American Gov. Unit 3

America

The right to vote in ________ has been restricted by wealth, race, and gender.

Elitist Theory

argues that a few wealthy groups have the most power.

Election campaigns

________ and other political processes in which candidates, not political parties, have most of the initiative and influence.

Conventional Activism

includes voting, donating money or time, writing a letter, knocking on doors.

Secondary Agents

have a less intimate connection with an individual and are usually more important later in life, as in the case of work associates.

GOP

________ has majority in Congress- all but 6 years.

Unconventional Activism

includes the use of protests, boycotts, sit- ins, or even riots.

Incumbency advantage

the tendency of Congress members to win reelection in overwhelming numbers.

PACs

________ favor incumbents over newbies System favors the interests of the rich over the poor.

Super

________ Tuesday- a date in the primary calendar when multiple states hold primaries & caucuses.

Political Movements

Social or ________ are broad efforts by citizens to change a policy that they feel that government has been unresponsive to.

supply side

Favor ________ or "trickle down "economics (help out businesses to help the economy)

Majority parties

________ adjust voting rules to protect themselves.

Superdelegates

________- "party elites who get to vote along with state delegates at a partys national convention.

Citizens

________ have a high degree of trust in government.

Suffrage

right to vote.

Civil Rights Movement

The ________ pushed to end Jim Crow and segregation and got more support from the Democratic Party.

Pluralist Theory of American politics

argues that group activity brings representation to all.

Peers

________: Research shows that individuals are unwilling to stray too far from the political beliefs of their friends.

News media

covers campaigns as if they were a strategic game hence de- emphasizing issues of policy.

Alienation

________ diminishes peoples interest in political participation.

Foreign Policy

________: Less popular than domestic issues, except in times of war.

Apportionment

number of representatives set by Congress.

largest corporations

Power is held by the ________, which prevail in big decisions.

personal time

Being politically active requires ________, effort and some financial resources.

Catholics & Jews

________ are more likely to support anti- poverty programs than Protestants.

Regular voters

are characterized by a strong sense of civic duty.

Hyperpluralism

Policymaking is slow because of so many interest groups.

political interest group

A(n) ________ is an organization whose goal is to influence government.

Education

generates a greater interest in politics, a higher level of political knowledge, a greater confidence that you can make a difference, and peer pressure to participate in politics.

Gender Gap

the tendency of women to vote more strongly democratic than men.

Voter Turnout

refers to the percentage of eligible voters who actually cast a ballot.

American politics

________ has a definite middle- class slant, reflecting the higher participation rate of middle- class Americans, who tend to favor self- interested policies.

Young adults

_____ are less likely to vote than middle- aged adults or senior citizens.

Mass Media

______ has an "agenda- setting "effect- it influences what is on peoples minds.

Party competition

narrows down peoples options and enables those with differing opinions to render a common judgment.

Party stars

give speeches and articulate the partys platform- the issues the party believes are the most important and where they stand on them.

Party Realignments

when a party remakes itself with new philosophies, policies, and supporters.

Democratic Party Andrew JacksonStrong

The ________ states rightsInterests of farmers & tradesmen, pro- immigrant, pro- slaveryFewer rights for free blacks, use of the "spoils system "jobs given to supporters.

Gender

________: male- female differences of opinion are small on most issues.

Passive political participation

non- participatory activities like watching /reading the news.

Unit 3

Political Socialization

The process is cumulative

you are shaped over time

Family

Near monopoly on the attention of the young child and contributes to basic orientations that, while not directly political, have political significance

School

Teachers at the elementary level praise the countrys political institutions and extol the exploits of national heroes

Religion

Religious right is one of the more powerful religious force in contemporary American Politics

Peers

Research shows that individuals are unwilling to stray too far from the political beliefs of their friends

Events

The Great Depression, WWII, Vietnam, 9-11, Watershed moments shape peoples political beliefs

Economic Class

lower income Americans are more supportive of social welfare programs, business regulation, and progressive taxation than those in higher income categories

Gender

male-female differences of opinion are small on most issues

Political Identification

political party you think you belong to

Political Ideology

is a set of views on politics and the role of government

Pro-Labor & Pro-Union

increase taxes on the rich

Libertarian Party

political party that promotes civil liberties, non-interventionism, let it be capitalism, limit gov

Constitution Party

promotes a religious conservative view of the US, Constitution, Declaration of Independence

Uses random selection from a population (demographic group)

their opinions should reflect those of the population as a whole

The accuracy of a poll is expressed in terms of sampling error

the degree to which the sample estimates might differ from what the population actually thinks (+/-)

Problems with Polls 

Political polling suffers from some of the following issues

Question order & wording may (purposely) affect results

framing effects & push polls

Based on views of Jackson and Progressives

strong faith in judgment of ordinary citizens

Black Suffrage

1870, in reality 1965

18 year olds

1971

A feeling of personal powerlessness

government does not care about the opinions of people like oneself

Difficulty with this interpretation of election results

voters are not well informed of candidates policy positions

Participation and the Potential for Influence

your vote DOES matter

PACs (Political Action Committees)

An organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, especially at the federal level

Current federal contribution limits for individuals are low -$3000 Candidates spend less time fundraising

more time meeting with voters

1951

22nd Amendment fixed ^^

Winning the Nomination 

"Invisible Primary" refers to a candidates ability to raise money + interest with the public

Caucus 

Iowas 1st in the nation event to select a candidate/delegates to the state convention

Closed Primary 

Voting is done by party members only

Open Primary 

Eligible voters can vote for any candidate regardless of party

Super Tuesday 

a date in the primary calendar when multiple states hold primaries & caucuses

Superdelegates

party elites who get to vote along with state delegates at a partys national convention

More debates

The two main candidates square-off in televised debates on the issues

Foreign Policy

Less popular than domestic issues, except in times of war

Electors do not have to reflect the popular vote

faithless electors

Primary professions

Law, Business, Service/Politics, Ed

Incumbency advantage

the tendency of Congress members to win reelection in overwhelming numbers

Iowa

Randy Feestra, Cindy Axne, Mairnette Miller-Meeks, Ashley Hinson

Still

7 states have 1 representative

Apportionment

of representatives set by Congress

Iowa

Chuck Grassley & Joni Ernst

The Democratic Party Andrew JacksonStrong state rightsInterests of farmers & tradesmen, pro-immigrant, pro-slaveryFewer rights for free blacks, use of the "spoils system"

jobs given to supporters

Party Realignments 

when a party remakes itself with new philosophies, policies, and supporters

A change in the party coalition

who votes for them

Nations party system collapsed in 1860

only time in American history

The 1896 Realignment

Economic panic leads to severe depression

GOP has majority in Congress

all but 6 years

The New Deal Realignment

Herbert Hoover was blamed for the Great Depression

From 1932-1968

Dwight D. Eisenhower is the only Republican president

The Southern Strategy

Use campaign language that reinforces white supremacy

Have existed throughout history

Conservative, Green, Independent, Liberal Democrats, Labor

Hyperpluralism

Policymaking is slow because of so many interest groups

Economic Groups 

_____ are most common type of interest group in America, they engage in political activity in order to seek favorable economic policies from the government

Citizens Groups 

groups formed to promote a cause they believe in, but doesnt have direct economic benefits

Free Rider Problem

Someone who benefits but doesnt contribute (visitors, tourists)

NOW (National Organization of Women

Abortion)

Senate Qualifications

6 year terms, 30 years old, Resident of the state they represent.

House Qualifications

2 year terms, 25 years old, Inhabitant of state they represent