Political Parties and Voting

Testimonial

(n.) a statement that speaks to a person's character or to the benefits of a product; expressing the value and worth of someone or something

The national convention

- keynote -platform

appeal to authority

A fallacy in which a speaker or writer seeks to persuade not by giving evidence but by appealing to the respect people have for a famous person or institution.

conservative

A political ideology where they believe in limiting the government's role and citizens can solve problems without the government intervening. They have very traditional values and they want leaders who will promote that lifestyle.

poll tax

A requirement that citizens pay a tax in order to register to vote

Literacy test

A test given to persons to prove they can read and write before being allowed to register to vote

transfer

Also known as association, this is a technique of projecting positive or negative qualities (praise or blame) of a person, entity, object, or value (an individual, group, organization, nation, patriotism, etc.) to another in order to make the second more acceptable or to discredit it.

19th Amendment

Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1920) extended the right to vote to women in federal or state elections.

Midterm election

Elections held midway between presidential elections.

23rd Amendment

Gives Washington DC electoral college votes as if it were a state (DC still has no representation in Congress)

ad hominem

In an argument, this is an attack on the person rather than on the opponent's ideas. It comes from the Latin meaning "against the man."

Ballot questions

Many states also allow citizens to vote directly on issues or laws, in the form of a popular referendum, legislative referendum, or an initiative. All of these measures are examples of direct democracy, where voters have a more direct say in their own laws.

economic-protest

Parties rooted in poor economic times, lacking a clear ideological base, dissatisfied with current conditions and demanding better times

common man propaganda

The "plain folks" or "common man" approach attempts to convince the audience that the propagandist's positions reflect the common sense

15th Amendment

The first effort to extend suffrage to African Americans nationwide came shortly after the Civil War, when the Fifteenth Amendment was ratified in 1870. The amendment provided that no state could deprive any citizen of the right to vote on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. This amendment marked the first time that the U.S. Constitution dictated rules to the states about who they must allow to vote.

top-two primary

The top two vote-getters, whether two Democrats, two Republicans, or two people from different parties, face off in the general election. The idea behind this reform is to get more moderate candidates on the ballot.

Poltical Ideology

a set of basic beliefs about life, culture, government, and society.

Independents

a term used to describe people who have no party affiliation

splinter party

a third party that splits away from one of the major parties because of a disagreement like the failure of popular figure to gain the major party's presidential nomination. They fade away with the defeat of the candidate.

Voting qualifications

citizenship, residence, age

closed primary

only members of a political party can vote. Thus, only Democrats pick Democratic candidates for office, and only Republicans can vote in the Republican primary.

Operating the Government

- parties play a key role in running and staffing the executive and legislative branches -Congress and legislatures organize party affiliation - put in leaders that want to support their party's position in legislation. - A party acts as a link between legislature and chief executive. - Executive works through party leaders in the legislature to promote the administration's program.

Developing and Implementing Policy

- political party in power works on policy initiatives. - Elected officials and party leaders set goals for government action and tell the American people. -pass laws addressing pressing issues. - executives work to implement government programs in line with their beliefs and priorities.

Elect Candidates

- recruit candidates to run for office - raise money for campaigns -organize rallies -meetings that generate enthusiasm for candidates - manage "Get Out the Vote" that remind voters of election day. -offer transportation for loyal supporters to get to the polls

Involving People in the Political Process

- regester voters -post signs -donate to campaigns -serve as election judges and poll watchers -set their goals by listening to the people

Party Eras

-Democrats 1995 -Republicans - 1952- present

Dispensing Patronage

-Parties reward party loyalty with their members. Some include jobs, contracts, and appointments to government positions. - Business executives and labor parties can contribute to political parties. - might award contracts to provide government with goods or services - loyal party workers placed in gov. jobs. - allows for party in power to their party with loyal party members in the government.

Government Watchdog

-The party out of power - does not hold the legislature or executive office -criticizes the party in power and offers solutions to problems

Sociological factors of Voting

-age -marital status -education -gender -religion -geography -ethnicity/race

Educate the Public

-parties bring important issues to public attention. - party publishes their positions on issues through pamphlets, press conferences, speeches, television interviews, radio, newspaper, and online advertisements. -parties inform them about the backgrounds of candidates

Impact and obstacles to third parties

1) getting on the ballot 2) single-member districts 3)financing

Republican history

After the civil war they represented the Northern states and controlled the presidency in both houses. From 1860 to 1932 they dominated.

Democrats history

After the civil war they tended to be the Southern states. Between the years 1860-1932 they only have four terms of the presidency. In 1932 they won and controlled congress for about the next 60 years.

Blanket/Jungle primary

Election in which all candidates for each office are listed on the ballot, and anyone registered to vote in that election may vote for any one candidate; typically, the top two vote-getters advance to a second, runoff election

Parties Before the Civil War

Federalists were for a strong central government and Democratic-Republicans believe that the states should have more power. The Democratic-Republicans dominated politics in the 1820s and the federalist party disappeared.

George Washington

George Washington said, "baneful effects of the spirit of party" about political parties.

Grandfather Clause

It was incorporated in the constitutions of some Southern states. The grandfather clause provided that only voters whose grandfathers had voted before 1867 were eligible to vote without paying a certain tax or passing a literacy test. The grandfathers of most African American Southerners had been enslaved and were not permitted to vote, so this clause prevented most of them from voting.

nominating conventions

Local party organizations send representatives to a country nominating convention that selects candidates for country offices and chooses delegates to go to a state nominating convention. They selects candidates for statewide office and chooses delegates to go to the national convention. Then they choose the party's presidential candidate.

single-member district

No matter how many candidates compete in a district only one will win. Also, since most voters support major parties the winner is a Democrat or Republican, not a candidate from a minor party.

Political Polarization

Party members and elected officials are more likely to agree on all points with the party platform and less likely to cross party lines on key issues. The parties are also more dominated by the people with strong ideological beliefs.

multiparty systems

Party systems in which more than two parties could potentially win a national election and govern. For example France has 15 political parties. These are often found in parliament. Most of the time some parties rarely get any attention. Several parties often combine to get a majority (coalition government).

Functions of political parties

elect candidates, educating the public, involving people in the political process, operating the government, dispensing patronage, developing and implementing policy, government watchdog, provide stability

Propaganda Techniques

involves using ideas, information, or rumors to influence opinion. It is not necessarily lying or deception, but it is not objective either.

Non voting reasons

look at notes

Voting participation solutions

look at notes

26th Amendment

lowering the voting age to 18 in every state. Thus, more than 10 million citizens between the ages of 18 and 21 gained the right to vote. In 1972 a large number of young people exercised their right to vote for the first time.

appeal to fear

makes people feel as if their safety, security, or health is in danger

Voting Rights Act of 1965

the federal government took new steps to directly regulate state-controlled election procedures. The act allowed the federal government to register voters and send poll watchers on Election Day in states and localities that discriminated against African American voters.

legislative referendum

the legislature refers a measure to the voters for their approval.

Suffrage/ Franchise

the right to vote.

1952- present party history

the two parties have been split between the control of Congress and the presidency.

single-issue parties

third party that focuses on exclusively on one major social, economic, or moral issue. They are generally short-lived as they fade when the issue is not longe very important or other major parties adopt it.

National Voter Registration Act of 1993

this act passed in 1993 and frequently called the "Motor Vehicle Act" is a piece of legislation that includes a provision that makes it possible to register to vote when applying for or renewing your drivers license.

bandwagon

tries to persuade the reader to do, think, or buy something because it is popular or everyone is doing it

popular referendum

voters gather signatures to put specific laws passed by the legislature on the ballot. Citizens can vote to approve or repeal the laws.

initiative

voters who secure enough signatures can place their own proposed laws or state constitutional amendments on the ballot. If successful, initiatives can either force a state legislature to consider an issue or can bypass the legislature completely.

Provide Stability

when a party loses control of the government they transfer power peacefully

black and white propaganda

a form of propaganda intended to create the impression that it was created by those it is supposed to discredit. Black propaganda contrasts with grey propaganda, which does not identify its source, and white propaganda, which does not disguise its origins at all.

referendum

a legislative act is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate

ideological party

a party with a set of ideas about how to change society overall rather than focusing on a single issue.

liberal

a political ideology where people believe in the proper role of government to promote health, education, and justice. They put equality above economic freedom. Government should not restrict individual freedoms.

Registration

a procedure of voter identification intended to prevent fraudulent voting

open primary

all voters may participate, even if they do not belong to the party, but they can vote in only one party's primary.

direct primary election

an election in which party members select people to run in the general election.

Election

an orderly process for making group decisions.

Third Party

any party other than the two major parties. More than one party may run against the major parties. They rarely win major elections and they are also known as minor parties.

petition

candidates want to avoid paying the fee so they use a petition that allows them to collect a certain of number of signatures from the people who live in the district allowing them to become a legitimate candidate. If they get 3 percent of voters of a district in, their names will appear on the ballot.

card stacking

propaganda technique involving the use of showing one-sided information

glittering generalities

propaganda technique using short phrases or words to promote positive feelings or emotions

labeling

providing identifying, promotional, or other information

Nominating candidates

There are many methods to do this. They cannot win with their names on the ballot so they use petitions.

caucuses

They are private meeting of party leaders where they choose nearly all their candidates for office. All party members can attend them. At the local level they discuss candidates and party positions, elect local party leaders, and choose delegates to represent them at a regional caucuses. Then they send them to the state meeting. They choice delegates to attend the party's national convention.

Role of Minor Parties

They influence the outcome of elections and can take voters from a certain party. They can also help promote new ideas if they receive a lot of support.

two-party system

Two major political parties that compete for power.

One-party systems

only one political power exists usually because the government does not tolerate opposition. The party sets all policies.

24th Amendment

outlawed the poll tax in national elections. The use of the poll tax in state elections was not eliminated until a 1966 Supreme Court decision. (Harper v. Virginia Board of Election)

moderate

political ideology that falls between liberal and conservative and which may include some of both; usually thought of as tolerant of others' political opinions and not likely to hold extreme views on issues.

Republicans

political party associated with conservatives and moderate-conservatives. They support individual rights instead of the group as a whole. They oppose government intervention with the economy. They prefer lower taxes and oppose taxing wealthy people at higher rates than poorer people. They are also homophobic, support medicare but should be replaced with a plan to pay some or older Americans with private health plans. They want to leave private landowners to environmental protection. They also believe in the use of all energy sources.

Democrats

political party associated with liberals and moderate-liberals. Democrats believe that the government should take a bigger role in providing social services and security to Americans. They want to increase taxes on the wealthy and reduce it on the poor. They encourage a variety of government regulations to protect consumers in financial, housing, healthcare, and energy industries. They support unions. They see climate change as an important issue.