U.S. Political System: Primaries, Parties, and Media Influence

What is an open primary?

An open primary allows voters to participate in a party's primary election without being registered with that party.

What is a closed primary?

A closed primary requires voters to be registered with a political party in advance to vote in that party's primary.

Why did political parties form according to John Aldrich?

Political parties formed because ambitious politicians needed institutional solutions to coordinate candidates, mobilize voters, and win governing majorities.

What are the four main types of congressional constituencies?

The four main types are geographic, re-election, primary, and personal constituencies.

Which congressional constituency is the closest to the representative?

The personal constituency, which includes friends, family, and close supporters.

Which congressional constituency is the farthest away?

The geographic constituency, which includes everyone living in the district.

How does the media affect public opinion?

The media influences public opinion through agenda setting, framing, and priming.

What is agenda setting in media?

Agenda setting determines which issues people think are important by choosing what to cover or ignore.

What is framing in media?

Framing shapes how issues are presented, affecting how audiences interpret them.

What is priming in media?

Priming influences how people evaluate leaders by emphasizing certain issues over others.

How has news consumption changed over time in America?

News consumption has shifted from major broadcast networks to fragmented sources like cable networks, online platforms, and social media.

What disadvantages do third parties face in the U.S. system?

Third parties are disadvantaged by single-member districts, plurality elections, and winner-take-all rules.

What is Duverger's Law?

Duverger's Law explains how single-member districts and plurality elections disadvantage third parties.

What reforms could help third parties succeed?

Reforms could include ranked-choice voting, proportional representation, or multi-member districts.

What characterizes candidate-centered elections?

In candidate-centered elections, individual candidates run personalized campaigns and are responsible for fundraising and messaging.

What characterizes party-centered elections?

In party-centered elections, political parties control nominations, campaigns, and voter loyalty.

Which type of election describes the U.S.?

American elections are best described as candidate-centered.