Linkage Institutions Study Guide

study guide for unit 3 gov!

What are the three roles of media?

1. gatekeeping

2. watchdog

3. scorekeeping

high-tech politics

behavior of citizens & policymakers are influenced by technological advancements

media event

staged primarily for the purpose of being covered; wouldn’t happen if media wasn’t there

watchdog role

• news holding the government accountable & reporting on their coverups/immoral actions

• limits politicians; take less risks to prevent PR attention

narrowcasting

media is aimed and focused on a particular group/audience; cater to specialized tastes

trial balloon

information sent out to the media to “test” audience’s reaction

soundbite

brief, memorable comment that fits into news segments; can be taken heavily out of context

bias in the news

• main goal: make profit

• bias: scandal/conflict and other negative news

horserace journalism

focuses more on poll results and speculation about a likely winner than on substantive differences between the candidates

policy agenda

set of issues, problems, or subjects that gets the attention of/is viewed as important by people involved in policymaking (e.g., government officials, government decision-makers)

incumbency advantage phenomenon

incumbent typically has funding & popularity advantage over challengers

McGovern-Fraser Commission

created the process in which we nominate presidential candidates today in 1969; rewrote the Democratic Party’s rules regarding selection of national convention delegates, established open procedures and affirmative action guidelines for selecting delegates

superdelegate

an unelected delegate who is free to support any candidate for the presidential nomination at the party National Convention

invisible primary

“money primary”, period between first well-known presidential candidates with strong supports showing interest in running, and the demonstration of public support for them in primaries/caucuses

—> those who don’t get enough support often end up bowing out of race before the primary season

caucus

participants engage in a discussion and break into groups according to their preferred candidate; the one with most support moves on to county convention; goal is to gain delegates for the national convention

primary

secret ballots for the candidate of their choice -- a poll; goal is to gain delegates for the national convention; more common in states than caucuses b/c takes less time and promotes more voter participation BUT voters tend to be less informed

open primary

voters of any affiliation can vote in the primary

—> can lead to attempts to sabotage by other party by electing a weaker candidate, but can also be beneficial by allowing a Republican to vote for a more Conservative democrat, etc

closed primary

voters must be part of that party to vote for them; may increase polarization of primary stage by catering to only the party’s interests

frontloading

moving up (in dates) of caucuses and primaries by state → increasing their influence in the selection of the party’s candidate → presidential nominees being determined early in the election year

ex. Iowa and NH

tasks completed @ national convention

1. State delegates from primaries and caucuses selected to represent the people now “endorse” their candidates

2. Final presidential nominee will be officially announced at the end

3. Presidential candidate chooses a running mate (vice president)

15th amendment

people can vote regardless of race

17th amendment

people of each state elect senators

24th amendment

abolish poll tax

19th amendment

women can vote

27th amendment

people 18+ can vote

Voting Rights Act of 1965

preservation of equal voting rights; cannot discriminate based on race

—> outlaw literacy tests, outline specific punishments for intimidating minority voters

Motor Voter Law

states must allow people to register to vote when they sign up for a driver’s license

• increased registration, NOT turnout!

policy voting

voting based on one's evaluation of the candidates or parties' positions on particular issues or policies

rational-choice voting

voters weigh the pros and cons of each candidate or party, considering their policy positions, qualifications, and other relevant factors, aiming to make the choice that maximizes their individual interests

retrospective voting

voters make decisions based on the evaluation of the performance of incumbents or the current government, as well as the party

party-line voting

voters consistently support the candidates or positions of a particular political party without significant regard to the specific policies or qualifications of individual candidates

prospective voting

voters making decisions based on the candidates' or parties' promises, plans, or proposed policies for the future; expect good future performance

ticket splitting

voting for candidates from different political parties for various offices in the same election

conventional participation

participation through approved, pre-existing channels in the political process

examples of conventional participation

voting, forming interest groups, peaceful protests

unconventional participation

participation through non-approved channels outside of the accepted political process

civil disobedience

peaceful, nonviolent protest or resistance in which individuals intentionally break specific laws, regulations, or rules as a way to challenge perceived injustices, discriminatory policies, or unfair practices

ex. not paying certain taxes

grassroots

mobilize voters at the local level to use collective action to pass policies and influence legislation