factors — including family, gender, religion, race and ethnicity, and region — all contribute to American political attitudes and behavior.

9. What is electioneering, and why is it the top priority of interest groups in the electoral process?

Direct group involvement in the electoral process. Groups can help fund campaigns, provide testimony, and get members to work for candidates, and some form Political Action Committees (PACs). Electioneering: the key to lobbying is to get the right person elected and to keep them in office; this is often done through electioneering. Electioneering = direct group involvement in the electoral process. Groups can fund campaigns, provide testimony, and get members to work for candidates.

3. List the various formal and informal ways to amend the US Constitution

Formal method of amending the United States Constitution: Article V creates a two-stage process for amending the Constitution: proposal and ratification. An amendment can be proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress or... By two-thirds of state legislatures requesting Congress to call a national convention to propose amendments. An amendment can be ratified by a favorable vote in three-fourths of all state legislatures or by such a vote in specially called ratifying conventions called in three-fourths of the states. Informal method of amending the United States Constitution: By judicial interpretation (in Marbury v. Madison-1803- the Supreme Court declared that the federal courts had the power to nullify actions of the national government if found to be in conflict with the Constitution. Social, cultural and legal change.

5. List the major functions of political parties.

Main functions of a political party: (i) To contest elections: In most democracies, elections are fought mainly among the candidates put up by political parties. Parties select their candidates in different ways. In India, top party leaders choose candidates for contesting elections, (ii) Forming policies and programmes: Parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters choose from them. Each of us may have different opinions and views on what policies are suitable for the society. (iii) Making laws: When parties come to power, they make laws for the country. Formally, laws are debated and passed in the legislature. Members of the ruling party follow the directions of party leaders, irrespective of their personal opinions. (iv) Parties form and run governments: Parties recruit leaders, train them and then make them ministers to run the government in the way they want. (v) Role of opposition: Parties that lose in elections, play the role of opposition to the parties in power by criticising the government for its failures or wrong policies. (vi) Shaping public opinion: They raise and highlight issues. Parties have lakhs of members and activists spread all over country. Many of the pressure groups are the extension of political parties among different sections of society. Parties, sometimes also launch movements for the resolution of problems faced by people. (vii) Access to government machinery and welfare schemes: For an ordinary citizen, it is easy to approach a local party leader than a government officer. That is why they feel close to parties even when they do not fully trust them. Parties have to be responsive to people's needs and demands.

3. What was the significance of Marbury v. Madison (1803)?

Marbury v. Madison, arguably the most important case in Supreme Court history, was the first U.S. Supreme Court case to apply the principle of "judicial review" -- the power of federal courts to void acts of Congress in conflict with the Constitution.

8. What is the mass media? List three examples of forms of mass media.

Mass media is the means that are used to communicate to the general public. Mass media means technology that is intended to reach a mass audience. It is the primary means of communication used to reach the vast majority of the general public. The most common platforms for mass media are newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and the Internet. The general public typically relies on the mass media to provide information regarding political issues, social issues, entertainment, and news in pop culture.

4. What was the most significant outcome of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?

McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 U.S. 316 (1819), was a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of the United States. The state of Maryland had attempted to impede operation of a branch of the Second Bank of the United States by imposing a tax on all notes of banks not chartered in Maryland. Though the law, by its language, was generally applicable to all banks not chartered in Maryland, the Second Bank of the United States was the only out-of-state bank then existing in Maryland, and the law was recognized in the court's opinion as having specifically targeted the Bank of the United States. The Court invoked the Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution, which allowed the Federal government to pass laws not expressly provided for in the Constitution's list of express powers, provided those laws are in useful furtherance of the express powers of Congress under the Constitution. This case established two important principles in constitutional law. First, the Constitution grants to Congress implied powers for implementing the Constitution's express powers, in order to create a functional national government. Second, state action may not impede valid constitutional exercises of power by the Federal government. In McCulloch v. Maryland, (1819), the Supreme Court concluded that Congress had the right to establish a national bank as an implied power of Article I, Section 8, because the bank was being used to further Congress' constitutional authority to tax and distribute funds. Unlike the Articles of Confederation, which preceded the US Constitution, the Constitution does not prohibit the exercise of implied powers necessary to assist in carrying out constitutional mandates. The Court also prevented states from taxing the federal government, by declaring Maryland's legislation unconstitutional under the Supremacy Clause. Chief Justice Marshall stated that the state's power to tax was the "power to destroy" competition by taxing it out of existence, which was being used unconstitutionally against the federal government. Both issues strengthened the position of the federal government relative to the states, and allowed the branches of government greater latitude in how they exercised their constitutional powers.

6. List the voter qualifications that each state requires potential voters to meet.

NO

7. Why is nomination an important step in the electoral process?

Nomination is a critically important step in the electoral process because it Limits the choices voters have. Nominations are the prime function of political parties in the US & are reason for the decentralized nature of the 2 parties. The nomination process effectively limits who voters can vote for in the general election (the election where voters make the final decision between candidates)

7. What is the difference between hard money and soft money?

Soft Money: Soft money consists of contribution made to state and local party organizations for "party building". These contributions are unregulated by campaign finance law. Parties have found it easy to funnel this money in national presidential and congressional campaigns. Soft money contributions increased from $19 million in 1980 to over $500 million in 2000. Hard money, on the other hand, is campaign money that is regulated by the FEC. "Hard money" refers to tightly regulated contributions to candidates, while "soft money" refers to unregulated, unlimited contributions to political parties for so-called "party-building" activities.

4. What was the "necessary and proper" clause? Give an example of a power that the government has granted itself because of the "necessary and proper clause?"

The Congress shall have Power ... To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

4. Why did the Framers choose a federal system of government for the U.S.?

The Framers chose federalism as a way of government because they believed that governmental power inevitably poses a threat to individual liberty, the exercise of governmental power must be restrained, and that to divide governmental power is to prevent its abuse.

6. What was the 19th Amendment?

The Nineteenth Amendment (Amendment XIX) to the United States Constitution prohibits any United States citizen from being denied the right to vote on the basis of sex. It was ratified on August 18, 1920. The Constitution allows the states to determine the qualifications of voters, subject to limitations imposed by later amendments. Until the 1910s, most states disenfranchised women. The amendment was the culmination of the women's suffrage movement in the United States, which fought at both state and national levels to achieve the vote. It effectively overruled Minor v. Happersett, in which a unanimous Supreme Court ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment did not give women the right to vote.

7. What is a caucus? Why is it becoming a less popular way to nominate candidates for president?

The caucus is a group of like-minded people who meet to select the candidates they will support in an election. The caucus is not commonly used today, but can be found in some places in New England. The caucus is open to all members of a party

3. Explain the role of the Electoral College in the U.S. political process.

The electoral college is the process used to select the President. When people vote for President they are actually voting for an elector, or a representative. The number of electors in each state is based on the number of representatives that state has in Congress.

4. What was the privileges and immunities clause? Give an example of when it might be used.

The first privileges and immunities clause is found in Article IV of the United States Constitution. This clause says that 'The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states.' The framers added this clause in hopes of encouraging travel between the states. They wanted U.S. citizens to feel secure in their travels between states and know that they would be guaranteed the same general rights everywhere in the U.S. Throughout history, the Supreme Court has narrowly interpreted which rights are provided through Article IV. Some of the rights that are protected include the right to acquire and possess property, the right to bring and defend actions in a court of law, and the right to receive the same tax treatment as the citizens of the taxing state. For example, the State of Georgia can charge a sales tax on all groceries, but Georgia can't charge one tax rate for its citizens and another for non-citizens. But this doesn't mean that states can't ever charge a higher rate for non-residents. The Supreme Court ruled that state universities could charge out-of-state residents a higher tuition rate.

What is the difference between a presidential and a parliamentary form of government? How do the roles of chief executive differ in each?

The main difference between a parliamentary and presidential system of government is that in a presidential system, the president is separate from the legislative body, but in a parliamentary system, the chief executive, such as a prime minister, is part of the legislative body, or parliament. A presidential system separates the executive and legislative functions of the government and provides what are commonly called checks and balances to limit the power of both the chief executive and the legislature. In a parliamentary system, the legislature holds the power, and the chief executive must answer to the legislature. Another main difference is that in a presidential system, the chief executive and members of the legislature are elected separately by the people, but in a parliamentary system, the legislature is elected by the people and then must appoint or recommend for appointment one of its members to be the chief executive. The major difference between these two systems is that in a Presidential system, the executive leader, the President, is directly voted upon by the people (Or via a body elected specifically for the purpose of electing the president, and no other purpose), and the executive leader of the Parliamentary system, the Prime Minister, is elected from the legislative branch directly. In the Presidential System, it is more difficult to enact legislation, especially in the event that the President has different views than the legislative body. The President only responds to the people, the legislative branch can't really do anything to threaten the President. As a result, he can make it more difficult for the legislative body to do anything. In the Parliamentary system, if the Parliament doesn't like the Prime Minister, they can cast a vote of no confidence and replace him. This tends to make the executive leader subservient to the Parliament. Bottom line is, if you believe that government should have more checks and balances, then a Presidential system will give you that. If you believe that it should have the power to enact laws quickly, then you should go for a Parliamentary system.

8. What is public opinion (don't say "it's the public's opinion")?

The views of the citizenry about politics, public issues, and public policies; a complex collection of opinions held by many people on issues in the public arena. To be a public opinion, a view must involve something of general concern and of interest to a significant portion of the people as a whole. In addition, public opinion involves only those views people hold such as things as parties and candidates, taxes, unemployment, foreign policy, etc. In other words, those attitudes held by a significant number of people on matters of government and politics.

5. What is the significance of minor parties in U.S. politics?

Throughout U.S. political history, minor political parties, and specifically third-party presidential candidates, have played a highly influential role, not only in the outcome of elections but also affecting political debates and causing shifts in the positions of the two major parties, the Republicans and Democrats. Third-party candidates are often long shots to win elections against the two well-financed major parties, but many times they succeed in causing a major party candidate to change his stance on a major issue. Background U.S. political parties can be traced back to 1800, when the Federalists and Democratic Republicans were formed. By 1832, with the Federalists no longer active, the Democratic Republicans split to form two separate parties. William Wirth was one of the first third-party candidates, running for president under the Anti-Masonic Party, which opposed freemasonry. Third-party candidates have occasionally been credited with influencing an election outcome. 1992 Presidential Election In 1992, H. Ross Perot, a billionaire Texas businessman who founded Electronic Data Systems, ran a surprise campaign for president as an independent under the United We Stand America banner. Tapping into American voters' concerns over a growing federal budget deficit, Perot focused his candidacy on imposing financial discipline and attacking the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which Perot said resulted in U.S. companies outsourcing jobs to foreign countries. Bill Clinton, a Democrat, defeated President George H.W. Bush, a Republican, by six percentage points in the presidential election. Perot received 18.7 million votes, and though he didn't win any electoral college votes, he helped swing the election in Clinton's favor. 2000 Presidential Election In the 2000 presidential election, Ralph Nader, a Connecticut lawyer, author and consumer advocate, entered the race as the Green Party candidate, challenging Vice President Al Gore, a Democrat, and then-Gov. George W. Bush of Texas, a Republican. Nader, who called Bush and Gore "Tweedledee and Tweedledum" because he believed their policies weren't very different, campaigned on a platform that included campaign finance reform, free education, and shifting the tax burden away from families onto corporations. Nader earned just 2.8 million votes, but the 2000 Presidential Election was the closest in history, and some accused Nader of being the "spoiler" because Bush narrowly won New Hampshire and Florida, enough to win the election. Nader denied playing the spoiler role. Types Minor political parties can be based on a single issue, such as the anti-masons or the prohibition of alcohol; on a specific ideology, such as the Libertarians; or they can be a political faction, such as Theodore Roosevelt's Bull Moose Party in 1912. Minor parties often focus on political issues that they feel are being ignored by the Republicans and Democrats. In the 21st century, the Green Party supports universal health care and stronger environmental justice. Those aligned with the Tea Party -- which is not an actual political party but have run for office as Republicans -- advocate for reduced government and reduction of the federal debt. Considerations Both major political parties have historically tried to win broad support with largely moderate, sometimes overlapping positions. This has made it difficult for minor party candidates to win state or national elections. Minor party candidates rarely receive the same media coverage, have the same campaign expertise, or have the established financial support of the major parties.

2. Explain each of the following major events that occurred at the Constitutional Convention: Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, and Connecticut Compromise

Virginia Plan The Virginia Plan, written by James Madison and proposed by Edmund Randolph presented a federal government divided into three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. It was modeled after the writings of Montesquieu, who proposed that governmental power must be divided in order to keep government from becoming corrupt. The Virginia Plan forced the convention into a conflict of interest between the large states and the small states. The states with a smaller population wanted equal representation in the legislative branch of the government with that of the states with larger population. New Jersey Plan The idea of equal representation was an argument proposed by the smaller states, who were afraid that the larger states would control the government if population was the sole basis for representation. The solution to the problem of large state tyranny, equal representation by each state, was contained in the New Jersey Plan, which called for only one house of Congress. Each state would have an equal number of representatives in Congress. From the census, create a spreadsheet listing the states by population. You may list them from largest to smallest or from smallest to largest. Make sure that the six states chosen by the citizens in your group have equal representation by the small states and the large states. Great Compromise The Great Compromise, also called the Connecticut Compromise, was first suggested by Benjamin Franklin to resolve the differences between the large states' Virginia Plan (representation based on population) and the small states' New Jersey Plan (equal representation regardless of size or population). Connecticut's representatives, following Franklin's suggestion, proposed that: • Congress consist of two houses: Senate and House of Representatives • House of Representatives be elected on the basis of population (proportional representation) and would have the power to initially propose all bills/laws for taxation and budget (any money collected or spent by the government) • Senate would be elected on the basis of equal representation. In the original propsal the Senate could only accept or reject the bills propsed by the House of Representatives. Now the Senate can ammend or change a bill that is proposed by the House of Representatives.

8. What is the process/steps for conducting a scientific public opinion poll?

a. Define the universe to be surveyed. b. Construct a sample. c. Prepare valid questions. d. Select and control how the poll will be taken. e. Analyze and report their findings to the public

Define "Social Contract Theory."

(Philosophy) (in the theories of Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau, and others) an agreement, entered into by individuals, that results in the formation of the state or of organized society, the prime motive being the desire for protection, which entails the surrender of some or all personal liberties. Social contract theory is based on the idea of a contractual agreement between the individual and the state, under which the power of the sovereign is justified by a hypothetical social contract in which the people agree to obey in all matters in return for a guarantee of peace and security, which they lack in the warlike "state of nature" posited to exist before the contract is made. Various philosophers have interpreted social contract theory. For example, John Locke believed that rulers also were obliged to protect private property and the right to freedom of thought, speech, and worship. Jean-Jacques Rousseau didn't believe that in the state of nature people are warlike, but are undeveloped in reasoning and morality. Therefore, by surrendering their individual freedom, they acquire political liberty and civil rights within a system of laws based on the "general will" of the governed.

What was the primary weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

1. The Articles of Confederation gave too much power to the states and not enough to the central government. Essentially, they created a weak central government, under which the states could not operate effectively as a single nation. 2. The articles created no separate executive department to carry out and enforce the acts of Congress and no national court system to interpret the meaning of laws. 3. To make a change to the Articles, it had to be decided unanimously by all states. Also, 9 out of the 13 states had to approve any major law before it was passed. 4. There was no standing army to protect the nation. 5. Each state could create its own foreign policy, including the passage of treaties. Each state could create its own money and it might not be accepted in other states. The war left a huge debt, but the Articles didn't allow congress to collect taxes, only to ask for money from the states. 6. The central government could not regulate commerce between the states. The Articles of Confederation, the first official government of the United States had many serious weaknesses. 1) Under the Articles there was only a unicameral legislature so that there was no separation of powers. 2) The central government under the Articles was too weak since the majority of the power rested with the states. 3) Congress, under the Articles, did not have the power to tax which meant that they could never put their finances in order. 4) In order to change or amend the Articles, unanimous approval of the states was required which essentially meant that changes to the Articles were impossible. 5) For any major laws to pass, they had to be approved by 9 of the 13 states which proved so hard to do that even the normal business of running a government was difficult. 6) Under the Articles, Congress did not have the power to regulate commerce which would cause competition between states, as well as diplomatic issues, a congress could not levy taxes

6. When the Constitution was ratified in 1789, who were the only citizens in America who could vote?

1789 - Establishment of US democracy. White men with property can vote. Poor people, Women, Native Americans, and enslaved African- Americans cannot vote.

2. Why did the Anti-Federalists not wish to ratify the new Constitution?

A Constitutional Convention was called in the summer of 1787 to change the Articles of Confederation. During this time, many compromises were formed to appease regional factions. The Great Compromise brought together the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan to create the Constitution's legislative system. The Three-Fifths Compromise appeased Southern representatives by allowing them to count slaves for representation and taxation purposes. The Federalists wanted a strong government and strong executive branch, while the anti-Federalists wanted a weaker central government. The Federalists did not want a bill of rights—they thought the new constitution was sufficient. The anti-federalists demanded a bill of rights. Anti-Federalists such as Patrick Henry attacked the Constitution, suggesting that it would lead to a dangerously powerful national government. One of the Anti-Federalist's strongest arguments was the Constitution's lack of a Bill of Rights.

3. What must happen in order for a legislature to overturn a president's veto?

A bill or joint resolution that has been vetoed by the President can become law if two-thirds of the Members voting in the House and the Senate each agree to pass it over the President's objection. The chambers act sequentially on vetoed measures: The House acts first on House-originated measures (H.R. and H.J. Res.), and the Senate acts first on Senate-originated measures (S. and S.J. Res.). If the first-acting chamber fails to override the veto, the other chamber cannot consider it. The House typically considers the question of overriding a presidential veto under the hour rule, with time customarily controlled and allocated by the chair and ranking Member of the committee with jurisdiction over the bill. The Senate usually considers the question of overriding a veto under the terms of a unanimous consent agreement.

9. Why are grassroots efforts generally more successful than movements that begin at the state or national level?

A grassroots movement (often referenced in the context of a political movement) as defined by Webster's Third International Dictionary, is one which uses the people in a given district as the basis for a political or economic movement. Grassroots movements and organizations utilize collective action from the local level to affect change at the local, regional, national, or international level. Grassroots movements are associated with bottom-up, rather than top-down decision making, and are sometimes considered more natural or spontaneous than more traditional power structures. Grassroots movements utilize a variety of strategies from fundraising and registering voters, to simply encouraging political conversation. Goals of specific movements vary, but the movements are consistent in their focus on increasing mass participation in politics. The idea of grassroots is often conflated with participatory democracy. The Port Huron Statement, a manifesto seeking a more democratic society, says that to create a more equitable society, "the grass roots of American Society" need to be the basis of civil rights and economic reform movements. The terms can be distinguished in that grassroots often refers to a specific movement or organization, whereas participatory democracy refers to the larger system of governance.

9. How are political parties and interest groups different?

As a reminder, a political party is a group of people who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy, whereas an interest group is a group of people who share common goals and who actively try to influence policymakers. So as you can see, both groups serve a purpose in our government, and an important one at that. Both are organized groups of people working toward specific goals in the government and both promote politicians and raise money to accomplish those goals. Their specific purposes within the government, however, differ. Interest groups do not want to operate the government, and they do not put forth political candidates, even though they support candidates who will promote their interests if elected or reelected. Another difference in purpose is that a political party may blur their positions on issues or may have a wide array of opinions on issues so that they can seem attractive to the greatest number of voters. Interest groups, on the other hand, tend to sharpen issues in an attempt to promote a position on a specific issue, such as gun control or agriculture. We can even make an analogy between a friend you may have that is a die-hard baseball fan and roots relentlessly for your town's home team. You, on the other hand, enjoy baseball, but are more of the casual sports fan and don't necessarily just limit yourself to liking only baseball. Thus, your friend is focused like an interest group would be, whereas you would be more similar to a political party that attempts to appeal to a wide group of people.

What is the difference between a republic and a democracy?

By definition, a republic is a representative form of government that is ruled according to a charter, or constitution, and a democracy is a government that is ruled according to the will of the majority. Although these forms of government are often confused, they are quite different. The main difference between a republic and a democracy is the charter or constitution that limits power in a republic, often to protect the individual's rights against the desires of the majority. In a true democracy, the majority rules in all cases, regardless of any consequences for individuals or for those who are not in the majority on an issue. Democracy is ruled by the omnipotent majority. In a democracy, an individual, and any group of individuals composing any minority, have no protection against the unlimited power of the majority. It is a case of Majority-over-Man.A republic is a representative democracy with a written constitution of basic rights that protect the minority from being completely unrepresented or overridden by the majority.

What is the difference between an open and a closed primary system? Why might independents favor an open primary?

Closed Primary: Only declared party members can vote. Used by 26 states & DC. Party voters are allowed to cast a ballot for only one of their own party's candidates. Open Primary: Any qualified voter is allowed to vote. At the polls, the voter is allowed to vote for the candidates of one party only. In some states, the voter is given both party ballots and chooses which one to use in the voting booth. In other states, including Texas, you must tell the voting officials which ballot you want before going into the voting booth.