political spectrum (ideology)
Communists liberals Conservatives Fascists
political spectrum (generalized)
radical (revolutionary) moderate radical (reactionary)
Individualism
a social theory favoring freedom of action for individuals over collective of state control
Equal opportunity
a state of fairness in which individuals are treated similarly unhampered by artificial barriers of prejudices or preferences, except when particular distinctions can be explicitly justified
Free enterprise
an economic system in which private business operates in competition and largely dree of state control (market economy)
Rule of law
the restriction of the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to well defined and established (no one is above the law)
Limited government
restricted power over a governments citizens and economy; often bound by a constitution to protect civil rights
Keynesian economic theory
driven be demand for good
Supply side economic theory
driven by supply
Monetary policy
actions of central gov to achieve macro level objectives bolster the economy at large
Fiscal policy
actions of federal government
liberal economic policies
Restrict economic freedom Regulate capitalism Tax wealthy Less money to the military
conservative economic policies
More economic freedom Free enterprise Flax tax More money to military
Ideology
a person's ideas or beliefs about what role government plays in life
Liberalism
looks to the future
classic liberalists
fought to minimize the role of government Thought that government could be a threat against people's liberties
current liberals
thought that gov should be positively used to being about justice and equality of result Believed in possibility of progress Equality main political value
Conservatism
looking to the past
classic conservatives
rooted in framework of european monarchy
current conservatives
Emphasized smaller governments and strong states rights Liberty is primary political value
Barry goldwater
considered father of modern republicanism/conservatism
Socialism
transitional stage between capitalism and communism Economic governmental system based on public ownership of productions, distribution, and exchange
American socialists
favor largely expanded role for government
american socialist policies
Nationalization of industries Expanded welfare and healthcare programs Much higher taxes on rich
Libertarianism
believes that above all else the government should absolve itself in our lives
libertarianism ideas
Anti government Opposes virtually every government program (prevent me from getting murdered or dying bc of drinking water and thats all you should be doing in my life)
Populism
belief that virtuous citizens are mistreated by a small circle of elites who can be overthrown if ppl recognize danger
Most common american political ideologies
liberalism and conservatism Democratic and republicans ]
Political socialization
ppl slowly acquire attitudes and opinions that deal with politics
Political socialization is influenced by
Family Mass media School Economic status Occupation Religion age Major events
Family socialization
young children are influenced by family thought direct and indirect
direct family socialization
Child is influenced politically by in terms of having discussions or going to political events
indirect family socialization
when a child watches or overhears political discussions
Political party
groups of persons who seek to control government by winning elections and holding office
What parties do
Nominate candidates Inform and activate supporters Insure good performance Govern according to party Act as a watchdog
Single party system
1 major political party holds all the power
2 party system
2 major political parties
Multiparty system
3 or more political parties holding office
Single member districts
only have 1 person to vote for in your district
duvergers law
Single member districts Winner takes all system (supports 2 party system)
Proportional system
party receives the same % of seats as their votes
Coalition government
have to form a coalition to govern (wie im deutschland)
Winner takes all
you get most events you govern everything
Electorate
voters
Ticket splitting
voting with one party for one office and the other party for another office
Federalists
Led by hamilton Represented wealthy and upper class interest Favored strong executive leadership Liberal interpretation of the constitution
Democratic republicans
Led by thomas jefferson Represented the “common man” Favored congress as the strongest arm of government Strict interpretation of the constitution
Democratic era (1800- 1860)
Dominate all but 2 presidential elections Whig party emerges in 18434, but declines by the 1850s electing only 2 presidents Republican party founded in 1854
Republican era (1860-1932)
Republicans dominate all but 4 presidential elections Civil war disables the democratic party for the remainder of the 1800s
Return of the democrats (1932-1968)
Democrats dominate all but 2 presidential elections FDR is elected president 4 times
Richard Nixon (interlude) (1968)
southern strategy Democrats was most of the south's seats in 1960s and then it flipped 1995 to 1969 democrats outnumber republicans in the south 2017: southern house seats balance has tilted to republicans
Southern strategy
support states rights, law and order, strong military
Divided government (1968-today)
No one has dominated the presidency Congress usually controlled by opposing party
Ideological parties
based on a set of beliefs- comprehensive view of social economic and political matters
Ideological parties ex
libertarians, communists, socialists, constitutionalist
Single issue parties
concentrate on only one public policy matter
Single issue parties ex
Right to life, prohibition party, green party
Economic protest parties
rooted in periods of economic discontent
Economic protest parties ex
Greenback party, populist party, tea party
Splinter parties
parties that split away from one or other major parties
splinter parties ex
Bull moose, progresssive, dixiecrat
importance of minor parties
Spoiler role Critic Innovator
Spoiler role
candidates pull decisive votes away from major parties candidates
Critic
take stance/draw attention to controversial issues major parties ignore
Innovator
draw attention to important issues and propose the innovative solutions to problems
Future of government
Voters don't want to label themselves and are split ticket voting more often More divided on issues Changes in technology has caused the independent it rise Growth of single issue organizations
Suffrage
the right to vote
Disenfranchised ppl
Women Poor ppl African americans Native americansAsian immigrants
Restrictions today
Convicted felon Under 10 Mentally incompetent
Voter eligibility based on 3 factors
Citizen of the US Must be a legal resident of the state for a minimum amount of time At least 18
15th amendment
right of citizens to vote can’t be denied based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude
Voting rights act (1965)
outlawed discriminatory voting practices
17th amendment
required senators to be directly elected by the people
17th amendment expanded
Changed the way america chose senators 2 per state 6 year terms Previously chosen by state legislature
19th amendment
right to vote ca’t be denies based on sex
23rd amendment
granted citizens in DC the right to vote for presidential electors
24th amendment
eliminated poll taxes and any other taxes from being a requirement of voting
26th amendment
right to vote cant be denotes based on agee (18 and older can vote)
Denying the vote
Poll tax Literacy test Grandfather clause
Grandfather clause
anyone who had been able to vote before the 15th amendments and their descendants
grandfather clause expanded
If ur grandpa couldn't vote then you cant either Used in the south to disenfranchises african americans
Registration
procedure of voter identification intended to prevent fraudulent voting
Nonvoting voters
people who can vote but don’t
Ballot fatigue
voters who complete only part of the ballot
Rational choice
a political science theory explaining the actions of voters and politicians
Retrospective
voting made after taking into consideration factors like the performance of a political party, an officeholder, and/or the administration
retrospective expanded
People more concerned w policy outcomes than policy instruments What has the candidate done/not done to accomplish the goals i am interested in What have you already done for me
Prospective
voters decide what the government will do in the near future by choosing a certain political party with distinct stances on issues
prospective expanded
Ppl are more concerned w policy instrument than policy outcomes What will the candidate do for me in the future to accomplish the goals i am interested in What are you going to do for me
Party line voting
voting for everyone in the party i like regardless of what they have done stand for
2 steps of election proces
Nomination General election
nomination
field of candidates narrowed
general election
regularly scheduled election were votes make the final choice of officeholder
5 ways to nominate
Self announcement Petition Caucus Direct primary Convention
Self announcement
person wants to run for office announced their candidacy
Petition
candidate gathers a required # of signatures
Caucus
private meetings for local bigwigs, not widely used since 1820s
Direct primary
party election to choose candidate
Convention
delegates selected to chooses candidates
Absentee voting used for
Disabled or ill Those who expect to be away Military