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Define the term "linkage institution"
A linkage institution is a structure within a society that connects the people to the government or centralized authority. These institutions include: elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.
Define the term "political party"
A political party is defined as an organized group of people with at least roughly similar political aims and opinions, that seeks to influence public policy by getting its candidates elected to public office.
Describe the functions of political parties in American politics
Give people a connection to their government, nominate candidates for political office positions, run campaigns, create a structured group of specific beliefs.
Define and explain the aspects of a political party through; party in the the electorate, party as an organization, and party in government
Party in the electorate - A party in the electorate simply means a political outfit with which candidates, as well as their supporters, identify with. Generally, citizens who identify with a given party constitute the party in the electorate. Supporters of a particular party are characterized by the following: are registered members of that particular party and registered voters; they demonstrate tendency to vote for candidates from that preferred party in all or almost all elections; during survey, they identify themselves as supporters of the party; they are persuaded to support policies advanced by their preferred party; they take part in the campaigns, and turn out in large numbers for primaries more than the general public. In the U.S. all you have to do to be a part of a political party is to say that you are, but in other countries you have dues and meetings to attend.
Party as an organization - the workers and activists who make up the party's formal organizations structure
Party in Government - The elected government officials control government based on their parties goals, they are also a spokesperson for their party.
What are the differences between the American party system and the European parliamentary democracies
In America all you have to do to be a part of a political party is to say that you are, but in other countries you have dues and meetings to attend.
Define and give an example for "critical elections"
This is when one party's era ends and the other takes over. Example - in 1932 FDR (a democrat) won the presidency
Define and give an example for "maintaining elections"
When the current reigning political party maintains the presidency. Example - Democrats won 1936, 1940, 1944, 1948
Define and give an example for "deviation elections"
When one of the parties seems as if it will win, but the opposite party makes a comeback. Example - Woodrow Wilson won in 1912 and in 1916
Define and give an example for "reinstatement elections"
This is after a deviation election when the party making a comeback looses and the opposite wins. Example - republicans won in 1920,1924, and 1928
Explain the signs and reasons for the decline of political parties in America
The decline of parties are from the cause of Vietnam(loss of trust in the government to do the right thing for its citizens), Watergate(media outburst of a president doing illegal activities to improve his chances of winning), Parties aren't needed as much and more(due to interest groups and other groups)
Define the term "third party" and explain their contributions to American politics
A third party is any party that isn't democratic or republican. Third parties can split the vote on a certain side causing the other side to win, also third parties may bring to light issues that may not have been considered before hand.
Describe types of third parties and give an example of each
Ideology - edges of the political spectrum. Examples - Libertarian party and the Communist party
Protest/reform - main goal is to reform by protesting. Examples - the Reform party and the Green party
Factional ("bolter") - splits in major parties. Examples - Dixiecrats in 1948(Democrats that wished to keep the Jim Crow laws) and The progressive or "bull moose" party in 1912(created by roosevelt from dissagreeance with taft)
*<b>Explain IN DETAIL the difficulties that third parties face in American politics</b>*
The American political system is a win or take all system, so it is near impossible for any third party to get their voice heard. Most 3rd party voters don't believe that their votes mean anything. Even to get your name or issue on the ballot is extremely difficult because each state makes its own laws on how to get on the ballot, even in the national election. They have no media coverage, it is also difficult to fund their campaign. They are usually not asked to join debates.
Define the term "interest group" and how they are related to political parties
An interest group is any organization whose members are linked by a common opinion on an issue that seeks to influence public policy on that issue. They do not run political candidates, parties usually have a numerous amount of issues, while a group will be solely based on on issue.
Define institutional interest groups, and give an example.
Institutional interest groups are lobbyists that represent other organizations, typically large corporations. Examples - automotive industry and the pharmaceutical industry
Define membership interest groups and give an example.
Membership interest groups depend upon private citizens through dues and other donations for funding. Examples - Oklahoma Barr association, labor, NAACP, NOW, AARP... and many more
Explain how some interests are represented effectively and how some are underrepresented.
The more money a group has, the more they are able to influence the interests of the people
Define the term "free-rider"
A person that does not give money to an interest group because they know that they will receive the benefits either way.
*<b>Describe IN DETAIL the tactics different interest groups use and evaluate their effectiveness.</b>*
Lobbyists can directly contact legislators, which guarantees that the legislator gets the message. This works best when the interest group issue is narrow and technical.
Interest groups working for large corporations use the "grass-roots lobbying" approach, which is using its citizens/members as lobbyists. Typically, these citizens send in letters to the legislator.
Interest groups can send campaign contributions.
Some interest groups write legislation for legislators.
Interest groups employ former government officials. This is known as the "revolving door" and it gives officials a reason to listen to the interest groups.
Interest groups that advocate on civil liberties can turn to litigation.
Interest groups without any publicity often protest in order to gain publicity.
Identify major components of the Federal Election Campaign Acts of 1971 and 1974
In 1971 they enacted a law that candidates have to disclose who made contributions to their campaign. This act also limited how much money candidates could spend on their own campaign.
In 1974 they limited the amount of money that individuals or groups could give to campaigns. This created the Federal Election Commission and the Bipartisan Committee that administers campaign laws. The FECA of 1974 also established the presidential Election Campaign Fund that would provide public funds for presidential campaigns. In order for a candidate to be eligible for this they must receive at least 5% of the popular vote from the last election, If accepted this is the only amount of money that the candidate is allowed to use.
Explain the precedent established by Buckley v. Valeo
Politicians challenged the FECA laws on the grounds that campaign contributions are free speech. Congress defended the laws by claiming that public interest(corruption in the government) trumps free speech. Although the Supreme Court agreed that "money is speech", they upheld a majority of the provisions under the FECA. They did strike down the limit on the amount of money a candidate can add to their own campaign (millionaire amendment) because individuals cannot corrupt themselves.
Describe and asses the influence of political action committees and "soft money" on electoral politics
PAC's are set up by corporations, unions, or non-profit interest groups to raise money for political candidates so that they do not violate their tac-exemption and legal status. Soft money is money given to a group that has a pac so as to not directly give a candidate money, keeping the transaction legal.
Explain the major provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold) of 2002 and the McConnell v. FEC decision
This raised the individual contribution limit from 1000$ to 2600$ (adjusting to inflation) per donor, per candidate, per election, and it allows for an individual to give 5000$ to PACs, limited soft money donations and also limited spending per 2 year cycle. This also made the "stand by your ad" (When they say "I approve this message") in the case of McConnell v FEC, it held up in court.
Evaluate the consequences of the "Citizens United" decision on American Politics
This stated that individuals, corporations, and unions can spend an unlimited amount of money on political ads because these ads classify as free speech. The sponsors of these ads must disclose their contributions. This led to the rise of "super Pacs" these super pacs basically are huge superpowers that can give unlimited money to a campaign because of the amount of people donating. This decision led to there being more negative commercials on TV.
Describe "Pluralism"
Interest groups that are positive because they represent the people. This theory says that the government is forced to make compromises with all of the interest groups. Thus, it creates a moderate policy that promotes the common good.
Describe "hyperpluralism"
Interest groups are negative because they gridlock government. In the process of trying to please the increasing number of interest groups, the government makes laws that are lengthy and contradictory and the public opinion can no longer be heard.
Describe "elitism"
Interest groups are negative. Interest groups represent the upperclass and so most government decisions are made with this class in mind. This lowers the political efficacy of the general population.
Functions of the press in American politics and why is the press sometimes known as the "fourth estate"
1. To inform citizens
2. Look for corruption
3. Agenda setting (creating which events will be popular)
They are known as the fourth estate in government because they protect us from corruption of government
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different American news sources
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describe the impact of media consolidation on American news
little variety of news stories, lack of local ownership
Asses arguments regarding the influence of ideological bias in the American press
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