Political Parties, Interest Groups, PACs, and 527 Groups -- AP Gov

How do Interest groups influence the government?

-direct lobbying -testifying before Congress -Socializing -Political donations -Endorsements -Court action (class action suits, amicus curiae briefs) -Rallying their membership -Propaganda

Democrats tend to be:

-less inclined to spend on defense -less inclined to use public funds to let students attend private schools -more inclined to spend money to advance social-welfare programs -more inclined to use government money for public education -more inclined to grant tax relief to targeted groups such as the lower and middle classes -more inclined to spend money on government-run health insurance programs -against private ownership of assault weapons and for broader regulations on the ownership of firearms

Republicans tend to be:

-more inclined to spend on defense -more inclined to use public funds for private schools and to give government aid to parochial schools -more inclined to grant tax relief to everyone, especially the wealthy and corporations -less inclined to spend money on social-welfare programs -less inclined to spend money on government-run health insurance programs -less inclined to regulate firearms

Name the functions that political parties perform.

-recruit and nominate candidates -educate and mobilize voters -provide campaign funds and support -organize government activity -provide balance through opposition of two parties -reduce conflict and tension in society

Name the characteristics of political parties.

-serve as intermediaries between the people and the government -made up of grassroots members, activist members, and leadership -organized to raise money, present positions on policy, and get their candidates elected to office -were created outside of the Constitution

Amicus curiae

A brief submitted by a "friend of the Court"

Class-action suit

A case brought by someone to help him or her and all others who are similarly situated.

Government Interest groups

A separate group represents the nation's governors, and yet another represents mayors.

527 Group

A tax-exempt organization that promotes a political agenda, although they cannot expressly advocate for or against a specific candidate. This term is generally used to refer to political organizations that are not regulated by the FEC and are not subject to the same contribution limits as PACs. EX: Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, College Republican National Committee, The Media Fund

Single-Issue Parties

A type of third party that forms to promote one principle. EX: American Independent Party, Green Party

Doctrinal Parties

A type of third party that forms to represent an ideology considered too radical by the mainstream parties. EX: Socialist Party, Libertarian Party

Splinter/Bolter Parties

A type of third party that usually unites around a feeling that major parties are not responding to the demands of some segment of the electorate. They are formed to represent constituencies that feel disenfranchised from both of the major parties. EX: Reform Party

Name examples of interest groups and what they stand for.

Christian Coalition (religious) National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (racial) American Medical Association (professional) Sierra Club (environmental) Common Cause (political reform)

What are the three main categories of interest groups?

Economic groups Public Interest groups Government Interest groups

Why do third parties fail?

Large amounts of money Vast organization Most states have a winner-take-all system for electoral votes

Name the hierarchical levels of party committees.

Local committees County committees State committees Congressional district and Senatorial Committees

Realignment

Occurs when the coalitions making up the two parties fall apart, such as when many of the groups that make up the majority party defect to the minority party. -usually occurs as a result of some major traumatic event, such as an economic depression or a war -signaled by a critical election

Super PACs

PACs that do not donate to specific candidates and are not limited in their funding. They are generally financed by the ultra-rich.

What are the three types of third parties?

Splinter/Bolter Parties Doctrinal Parties Single-Issue Parties

Federal Election Campaign Act

This act allowed corporations, unions, and trade associations to form political action committees (PACs) as a means of raising campaign funds.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (McCain-Feingold Act)

This act further regulated campaign finance and PAC donations, but in 2010, in "Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission", the Supreme Court overturned this act's limits on PAC fundraising for "corporate independent expenditures".

Split-ticket voting

This leads to divided government, when one party controls the Senate or House or both and the other controls the White House. This can create policy gridlock because these two branches are often at odds with each other. This also encourages dealignment.

Independent candidates

This type of candidate runs without party affiliation.

Public Interest groups

This type of interest group include nonprofit organizations that are generally organized around a well-defined set of public policy issues. -Public Citizen, led by Ralph Nader (Consumer group) -Sierra Club -Christian Coalition Single-issue groups (like the NRA and the National Right to Life Committee) are among the most powerful because of the intensity of their supporters.

Economic groups

This type of interest groups forms to promote and protect members' economic interests. -U.S. Chamber of Commerce (peak business group) -American Farm Bureau Federation and the American Nuclear Energy Council (trades and industries) -AFL-CIO (labor) -United Auto Workers (labor) -American Medical Association -American Bar Association (professional) They are also very large, highly influential, and extremely well funded, and either represent or employ large constituencies.

Loyal opposition

When the minority party constantly criticizes the performance of the party in power, in order to provide balance through opposition of the two parties.

Dealignment

When voters do not align with their parties as uniformly as they once did. -usually a result of party members becoming disaffected as a result of some policy position taken by the party EX: Membership in the Democratic party has recently declined over the years while the number of voters identifying as independents has increased. However, Republican membership has remained constant.

National Convention

held every four years to nominate a presidential candidate; planned by the national party

Interest groups

organizations dedicated to a particular political goal or to a set of unified goals -like political parties, they try to influence the outcome of elections and legislation -however, they do NOT nominate candidates, nor address a wide range of issues

Influence peddling

the practice of using personal friendships and inside information to get political advantage

critical election

when a new party comes to dominate politics

Lobbying

when interest groups try to influence legislators