AP GOV Unit 3

linkage institutions

organizations that work to connect people to government and government to people

the 4 linkage institutions

1. media2. political parties3. elections4. interest groups

3 roles of the media

1. gatekeeper
2. 2. watchdog
3. 3. scorekeeper

gatekeeper

*provide information* organizes and interprets public opinion polls

watchdog

*investigates* and exposes organizational wrongdoing; *scandal*

scorekeeper

*identify "winner" and "loser"* in political, economic, and social contexts

political parties

organized group of people with shared ideals on how to govern and with a common goal of nominating candidates to run for office and run the government if elected

elections

organized through state and local governments (reserved power) to provide opportunities for the most direct participation of people in government by voting for chosen representatives in gov't

interest groups

an organized group of people that seeks to influence public policy action regarding a specific issue area WITHOUT formally participating in the election processex: nominating a candidate and running a campaign

publicizing (interest groups)

interest groups attempt to cultivate a public image to build up goodwill; try to influence public opinion

policy specialists

only interest groups

(choosing one main issue)

policy generalists

only political parties

(need to have an opinion on just about everything)

the 3 ways interest groups attempt to influence

1. provide credible information
2. organize public support/protest
3. donate money/jobs (revolving door)

the 4 ways interest groups try to shape policy

1. lobbying
2. electioneering
3. litigation
4. publicizing

lobbying

someone not in government goes to congress to get them to pass a law

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(ex. walking up and asking)

electioneering

someone unaffiliated with a political party trying to influence the outcome of an election

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(ex: pac or private citizen)

political action committee (pac)

an interest group that raises funds and donates to election campaigns DIRECTLY

pacs support...

canidates

super political action committee (pac)

may raise unlimited money from corporations, unions, and individuals but CAN'T contribute DIRECTLY to parties/candidates; has a $5k cap

super pacs support....

issues

private citizen

a citizen who does not hold any official or public position

litigation

legal action; trying to influence a court's decision

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(usually suing the federal gov’t)

amicus curiae brief

formal letter to a judge trying to influence their decision

class action lawsuit

when a small number of people sue on behalf of other people with a similar lawsuit (strength in numbers)

8 news media sectors

1. newspapers
2. public broadcasting
3. local tv/news
4. hispanic & african-american news
5. network news
6. cable news
7. digital news
8. audio broadcasts & podcasts

newspapers

a printed or digital publication that contains news, articles, & advertisements

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(ex: the new york times, wsj, washington post)

public broadcasting

includes radio, television and other electronic media outlets whose primary mission is public service; older listeners

(ex: PBS Newshour, NPR)

local tv

national network program that displays current local news

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(ex: nbc philadelphia, fox29, 6abc)

hispanic & black american news

media sources (newspapers, radio stations, tv stations) that are owned by or oriented toward hispanic and black Americans

(ex: telemundo, univision)

network news

national news that presents news and information from around the country and the world

(ex: abc news, nbc news)

cable news

traditional media; offers news during a 24 hour "news cycle"; tends to be polarizing

(ex: cnn, fox news, msnbc)

digital news

news consumed through online-only resources

(ex: BuzzFeed news, vox , Marketwatch)

audios & podcasts

information that is purely given through sound, no visuals included

(ex: am and fm radio, spotify podcasts; daily drive, on the media)

what are the 6 steps in the policy process?

1. **identify issues** & what level of gov't needs to deal with I
2. **agenda setting** - public opinion forces elected officials to deal with it
3. **policy formulation** - "brainstorming"; get input from experts (interest groups) to brainstorm solutions
4. **policy adoption**- congress makes law & president passes it
5. **policy implementation** - making people aware of the new law, enforcing the law, & congress sets a budget for it
6. **policy evaluation** - media reports as a success or failure; keep or repeal?

1st amendment

established freedoms of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition

equal time rule

still used; all candidates must be provided equal ad time if requested

fairness doctrine

overturned in favor of increased media competition; it formerly obligated broadcasters to present both sides of an issue

federal communication commission (fcc)

a government agency responsible for enforcing media regulations

libel

written false statementex: social media posts, blogs, newspapers

slander

verbal false statementex: podcast, video, news broadcast

what are the unprotected forms of speech/press?

1. libel and slander
2. incitement to illegal activity, anarchy, or treason

telecommunications act of 1996

designed to deregulate media & give smaller outlets a chance to compete with the bigger ones but the big media outlets just bought out the smaller ones

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(resulting in the 3 c’s)

the 3 c's

corporation, consolidation, conglomeration

what are the 8 steps in the election process?

1. **meet requirements** for office (formal & informal) & declare candidacy (party affiliation); file with FEC
2. **campaign** for support from members of **your party**
3. **primary or caucus**
4. **national/state party convention**
5. fundraising/**campaigning**/debates - gain support from as many voters as possible; follow campaign finance regulations
6. **election day** - people vote; this is the popular vote
7. **electoral college** vote (president ONLY) - 270 to win
8. **inauguration** day

general election

held every 4 years; for congress and the president

midterm election

held midway between presidential elections; for congress only

the requirements for president

a citizen of the us, 35+ years, 14 year resident

requirements for congress

house; 25 years, citizens for 7 years

senate; 30 years, citizens for 9 years

caucus

party members meet to discuss issues and vote for party candidate

open primary

participants can vote in any one primary regardless of their registered party

closed primary

only registered voters can vote in their party's primary (independents get no vote)

blanket primary

all registered voters can vote in all party primaries

delegates

affiliated voters at a convention who MUST vote according to the state's primary/caucus proportional outcome

(ex: representatives)

super delegates

non-affiliated party loyalists/supporters who may vote for whichever party candidate they choose

(ex: party leaders and elected officials)

majority vs. plurality

50% +1 aka more than half vs. whoever gets the most

the 4 advantages of the two-party system?

1. broad, comprehensive platform - guarantees high number of people represented in gov't
2. decreases opportunities for extremists to win elections
3. simplifies electoral choices for voters
4. platform-based focus allows for long-term stability and peaceful transitions of power

4 limitations of the two-party system

1. fails to capture variety of perspectives and specific issues that are important to voters
2. increases polarization and political stalemate
3. reduces political efficacy
4. creates a strong divide over issues and ongoing inability to address problems

the 4 disadvantages of the two-party system for 3rd parties?

1. winner-takes-all does not provide any opportunities for third parties to formally gain representation in gov't
2. do not get as much attention as the 2 major parties due to the narrow scope/focus that is often adopted by the dems & reps as a component of the party's platform
3. prevented from participating in national debates due to media regulation
4. lack of resources (financial & human)

party in the electorate

creating a party image and perception to allow citizens to self-identify a preference for one party or the other

4 examples of party in the electorate?

1. **nominate** candidates
2. **campaign** to win elections (campaign finance)
3. connect with voters through traditional and new **media** (campaign ads, interviews, debate participation, etc.)
4. host events such as **rallys**, state & national level conventions, fundraisers, townhalls, etc.

party in government

party members actually elected to the gov't; party controlling the gov't has policy consquences

5 examples of party in the government

1. legitimate power & authority to run the government
2. granted legislative OR executive powers (make & enforce laws)
3. fulfill campaign promises; electoral mandate
4. monitor & respond to public opinion
5. advocate for, negotiate, & compromise on policy

party as organization

people who work to get the party into power, exists on a local, state, and national level; decide the primary type

the 5 examples of party as organization

1. logistical operations - budget, spending, office space, travel, etc.
2. division of local, state, & party committees
3. determine use of resources for campaigns
4. leadership structure & party priorities
5. develop national party platform

citizens united vs. fec (2010)

ruled that using money is an action of free speech but **limits an individual** from donating too much to a candidate; can donate more to interest groups, pacs, parties

soft money

parties use money they get in indirect ways to get around reporting how much they're spending on their campaign (unregulated)

hard money

money that is spent directly on a candidate; limited and disclosed (easiest to regulate)

dark money

given to campaigns listed as charities so they can get around reporting the donor & how much they donate; not required to disclose (hardest to regulate)

bipartisan campaign reform act (bcra)

restricted the amount of money that could be donated to a candidate; wanted to get ride of "soft" money

bcra attempted to...

regulate dark money being spent on campaigns

bcra made ____ illegal

pacs

critical realignment periods

when stances or demographic support for parties shift

valence issue

everyone agrees on the issue but will this candidate's plan fix it

provisional issue

issues that candidates have opposing views on & cause division among voters

retrospective voting

voting for a candidate because you like their past actions in office

prospective voting

voting for a candidate because you like their ideas for handling certain issues

coattails

when someone has electoral success because their party's candidate is on the presidential ballot

serge and decline

president's party usually loses congressional seats in the midterm election

incumbency advantage

members of congress are highly likely to be reelected vs their new challengers being voted in

invisible primary

before the conventions when candidates try to win over their party leaders so they can be nominated

us chamber of commerce

created after government regulation changed & advocates for small businessesex: lowering taxes

public good

everyone benefits even if they don't contribute so most people are "free riders" and avoid participating

free rider problem is combated with...

incentives

free rider problem

when people don't join because they can benefit from the group's activities without participating

what are the 3 types of incentives?

1. solidarity
2. material
3. purposive

solidarity incentive

the social rewards (sense of pleasure, status, or companionship); "i'm not the only one"

purposive incentive

join because we believe in the true purpose and have a better chance of accomplishing something in numbers vs alone

material incentive

given a good or service of monetary value

public interest lobby

mostly benefits non members

interest groups' actions usually best represent...

the staff's beliefs over the member's

shield law

a law that gives new reporters the right to protect the anonymity of their sources; states have passed this

narrowcasting

targeting a very narrow audience; results in greater political polarizationex. conservatives watch glenn beck and bill o'reilly

party eras

periods during which there has been a dominant majority party for long periods of time; congress & president

divided government

one party controls the presidency and another party controls one or both houses of congress

unified government

the same party controls the presidency and both houses of congress

national rifle association (nra)

formed a lobbying arm for 2nd amendment gun ownership rights; most powerful interest group

2nd amendment

right to bear arms

american civil liberties union (aclu)

defends and preserves the individual rights and liberties in the us constitution/laws; handles the most court cases for any interest group

american association of retired persons (aarp)

nationwide organization for people 50+ that offers discount drug purchases, health & auto insurance, publications, & other activities; largest membership of any interest group

iron triangle

outdated view of influence on the policy process;

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(interest groups lobby congress; congress creates favorable legislation for the IG

enforcement agencies evaluate congress and congress adopts their policies

IG’s litigate enforcement agencies and EA’s create the regulatory processes for IG’s)