edexcel US politics democracy

filibuster

impeding or delaying legislation by making long speeches until a deadline is passed

racial rights campaigns on

\-voting rights

\-affirmative action

\-immigration reform

\-political representation

3 methods used by racial rights campaigners:

\-demonstration and civil resistance

\-legal methods

\-voter registration drives

immigration and national identity

immigration has implications in the areas of fariness, national identity, economic opportunity and - especially since 9/11 - homeland security

affirmative action

a policy of favouring historically disadvantaged members of the community

criticism of equality of opportunity

many civil rights advocates believe ‘giving rights to people’ cannot guarantee minory rights and representation, this woud merely give the appearance of rights and equality

equality of outcome

introduce racial advantage through such policies as busing, quotas and affirmative action

affirmative action in employment

preferential hiring practices for minority groups => diversify

how do conservative groups and republicans view affirmative action programmes

both patronising to minorities and unfair to majorities

kennedy’s executive order 10925 1961

‘to take affirmative action to ensure applicants are treated during employment without regard to their race, creed, colour or national origin’

Regents of the university of California V Bakke 1978.

What happened:

This was one of the first challenges to Affirmative Actions. Bakke was seeking admission to medical school and was twice rejected. Bakke said that due to racial quotas at the school as 16/100 were reserved for minority students.

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Decision:

The S.C ruled that AA was constitutional and race could be used as one of the several factors but racial quotas could not be considered

Gratz v Bollinger 2003

What happened:

university of Michigan

150 points to get an offer (grades, LSAT, sports etc.)

blanket 20 points given to anyone from an unrepresented background

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Decision:

6-3

unconstitutional because it was a blanket + 20 pts all applicants

Gutter V. Bollinger 2003

what happened:

University of Michigan law school

Gruther - GPA 3.8

161 LSAT

rejects from law school and challenged

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Deicison

5-4

not unconstitutional because individual cases were considered one by one. More than just race

Meredith v Jefferson County 2007

What happened:

1/2 cases in 2007 over education

school (capacity, area, race)

\-all schools had to have over 15% African American students but under 50%

\-Meredith said the school rejected her son on the basis of race

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Decision:

5-4

unconstitutional

strict scrutiny (individual considerations narrow outlook on applicants) has not applied

Fisher I 2013

What happened:

Abigail Fisher- top 12% of her class

Texas University take the top 10% (automatically) but everyone else race can be considered

Lower court - they uphold the admission process

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Decision:

7-1 (kagan)

S.C sends back down and asks them to consider strict scrutiny

Fisher II 2016

What happened:

Lower court keeps their decision the same.

s.c uphold the decison of the lower court (supporting the admission policy) as strict scrutiny had been met

common theme with all cases

upheld each time, but scope of affirmative action got narrower

president george w bush supported

section 4 voting rights

2006, congress re-authorised the Voting Rights Act’s key provisions for another 25 years, including section 4 which included the preclearance formula used to determine which states & localities must have any major charges in their voting laws or practices approved in advance at federal court

For the people act 2021

updates voting procedures and require states to turn over the task of redrawing congressional districts to independent commissions, thus potentially eliminating the distortion of gerrymandering.

Why would republicans not be supportive of voting rights

when voting turnout increases, democrats have the upper hand

the immediate consequences of shelby v holder

Texas announved that voter idenitification law that had been blocked would go into immediate effect and that the state’s restrictive ways would no longer need federal government’s approval

Where has voter ID been introduced

Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia have high proportion of black voters

felony disentranchisement

among the black community had risen sharply since 1980 (1 in every 13 AA lost their right to vote because of past conviction)

what does SC ruling out curbside voting do?

support state voting restriction

minority representation

1984 - 21 black american members of congress - all in House of representative

2021 - 117th congress 26% were minority ethnic groups/ the number of black americans increased from 56 to 63

minority representation in the race for the presidency

\-Shirley Chisholm 1972 became the first major party black American candidate for the presidency when she competed in that year’s democratic primaries

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\-Jesse Jackson 1984 became the first black American to win a major-party

body of electors who elect the US president

electoral college

presidential primary

a state based election to choose a party’s candidate for the presidency. It shows support for candidates among ordinary voters

presidential caucuses

a state based series of meetings to choose a party’s candidate for the presidency. They attract unrepresentative & low turnouts

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\-states that hold caucuses are usually geographically large but thinly populated

invisible primary

‘‘test voters’’

fundraise and books.

weaknesses of primary/caucuses

low turnout leads to..

extreme conservative vote

extreme liberal vote

national convention

candidates who won

announce their VP

caucus states

Iowa, North Dakota and Nevada

2016

Republican had 10 caucuses

Democrats had 14 states caucuses

different types of primaries

semi-closed primaries

open primaries

closed primaries

semi-closed primaries

registered voted and unregistered party can vote

open primaries

anyone can vote

closed primaries

only registered to party can vote

superficial roles of party conventions

1. select the presidential and vice presidential candidates for the party
2. Decide the policy platform
3. To act as publicity for the candidate

select the presidential and vice presidential candidates for the party

Delegates vote to decide who is the presidential nominee. The rules of each party require that a candidate gains over 50 per cent of delegates. If no candidate achieves this, a brokered convention takes place requiring more rounds of voting

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e.g Biden had the support of 2,687 delegates, easily exceeding the 1,991 needed to secure the nomination

Decide the policy platform

Delegates debate and vote to determine the policy of the party (and therefore the candidate) for the presidential election. The convention takes place over several days, allowing for detailed policy debate.

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e.g.

The democratic platform was a 90-page document containing a range of policy aspirations across all main policy areas

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Republicans chose not to write a new platform used the same one.

To act as publicity for the candidate

Conventions mark the start of the campaign and are a key part of the process. The winning candidate can sell their message to the public, often through attacks on the other party, stage-managed speeches by other politicians and endorsement by celebrities. The choice of state is also important: party conventions are often held in swing states.

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e.g.

2020 conventions produced no ‘bounce’ for either candidate

Biden’s support 1% ^

Trump’s support 3% ^

significant roles of party conventions

4. To reunite the party
5. To rally party activist

To reunite the party

conventions can be very important for parties after the divisive primary process. The battle between candidates from the same party can be put aside. Losing candidates often give speeches endorsing the winner. This can create positive publicity and help win the election

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e.g.

dividing parties = losing parties

Ted Cruz - ‘‘vote with your conscience’ rather than ‘vote for Trump’

To rally party activists

Conventions are attended and watched by party activists who are crucial in helping a candidate win. They organise events, contact voters and raise funds. A good convention will address these people as well as the general public, to thank and enthuse them.

national party convention

the meeting held every four years by each of the two major parties to select presidential and vice presidential candidates and agree the party platform

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formal: significant

(formality)

\-picking the president

\-picking the V.P

\-announcing policy platform

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Informal: significant

\-Heal the party

\-Provides a bounce ‘‘opinion polls’’

\-enthuse the party faithful →campaign for you

\-enthuse ordinary people

choosing your ‘‘running mate’’

pick someone who ‘‘balances the ticket’’

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e.g.

2008

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Barack obama is…

inexperienced (4 years in senate)

young

liberal

black

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Joe Biden is…

experienced (20+ years in senate + chair of foreign affairs committee)

older

more centrist

white

electoral college

the name for the body of electors who elect the US president

ECV system

50 states = no. of senators (2) + no. of HoR (538)

(no. of senators protects smaller states)

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count votes

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‘‘1st tuesday after the 1st monday’’ in November

(time frame: 2nd November - 8th November)

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FPTP → winner takes all (270 to win)

e.g. Maine and Nebraska (2 ECV for the overall winner. Rest are decided in each individual district)

Nebraska

ECV : 5

HoR = 3 = districs

Senators = 2

For arguments for the electoral college

\-smaller states are represented well

\-clear winner

\-if no majority = congress

HoR choose the president

Senate choose V.P

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only failed twice in 1800 and 1824 where the electoral collee failed to come up with a winner

against arguments for the electoral college

\-tyranny of majority

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\-can win without popular votes

Trump had 3mill less in 2016

Bush had 5m less in 2000

Hillary Clinton won popular vote but not electoral college

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\-faithless electors

11 in 2016

incumbent

somebody currently holding an office or position

why do presidents have an advantage

\-fundraising advantage

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\-base of support (from the party) and donors (biden outperformed Trump - has established links with donors)

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\-status (name recognition) instant recognition (obama →primary →a book)

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\-Risk aversion

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\-Success/ what they’ve achieved

foreign (afghanistan withdrawal)

domestic (obamacare, stimulus package)

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\-experience

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\-no primary

George SR faces a challenge from pat Buchanan →damaged goods

progressive

somebody who believes in using government power to change and improve society

strengthened national party structures

\-campaign finance laws

\-TV

\-opinion polls

\-New technology to target voters (direct mailing, social media)

\-Increased ideological cohesion

polarisation

appointments = gorsuch

abortion/gun rights = ideological lines

\-Systems to recruit & train

what are the key ideas and principles of the Democratic Party and the Republican Party

social and moral issues:

racial equality, abortion, LGBT rights

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economic policy:

government intervention, taxation, minimum wage,

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Social welfare:

welfare benefits, healthcare, food stamps

why do factions matter?

\-influence ideological direction of a party

\-affect unity (and effectiveness) of a party

\-president’s policy goals. (biden → Joe Manchin)

\-exist as voter groups, which may influence election results, especially in primaries (more radical/ more important)

Democratic Party Factions

liberals/progressives

moderates

conservatives

liberals democrats

economics policy: free college education for all

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social policy: LGBTQ+ rights, environmental issues

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Moral issues: Social and Racial justice, opposing death penalty and mandatory prison sentences

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Associated Caucuses: Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) just under 100 members in the 116th congress (2019-21)

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Key members: Bernie Sanders, AOC

Moderates democrats

economic policy:

a federal (public option) for healthcare, tax reforms for the middle class, college more affordable

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Social policy:

cautious about wholesale reform of the police, measures to reduce climate change

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Moral issues:

biden pardoning marijuana low levels crimes, Biden support for abortion, fair and humane immigration reform

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Associated cacuses:

New Democratic coalition, just over 100 members in the 116th congress (116th congress (2019-21) ) largest democrat grouping in congress

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Key members:

Joe Biden, Clinton, Terri Sewell

conservative democrats

economic policy:

concerned about the growth of the state and state deficit (neo-conservative) favouring balanced budget, many voted against obamacare

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Social policy:

less supportive of gun rights but no official stance on social issues

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Moral issues:

less supportive of LGBTQ rights and gun control

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Associated caucuses:

Blue Dog coalition: just 26 members in the 116th congress (2019-21) smallest democrat grouping in congress

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Key members:

senator joe manchin

congressman Jim cooper

Republican Party Factions

Moderates (crossover with dems)

Social Conservatives (evangelical)

Libertarians (liberty)

Fiscal conservatives

evangelical

a form of protestantism focused on teachings of the bible and converting people. (originalism of religion

moderate republicans

economic policy: advocate a bigger role for the state within society and the economy, sympathetic towards higher public spending on education

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social policy: less socially conservative than other factions of the Republican party, unwilling to repeal obamacare in its entirety

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Moral issues: more sympathetic towards immigration

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Associated caucuses: Tuesday group (founded 1994) with roughly 15-20 members. Tend to come from suburban seats. The smallest republican grouping in congress

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Key members:

Senators susan collings, Lisa markouski, congressman John katho

Fiscal conservatives

Economic Policy:

keen to reduce gov spending in most areas, strongest advocates of ‘small government’ tax cuts, strong supporters of balanced budget and reducing budget deficit

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Social policy:

keen to push back government regulation such as some environmental protection measures, keen to reappeal obamacare and health spending

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Moral issues:

more socially liberal in certain areas such as soft drug

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Associated caucuses:

Freedom caucus: 35-40 members in late 2019, do not publish official membership lists, usually represent strongly republican areas (south and midwest)

emerged out of the tea party movement

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key members:

Rand paul

Andy biggs

social conservatives

economic policy:

may also be fiscal conservatives and vice versa, oppose general welfare provisions

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social policy:

strong links with the ‘religious right’ and white conservative evangelical christianity, support prayer in public schools

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Moral issues:

strong supporters of traditional heterosexual marriage and prolife stance on abortion

favour death penalty, robust policing and tough sentancing

2nd amendmnet defenders

against recreational drugs

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Associated caucuses:

Republican study committee

under 150 members in late 2019, the largest ideological caucus in congress

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key members:

senators Ted Cruz (texas)

macro rubio (florida)

former v.p. mike pence

evaluate the view that the parties are the same as each other in America

economy

f: moderates with moderates

a: fisca conservatives and liberal democrats

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social

f: all democrats with moderate conservative

a: fiscal conservatives + libertarians HATE obamacare

whereas bernie sanders wanted to extend it

populism

idea of taking chunks which work from each brand

hardline

unwilling to change ideas

voter groups

race

religion

gender

education

race voting groups

Black: low turnout, likely to be Dem, voting rights and affirmative action (2020= 87% biden and 12% trump)

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Hispanic: low turnout, likely to be Dem, immigration policy for targets (2020= 65% biden and 32% trump)

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White: 41% voted for biden, likely to be republican

religion voting groups

Jewish: reliable democrat voters, traditionally more sympathetic with minorities

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white evangelicals: tend to be reliable republican voters, with congressional members of the social conservatives supporting the views that these voters hold. (76% voted for Trump)

Gender voting groups

men: likely to be republican

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women: in every election since 1980, have voted in higher proportions than men. More likely to support the Democratic party. 40-49% vote republican. 41% of women voted for Trump in 2016

education voting groups

below college-level education : more republican

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college-level education and above: more democrat

interest groups

non-elected groups, with their own interest or cause, that try to influence government policy

single issue interest groups

an interest group that tries to influence change over a very narrow policy area e.g. NRA

professional interest group

an interest group which represents the economic interests of its members - often these are professional associations e.g. The American Farm Bureau Federation, American Bar Association

policy interest group

an interest group that tries to influence a wide policy area.

e.g. The American Israali Public Affairs Committee (has greater breadth over the issues they are about)

resources of interest groups

money -

contributions to election campaigns, organise grassroots, hire expensive lobbyists e.g. NRA $5m on lobbyists, $700k on campaigns

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membership-

big group = more effective, mobilise voters= big threat (short election cycle)

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access-

to politicians

tactics of interest groups

campaigning, lobbying, donate

amicus brief

friend of the court

policy profile

the main policies of a party

why are interest groups so significant

1. number of access points: executive,congress,states,supreme court
2. rights are protected:
3. The supremem court
4. shorter election cycles
5. politicians are easier to persuade