Unit 5 Government

how did the 15th Amendment expand the opportunity for political participation?

- it guaranteed African-American men the right to vote

Describe who is limited in their contribution to candidate campaigns.

- PACs, interest groups, and individuals - they have a limit on how much money they can have and get from outside sources

Describe who is unlimited in their outside spending on an election.

- Super PACs, all 501 c4, and candidates - they do not have a limit on how much money they can receive from outside sources

party-line voting behavior

- Supporting a party by voting for candidates from one political party for all public offices at the same level of government. - describes consistently voting for candidates of the same political party at all levels of government

Describe the intent/major provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002.

- banned the use of soft money contributions and raised the limit on donations to $2000. This has prevented corporations and unions from using their money to advertise for candidates. - banned interest groups-ads

Describe how voting incentives/penalties/fines can impact voter turnout.

- incentives increase voter turnout-targeting minorities to get a high voter turnout - If you do not vote at a State or local government election and you don't have a valid reason, you will be fined $55

how did the 17th Amendment expand the opportunity for political participation?

- increased the American public's ability to control the federal government, because it granted voters the opportunity to directly elect their representatives to the Senate

Describe the facts and holding of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission 2010.

- it limited soft money to parties and it led to Super PACs - it limits the amount of money they can give to them - they can give the money to Super PACs so they can give it to the candidates because they are not limited with how much money they can give out - they have to be reported and they can't be anonymous

Explain the media's role as a linkage institution (think how has media influenced how citizens acquire political information).

- media is a link between you and the government - interest groups is an example of a linkage institution - it links you to the government and makes you feel more apart of the electing process

Describe how the following have impacted the level of political knowledge among citizens: c. Consumer-driven media outlets/emerging technologies that reinforce existing beliefs

- media is driven off of what customers think - customers are more likely to report the negative and focus on the differences more than the similarities.

Describe why campaign finance laws were put in place.

- no outside source has too much influence - they do not get too much money from an organization because that will be too much of an advantage over another candidate. - campaigns run on money, if you do not have money, you do not have a campaign

Describe how the Electoral College impedes democracy (as opposed to a straight popular vote).

- people do not get a direct say in who wins because there is the electoral college - vote goes to the state, but they are not the final decision.

Describe how the media's use of polling impacts elections.

- polls determine how candidates campaign and determines how people vote - people will end up bandwagoning and vote for the person that most people like and have an interest in

Describe how the following have impacted the level of political knowledge among citizens: a. Increased media choices

- some can be biased, but also increase information - information can be false - be can be persuaded into thinking something that is not actually true - information on the media can hurt a candidate

Describe how the American electoral system represents federalism.

- states have a specific part in the electoral system and they are separated from the federal government. - the states vote for the electors and federal office holders cannot be electors

Describe how the Electoral College is an example of majoritarianism.

- the majority of the electoral wins the election - you need at least 270 votes to win

Describe how the Electoral College facilitates democracy (as opposed to a straight popular vote).

- the people cast their vote, then their vote make the state give their electoral votes to either candidates - peoples say instead of the government

Explain how campaign organizations and strategies affect the election process.

- the way a person campaigns is how people will vote for them - the more someone focuses on a swing state, the more that swing state will want to vote for them

Describe how media can influence political participation.

- the way media portrays a certain candidate can make a person either want to vote for them or not vote for them - there can be good and bad things placed about them on the Internet that can persuade people into thinking different things about them.

Describe how the following have impacted the level of political knowledge among citizens: b. Ideologically oriented programming

- they focus on certain issues in the world - they focus on the candidate more in depth

Describe how a state's electoral votes are awarded.

- winner takes all system votes (except Maine and Nebraska) - the people in the states vote for the person they want, and whoever gets the most votes in that states wins the popular vote

Describe how the following have impacted the level of political knowledge among citizens: d. Uncertainty over the credibility of news sources/information

- you can not trust anything that is on the Internet because more than likely it is not going to be true

prospective voting behavior

-Vote based on information of issues and candidates -Ex. Pro-life citizen votes for Bush over Gore in 2000 - Voting based on predictions of how a party or candidate will perform in the future - describes voting based on how a citizen thinks a candidate will act and perform if elected to office

retrospective voting behavior

-Vote based on past events whether successful or failed -Ex. The economy suffered during Bush's (R) administration hurting McCain's (R) campaign against Obama (D) in 2008 - Voting to decide whether the party or candidate in power should be re-elected based on the recent past - describes voting based on the recent record in office of a candidate or others in their party

rational choice voting behavior

-voters choose a candidate or party based on how they and their families will benefit -Consider past performance, contemporary issues, and current situations, party leadership and key players -Not necessarily subject to factors such as age, race, gender, party identification, etc. -Believe parties are not very ideologically different - Voting based on what is perceived to be in the citizen's individual interest - describes someone voting in their best interest, supporting the candidate whose platform will give them the most favorable outcomes

political efficacy

A citizen's belief that their vote matters and can influence government policies

Define iron triangle - give an example.

A close relationship between an agency a congressional committee and an interest group Example: Department of Veterans Affairs, House and Senate committees on Veterans' Affairs, and Veterans' organizations would form a tight mutually advantageous alliance

poll tax

A fixed-sum tax payable by all relevant individuals, such as all residents of a state; used historically by some US states as a precondition to registering to vote in order to discourage certain groups from participation (for example, African Americans).

define issue network

A network of people in Washington, D.C.-based interest groups, on congressional staffs, in universities and think tanks, and in the mass media, who regularly discuss and advocate public policies.

Describe how critical election and realignment have caused changes in political parties over time.

A person can change their opinions about certain things from emerging issues that are happening all around them

Define open primary.

A primary election in which voters may choose in which party to vote as they enter the polling place - voters don't have to say what party they are associated with

Define realignment.

A shift in party allegiances or electoral support EX. Old democratic south switching to republican.

24th Amendment

Abolishes poll taxes -Prohibited poll taxes in federal elections -Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections (1966)* prohibited poll taxes in state elections as a violation of Equal Protection Clause - 1964 - Declared poll taxes void in federal elections

National Voter Registration Act of 1993

Also called the "Motor Voter Act." Makes it easier for voters to register to vote by requiring states to allow citizens to register when applying for or renewing their driver's license

define proportional system.

An electoral system used throughout most of Europe that awards legislative seats to political parties in proportion to the number of votes won in an election. they get as many seats has they do votes.

15th Amendment

Citizens cannot be denied the right to vote because of race, color , or precious condition of servitude (1870) -extended suffrage to African American men

17th Amendment

Established the direct election of senators (instead of being chosen by state legislatures) (1913) - Established the popular election of US senators

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote - right to vote based on sex (1920) - extended suffrage to women

Describe how religious beliefs/affiliation impact who a voter chooses to vote for.

If a person follows a certain religion, they may tend to agree with a certain candidate more than the other one because they follow the same practices. The more stuff they have in common, the more that person will vote for them.

Explain the benefits and potential problems of interest group influence on elections and policy making.

Interest groups may represent very specific or more general interests, and can educate voters and office holders, draft legislation, and mobilize membership to apply pressure on and work with legislators and government agencies

Describe how interest groups provide education for voters and office holders.

Interest groups push for change, provide expertise in certain policy issues, and represent policy making for minorities. They sponsor research and try to educate the public of policy issues.

Describe how interest groups use electioneering to achieve their goal.

Interest groups use electioneering as one tactic to support the broader goals of the group. - through voting they can see what people's opinions are and change their views to go with the public

Describe how interest groups use litigation to achieve their goal.

Interest groups use litigation as a tactic to pursue the interests of their members. Trying to influence decision makers. Interest groups use lobbying as a tactic to pursue the interests of their members, but individuals, too, can lobby.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Legislation designed to help end formal and informal barriers to African American suffrage

Describe lobbying and the impact it has on policy.

Lobbying is when individuals, businesses, trade unions, groups or charities try to get a government to change its policies. "Political persuasion" might be a better term. - paid representatives of an interest group - states views about specific legislation

26th amendment

Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 - 1971 - Extended suffrage to people aged 18-20 years old by lowering the voting age from 21 to 18

Describe how gender impacts who a voter chooses to vote for.

Men tend to vote more conservative and Women tend to vote more Democrat. Males could vote for males and women could vote for women.

how did the 26th Amendment expand the opportunity for political participation?

Millions of young Americans were extended the right to vote, empowering more young people than ever before to help shape our country.

Describe how the national convention has become more democratic over the years.

Nominations used to be a bigger thing, they are now simply a formality. Prior to 1968, delegates were elite and party bosses ran the show. In 1968, riots at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago resulted in democratic reforms specifically in the delegate selection process. There are now more women and minorities, however superdelegates were created to regain some party control. - state delegates

Describe demographic characteristics that can be used to predict the likelihood of whether an individual will vote.

Older, white people are the most likely to vote, while Hispanics and minorities are not as likely to vote. People who are more education are more likely to vote as well.

Define linkage institution. Include three examples of linkage institutions in your definition.

Organization that try to get people more involved in government and politics. These institutions include: elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

Describe how election type (mid-term or presidential) can impact voter turnout.

People are more likely to vote in the presidential elections because they are voting for a leader. The midterm elections are not that important so there is a lower voter turnout.

Describe how race and ethnicity impact who a voter chooses to vote for.

People of color who run are more likely to get votes from people who are of color. People of color tend to vote more Democrat, and people not of color tend to vote more conservative.

Describe how political efficacy can be used to predict the likelihood of whether an individual will vote.

People with a strong political efficacy will be more likely to vote because they truly believe that there vote will make a change. They believe that there vote will do something in an election.

Describe the function of political parties in government.

Political parties try to promote their candidate and try to get as many votes as they can. They support the candidates throughout the whole process of candidacy.

Describe the function of political parties for the electorate (voters).

Political parties try to send newsletters and persuade the electorate to vote for their candidate.

Define critical election.

Sharp changes in the existing patterns of party loyalty due to changing social and economic conditions - It is important for a person to win an election because new issues are emerging.

Describe current structural barriers that impact voter turnout in the U.S.

Some state laws create structural barriers that make it more difficult to vote (for example, requiring voters to present state IDs) - the times that the polls are open are limited--access to the polls - registration laws

Describe how the Electoral College was a compromise for the Founding Fathers.

The Founding Fathers established the Electoral College in the Constitution, in part, as a compromise between the election of the President by a vote in Congress and election of the President by a popular vote of qualified citizens-half and half - voting by majority and by being equal

Describe the purpose of the presidential primary/caucus.

The election process begins with primary elections and caucuses. These are two methods that states use to select a potential presidential nominee. Primary elections and caucuses differ in how they are organized and who participates. - best candidate to run for president

Describe the purpose behind the national convention.

The formal purpose of such a convention is to select the party's nominee for popular election as President, as well as to adopt a statement of party principles and goals known as the party platform and adopt the rules for the party's activities, including the presidential nominating process for the next election cycle - announce who they chose to be their candidate in the running for president

Describe how candidate characteristics impact who a voter chooses to vote for.

The more a voter can relate to a candidate the more likely they will vote for them. If that candidate talks about things that a person likes, that person will more than likely vote for them.

Define horse-race journalism

The news reports different candidates and gives them a point system. Good things about one candidate, and a bad thing about another. - media keep track of good and bad things candidates do

Define winner-take-all systems.

The winner-take-all feature of the Electoral College is when a candidate who gets the most votes wins all of a state's electoral votes. All they need is to win by one vote.

Explain how variation in types and resources of interest groups affects their ability to influence elections and policy making.

There are many competing interest groups, but all seek to influence public policy in favor of the needs of their constituents. This can be done by constructing Iron Triangles.

Describe how parties have adapted to candidate-centered campaigns.

They target a certain person and make them the face of their party. They focus on their characteristics and their personal beliefs as an individual.

Describe how parties have modified their policies and messaging to appeal to various demographic coalitions.

They tried to expand their views and be more welcoming to minorities, and push certain issues for positive demographics.

Describe the purpose of third parties in American politics.

They usually focus on a certain issue and focus on that. Third parties can help in voter turnout as well for voters to see that they have other options.

Describe how the national election leads to the decisions made by the Electoral College.

When citizens cast their ballots for president in the popular vote, they elect a slate of electors. Electors then cast the votes that decide who becomes president of the United States. Usually, electoral votes align with the popular vote in an election - electoral college chooses

Define super PAC.

a committee that raises unlimited amounts of money and donates it - however, they are not allowed to give the money straight to the candidate

Define interest group. Give an example.

a group of people that seeks to influence public policy on the basis of a particular common interest or concern. ex. NRA

Define political party.

a group of people with broad, shared interests

Define caucus.

a meeting or gathering of members of a political party where members deliberate and choose from the list of those seeking the presidential nomination - local party members to choose party officials

Describe how the winner-take-all system is a barrier for third parties (and independent candidates).

a person only needs one vote to win in a winner take all system. This could cause a barrier to third parties and independent candidates who may not have as many votes due to their smallness of a party.

Define closed primary.

a primary election in which voting is limited to already registered party members - only vote for party your aligned with

Define political action committee (PAC).

an organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, especially at the federal level.

Describe how party identification and ideological orientation impact who a voter chooses to vote for.

based on how a person was raised will most likely determine who they will vote for in the future. If they are a certain color, or follow a certain religion, they may be more inclined to vote for a specific person.

23rd Amendment

gave residents of Washington DC the right to vote - voting rights in presidential elections - 1961

how did the 23rd Amendment expand the opportunity for political participation?

giving the people of the District the right to choose electors to participate in the elections of the President and Vice President

how did the 19th Amendment expand the opportunity for political participation?

guaranteed that women throughout the United States would have the right to vote on equal terms with men

Describe how voter registration laws and procedures is an example of federalism and how they can serve as a barrier.

it is an example of federalism because the national government is allowing individual states to make certain rules and regulations about voting and registration. It allows states to create a system that fits there circumstance. Federal government can't change it and they can do what they want. - These voter registration laws and procedures are determined at the state level, and therefore vary a great deal between states.

how did the 24th Amendment expand the opportunity for political participation?

prohibits both Congress and the states from conditioning the right to vote in federal elections on payment of a poll tax or other types of tax.

Describe the incumbency advantage

the advantage that the incumbent (individual currently holding office) candidate has over the challenger candidate

Identify the federal commission in charge of regulating campaign finance laws.

the federal election commission - they run elections - investigate in claims of fraud during the elections

Describe how a state's electoral count is calculated.

the number of votes allocated to each state depends on how many senators and congressional districts there are - seats in the senate and seats in the house

Suffrage

the right to vote in political elections-regulated by the states