Government - Linkage Institutions

Voting Amendments

15th: African Americans right to vote / 17th: Direct election of Senators / 19th: Women right to vote / 24th: Elimination of poll taxes / 26th: 18-years old right to vote.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA)

A federal law that regulates the financing of political campaigns. Designed to ban "soft money" and limit "electioneering communication". Passed in order to prevent money and special interest groups from having an unfair advantage in political campaigns. Requires disclosure on electioneering communications "I'm John Doe and I approve this message"

The Voting Rights Act of 1965

A piece of legislation to increase the voting opportunities for African Americans and women. Outlawed literacy tests and poll taxes. It basically enforced the 24th Amendment.

Interest Groups vs Political Parties

A primary difference between political parties and interest groups is that political parties represent a broad array of issues, whereas interest groups are more likely to focus on a narrow set of issues. Political parties seek to control government by winning elections, while interest groups seek to influence public policy.

Rational-Choice-Voting

A voter examines a candidate, evaluates their platform and votes in way that serves their best interest.

Retrospective Voting

A voter uses recent events and conditions, such as the economy, to make their decision when voting

Party-Line-Voting

A voter who has strong ties to their political party will vote along party lines. They will vote the same party across the entire ballot. *Political party is the #1 predictor in how a person will vote in an election.

Prospective Voting

A voter will look at campaign promises, anticipate the future, and vote on a candidate based on how they think they will perform.

Voting Predictors

Age, race, religion, gender, income, and party affiliation are all used as voting predictors. Those who are well-educated, older, and have more wealth are more likely to vote. For example: college graduates are more likely to vote than are those who have at most a high school diploma. Party affiliation / Partisanship is the single best predictor of HOW a person will vote. Minorities and the West coast tend to vote democrat. Those who attend church regularly and the Southern states tend to vote republican (especially Southern white voters). Women are somewhat more likely to vote for democrats and men for republicans.

Realigning Election

An election in which there is a significant shift in the bases of electoral support from one political party to another. This can happen during "critical elections". An example would be FDR following the Great Depression.

Electioneering Communication

Any broadcast, cable, or satellite communication that refers to a specific candidate for federal office within 30 days of a primary or 60 days of a general election.

Bipartisanship

At times, Republicans and Democrats will work together to find common ground on issues of government.

Criticism of Interest Groups

By favoring a narrow viewpoint, interest groups may fail to consider what is in the overall best interest of the population.

Grassroots

Campaigning at the lowest level - refers to average voters. (door to door campaigning, town hall meetings, etc.)

Electorate Behavior

Considering all elections the majority of the electorate does not vote in most elections. Voter turnout in the United States is low compared to other Western democracies. The highest form of political participation by U.S. citizens is voting in presidential elections because of increased media coverage.

"Super PAC"

Does not have financial contribution limits as long as they act independently and are not directly involved with the candidate or political party. Uses only independent expenditures and "soft money".

Horse-Race Journalism

Focus is placed on "who is winning". Coverage will consist of poll results and speculation of the winner rather than the policy differences between candidates. As a result, the electorate will be less able to accurately compare the policy platforms of candidates running in the election.

Soft Money

Funds that are given NOT DIRECTLY to the candidate. These funds do not have contribution limits as long as they are not tied to a specific candidate. These funds will focus on promoting issues or voter mobilization rather than help a specific candidate.

Hard Money

Funds that are given directly to a specific candidate. These funds have limits - they are regulated and disclosed.

Issue Networks

Groups that join forces to lobby for a particular policy goal they share. For example, a religious group may join with a civic group to fight for healthcare reform, even though they have different opinions on other issues.

Media Impact on Debate and Knowledge

In 1960, the average American home received three television stations. Now media outlets include 24-hour news casts on multiple channels with unlimited internet access and social media. Some would argue that increased media choices may have a negative impact on political knowledge and public debate.

Motor Voter Laws

In 1993 Congress passed a law designed to make it easier to register to vote. The law requires states to allow people to register to vote when applying for driver's licenses - the main intent is to increase voter registration.

Party in Power

In American politics the party in power is the party that controls the executive branch. The party in power will usually lose seats in Congress during mid-term elections.

Interest Group Influence

Interest groups influence public policy through lobbying, litigation (law suits), fundraising through PAC's, use of media (issue ads), and grassroots movements. An example would be submitting an amicus curiae brief to lobby the courts.

Elitism

Interest groups with the most power, money, and resources are more likely to achieve their goals over groups with less membership and financial support. This could be seen as a form of elitism. For example: Two interest groups are competing for influence in Congress. One group represents banking institutions, while the other advocates for consumer protections. The banking interest group likely has greater financial resources and access to policy makers than the consumer protection group.

Linkage Institutions

Interest groups, political parties, media and voting all promote democracy by linking citizens to the political process.

Consumer-driven media

Media outlets are competing for customers. As a result, media coverage is more influenced by what stories people are interested in rather than "hard news". Media outlets will focus on a particular audience, thus reinforcing political biases and increasing partisan polarization.

Democrats

On the political map, represented as blue and tend to favor liberal ideas. Favor policies that promote social justice and support welfare programs.

Republicans (GOP)

On the political map, represented in red and tend to favor conservative ideas. Some examples of conservative ideas would be private market economy, smaller federal government and less government involvement in welfare programs.

Social media that reinforces existing beliefs

People tend to exchange political ideas with like-minded friends over social media, thus creating a social media echo-chamber for their own viewpoint.

Low Voter Turnout

Reasons for low voter turnout include: registration requirements, weak party affiliation, weekday elections, frequency of elections at the state and local level.

Partisanship

Refers to government action based on loyalty to a political party.

Incumbent

Refers to someone who is currently the holder of a political office. Have an advantage in campaigns and are usually re-elected. The single most important factor in determining the outcome of an election is incumbency. Incumbents are well-known and will receive most of the campaign donations (bet on the winning horse!).

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC) (2010)

Ruled that political spending by corporations and labor unions is a form of protected speech under the first amendment. Removed the bans on "soft money" established in BCRA. Overturned the electioneering communication ban within the BCRA. Upheld the disclosure provision within BCRA - "I'm John Doe and I approve this message".

Lobbying

The act of pressuring legislators to respond to your wants and needs. Lobbyists and interest groups will work to gain access to legislators and influence their actions.

Political Efficacy

The belief that one can make a difference in politics by expressing an opinion and acting politically.

Pluralism

The idea that having a variety of parties and interest groups within a government will strengthen the system, ensuring that no group possesses total control.

Ideological television programming

The increased number of television channels creates a scenario where individuals may choose to seek political news from sources that share their viewpoint and political ideology. As a result, citizens may fail to consider opposing viewpoints.

Public Agenda

The issues that the nation's political leaders and the general public agree need government attention.

Iron Triangles

The long-term relationships between bureaucratic agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups in specific policy areas.

Political Parties

The main goal is to work to get candidates elected to political offices (Win Elections!). Organize campaigns, fundraise, recruit and nominate candidates, mobilize and educate voters, create a party platform and create a media strategy. Work to keep the general public informed about key issues, and monitor the conduct of candidates in office.

Gatekeeping

The media will shape the public agenda by filtering and framing what issues will be covered and how they are covered.

Mass Media

The primary goal is to set the public agenda. Will not influence HOW you think, but they will influence WHAT you think about.

Interest Groups

The primary purpose is to influence public policy. Protected by the 1st Amendment - "right to peacefully assemble and petition the government" Different from political parties in that they do not nominate candidates. Instead they work to support candidates, influence the mass media, and focus on public issues.

Credibility of sources

Today's political news has much more potential to come from unfiltered and unreliable sources. It can be difficult to know the bias or political agenda behind a particular news story. As a result, citizens have the potentially to receive information from sources that lack credibility.

Minor Parties

Under our two-party system, minor parties struggle. Third party candidates have a small chance of winning in any election. Many people view a vote for a minor party as a wasted vote. Barriers to third party candidate success include lack of money and resources, the winner-take-all feature of the Electoral College, and single member districts.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Used to raise and distribute money to candidates who will further their goals. A standard PAC will use only "hard money" or regulated / disclosed money. By contributing to campaigns, PAC's will gain influence and access to legislators.

Direct primaries

Voters directly elect candidates in a primary election. The use of direct primaries instead of the convention system in selecting presidential candidates has resulted in a weakening of party control over nominations.

"Free-Rider" Problem

When a person benefits from the actions of the interest group but refuses to participate in the effort of the interest group they are referred to as free-riders. For example - an environmental group may work to block an environmentally destructive project. The public will reap the benefits, even though the environmental group did all the work.

Candidate Centered Campaigns

With the increased use of television and social media, candidates can now promote themselves without relying on their political party. As a result, political parties have lost some power and control over the nomination process. This may create a scenario where a candidate may gain the nomination regardless of having less experience and different policy positions.