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Describe the two methods of removing the causes of factions
Removing the causes and controlling its effects.
Describe Madison's position on the two methods.
Madison's position on removing liberty is that it is worse than the problems. His position on controlling everyone's beliefs is impractical because it would be unwise.
Is the "republican principle" more suitable for controlling the effects of a minority faction or a majority faction? Explain
The republican principle is more suitable for controlling the effects of a majority faction because it allows the majority to defeat its sinister views by a regular vote.
Is a republic or a pure democracy more suitable for controlling the effects of factions? List the differences that Madison cites between the two.
A republic is more suitable for controlling the effects of factions. The first difference between the two is the delegation of the government, in the end, to a small amount of citizens elected by the rest. The second difference is the larger number of citizens and greater sphere of country, over which the end may be extended.
Interest Group
Group of people that have a common interest. Different than a club because the interest group's tries to influence the government.
Madison's Dilemma (Fed 10)
Interest groups and political parties are inevitable because we all think differently; therefore, can't get rid of factions, but that would get rid of freedom which would be worse than the disease.
Pluralism
Government run by interest groups, or influenced heavily by them. A good thing because it prevents dictatorship because there are so many competing interest.
Reasons for Growth of Interest Groups
Weaknesses of political parties, growth of government policies, diversity of population, diffusion of power in government, interest groups beget interest groups (one side then an opposing side), and technology.
Types of Interest Groups
1. Economic (Business, Trade/Professional Associations and Labor)
2. Single-Issue, Ideological, Political
3. Religious, Racial, Gender, Ethnic
4. Governmental
Tactics of Interest Groups
1. Endorsement of candidates - Can make candidates look good or bad.
2. Targeting of Unfriendly Candidates
3. Boycotting
4. Litigation - Suing in court.
5. Use of amicus curiae briefs - Submit opinions to supreme court cases.
6. Campaign Contributions - Campaign finance
7. Reduce diffusion of power in government
8. Initiative, referendum, and recall at state and local levels - propositions, make sure people agree to law, and get rid of people.
9. Lobbying - Anytime you try to convince congressmen to vote for a certain way.
10. Mass Media/Mass Mailings
Lobbying
Any attempt to try to influence government officials. Interest groups lobbying are the ones that do it as a job and are successful at it. Issues that are narrow and not well publicized have most success.
Functions of Lobbying
First is to try to influence the government and get government officials to vote for their issue. Second is to provide information to the government on there issue. Third is to testify at hearings. Fourth is to help write legislation, known as the third house of congress.
The Case for Lobbyists
Can't ban lobbyists because they are protected by the first amendment. They provide information to the government. Gets people involved in government, strengthens democracy. A "linking mechanism," links people to government. Provides representation based on interest rather than geography.
The Case Against Lobbyists
The rich and powerful are over represented while the average and poor are under-represented in lobbying, so it favors the rich and powerful. The national interest is sacrificed for narrow interest.
Functions of Political Parties
1. Nominate Candidates - Political parties nominate candidates for office.
2. Raise and Spend Campaign Funds
3. Register Voters
4. Simplify Decisions for Voters
5. Unify Diverse Interests
6. Act as moderating influence on government - Force more moderates in government because they do better at getting elected.
7. Reduce diffusion of power in government
8. Provide patronage - Winning political party gives jobs to there supporters.
11. Linking Mechanism between people and Government
Candidate Center Campaign
Focus on the candidate.
Party Center Campaign
Focus on party.
Decline of Influence of Political Parties.
Political parties are not as powerful as back then. They try to please so many people, so nothing gets done which is one of the reasons for the increase in interest groups. Also the increase in split ticket voting. And using primaries instead of caucuses.
1796-1824
Federalists vs Jeffersonian Democratic-Republicans.
1828-1856
Jacksonian Democrats vs the Wigs. 4 presidents, 3 of em were Wigs, but 2 of the Wig presidents died in office.
1860-1892
Wigs reorganized into republicans, the anti-slavery party and party of the north. First time republicans vs democrats. Republicans were dominant. Democrats were for slavery and in the south.
1896-1928
Republicans became a party of big business and working class. Democrats more rural and southern. Republicans were dominant.
1932-1964
Dominated by democrats. Begun by FDR during the New Deal. Present day democratic party formed during this time period. Poor, Catholics, Jews, etc. for democrats because they were discriminated against.
1968-Today
Era of divided government, so no dominants. Lots of split-ticket voting, president of one party and Governor of another party. Dealignment rises, moves away from political parties and goes independent.
Types of Third Parties
Doctrinal Party - Party that applies to general philosophy. Example: communist party.
Issue Oriented Party - Focuses on one issue. An example is the prohibition party which focused on banning alcohol.
Parties Centered Around A Strong Personality - Example is Teddy Roosevelt's party, the Bull Moose party.
Reasons for Third Parties
The purpose isn't to win elections, but to try to raise issues that other parties must adjust.
Obstacles Facing Third Parties
1. We're a two-party system because it's tradition
2. Winner-take-all-system prevents them from gaining any electoral votes.
3. Can't change the system because the original two parties are in charge and don't want to.
4. Money because people don't wanna donate because the third party won't win either way.
5. It is hard for them to get on ballots.
6. They tend to not get media coverage.
7. Single member districts.
During political campaigns before an election, the news media is said to cover the campaigns like a horse race. Which of the following statements best explains the reason for this analogy?
The press relies heavily on measurements like poll numbers as a constant comparison of candidates' relative success in a campaign
What is one effect of consumer-driven media
It replaces content from professionals with content from non-experts.
Political Analysis
Experts break down complex legislative, legal, or policy issues for the public, offering explanations without personal bias. This type of journalism educates readers on potential impacts of government actions.
Media as Scorekeeper
During election seasons, the media tracks polling data and updates viewers on which candidates are ahead.
Horse-Race Journalism
Focuses on the competition rather than policy details, often emphasizing poll numbers over substantive issues.
Bandwagon Effect
Undecided voters support leading candidates due to their popularity.
Media as Gatekeeper
Editorial boards act as gatekeepers by selecting which stories to cover, which shapes public priorities.
Media as Watchdog
Journalists serve as watchdogs by exposing corruption, abuse, and inefficiencies in government and industry.
Cyber polarization
When people only see the news and opinions that match their values.
Echo chambers
Limits the exposure of different perspectives, which reduces the quality of democratic debate.
True
People watching ideologically aligned content restricts people's seeing opposite views, but is actually good and a necessity in a healthy public debate for a democracy.
Clay Johnson
Compared to consuming news and eating food. He says as you should avoid junk food for better health, you should avoid junk information for better information.
Narrowcasting
As media outlets proliferate and compete for attention, they increasingly cater to specific agendas.
Fairness Doctrine
A rule requiring broadcasters to present multiple viewpoints, was repealed and allowed more biased broadcasting.
Talk Radio
Figures like Rush Limbaugh, who rose in the 1990s, gained massive influence in conservative media through radio, bypassing the need for presenting opposing viewpoints, which was once required under FD.
FCC Regulation
The Federal Communications Act (1934) gave the FCC authority over radio, TV, and other media. FCC also regulated monopolies in the media industry.
Influence of Fox News
Rupert Murdoch's launch of Fox in 1996 drastically altered the media landscape by providing a conservative alternative to what was seen as liberal-dominated media. The slogan "Fair and Balanced" challenged the liberal media and attracted conservative viewers.
Fox's Success
After 9/11, Fox became the most watched cable news network and has maintained its lead, particularly during election seasons. Also became known as the "most trusted" network among conservatives.
Fragmented Media Landscape
As cable news developed, new channels like MSNBC emerged as liberal counterparts to FOX. This fragmentation encouraged networks to target niche audiences and draw in advertisers, leading to a wider variety of ideologically slanted networks.
Partisan Viewing
Studies show that news networks, particularly 24-hr channels, often focus on sensational stories and ideological reinforcement rather than substantive news. The polarizing nature of these networks often leads viewers to choose media outlets aligned with their own beliefs, reinforcing viewpoints.
Election Coverage
During election cycles, viewers increasingly turn to cable news channels for political coverage. Research revealed that voters from different political sides rely on different news sources.
Traditional Bias Label
Claim that media has a liberal bias, journalists tend to vote democrat. Liberal politicians often portrayed more positively, conservatives more negatively.
Contemporary Bias
Rise of ideologically driven media outlets, both left and right. These often present opposing narratives of the same events, making objectivity less of a priority and further polarizing the media.
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