Intro to American politixs (Interest groups and political parties)

Third parties

parties that organize to compete against the two major American political parties

Party Identification

an individual voter’s psychological ties to one party or another

Party Activist

partisans who contribute time, energy, and effort to support their party and its candidates

Gender gap

a distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the differences in views between women and men

Political parties

organized groups that attempt to influence the government by electing their members to important government offices

partisanship

identification with or support of a particular party or cause

Two-party system

A political system in which only two parties have a realistic opportunity to compete effectively for control

Party Organization

the formal structure of a political party, including its leadership, election  committees, active members, and paid staff

Third parties wrere created for wha?

As a way to represent social and economic issues that were not represented by the two major parties.

Party systems

Are organizations of parties and dominant form of campainging

FIrst party system

Federalist versus Jeffersonians. Federalist eventually lost and some members were tried for treson

Second party

WHigs and Democrats. Whigs are the successors of federalist and eventually join the republicans to ban slavery

Party shift

The Democrtas started to expand their base during Roosevelt reign and the southern racsist shifted to the Republicans in Nixons era.

Interest groups influence government how?

Influencing through office/lobbying, influencing elections/ caimpaign contribution through Pacs and Superpacs

Super pacs

o   2010 (citizens united Federal Election COmmittee): Congress cannot limit corporate in elections as it is aform of free speech even if it is a speech from a corporation. Can spend unlimited amounts of money but cannot associate themselves with one candiate over the other.

PAC (political action committee)

Heavily regulated and limits spending

Pluralist theory

Pluralism doesn’t gaurantee political equality and the elites have the most influence. Pluralist groups are democratic according to some because they provide a link between people and government but dome say it’s not because it causes conflicting politics.

Examples of interest groups using court

NAACP – Brown versus Board of Education

Lgbt – Obergefell versus Hodges

Roe versus Wade

Lobbying

an attempt by group to influence the policy process through persuasion of government officials. Can be petitioning or testifying for clients, fundraisning, or ads. Heavily regulated and are required to register by reporting pay.

Direct lobbying

Hiring a person or group to represent the whole who will approach each congress person. Might be testifying, research, or meeting with congressmen.

Indirect/grassroot lobbying

Asking voters to go to congress person like in the asd or petitioning. Less restriction.

Solving free rider problem

Offer selective benefits for only group members

Informational benefits

Conferences, training programs, newsletters, etc

Material benefits

tote bags, mugs, discounts on travel, gun club membership, insurance, etc

Solidtary beneifts

Friendships, networking opportunities, etc.

Purposive benefits

Appeal of purpose

Type of interest groups

Profesional, coroprate, Labor, CItizen

Citixen groups

open to ordinary citizen and represent a wide variety of interest whether it be about gun control, abortation, and human rights. Some citizen groups are called public interest groups

COrporate Groups

§  Corporates can sometimes created trade associations or join a bigger interest group

Professional Assocuiations

represemt the interest of individuals who work in specific

How do interest groups differ from politcial parties

Interest groups represent narrow ofteon interests and political parties are for everyone and will focus on every issue and put people in government.