Unit 4+5 APGOPO MarcPhee

Political Culture

Shared beliefs about how government should operate and the role of citizens in it.

McCutcheon v. FEC (2014)

ruled that aggregate contribution limits was a violation to the 1st amendment (striking down that portion the 1971 Federal Election Campaign Act).

Individualism

Belief that people are responsible for themselves and should pursue their own goals.

The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002

prohibited soft money "issue ads" 30 days from primary and 60 days from an election (in order to reduce influence of money in federal elections).

Equality of Opportunity

All individuals should have the same chance to succeed.

Free Enterprise

market determines prices, products, and services

Rule of Law

Everyone must follow + is accountable to the same laws

Political Socialization

Process by which individuals develop political beliefs and values.

Primary Socializing Agents

Early influences that shape core beliefs. E.g: Family, school, religion.

Secondary Socializing Agents

Later influences like peers, media, leaders, religion, gender, race, geographic regions

Globalization

Increasing worldwide interconnection that shapes political ideas and policies.

Generational Effects

Major historical events shape the views of an entire generation.

Life-Cycle Effects

Political views change as people age and priorities shift.

Impressionable Age Hypothesis

Political attitudes formed in youth remain relatively stable through life.

Demographics

Population characteristics such as age

Ideology

Consistent set of beliefs about the role of government.

Ideological Orientation

An individual's self-described political position on the spectrum of ideologies. (e.g, liberal, conservative, moderate)

Liberal Ideology

Favors government action to promote equality and social welfare.

Conservative Ideology

Prefers limited government and more individual and economic freedom.

Libertarian Ideology

Seeks minimal government in both economic and social issues.

Populist Ideology

political approach that frames political issues as a struggle between "the people" (ordinary, virtuous citizens) and "the elite" (a corrupt, self-serving establishment).

Socialism

form of gov in which the means of production are owned and controlled by all of society (opposite of capitalism where there is private ownership).

Political Polarization

Deep division between parties or ideological groups.

Public Opinion

Collective attitudes of citizens about political issues and leaders.

Opinion Poll

Survey measuring public opinion.

Sampling Techniques

Methods used to select respondents for polls

Random Sampling

Every individual has an equal chance of selection.

Quota Sampling

Scientifically sophisticated; electing respondents to reflect key population traits + demographics.

Margin of Error

Possible deviation in poll accuracy.

Word Choice

The phrasing of survey questions that can bias results.

Bandwagon Effect

Tendency to support candidates or causes that appear popular.

Exit Poll

Survey conducted at polling places after voters cast ballots.

Benchmark Poll

First poll measuring public opinion before a campaign.

Tracking Poll

Ongoing survey monitoring opinion changes.

Push Poll

Poll intended to sway opinions rather than measure them.

Party Identification

Psychological attachment to a political party; loyalty to a party

Independent Voter

Voter not aligned with any party.

Political Efficacy

Belief that one’s political participation makes a difference.

Voter Apathy

Lack of interest or motivation to participate in elections.

Civic Engagement

Active participation in political or community affairs.

Political Participation

Activities that influence government and policy.

Conventional Participation

Traditional political acts such as voting or volunteering.

Unconventional Participation

Nontraditional acts such as protests or boycotts.

Voter Turnout

Percentage of eligible citizens who vote.

Voter Registration

Process required before casting a ballot.

Motor Voter Law (1993)

Allows voter registration when applying for a driver’s license.

Voter ID Laws

Require identification to vote. debated for impact on turnout.

Rational Choice Voting

Based on personal interest and expected benefit.

Retrospective Voting

Judging candidates by past performance.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on anticipated future policies.

Party-Line Voting (AKA straight-ticket voting)

Voting exclusively for one party’s candidates.

Structural Barriers to Voting

Laws or rules that hinder participation (e.g. registration, Voter ID laws, what election day)

Linkage Institutions

Connect citizens to government (parties, Media, interest groups, elections)

Political Party

Organization that seeks to elect members and influence policy.

Party System

The pattern of political party competition over time.

1st–5th Party Systems

Shifts in party dominance: Federalists vs Democratic-Republicans

Spoils System

Awarding government jobs to political supporters.

Party Platform

Formal set of party goals and policy positions.

Candidate Recruitment

Efforts by parties to find and support candidates for office.

Mobilization

Efforts to encourage people to participate or vote.

Interest Group

Organization that seeks to influence policy on specific issues.

Single-Issue Party

Political party focused on one main policy concern.

Iron Triangle

Stable relationship among Congress

Issue Network

Loose alliance of experts

Lobbying

Attempting to influence legislators or officials.

PAC (Political Action Committee)

Raises and donates limited amounts to candidates.

Connected PACs

Tied to corporations. can solicit only members.

Nonconnected PACs

Independent of organizations. can solicit from the general public.

Super PACs

Independent committees that raise unlimited funds but can’t coordinate with campaigns.

527 Organizations

Tax-exempt groups that influence elections through issue advocacy. must disclose donors.

Candidate Centered Campaigns

focus on the personality, integrity, and competence of a candidate.

501(c)(4) Organizations

nonprofits permitted to lobby + campaign; donations non-tax deductible, don’t have to disclose donors. Restricted to 50% of expenditures on politics.

Campaign Finance

Raising and spending money to influence elections.

Hard Money

Direct, regulated campaign contributions $ to a candidate or political party; subject to limits set by the Federal Election Commission (FEC)

Soft Money

Unregulated donations to parties for “party-building” activities. Only no limit if $ isn’t coordinated w/ campaign.

Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA)

Set limits on campaign contributions and created the FEC.

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

Agency enforcing campaign finance laws.

Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

Upheld aggregate limits, but allowed individuals to spend unlimited $$ on their personal campaigns.

McCain-Feingold Act (2002)

Banned soft money and restricted issue ads near elections.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Allowed unlimited independent political spending by corporations and unions.

Psychographic Targeting

Using data on personality

Open Primary

Voters of any affiliation can choose which party’s primary to vote in.

Closed Primary

Only registered party members can vote in their party’s primary.

Caucus

Local meeting where party members select delegates or candidates.

Party Convention

Gathering to nominate candidates and adopt a party platform.

Electoral College

System where electors chosen by states formally elect the president.

Winner-Take-All Electoral System

Candidate winning a state’s popular vote receives all its electoral votes. All states use this method except for Nebraska and Maine.

Proportional Representation System

Legislative seats are allocated in proportion to each party’s share of the vote.

Commission on Presidential Debates

Nonpartisan organization that sponsors and organizes U.S. presidential debates.

Super Tuesday

Day when many states hold primaries

Frontloading

States move primaries earlier to gain influence.

Incumbency Advantage Phenomenon

Tendency of current officeholders to win reelection due to name recognition

Swing State

State where either party has a realistic chance to win.

14th Amendment

Grants equal protection and due process under the law + granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S

15th Amendment

Prohibits denying voting rights based on race.

17th Amendment

Established direct election of U.S. senators.

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote.

24th Amendment

Banned poll taxes in federal elections.

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age to 18.

Colonial Times (Voting)

Voting limited to white male property owners.