POL 101 Exam 4

What are the roles of interest groups?

representation, participation, education, agenda building, program monitoring

What are Expressive Benefits?

selective incentive that derives from the opportunity to express values and beliefs and to be committed to a greater cause -- ACLU : Protecting Civil Liberties -- National Right to life: Making abortion illegal

What are Material Benefits?

selective incentives in the form of tangible rewards -- Information, group activities, group benefit, policies, or gifts -- NRA sponsors hunting & shooting competitions and offers discount insurance policies -- Sierra clubs offers different benefits such as 300 nature hikes -- Arbor day foundation gives members 10 free trees when joining

What are solidary benefits?

selective incentives related to the interaction and bonding among members -- Group activities can provide high levels of satisfaction and this can be offered though local chapter meetings, lobbying missions, or group sponsored activities -- Provides venue for friendship & social interaction to occur

What are Super PACs?

special pacs that can spend unlimited amounts of money on a candidate behalf but are not allowed to coordinate their efforts with those of the candidates campaign

What are political action committees?

( PACS) the fundraising arm of interest groups -- Federal Election Campaign act curved election spending abuses

What is the development of Modern Public Opinion polls?

( Scientific poll first developed in 1930s) -- Straw Polls: polls that attempt to determine who is ahead in a political race -- Straw thrown up in the air will indicate which way the air is blowing - which way the political winds were blowing

Campaign contribution

-- A Pac can give $5,000 to any campaign at most, -- Most PAC money goes to incumbents -- To make donations can buy interest groups access to government officials. They can then present info relevant to policies they seek to initiate, change, or protect -- Influence of campaign contribution is strongest in committees(where most bills are drafted)

Do elections make a difference?

-- Achieves Electoral Accountability - keeps offices holders attentive to what they are doing -- Controls who wins - brings congruence in what electorate & policymakers do -- Gives mediated citizens points of activity from which to rally - we have more Opportunities to take advantage of citizen activity

Examples of Union and Professional Associations?

-- American Federation of Labor(congress of Industrial organizations (AFL - CIO) is the Largest American Organization ** Main purpose is to protect professions interest and promote policies that enhance its position -- ABA promoted structural and procedural reform in the courts

Who to Vote For

Decision shaped by party loyalty, and group identity and the positions candidates take on issues

Containing the conflict

Election give citizens an electoral vent to change officials and chance democrats to republicans and vice versa

Presenting the Candidate

-- An effective campaign begins with how a candidate's strengths fit with the contexts of the times and mood of voters, on which the campaign narrative is built -- Claims of special knowledge, competence, and commitment must be credible

The rationality of Voting

-- Benefits of election outweigh the cost -- The benefits of voting go beyond the likelihood that will affect the outcome of the election -- People vote for other benefits than affect outcomes, feels good to do things we think we are supposed to do and we get social rewards from politically involved friends

Educating the Public

-- Building & disseminating a compelling narrative -- Uses research to show the problem that is trying to be solved is legitimate and they use press coverage to get the info out or use tv commercial and social media campaigns -- Issue Advocacy ads; advertisement that support issues or candidates without telling constituents how to vote -- Can also get information to the public through the internet

Informing the Public

-- Campaigns are a time for points of view to be judged to choose the best leader -- People learn from political campaign ads and choose those who match their policy preference and values

Direct Lobbying: The Courts

-- Challenging the legality of laws or administration regulations -- NAACP ( challenging segregation Laws) -- ACLU ( Freedom of Speech, freedom, religion, & civil liberties cases( -- The sierra club(Environmental Enforcement) -- Common Clause (ethics in government) -- Once the Bipartisan Campaign act went into effect many interest groups, went to challenge the law ( Was rendered Unconstitutional) -- Groups bring cases directly or file Amicus Curiae

Religious Groups

-- Christian Coalition -- Conference of Catholic Bishops T-- These groups lobbies for health care, birth control, and domestic & legal issues to combat anti-Semitism and discrimination against Jews

Money

-- Cost a lot of money to run as president, to fund travel & campaigning -- Government Matching funds: money given by the federal government to qualified presidential candidates in the primary and general election campaigns ( money comes from citizens who checked the box on their tac\x returns to spend 3$ or 6$ for joint returns to fund the presidential election campaigns) -- If a candidate raises 5000 in at least 20 states & agrees to follow the spending limits the government matches every contribution up to $250 -- Hard Money: campaign funds donated directly to candidates amounts are limited by federal election laws -- Soft Money: unregulated campaign contributions by individual groups or parties that promote general election activities but do not directly support individual candidates -- Spends on get-out-the-vote drives, voter education, or issue position advocacy ( as long as money is not spent to tell people how to vote, or coordinate with a specific campaign it cannot be regulated by the FEC)

What are national Polls?

-- Efforts to measure public opinion within a limited period of time using a national representative sample -- Measures attitudes such as how the public feels about the job that the president or congress is doing.

regulating the electorate

-- Election rules define who can vote and how easy it easy for those eligible to vote or cast a ballot in the election -- Elections rules are a set of valves that make it easier or harder for people to vote -- Australia, Belgium, and Italy require citizens to vote - They have high turnout rates

Policy Direction

-- Elections are to keep leaders responsive to the concerns of the governed -- At the national level we elect individuals and by association the policies they promise to enact -- Many members of the house and senate & even the president are responsive to the overall policy wishes of constituents so they do not lose their job

Citizen Development

-- Elections help citizens feel fulfilled and effective -- Political efficacy: citizens feelings of effectiveness in political affairs

Interpreting Elections

-- Electoral Mandate: the perception that an election Victory signals broad support for the winners Proposed Policies -- Loser candidate will argue that loss is due to characteristics of other candidates or specific campaign mistakes -- Media also spreads different meanings for the election win or loss

Selecting Leaders

-- Ensures only that the leader chosen is the most popular on the ballot -- No guarantee people will choose the most trustworthy, honest, or capable leader

Staffs

-- Executive director, assistants and office support staff -- They take care of day-day operations by pursuing policy initiatives, recruiting, & maintaining membership, providing membership services, and raising money through mailings, telemarketing, website donations, and organizational functions

sexual orientation

-- Focus on local & state government to pass local ordinances or state laws protecting civil rights of LGBTQ -- GLAA (Gay & Lesbians' Activist Alliance) -- GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders(GLAD) -- National LBTQ Task force & Human Rights campaign - National Level that opposes federal policies that are intolerant of the LGBTQ community & promotes funding programs for aids research

Consequences of Election Outcomes

-- Full voter turnout can swing an election -- Some republicans worry full voter turnout would result in more democrats in the electorate

The general Election Campaign

-- Goal is to convince voters to turn out & get undecided voters to choose a candidate -- Swing voters: the approximately one-third of the electorate who are undecided at the start of a campaign -- Each side seeks to get its message across, to define choice in terms that give candidates an advantage

Attitude Changes

-- If people feel the government is corrupt or the system is rigged they often do not vote -- Lower feelings of political efficacy lead to lower participation -- Attitudes have changed because of repeated scandals, increasing partisanship, and an explosion of media outlets to report on politics from many viewpoints

How Does Religion play a role in public opinion?

-- In issues of moral conviction or values, motivation is stemmed from one's view of what is morally right. -- Those who adhere to more traditional religious beliefs are more conservative on issues such as homosexuality & abortion, compared to those seculars who are more liberal

Information & Communication

-- Information is the most powerful resources in an interest groups arsenal -- For a IG to build & disseminate a narrative it has to know who its audience is and how that audience accesses & shares info -- Using all media is crucial for an IG success in getting what they want

How do Interest groups educate?

-- Interest groups can fill voids for congress when they do not know much about an issue -- Also educate their members about new laws, developments, or important issues

Criticisms of Electoral College

-- Is undemocratic bc the possibility of the popular winner would not get the majority of electoral votes -- Popularity can be difficult bc of a few faithless electors who vote for their own preference -- The winner takes all in all but 2 states puts a premium on a few large states

The Issues

-- Issues have to be central to a candidate's strategy for getting elected -- Valence Issues: issues on which most voters and candidates share the same position ( prosperous economy, respected leadership, fighting terrorism, clean environment, etc.) and everyone opposes crime, drug abuse, government waste, political corruption, and immortality -- Political Issues: issues on which the parties differ in their perspective and proposed solutions ( abortion & military ) -- Wedge Issue: a controversial issue that one party uses to split the voters in the other party(Republicans supporting expanding Social Security) -- Issue Ownership: the tendency of one party to be seen as more competent ina specific policy area( candidates must trick voter into thinking that the election is about the issues their party owns) Issue campaigning is about setting the agenda and then creating a narrative that convinces voters to care about it

Why is political knowledge & interest important?

-- Knowledge of key figures in politics is important for knowing whom to thank or blame, for government policy & key information if we are to hold our officials accountable --Moderate levels of political knowledge & interest show that the public does not have high levels of civic engagement but is not totally ignorant or uncensored

Membership: Size and Intensity

-- Large groups can mobilize their members to influence elected officials to influence policy -- If members are also intensely dedicated to its causes this can be stronger than the groups numbers

RACE & ETHINICTY

-- League of United Latin Americans - advocates rights of Hispanics on education, employment, voter registration, housing -- Mexican American legal defense & Education Fund - works for the protection of Latinos through issues of language, immigration, employment, & education -- American Indian movement - protecting interest of American Indians -- Southeast Asia Resource Action center - several networks supporting Asian Americans on public health, economic growth, civil rights & political participation

How does stages of life play a role in different public opinions?

-- Little evidence to support that people change their opinions as their age going from youthful idealism to mature conservatism -- Political generations: Groups of citizens whose political views have been shaped by the common events of their youth. ** Younger generations are more liberal on social issues than older Americans -- Political events & age intersect forming lasting imprints on each new young group as they develop political views and enter the electorate

Indirect Lobbying: The public

-- Lobbyist uses public opinion to put pressure on politicians to do what they want -- Building a compelling story to convince members to pressure the government than educated the public to mobilize lobbying efforts and organize demonstrations or protests

Presidential Debates

-- Major focal point of presidents campaign -- Citizens learn about candidates and their positions on issues from debates -- Debates also become about the emotional response of voters to the candidates rather than evaluation of their preparation

Legitimization and System Stability

-- Makes political outcomes acceptable to participants -- My participating in elections we accept & legitimize the results

How does Partisanship & Ideology Play a role in different Public Opinions?

-- Much of the division in American public opinion can be described in ideological(liberal v conservative) or partisanship(democrat v. republican) -- Partisan Sorting: the process through which citizens align themselves ideologically with one of the two parties, leaving fewer citizens remaining in the center and increasing party polarization

Second Amendment Groups

-- NRA -- The handgun control Challenge NRA to prevent gun violence instrumental in getting the waiting period legislation passed & the brady bill and the violent crime control & Law Enforcement act - banned 19 automatic weapons/semi auto rifles -- Think Our lives Campaign following the Parkland Shooting

Reproductive rights groups

-- National Abortion Rights Action League & Planned Parenthood - PRO Abortion, work to convict policy makers that women -- want a choice to safe and legal abortions National Rights to Life and Operation Rescue- Pro Life, lobbies to limit abortions and to prevent them by blocking access to clinics, ad intercepting women who are considering abortion. -- Hobby Lobby case- Using courts to achieve policy goals

Gender

-- National Organization of Women -- Emily's List( Early Money is Like Yeast) Pac that contributes money to women candidates -- WISH (women in the senate and house) -- Eagle Forum - campaigned against women's rights of reproduction the ERA, and working outside home -- The American coalition for Fathers & Children- promoting divorced custodial rights

consequences of Democracy

-- Nonvoting can influence the stability and legitimacy of democratic government -- Nonvoters are also underrepresented by nonvoting bc politicians are more attentive to the voice of voters

Who votes and who doesn't?

-- Older citizens vote more than younger ones -- Women vote more than men -- Likelihood of voting goes up with rise in income & education -- Turnout among racial & ethnic minorities are typically lower

How do interest groups play a part in program monitoring?

-- Once laws are exacted, IG can keep tabs on their consequences informing congress and regulatory agency about the effects of federal policy -- Helps a government decide whether to keep or change a policy and keep politicians accountable

The convention

-- Parties hammer out & improve their platforms - the documents which parties set out their distinct issue positions -- The vice presidential candidate is officially named ( VP choice is up to the president)

Issues & Policy

-- People are busy & rely on party labels to tell them about candidates -- People know where they stand on easy Issues like LGBTQ Marriage but issues on economic and tax policies, health care, social security, reform, or foreign policy are complicated -- Media does not cover issues in depth, instead, focuses on the horse race of elections -- People process policy-relevant info in terms of their impressions of candidates -- Prospective Voting: basing voting decisions on well-informed opinions and considerations of the future consequences of a given vote -- Retrospective voting: basing voting decisions on reactions to past performance, approving the status quo, or a desire to change

How do we learn about Public opinions without polls?

-- People can learn about others ideas and preferences by simplify talking with them -- Politicians learning about constituent opinions through letters, phone calls, & emails. As well as pick up opinion from the size of crowds that turn out to hear them and the way the crowd responds to different themes -- Many politicians do not rely on polls because they may suffer from sampling bias ** Sample: The portion of the population that is selected to participate in a poll ** Sample bias: the effect of having a sample that does not represent all segments of the POP.

Strategies for Congressional Lobbying

-- Personal Contacts, including appointments, banquet, parties, lunches, or casual meetings in the halls of congress -- Professional Lobbyists: inhouse employees or contract lobbyist who work for lobbying firms that address groups needs( Some of the most effective lobbyist are former government workers) - expert testimony - campaign contribution - coalition formation

The citizens & IG

-- Pluralist believes that IG formation gives more power to citizens -- IG offers channels for representation, participation, education, public agenda building, and defining policy solutions, and help keep politicians accountable -- Pluralists also argue that the system benefits from IG politics. Bc if no single IG commands a majority, they will have to compete, then form coalitions to create a majority, which will lead to compromises on policy on issues that reflects the general will of the people opposed to narrow interest of specific groups

How does Education play a role in different public opinions?

-- Political orientation changes as a person attains more education -- Democratic enlightenment: citizens ability to hold democratic beliefs -- Democratic Engagement: refers to a citizens ability to understand their own interest & how to pursue those interest in politics ** More educated citizens r likely to be better informed about politics, tolerant and committed to democratic principles and to vote and participate at all levels of the political system

Why does public opinion matter?

-- Politicians & media leaders act as though they agree with key conclusions -- Both politicians & the media use polls to monitor public opinion as they do their job. -- Polls measure the public attitudes towards different things & they interpret what the narrative means from the opinions

What are survey experiments?

-- Polls conducted by social scientist to deepen our understanding of public attitudes on issues like race, gender, civil liberties, etc. ** Respondents less likely to show their true opinions bc of socially accepted answers are known

What is a public interested citizen? What is a self Interest citizen?

-- Public interested citizen: knowledgeable, tolerant, engages, & is concerned about the common good -- Self-interested citizen: apolitical, self-interested, who does not meet the other ideal ** Citizens are actually both at times

The Electoral College

-- Race between 50 states and the District of Columbia -- We cast our votes for electors who then elect the President and VP -- Constitution says we have as many electoral votes as it does in the senate and reps in congress -- 23rd amendment has the district of Columbia 3 electoral votes -- 270 needed to win the presidency -- If no candidate receives a majority, the constitution says the house to choose from the top 3 electoral vote winners. Each state has one vote. If the vote goes to the house then the senate decides VP with the senator having one vote( happening only twice, last time in 1824) -- All states except Nebraska and Maine operate on a winner takes all -- The battleground map(larger states with more electoral votes) includes Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Colorado

How do we deal with the problems of sample bias?

-- Random samples: samples chosen on such a way that any member of the population being polled has an equal chance of being selected -- Non response Bias: a skewing of dat that occurs when there is a difference in opinion between those who choose to participate and those who do not *** Weighting: Adjustment to surveys during analysis so that selected demographics groups reflect their values in the population, usually as measured by the census

How easy should it be to vote?

-- Republics favor tougher laws so that democrats voters will be turned away -- Democrats want less restrictive laws so people can vote more -- Motor Voter Act of 1993: legislation allowing citizens to register to vote at the same time they apply for a driver's license or other state benefits -- Regulating the electorate makes little difference to electoral outcomes, but still remains a partisan issue

State Control of the Elections & The role of the Supreme Court

-- Rules such as how early & where voters need to vote and register, and voting by mail, and how long polls are made at the state level -- In 2008 Supreme court says Indians voter ID laws does not violate the constitution -- Voting Rights acts of 1965: national civil rights legislation aimed at eliminating racial discrimination in the electoral process -- However many people hold strict voting laws to "protect the integrity" of the electorate -- Florida allows convicted felons to vote but must pay all court fees first

How Big does a sample need to be?

-- Sampling error: a number that indicates within what range the results of a poll are accurate ** typically USE MARGIN OF ERRO OF + OR - 3 PERCENT TO ACCOUNT FOR VARIABILITY

The Candidates

-- Voters form opinions about candidates on qualities that are relevant to governing, such as trustworthiness, competence, experience, and sincerity -- Also make judgments about the ability of a president to lead a nation & withstand the pressures of the presidency -- Voters also look at campaigns that shine a great light on one president and create a negative narrative about the other

What is said about our participation in politics?

-- We do not participate enough ** The failure of voter turnout comes from the failure of parties to mobilize turnout and obstacles to participation such as restrictive registration laws, limited voting hours, and the frequency of elections.

How does geographic region play a role in public opinion?

-- Where we live matters in terms of our political beliefs -- Rural areas are more conservative & republican compared to urban areas who r more democratic & liberal

Gender, Race, and Ethnicity

-- Women tend to vote more democrat & democrats put women's issues at the forefront -- African Americans tend to vote more democratic -- Racial minorities tend to support the democratic party but each has subgroups who vote more republican such as Vietnamese in Asians & Cubans in Latinos

Who runs the Campaign?

-- Works of the campaign is done by a professional staff that candidates hire -- Oppo Research: investigation of an opponent's background for the purpose of exposing weaknesses or undermining the credibility -- Some have oppo research on themselves to deal with attacks that may come -- Legal teams work to keep campaigns in compliance with the regulations of the FEC and to file the required reports -- Campaign consultants provide specialized technical services that party committees cannot

What is is the court case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commissions?

-- courts allows individuals and organizations to give an unlimited amount of money to super PACS(Political action committees) -- People have had the ability to exercise enormous influence in the electoral arena

What are public Opinion Polls?

-- scientific effort to estimate what an entire group thinks about an issue by asking a smaller sample of the group for its opinions ** It should influence what our government does(normative) ** A lot of people behave as if public opinion does matter, to the degree they measure, record, and react to it, so it does become a factor in American politics(Empirical)

What is Two-Step Flow of Information? Opinion Leaders?

-- the process by which citizens take their political cues from more well-informed opinion leaders -- Opinion Leaders: people who know more about certain topics than we do and whose advice we trust, seek out, & follow *** The power of opinion leaders has a responsibility to make sure the stories they create are factually correct & well(critically) thought out

How does Race & Ethnicity Play a role in different public opinions?

-Race is a more divisive than unifying characteristic in this country - Blacks and other racial & ethnicity groups tend to be more democratic compared to whites - differences are muted on issues such as abortion & education

What are 3 things citizens can do to offset Frustration with the partisan course of politics?

1. Get real: having realistic expectations of the process of democratic government 2. Get involved: parties are the places where citizens have easy access to politics 3. Don't split your ticket: try and vote for a straight party ticket, you can hold the party accountable for government performance this way

What are three reasons parties are crucial to the maintenance of democracy?

1. Political linkage: parties provide linkage between voters & elected officials 2. Unification of a fragmented government: helps overcome the fragmentation that is produced by the separation of powers 3. A voice for the opposition: provides opposition to the ideas and policies of those elected to serve in government -- Partisanship: loyalty to a political party - keeps politics honest & allows the best political ideas & policies to emerge

The Pre- Primary Season

1. Potential Candidates test the waters unofficially ( talk to people to see how much support they can count on ) & leak news to the media to see the public reaction -- Invisible Primary: early attempts to raise money, line up campaign consultants, generate media attention, and get commitments for support even before candidates announce they are running 2. If step 1 is successful then candidates file with the Federal Election Commission so they can relieve funds to explore their prospects -- Exploration Committee: a committee formed to determine the viability of one's candidacy for office. Activities may include polling, travel, and other communications relevant to the purpose 3. Cost a lot of money for a candidate to be taken seriously, and voters follow the money 4. Potential candidates must use the pre-primary season to position themself as credible prospects with the media 5. Final step official announcement of candidacy

What is the Importance of asking the right questions?

1. Respondents should be asked about things they know & have thought about 2. Questions should not be ambiguous(should be straightforward)

What are the functions of Elections?

1. Selecting leaders 2. Giving direction to policy 3. Developing citizenship 4. Informing the public 5. Containing conflict 6. Legitimizing and stabilizing the system

Citizens & Elections

3 narratives of citizens' activity - Elite -- believes we can do no more than choose elites to govern us -- Pluralist sees us as participating in political life primarily through our affiliation with different groups -- Participatory mode says we grow as citizens through being politically active

Other Public Interest Groups

== ACLU -- Amnesty International - Promotes Human Rights Worldwide, on death penalty, arms control, and globalization -- Humane Society - Animal rights - People for the Ethical treatment of Animals( PETA): attacks beauty corporations such as Procter & Gamble -- Animal Liberation fronts, such groups use civil disobedience to stop hunting and end the use of biomedical product safety test on animals

Age

AARP CDF - lack of effective advocates explain why so many children live in poverty

What is the science of Polling today?

All polls face 2 challenges 1. Getting a good sample which entails both sampling the right number of people & eliminating sample bias 2. Asking questions that yield valid results

What are interest groups?

An organization of individuals who share a common political goal and unite for the purpose of influencing government decisions -- Social scientist do no believe that interest groups oppose broad public interest -- Democracy is enhanced when citizens interest are represented through group membership

What explains differences in Public opinion?

As our demographics, partisanship and ideology, education, economic self interest, & religion affect the way we see policy's, we move from consensus on the American political culture to divisive beliefs -- Our trust in govt reflect our divisions in our opinions and our loyalties to subgroups in the population.

why is the US mainly a two party system

Because the rules of the system in most cases are designed by members of the 2 parties make it difficult for a 3rd party to do well -- Election laws also protect parties from the competition with other parties -- Third parties must gather a large # of signatures, and have earned some percentage of voters in the previous election -- 3rd parties also hampered by federal election laws, regulate the amount of campaign contribution that candidates can receive from individuals & pacts and provide matching money for both major parties

Professional Assistance

Can hire high powering lobbying firms that can ensure groups have connections to members of congress, and a person to handle internet operations and public relations firms to help shape public opinion on a policy

primaries and cauceses

Caucus: a local gathering of party members to choose convention delegates -- They vote for a candidate to send to the national convention who will go to a larger caucus at the state level to choose the national delegate Presidential Primary: an election in which voters choose convention delegates committed to voting for a certain candidate ( can be opened or closed)

What is recruiting?

Choosing people who are known community leaders, and direct their campaigns contributions & aids, to the targeted contests

What is nominating candidates?

Closed Primary: a primary election in which only registered party members may vote Open Primary: a primary election in which eligible voters do not need to be registered party members Nominating convention: the formal party gathering to choose candidates

Consumer Groups

Consumer Unions testify before the state and federal government agencies, petitions government, and files lawsuits to protect consumer interests

How does Gender Play a role in different Public Opinions?

Gender Gap: the tendency of men & women to differ in their political views on some issues (Women are more liberal than men) ** Women are more favorable to social welfare policies for children, the elderly, and the poor, & less likely to go to work or agree with the death penalty than men - Marriage gap: the tendency of married & unmarried people to differ in their political views on some issues ** Married couples have more traditional/conservative values, while never married have a more liberal perspective

What are equal opportunity Interest Groups?

Groups that organize to promote civil and economic rights of the underrepresented or disadvantaged groups -- Age, race, ethnic group, gender, sexual orientation Uses less traditional means, such as protest sit ins, and demonstrations

What are some Mechanisms of Early Political socialization?

How do we learn shared narratives about the rules? -- The key to surviving is sharing the essential narrative about the founding and the values that support it & deserve loyalty -- Political Socialization: the process by which we learn our political orientations and allegiances (Family, School, & house of worship)

What is the Political Party Dilemma?

How to keep the core ideological base satisfied while appealing to enough more moderate voters that they can win elections in diverse consistencies

Expert testimony

Interest groups can provide expertise on issues members of congress and agencies do not have the time to become experts on

Attempts at Lobbying

Lobbying Disclosure Act 1995: lobbyist had to report how much they are aid, by whom, and what issues they are promoting -- Honest Leadership and Open Government Act: tightened travel and gift restrictions and included --- Prohibit members of congress from racing gifts, meals, and travel in violation of their chamber rules( gifts from registered lobbyist are forbidden and any other gifts must be under $50 ) -- Increases frequency with which lobbyist disclosures must be filled -- Requires disclosure of when lobbyist collect more than $15,00 from campaign contributions in a 6mo period -- Requires disclosure of earmarks -- Forbids members of congress to influence lobbying firms to hire members of a particular party

Campaign Contribution

Lobbying technique to support candidates that give interest groups a friendly ear -- 1947 Federal election act & 2012 Citizens United case

Mobilizing the Public

Mobilizing members to vote as a way to threaten combat congressional skepticism to lobbyist that are contacting them on different issues

Money

Money can buy interest groups ability to put together a well trained staff. Hire outside professional assistance, and make campaign contributions to gain accesses to government officials

How do technologies alleviate or poses challenges to polling?

New technologies allows for pollsters to reach out more however research & regulations are likely to lead to changes in how cell phone users area contacted

Direct Lobbying: The president

Office of Publics Engagement, fosters good relations between the Whitehouse and interest groups to mobilize these groups for supports

How do interest Groups play a part in provisions for programs?

Once on agenda interest groups can supply alternatives for how they can be dealt with

open primary closed Primary Semi Open Primary

Open Primary: a primary election in which eligible voters need not to be registered party members Closed Primary: a primary election in which only registered party members may vote Semi - open: primary available only registered party members and those not registered as members of other parties

What are pseudo polls?

Opinion studies wrongly presented as polls -- Self-selection pools in which a person selects themselves into a survey(internet polls or call-in polls) ** Results likely to be unrepresentative

Partisan and social Group Membership

Party ID colors people's views on policy influences and their evaluations of candidates and they judge their candidate and issue positions as superior

What is the Responsible party Model?

Party government when four conditions are met: clear choice of ideologies, candidates pledged to implement ideas, the party held accountable by voters, and party control over members -- Party should present programs that are consistent with the ideology -- Candidates would pledge support to party platforms and implement party programs if elected -- Voters should choose which programs reflect their own ideas and keep parties responsible for promises not kept by voting officials out the office -- The party should exercise control to ensure officials are promoting and voting for its program providing accountability to voters

What is defining policy agendas?

Policies that a party candidates agree to promote and pursue when governing

What is astroturf?

Political campaigns: democratic or elite driven -- Grassroots Lobbying: indirect lobbying efforts that spring from widespread public concern -- Astroturf lobbying: indirect lobbying efforts that manipulate or create public sentiments "AstroTurf" being artificial grass roots ( orchestrated by elites ) ** Uses the support of the public to promote the interests of corporations or businesses

How does economic self interest play a role in different public opinions?

Political preference comes from assessment of what is best for people economically

What are campaign Polls?

Polling done for candidates in their efforts to win an election or re-election

What are push polls?

Polls that ask for reactions to hypothetical, often false information order to manipulate public opinion

Getting Nominated

Presidential candidates are chosen from primaries

What is Front Loading

Process of scheduling Presidential primaries early in the primary election

Enviormental groups

Promotes environmental policies, the clean air & water act, the endangered species act, -- Sierra Club, National Audubon Society, National resource defense council, and Greenpeace, maintain active lobbying efforts in DC -- Extremist groups include EARTH FIRST!

How do interest groups participate?

Provides avenue for citizens participation in politic Allows people to pull resources and channel their efforts for collective action

Decrease is Social Connectedness

Social Connectedness: citizens involvement in groups and their relationships to their communities and families -- As people leave their communities they lose ties to a larger community and have less stake in participating in communal decision -- Lower levels for social connectedness plays a part in lower voter turnout

Unconventional Methods

Social movements & Mass protests -- Social protests; public activities designed to bring attention to political causes, usually generated by those without access to conventional means of expressing their views -- A process/method usually used by those that have been excluded from the political process bc of their minority, social, or economic status ( education the public, spreading the narrative * mobilizing the members) this methods aims to draw citizens who have not yet formed an opinion

Interest Group Resources

Some groups have more money, effective leadership, more members, or better info that can give them better chance at influencing the government

What is Patriotism?

Strong emotional attachment to ones political community

Leadership

The intangible element in the success or failure of an interest group -- Leaders can keep IG going -- Professional group leadership can leave the citizenry with fewer paths to civic engagement, eliminated on the of the characteristics of interest groups politics that many believe that IG enhance democracy

The Fourth Model

The virtue of modern democracy is that citizens play different roles that together combine to form an electoral citizen we prefer 1. Reasonably stable 2. Repsondes to changes of issues and candidates 3. Electorate cares as a whole but not too much

How can effective leader spur the formation of an Interest Group?

They are called entrepreneurs and can convince people that the group can promote interest and influence the policies that affect it -- Cesar Chavez: United Farm workers, Ralph Nader: consumer interest, Candy Lightner: Mothers against Drunk Driving

What is the advantage of individuals with more wealth & Knowledge?

They have an advantage in using interest group process to pursue their policy goals and it helps explain why there are few groups that represent the homeless, welfare participants, and the unemployed

The Media

Two kinds of campaigns 1. The kind you pay for( Campaign ads ) they provide usable info for voters 2. Negative Advertising: Campaign advertising that emphasizes the negative characteristics of opponents rather than one's own strengths -- Media outlets play a large role in getting information about candidates and boosting or dragging down a candidate's campaign

How accurate are polls?

We have no good evidence to judge the accuracy of polls, however in the past polls have been close

What is Hyperpatisanship?

a commitment to party so strong that it can transcend other commitments

What is the collective good?

a good or service that by its very nature cannot be denied to anyone who wants to consume it -- Safe roads, public safety, better education, sustainability of the planet

What is Political Party?

a group of citizens united by ideology and seeking control of the government in order to promote their ideas and policies -- Recruting, nominating, & electing candidates to office

What are factions?

a group of citizens united by some common passion or interest and opposed to the rights of other citizens or to the interest of the whole community -- Madison said factions would weaken and destabilize the Republic, however factions also would make it difficult to find other members due to the wide availability and therefore would cancel each other out

What is Party Platform?

a list of policy positions a party endorses and pledges its elected officials to enact -- Nationals party campaign promises -- Party differences are necessary for popular control of the overall direction of government policy

What is voter mobilization?

a party's effort to inform potential voters about issues and candidates and to persuade them to vote -- Change in efforts of people to make directed contact the people during campaign leads to lower voter turnout

What is Realignment?

a substantial and long term shift in party allegiance by individuals and groups, usually resulting in a change in policy direction

What is Dealignment?

a trend among voters to identity themselves as independent rather than as members of a major party

What is governing?

activities directed toward controlling the distribution of political resources by providing executive and legislative leadership, enacting agendas, mobilizing support, & building coalitions -- Party voters can hold officeholders accountable for failed and successful policies -- When a party controls government they can determine who occupies leadership positions -- Legislative leadership controls the legislative debate, calendar, and amendments

issue advocacy ads

advertisements paid for by soft money and not regulated that promote certain issues positions but does not endorse a specific candidate

What is the party primary?

an election in which party candidates are nominated by registered party members rather than party bosses -- Created to undo the corruption of party machines/bosses

What is a critical election?

an election signaling a significant change in popular allegiance from one party to another

What are Benchmark polls

an initial poll on a candidate and issues on which campaign strategy is based & against which later polls are compared - helps design campaign strategy

What is the electoral college?

an intermediary body that elects the president -- Created by founders to express their fears that people could not exercise-wise & considered judgments about politics

What is indirect lobbying?

attempts to influence government policy makers by encouraging the general public to put pressure on them/ -- Use of political protests, social movements Other methods include, use of email, computerized databases, talk radio, 24/7 cable to bring pressure to the public for the influence of government members

What are selective incentives?

benefits that are available only to group members as an inducement to get them to join -- Materialistic benefits, solitary benefits, and expressive benefits

What are Agriculture interest Groups?

in order keep farmers in business and the nation's food supply at an affordable level the US government has regulated and subsidize agriculture

What's the 17th amendment about?

direct election of senators by popular vote ** took election of the US Senate from the state legislature & gave it to the states(1913)

What is Direct Lobbying?

direct interaction with public officials for the purpose of influencing policy decisions -- Congress is the typical recipient of lobbying efforts but also the president, bureaucracy, and the courts -- Direct lobbyist usually focus efforts on congressional committees where most bills are written or revised

What are they key trigger mechanisms for an interest group?

disturbance in the political, social, or economic environment that threaten members of a group -- Government action to regulate businesses and professions and formation of one group is seen as a threat and can lead to formation of another group on the opposing side

Getting Out the Vote

drives efforts by political parties, interest groups, and the candidates staff to maximize voter turnout -- Modern technologies combined with old school door to door campaigning allows parties and groups to target swing voters and their base voters

What are exit polls?

election related questions asked of voters right after they vote

What are party eras?

extended periods of relative political stability in which one party tends to control both the presidency & congress

What are economic interest groups?

groups that organize to influence government policy for the economic benefit of members -- Economic opportunities that are sought after are higher wages, lower tax rates, bigger government subsidies, or more favorable regulations -- Government and Business Association are the most numerous and powerful of all interest groups ** Interests pursued involve taxes, labor & regulatory issues ** Business issues are active in education,welfare reform, and health insurance

What are public interest groups?

groups that organize to influence government to produce collective goods or services that benefit the general public -- Believe the benefit they seek is good for everyone -- When a collective good is threaten ( Gun rights, Environment rights) the membership in public IG increases -- They also offer expressive & material benefits

Government Interest Groups

groups that organize to present foreign or domestic government and to lobby congress and the president on their behalf -- Ethical rules have been initiated to prevent former government officials from working as foreign government lobbyist as soon as they leave office

What is a Front Runner

he leading candidate and expected winner of a nomination or an election -- Candidates must control the narrative and not let the media take over it

Coalition

interest groups can bolster lobbying efforts by forming coalitions with other initiated groups - important strategy on lobbying congress

What is negative partisanship?

loyalty to a party driven by hatred of the other party

What is party machines?

mass-based party systems in which parties provided services and resources to voters in exchange for votes

What are trafficking polls?

ongoing series of surveys that follow changes in public opinion over time

What is party in the electorate?

ordinary citizens who identify with the party Party Identification: voter affiliation with a political party Party base: members of a political party who consistently vote for the party candidates

What are Party Bosses?

party leaders, usually in an urban district, who exercised tight control over electioneering and patronage -- They would select people to be appointed as party nominee, but must elect party loyalist to government positions, contracts, etc. -- Patronage: a system in which a successful party candidates reward supporters with jobs or favors

What is Party In government?

party members who have been elected to serve in government -- All candidates from national, state, and local offices who have been elected -- President, speaker of house, majority & minority leaders, party whips, and state governors -- Organizes government & translates the wishes of the electorate into public policies

What are free riders?

people who refuse to spend time, money, or effort on the collective solution because they can reap the benefits whether they join or not

What is a party activist?

the "party faithful" the rank and file members who carry out the parties electioneering efforts -- Tend to be more ideologically extreme -- In diverse districts the party that appeals best to the moderates & independents usually wins most of the votes

What is party discipline?

the ability of party leaders to bring party members in legislature into line with the party program

What is online processing?

the ability to receive & evaluate information as events happen, allowing us to remember our evaluation even if we have forgotten he specific events that cased it

What is Public Opinion?

the collective attitudes & beliefs of individuals on one or more issues

What is the collective action problem?

the difficulty in getting people to work together to achieve a common goal when the solution is costly and no one individual has an incentive to use resources to make it happen -- Can be overcome by shared perception, a common problem, or threat, an abundance of time and money

What is Party organization?

the official structure that conducts the political business of parties -- Central committees at the national stage & local levels -- Raises money for campaigns, recruit and nominate candidates, organize & facilitate campaigns, register voters, mobilize voters to the polls, conduct party conventions & Caucasus, and draft party platforms

What is the Spiral of silence?

the process by which a majority opinion becomes exaggerated b/c minorities do not feel comfortable speaking out in position ( can become the overwhelming voice of the group)

What is electioneering?

the process of getting a person elected to office -- Recruiting, nominating candidates, and defining policy agenda

What is partisan sorting?

the process through which citizens align themselves ideologically with one of the two parties, leaving fewer citizens remaining in the middle and increasing party polarization

What is Political Gridlock?

the stalemate that occurs when political rivals, especially parties, refuse to budge from their positions to achieve a compromise in the public interest

What is rational ignorance?

the state of being uniformed about politics bc of the cost in time & energy

What is the revolving door?

the tendency of public officials, journalists, and lobbyist to move between public- and private sectors (media, lobbying) jobs -- 2007 law passed that requires senators to wait before a year and house staffers cannot lobby a committee they worked for -- Obama executive order preventing presidential appointees from worker as lobbyist for 2 years after leaving their posts and from returning to lobby the exec branch during his time in office -- Trump order for appointees to not lobby the agencies for which they worked for 5 years after office

What is momentum

the widely held public perception that a candidate is gaining electoral strength -- Narrative has to be baked up with performance

How do interest groups play a part in agenda building?

they work to get their issues in political agenda of congress, executive branch, and agencies

What is soft money?

unregulated campaign contributions by individuals, groups, or parties that promote general election activities by do not directly support individual candidates -- Used for voter registration & issue development activities