ap gov unit 5
Explain how structural barriers impact third party and independent candidate success.
a: In comparison to proportional systems, winner-take-all voting districts serve as a structural barrier to third-party and independent candidate success. b:The incorporation of third-party agendas into platforms of major political parties serves as a barrier to third-party and independent candidate success.
Explain the benefits and potential problems of interest group influence on elections and policy making.
a: 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 d: Different types of political action committees (PACs) influence elections and policy making through fundraising and spending.
Explain the roles that individual choice and state laws play in voter turnout in elections.
tate laws can affect voter turnout. Some state laws create structural barriers that make it more difficult to vote (for example, requiring voters to present state IDs) and others try to make voting easy (by allowing early voting or election-day registration).
Explain the function and impact of political parties on the electorate and government.
▶Mobilization and education of voters. ▶Party platforms. ▶Candidate recruitment. ▶Campaign management, including fundraising and media strategy. ▶The committee and party leadership systems in legislatures.
Explain how increasingly diverse choices of media and communication outlets influence political institutions and behavior.
-The nature of democratic debate and the level of political knowledge among citizens is impacted by: ▶ Increased media choices ▶ Ideologically oriented programming ▶ Consumer-driven media outlets and emerging technologies that reinforce existing beliefs ▶ Uncertainty over the credibility of news sources and information
Describe the voting rights protections in the Constitution and in legislation.
15th amendment (slaves right to vote) - C 1957 Civil Rights Act (addresses discrimination in voting) - L 24th amendment (outlawed poll taxes)- C 19th amendment (allowed women to vote) - C 23rd amendment (gives residents of Washington DC the right to vote for representatives in the Electoral College) - C 26th amendment (states cant deny people older than 18 from voting) - C
Describe linkage institutions
A linkage institution is a structure within a society that connects the people to the government or centralized authority. These institutions include: elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.
Explain how the difference processes work in U.S. congressional elections.
Caucus - a meeting in a voting precinct at which party members choose nominees for political office Closed primary - a primary election limited to registered members of a political party General election - an election that decides which candidate will fill an elective office
Explain the media's role as a linkage institution
New communication technologies and advances in social media have profoundly influenced how citizens routinely acquire political information, including news events, investigative journalism, election coverage, and political commentary.
Describe different models of voting behavior.
Rational-Choice voting: voter has examined an issue or candidate. Retrospective voting: Look at a candidates track record and their past. Prospective voting: Look at a candidate based on what they say they will do.
Explain how the Electoral College impacts democratic participation.
The "winner-takes-all" allocation of most electors in the Electoral College also means that voters in "safe states"--those that have consistently voted for the same party.
Explain how campaign organizations and strategies affect the election process
The benefits and drawbacks of modern campaigns are represented by: ▶ Dependence on professional consultants ▶ Rising campaign costs and intensive fundraising efforts ▶ Duration of election cycles ▶ Impact of and reliance on social media for campaign communication and fundraising
Explain how the different processes work in a U.S. presidential election.
The process and outcomes in U.S. federal elections are impacted by: ▶ Open and closed primaries ▶ Caucuses ▶ Party conventions ▶ General (presidential and mid-term) elections ▶ The Electoral College
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.
Explain why and how political parties change and adapt
a: Parties have adapted to candidate-centered campaigns, and their role in nominating candidates has been weakened. b:The structure of parties has been influenced by: ▶ Regional realignments ▶ Campaign finance law ▶ Changes in communication and data-management technology c: Parties use communication technology and voter-data management to disseminate, control, and clarify political messages and enhance outreach and mobilization efforts.
Explain how various political actors influence public policy outcomes.
a: Single-issue groups, ideological/social movements, and protest movements form with the goal of impacting society and policy making. b: Competing actors such as interest groups, professional organizations, social movements, the military, and bureaucratic agencies influence policy making, such as the federal budget process, at key stages and to varying degrees.
Explain how the organization, finance, and strategies of national political campaigns affect the election process.
b: Debates have increased over free speech and competitive and fair elections related to money and campaign funding (including contributions from individuals, PACs and political parties).
