civics

Party Ideology and Identification

Political parties operate at national state and local levels Their functions include nominating candidates informing the public operating the government and serving as watchdogs;

Party Platforms

A formal list of a party’s goals and beliefs Democrats focus on equality environment and healthcare Republicans focus on limited government free markets and national security;

Party Demographics

Democrats often get support from urban younger and diverse voters Republicans are often supported by rural older and business-oriented voters Minor parties focus on specific issues or ideologies;

Party Roles in Elections

Parties use poll watchers and exit polls to ensure fair elections Concerns include fraud and gerrymandering Solutions involve secure systems and bipartisan checks;

Voting Rights Expansion

Voting rights expanded over time The 15th Amendment banned racial discrimination The 19th gave women the vote Early rules based on property or religion were removed;

Voting Restrictions

Legal barriers like poll taxes and ID laws and extra-legal ones like threats or lies have kept some people from voting;

Fighting for Voting Rights

Court cases and grassroots groups work to remove unfair laws and boost voter turnout;

Voter Influences

Media campaigns beliefs and peer groups all shape how people vote;

Voting Trends

Over time people’s party loyalties turnout rates and focus issues have changed shifting the political scene;

Voting Issues Today

Topics include voter ID polling access and hours The debate is between security and access;

Media and Campaigns

Media helps inform but may be biased It can raise awareness or mislead;

Propaganda

Biased or misleading political messaging like ads slogans or posts meant to influence voters;

Voter Registration

To vote people must be US citizens meet age and residency rules Debates include ID laws and automatic registration;

Elections and Democracy

Elections let people pick leaders and shape laws Democracy is stronger with fair open elections and civic education;

Interest Groups

Groups like the NRA or Sierra Club that try to influence laws and policies;

Interest Group Agendas

Some push for public good like education and healthcare others for business religion or ideologies;

Interest Group Methods

They lobby politicians run ads donate money and talk to the public;

Reasons for Involvement

People get involved for personal beliefs to help their community or as a civic duty;

Barriers to Involvement

People may face laws threats or lack support that make it hard to participate but activism helps break these down;

Main US Foreign Policy Goal

To protect national security by guarding the country’s borders people and interests;

Isolationism vs Internationalism

Isolationism means staying out of foreign affairs Internationalism means engaging globally through partnerships and alliances;

OPEC’s Influence

OPEC controls oil prices Their actions have caused energy problems in the US pushing the country to rely less on foreign oil;

NGOs vs IGOs

NGOs like Red Cross are private groups IGOs like UN are made between governments to work on global issues;

International NGO Roles

Amnesty fights for rights Doctors Without Borders gives medical aid BRAC helps fight poverty;

Global Issues

Big issues include terrorism cybersecurity human trafficking and the environment Solving them needs countries to work together;

Foreign Policy Tools

Include negotiations treaties foreign aid public diplomacy alliances and participation in groups like NATO and WHO;

Military and Economic Tools

The US can use sanctions blockades drone strikes and economic aid to protect its interests;

Diplomatic Tools

Treaties direct talks multilateral agreements and public diplomacy help prevent conflict and build peace;

Collective Security

When countries agree to protect each other from attacks as a team like in NATO;