Module 9 - Political Parties, Elections, and the Media

Two-Party System

Two parties dominate the political field in all three levels of government; in the U.S. these two parties are the Republican Party and the Democratic Party.

Liberalism

Political philosophy that emphasizes equality before the law; it values advocating for measures to address social inequalities and discrimination.

Conservatism

Political philosophy and ideology that seeks to promote and preserve traditional institutions, customs, and values.

Economy

Democratic Party

Favors government intervention to regulate the economy & promote social welfare.

Republican Party

Favors less government intervention, emphasizing free-markets and lower taxes.

Taxes

Democratic Party

Supports progressive taxation, where higher earners pay a larger percentage of their income.

Republican Party

Favors lower taxes, with a focus on reducing taxes for businesses and high earners.

Healthcare

Democratic Party

Advocates for universal healthcare through government-run, heavily regulated systems.

Republican Party

Favors private healthcare systems with less government regulation and individual choice.

Climate Change

Democratic Party

Prioritizes addressing climate change through government regulation and investment in renewable energy.

Republican Party

Varies in stance, with some emphasizing free-market solutions and others expressing skepticism about the severity of climate change.

Social Issues

Democratic Party

Generally supports LGBTQ+ rights, abortion rights, and stricter gun control.

Republican Part

Generally opposes abortion and supports broader gun rights.

Immigration

Democratic Party

Favors easier pathways to citizenship for immigrants and overall immigration reform.

Republican Party

Emphasizes border security and stricter immigration enforcement.

Education

Democratic Party

Favors increased funding for public education, and support for public schools.

Republican Party

Favors school choice, including charter schools  and local control of education.

Explain the “Great Switch”

   The "Great Switch," also known as the "Party Realignment," refers to the significant shift in the Democratic and Republican parties' political platforms regarding civil rights and regional support that occurred throughout the mid-20th century.

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s played a pivotal role in the shift.

Primaries

elections held to determine which candidates will run in an upcoming general election

• closed is where only voters who are formally affiliated with a political party in advance of the election date are allowed to participate in that party's primary.

open is where voters either do not have to formally affiliate with a political party in order to vote in its primary or can declare their party affiliation at the poll

Caucuses

Party gathering in which members choose candidates for an election; participants may debate about the candidates and the voting process itself may not be conducted by ballot. Instead, participants may vote by raising hands or gathering in groups organized by preferred candidates.

Electoral College

The group of presidential electors that is formed every four years during the presidential election for the sole purpose of voting for the president and vice president.

TOTAL: 538 / # NEEDED TO WIN: 270 / TOTAL # IN GA: 16 → ( 14 HOR + 2 SEN = 16)

Swing State

Any state that could reasonably be won by either the Democratic or Republican candidate in a statewide election.

Linkage Institutions

Structures that connect citizens to the government and help shape public policy; includes elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

Horse Race Journalism

News coverage that focuses on the competitive aspects of elections, such as polling data, candidate standing, and the perceived "winners" and "losers," rather than focusing on policy positions or candidates' substantive qualifications.

Yellow Journalism

A sensationalist style of reporting characterized by exaggerated headlines, salacious stories, and a focus on attracting readers rather than objective reporting

Pack Journalism

Journalism that is practiced by reporters in a group and that is marked by uniformity of news coverage and lack of original thought or initiative.

Prior Restraint

Government censorship that prevents publication or speech before it actually occurs. Examples include government injunctions stopping publication of a news article, state laws requiring government approval of pamphlets before distribution, and school administrators limiting student speech in student publications.