Unit 4 - parties and elections

Party Identification

The degree to which a voter is connected to and influenced by a particular political party

Straight-Ticket Voting

Voting for all of the candidates on the ballot from one political party

Split-Ticket Voting

Voting for candidates from different parties in the same election

Party Platform

A set of positions and policy objectives that members of a political party agree to

Party Leadership

The president chooses the chair of their national party. They raise money and serve as a spokesperson for the media.

Recruiting Candidates

Parties use recruitment (the process through which political parties identify potential candidates)

Party Coalition

Groups of voters who support a political party over time

Realignment

When the groups of people who support a political party shift their allegiance to a diff political party

Critical Elections

A major national election that signals a change in the balance of power b/w the two parties

Divided Government

A trend since 1969, in which one party controls one or both houses of Congress and the president is from the opposite party

Nomination

The process by which parties choose their candidates for office

Delegates

Person who acts as the voters representative at a convention to select the partys nominee

Primary Elections

An election in which a state's voters choose delegates who support a presidential candidate for nomination or an election by a plurality vote to select a party nominee for a seat in congress

Open Primaries

Election in which all eligible voters may vote regardless of party affiliation

Closed Primaries

Election in which only those who have registered as a member of a political party may vote

Caucuses

A process through which a states eligible voters meet to select delegates to represent their preferences in the nomination process

Superdelegates

A party leader who is not pledged to a candidate based on the outcome of the states primary or caucus

Front-Loading

A decision by a state to push its primary or caucus to a date as early in the election season to gain more influence in the presidential nomination process

National Convention

A meeting where delegates officially select their party's nominee for the presidency

Candidate-Centered

Trend in which candidates develop their own strategies and raise money with less influence from the party elite

Two-Party System

System in which political parties dominate politics, winning almost all elections

Proportional Representation Systems

An election system in which citizens vote for parties and those parties are represented in the legislature

Single-Member Plurality System

Election system for choosing members of the legislature where the winner is the candidate who receives the most votes, even if the candidate does not receive the majority votes

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

Citizens United v. FEC (2010) was a Supreme Court case where CU challenged campaign finance laws that limited spending on political ads. The Court ruled that under the First Amendment, these restrictions violated free speech, allowing unlimited spending by corporations and unions in elections. This decision led to the rise of "Super PACs" and increased the influence of money in politics.

PAC

• A group that raises and spends money to support or oppose political candidates or issues.

• Can collect funds from individuals and organizations, but there are limits on contributions.

• Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited money but cannot donate directly to candidates or coordinate with campaigns.

SuperPac

• A type of PAC that can raise and spend unlimited money on political ads and activities.

• Cannot donate directly to candidates or coordinate with their campaigns.

Political mobilization

efforts by political parties to encourage their members to vote

Swing state

a state that does not consistently vote either Democratic or Republican in presidential elections

battleground states

States in which the outcome of an election is too close to call and either candidate could win

Electoral College

The Electoral College is a system where voters choose electors who then vote for the U.S. president. A candidate needs 270 out of 538 electoral votes to win.

winner-take-all system

an election system in which the candidate with the most votes wins

Voting Rights Act of 1965

a law designed to help end formal and informal barriers to African-American suffrage

Rational voting

When a voter makes their choice based on what benefits them most or aligns with their interests, rather than voting randomly or without though

Retrospective Voting

voting for a candidate because you like his or her past actions in office

Prospective voting

when voters choose candidates based on what they believe the candidate will do in the future.

Party-line voting

when voters support candidates from the same political party for all offices.

tillman act

1907 law banning corporate contributions to political campaigns

Linkage institutions

Structures like political parties, media, and interest groups that connect people to the government and help shape public opinion and policy.

Motor Voter Act (1993)

Tried to increase voter turnout by allowing voter registration at same time as getting or renewing driver's license. Increased the registration rate, but not the voter turnout rate (people still apathetic or not motivated to vote)

Plurality

Candidate or party with the most votes cast in an election, not necessarily more than half.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, which aimed to regulate campaign financing by banning soft money contributions to political parties and restricting election-related ads by corporations and unions.

What's one reason Political Parties are slowly losing control

The rise of super PACs and outside interest groups has weakened political parties by allowing candidates to receive massive financial support independently of party organizations.

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18

12th Amendment

Separation of votes for President and Vice President

24 Amendment

abolished poll taxes

Incumbent

An officeholder who is seeking reelection.

Political culture

Refers to the shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about government and politics within a society.

Laissez-faire

An economic philosophy advocating minimal government interference in business and market activities.

Rule of law

Means that laws apply equally to all people, ensuring no one is above the law, providing fairness and justice in society.

Political socialization

The process by which individuals develop their political beliefs, often influenced by family, education, and media.

Political ideology

A set of values and beliefs about the role of government, society, and individual rights that shape political behavior and policy preferences.

Generational effect

Refers to the long-lasting impact that major political events or social changes can have on the attitudes of a specific generation.

Life Cycle Effect

The influence of aging and life stages on political attitudes and behavior, as individuals' perspectives often shift over their lifetime.

political equality

Means that each person's vote and voice are considered equal in the political process.

Globalization

Refers to the interconnectedness of the world's economies, cultures, and societies, driven by trade, technology, and communication.

Outsourcing

The practice of moving jobs or services to other countries, typically to lower costs. This strategy can lead to significant cost savings for companies but may also contribute to job losses in the home country.

Scientific Poll

Uses rigorous methods to gather data about public opinion, ensuring accuracy and reliability in political research.

Random selection

The process of choosing participants for a poll or survey in such a way that every individual has an equal chance of being selected.

Representative sample

A subset of a population that accurately reflects the characteristics of the larger group, ensuring that survey or poll results can be generalized.

Weighting

Adjusts survey data to account for differences between the sample and the general population, making results more accurate.

Sampling Error

Refers to the margin of error in poll results due to the sample not being perfectly representative of the population.

Exit Poll

A survey taken immediately after voters cast their ballots, used to predict election outcomes before official results are counted.

Benchmark Poll

The first poll taken on an issue or candidate, establishing a baseline to measure future changes in public opinion.

Tracking Poll

Conducted repeatedly over time to track changes in public opinion on a specific issue or candidate.

Push Poll

A biased poll designed to manipulate opinions by framing questions in a way that leads respondents toward a particular answer.

Party ideology

The set of beliefs and values that guide a political party's stance on issues, shaping its policies and platform.

Party identification

An individual's personal affiliation with a political party, often influencing voting behavior and political views.

Libertarianism

Advocates for minimal government intervention in both personal and economic matters, emphasizing individual freedom and autonomy.

Conservative

Favor limited government, traditional values, and free-market capitalism, often supporting a stronger emphasis on security and personal responsibility.

Liberals

Support a more active government role in addressing social issues and advocating for equality, social welfare, and environmental protections.

Authoritarianism

A political system where the government holds significant power, often limiting individual freedoms and suppressing dissent.

Command Economy

An economic system where the government controls production, distribution, and prices, with little or no market influence.

Mixed Economy

Blends elements of both market and command economies, allowing for some government regulation while encouraging private enterprise.

GDP

Measures the total value of goods and services produced by a country, indicating its economic strength.

Recession

A period of economic decline marked by reduced economic activity, lower employment, and shrinking production.

Expansion

The phase in the business cycle when the economy grows, with rising employment, production, and consumer spending.

Business Cycle

Refers to the fluctuations in economic activity, including periods of growth (expansion) and decline (recession).

Fiscal Policy

Involves government decisions on taxation and spending to influence the economy, typically controlled by Congress and the president.

Monetary policy

Involves regulating the money supply and interest rates to control inflation and stabilize the economy, controlled by the Federal Reserve.

Keynesian Economics

Advocates for government intervention to stabilize the economy, especially during recessions, through increased spending and regulation.

Supply-side Economics

Emphasizes reducing taxes and regulations to encourage business growth and increase the supply of goods and services.

Medicare

A federal program providing health insurance for people aged 65 and older, helping to cover medical expenses.

Medicade

Medicaid, a federal and state program that provides health coverage for low-income individuals and families.

Gender Gap

Refers to the difference in political preferences, voting behavior, and attitudes between men and women, often influenced by social and economic factors.