Mr Fier Ap Gov Test 3

15th Amendment (1870)

U.S. cannot prevent a person from voting because of race, color, or creed

1896 critical election

The 1896 US Presidential election is considered a critical election due to its transformative impact on the political landscape of the country. The election saw the emergence of the Republican Party as a dominant political force, while also marking the end of the long period of Democratic Party control over southern states.

19th Amendment (1920)

Gave women the right to vote

23rd Amendment

Gives Washington DC electoral college votes as if it were a state (DC still has no representation in Congress)

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18

Apathy

lack of interest

Bull moose party (progressive)

The Bull Moose Party was formed in 1912 by former Republican President Theodore Roosevelt after he failed to win the Republican Party nomination. The split in the Republican vote between Roosevelt and the official Republican nominee, incumbent President William Howard Taft, allowed Democrat Woodrow Wilson to win the election.

Business interest groups examples

Business: chamber of commerce

Labor groups: AFL-CIO largest union

Agriculture: Farm Bureau, dairy farmers

Professionals: NEA, AMA (doctors), ADA (lawyers)

Environmental: WWF

Business interest groups

Follow issues such as taxes, energy prices, and consumer protection laws. Want to protect their industry and does not care what party is in control

Citizens United v. FEC

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2010 that held that the First Amendment prohibits the government from restricting independent political expenditures by corporations, associations, or labor unions. The ruling allowed for the formation of Super PACs, which can raise unlimited amounts of money from individuals, corporations, and unions to support or oppose political candidates or issues.

cleavage issue

Cleavage issues are political or social issues that divide a society or electorate into different groups with conflicting opinions or interests. These issues can be based on factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, or geographic location, and they often shape political attitudes and voting behavior.. Contract with America, Abortion, gays, less government

consequences of many interest groups? (5)

Fragmentation of influence: With many interest groups vying for attention and resources, it can be challenging to achieve a cohesive message and coordinated action.

Difficulty in prioritization: The large number of interest groups can make it difficult for policymakers to determine which issues to address first and which groups to prioritize.

Potential for gridlock: When many interest groups are involved in the policymaking process, it can lead to gridlock and difficulty in achieving consensus.

Increased competition for resources: With many interest groups competing for limited resources, it can be difficult for smaller or less well-funded groups to have their voices heard.

Potential for bias: If certain interest groups are more powerful or better funded than others, it can lead to bias in the policymaking process.

Consequences of policy fragmentation? (4)

Inefficiency: Fragmentation can lead to duplication of efforts, as different agencies or departments may work on the same issue separately without coordination. This can waste resources and result in inefficient policies.

Ineffectiveness: Fragmentation can also lead to policies that are ineffective, as they may not address the root causes of the problem or take into account the broader context of the issue.

Lack of accountability: Fragmentation can make it difficult to assign responsibility for policy outcomes, as different agencies or departments may be responsible for different aspects of the policy.

Conflicting policies: Fragmentation can result in conflicting policies, as different agencies or departments may have different priorities or agendas.

Conservative ideology

Supports: expanded military, free market solution, de regulation, school prayer

Opposes: abortion rights, expensive welfare program, nationalized healthcare

Conservative interest groups

Christian coalition, NRA(anti-gun control), WCTV, GOPAC(train new GOP)

Critical election

an election that signals a party realignment through voter polarization around new issues and personalities

Divided Government (1968- present) era

Only brief periods a party controlling both branches. Nixon's southern strategy to end democratic dominance in the south. Divided government results in mistrust, rise in independent voters, and split ticket voting

Durvengers Law

Durverger's Law is a principle that suggests that the structure of a country's electoral system can influence the number and types of political parties that form. Specifically, first-past-the-post systems tend to favor two-party systems, while proportional representation systems tend to favor multi-party systems.

Effects of 3rd parties

1) More participation: Gives opinion of the fringe

2) Forces two parties to clarify. To gain the 3rd party following you need to be specific otherwise you will not get 3rd party votes. This could led to a spoil in the candidates election because they lost votes.

Elitist theory of democracy

For the few: The view that the United States is essentially run by a tiny elite (composed of wealthy or well-connected individuals) who control public policy through both direct and indirect means. Only top interest groups are causing change.

Examples of the all powerful theory

• JFK winning because of TV

• Kerry's Swift Boat Vets (527 that placed anti-John Kerry ads prior showing he sold out his troops before the 2004 election. Cause him to lose against George W. Bush)

• Daisy

• Bear in Woods

Explain the situation of Gore winning Florida and polls

The state's panhandle, which is a conservative stronghold, is in the Central time zone, while the rest of the state is in the Eastern time zone. The polls closed an hour later in the panhandle, and the early projections did not take this into account, causing some confusion and controversy. Ultimately, the election in Florida was decided by a Supreme Court ruling in favor of George W. Bush.

Federalist and Anti-Federalist era (1796)

1800s peaceful transfer of power from one party to another

Five reasons political efficacy has declined

1) Polarization and gridlock - Increased political polarization and gridlock in government can lead to frustration and feelings of powerlessness among citizens.

2) Low trust in government institutions - Citizens' declining trust in government institutions, such as Congress and the presidency, can lead to a decreased belief in the ability of government to solve problems.

3) Political corruption - The perception of political corruption, or that elected officials serve their own interests instead of the public interest, can lead to disillusionment and cynicism among citizens.

4) Media and information overload - The abundance of information available through social media and other sources can create confusion and distrust, making it more difficult for citizens to know what is true and what is not.

5) Cynicism (an attitude or quality of belief that all people are motivated by selfishness) increases

Free rider problem

People benefit from efforts of interest groups but not apart of the group. Such as all blacks benefited from NAACPs efforts. In legislation you cannot pick and choice who gets affected.

Functions of a political party (4)

1) recruit people to run

2) campaign

3) articulate positions

4) watchdogs (expose any official who violates accepted legal, ethical, or performance standards.)

George Wallace and his Independent party

George Wallace, the Governor of Alabama, ran for President as the candidate of the American Independent Party, which he had formed earlier that year. Wallace's campaign was characterized by his opposition to desegregation

horse race journalism

news coverage that focuses on who is ahead of the election rather than on the issues. Will cover specific events and how it affects the all numbers in the election and do not focus on the issue but what this is doing to election chances.

How are interest groups a linkage institution

They help to connect citizens to the policymaking process by representing their interests and concerns to policymakers.
Interest groups serve as a mechanism for citizens to participate in the political process and have their voices heard. They can provide information, organize protests or rallies, and lobby policymakers to support or oppose particular policies.

How do political party serve as a linkage institution (3)

1) Provide information: Give info to Executive and Congress so they know what to act on and what to address. Which party is in control of the branch tells the federal government what issues they should focus on. They also provide information to the people as to what the government is doing.

2) Mobilize voters

3) Raise money

How does age affect voter turnout

There are several reasons why young people tend not to vote. One reason is a lack of interest or apathy towards politics and the electoral process. They may feel that their vote does not make a difference or that the issues being discussed do not affect them directly.

Another reason is a lack of political knowledge and education. Many young people may not have a solid understanding of the political system or the candidates and issues being discussed, which can make them feel overwhelmed or unprepared to make an informed decision.

Loss of trust: in the era of Divided Government so not many problems get solved leading to a lack of trust and less political efficacy

How does apathy affect voter turnout

Apathy can lead to lower voter turnout as disengaged citizens are less likely to be motivated to participate in the political process, resulting in reduced representation and democratic legitimacy.

how does education affect voter turnout

More educated people are more likely to vote because they tend to have higher levels of civic engagement, greater knowledge of political issues, and a stronger sense of social responsibility.

How does Education impact party and voting participation

refers to the broader process of acquiring knowledge, skills, and values through formal or informal means. While schools are one of the primary means of education, individuals can also acquire knowledge and skills through experiences, interactions with others, and self-directed learning. higher levels of education may have greater exposure to diverse perspectives and critical thinking skills leading them to be more liberal and will vote more

How does Family impact party and voting participation

Family is often the primary source of political socialization for individuals. Parents can shape their children's political beliefs and values through discussions and by modeling their own political behaviors.

how does gender affect voter turnout

Women are more likely to vote than men. More women are likely to vote due to various reasons such as increased political awareness, greater representation in politics, and historical struggles for suffrage and equal rights.

How does Gender impact party and voting participation

Women tend to be more liberal and favor government action. In terms of voter turnout, women tend to vote at slightly higher rates than men in the United States.

how does horse race journalism affect participation?

Horse race journalism can affect participation by creating a perception that politics is a game of tactics and strategy, rather than a serious endeavor to address substantive policy issues, which may lead some people to disengage from the political process.

how does horse race journalism affect policy?

Horse race journalism may contribute less informative public discourse around policy issues, potentially limiting the ability of the public to engage with policy in an informed and meaningful way.

How does income affect voter turnout? Party?

The more money a person makes, the more likely they are to vote due to factors such as education level, greater civic engagement, and a higher stake in policy decisions that affect their financial well-being. Higher-income individuals tend to lean towards conservative or right-leaning parties that prioritize business and economic growth.

How does media have gatekeeping authority

They control what issues are important and what is not by what they show. They will shape legislative agenda by showing the same story of an issue or event. Cause constituents to think these are the most important issues. Media has bias. Can use their words and pictures to influence/how to portray a law/policy. What they are portraying is how they force lawmakers to address certain in issues

How does public policy promote businesses

Government plan funding and empower local organizations to solve their own issues. Enable them to allow them to research and draft their own plans at their own level through research and development funding.

How does race affect voter turnout

Whites are more likely to vote than minorities due to factors such as historical disenfranchisement of minority communities, socioeconomic disparities that can impact access to voting, and the representation of their interests within the political system.

How does Race impact party and voting participation

In terms of political party affiliation, different racial and ethnic groups tend to have different political leanings. For example, African Americans and Latinos tend to vote more heavily for the Democratic Party, while white voters, particularly white men, and Cubans tend to vote more heavily for the Republican Party. African American and Latino voters tend to have lower voter turnout rates than white voters due to barriers to voting, such as voter ID laws and restrictions on early voting and same-day registration, can disproportionately affect voters of color and contribute to lower voter turnout rates.

How does Region impact party and voting participation

Regional differences can also shape political issues that are important to voters. The South has traditionally been more conservative and Republican-leaning, while the Northeast and West Coast tend to be more liberal and Democratic-leaning. In terms of voter turnout, there can also be significant differences among regions. Voter turnout tends to be higher in the Northeast and Midwest, while the South and West Coast may have lower voter turnout rates.

how does religion affect voter turnout

Religion can affect voter turnout by increasing political engagement and motivation, as well as shaping attitudes and beliefs on issues that align with a particular faith or religious doctrine.

How does Religion impact party and voting participation

Religion forms our moral compass to decide what is right and wrong. Will join party that closely aligns with their ideals. Christians tend to be GOP. More likely to vote. This may be due to the social networks and community ties that are often formed within religious communities, which can provide individuals with information and motivation to vote.

How does School impact party and voting participation

Schools can play a significant role in political socialization, as they provide a structured environment for students to learn about government, political processes, and civic responsibility. Schools can shape political beliefs and values through curriculum, textbooks, and discussions in classes such as social studies, history, and civics. colleges teach opposing views to stimulate thinking. Increase voting due to getting information that motivates voting. More education usually means more of a liberal belief

How is the media a linkage institution?

Government to the people: Provides updates for people to see what the government does, provides a method for politicians to talk to the people

People to the government: The media reports on citizens' concerns, media can influence the way that government acts by showing what issues are important to the people. Also produce public opinion polls.

How to increase opportunities to vote?

1) Motor Voter Law

2) Early Voting?

3) Absentee Ballot: a ballot completed and typically mailed in advance of an election by a voter who is unable to be present at the polls.

How to lobby Congress

Testify at hearings about new laws by giving data and advice

How to lobby Courts

NAACP will provide lawyers for litigation like in brown V board. They do not meet with judges. Give Amicus Curiae briefs which is a friend of the court and will try to persuade the court to decide a certain way

How to lobby Executive

White House aids an executive agencies

Hyperpluralist Theory

For groups: a theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened. Good to have competition but too much is bad. It overwhelms the lawmakers because too much information becomes contradictory and difficult to come to a decision a majority agrees with.

Ideology

a system of social or political ideas. GOP and Liberal ideology is different based on how they rank the Americans core beliefs

Interest Group

A group of people with similar beliefs of what government should do and influence law making and policy to reflect their interest. They are involved in the iron triangle, and every single step of lawmaking, and have exploded over time, anytime there is a decision made it any level of government there is an interest group.

Jackson Democrats (1828-1856) Era

Redefined how politics are done. Takes away the traditional sense of parties. Wanted to take away the land requirement in balance power between state and government they are also considered the southern Democrats. Used the spoils system, oppose the BUS, common man, Henry Clay lead Whigs who favored BUS and tariffs

Liberal ideology vs Conservative

Liberals would rank individualism and equality as the top American core values while conservatives would rank democracy, freedom, and responsibility as their top American core values.

Liberal ideology

Supports: Social reforms, regulation of economy, national healthcare, abortion rights

Opposes: School prayer, increase in military spending

Liberal interest groups

NOW(women), Emilys list(pro-choice), NAACP(civil rights), ACLU(civil rights), NARAL(abortion), AFL(CIO workers Union), moveon.org

linkage institutions

Institutions that connect citizens to government and vis versa. The mass media, interest groups, and political parties are the three main linkage institutions.

Literacy Digest Fiasco

The Literacy Digest was a popular weekly magazine in the United States in the early 20th century that conducted a presidential election poll in 1936. Despite using a large sample size, the poll inaccurately predicted a victory for Republican candidate Alfred Landon over incumbent Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This failure is attributed to several factors, including the sample bias and the exclusion of poorer, less-educated voters who tended to support Roosevelt and only mailed to people with cars and phones.

Lobbying

Engaging in activities aimed at influencing public officials, especially legislators, and the policies they enact.

What is access to affect change in laws and influence policy. Interest groups ride lawmakers with expertise lawmakers need experts to introduce bills because they do not know the subject outside of business, law, or military. Lobbyist are hired by interest groups.

Media All Powerful theory

Media is our sole source of knowledge. Opinions are formed by the media. This is why 3rd parties struggle because they do not have access to the media. This is also why media is expensive because it is needed to have advertisements. One commercial or debate could seal on election

Media framing 4 ways

They can compare current to history to show system problem

Show emotional broadcast like a homeless guy and his family to show

FOX and NBC frame same issue differently.

Agenda setting- determine what you think by showing it on TV, news, etc

Media Reinforcement Theory

The media simply reinforces your already existing position and beliefs.

Motor Voter Act

A 1993 act that requires states to permit people to register to vote when they apply for a driver's license.

Nolan Chart

More accurate way to define your ideology

Other ways interest groups can make change besides lobbying

1) Canvass and make grassroots. Gain more support in the interest group

2) Telephone drivers

3) Fundraisers

PACs (Political Action Committees)

Similar to an interest group. They are the result of more money in the US. They have less limitations in campaign finance.($5,000 max in hard money and unlimited soft money). Born out of desire of interest groups competing to gain access. Groups of similar beliefs that raise money to help candidate win election so their goal can be accomplished. They are similar to a hybrid of an interest group and a political party because they want to influence policy and they want to win elections. They use ads and protest

Pluralist Theory of Democracy

For groups: A theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies. Good a lot of groups are competing to prevent one group from becoming too powerful. It also provides multiple prospectives and more representation

Positive outcomes of policy fragmentation (2)

Flexibility: Fragmentation can provide flexibility for addressing complex policy issues by allowing for more specialized approaches that are tailored to specific policy areas.

Expertise: Fragmentation can allow policymakers to draw on the expertise of specialized agencies and departments, leading to more informed and effective policy decisions.

Public interest groups

Fastest growing. Joining to help a cause or an injustice.

Realignment

Changing what type of voters the party targets. Changes the different party dominance. Election party affiliations change. Many voters change parties. New voters permanently adopts new dominant party. Occurs roughly every 36 years such as 1860 Republicans, 1896 progressives, 1932 FDR Democrats. Creates political cleavage between two parties

Reform Party

The Reform Party was a third-party political organization in the United States that was active from 1995 to 2002. In the 1992 Presidential election, the Reform Party's candidate, Ross Perot, won a significant share of the popular vote, and his candidacy was seen as a factor in splitting the Republican vote and contributing to the victory of Democrat Bill Clinton

Republican (1860-1928) era

Lincoln abolition of slavery and era of reconstruction. Post- war south

Scientific poll

a representative poll of randomly selected respondents with a statistically significant sample size, using neutral language. Uses math and surveys. Created by George Gallup

Single issue interest groups examples

Public interest: league of women voters

Equality: NAACP, ACLU, NOW

Single issue: NRA, right to life, VS, plan parenthood

Single Issue interest groups

Ideological. Joining because you are focused on the one topic. Smaller than labor groups. Targeted towards what type of people they attract for their issue

Straw poll

unscientific survey used to gauge public opinion on a variety of issues and policies. This is informal like a Facebook poll.

The Right to Life Party and it a single-issue political party

The party's platform focused on opposition to abortion and support for the prohibition of alcohol

Three reasons media acts as a linkage institution

1) To provide information to the people.

2) Entertainment: Want more people to watch their outlet so they can get more money. Money means being more influential.

3) Watchdog: Based on how they present a story during election time. The role played by the national media in investigating political personalities and exposing scandals.

Three Theories of American Democracy

Elitist theory, pluralist, hyper pluralist

Two ideological 3rd parties

Socialist- person who supports community ownership of property and the sharing of all profits

Libertarian- advocating principles of liberty and free will

voter registration

A system adopted by the states that requires voters to register well in advance of Election Day. A few states permit Election day registration.

Voting Rights Act 1965

ended literacy tests and provided federal registars in areas in which blacks were kept from voting

What affects voter turnout

Age, education, Gender, income, religion, race

what are 9 political socialization factors

Family, Schools, Religion, gender, Job or SES, Education, Race, Region, Media

What are benefits of civil societies (5)

1) Want people to solve their own problems so the government can focus on other issues.

2) Helps balance the national budget because the government does not have to invest as much money into the communities for their issues

3) Same candidate would be voted in again because the people are happy.

4) The people are able to control how their issues are solved making it Moore effective than how the federal government would solve issues.

5) More democratic

What are civil societies

Society possessing a lot of social capital. They work to end poverty, deep in democracy, and other public policy.

What are consequences to decline in political efficacy (3)

1) Decreased citizen participation in political processes, such as voting, contacting representatives, or participating in protests, which can lead to a less engaged and less responsive government.

2) Weakened legitimacy of the government and democratic institutions, which can undermine the public's confidence in the ability of these institutions to represent their interests and make meaningful change.

3) Increased polarization and extremism as those who do participate in politics become more ideologically rigid and less willing to compromise, exacerbating the gridlock and political dysfunction already present in government.

What are issue networks

Group of a lot of entities such as agencies, policy experts, powerbrokers, etc., come together to create a plan to solve an issue. They usually have a policy entrepreneur not part of government and try to bring awareness to an issue and plan of action.

What are legal barriers to 3rd parties (6)

1) Must get 750,000 signatures and $8,000 per state to get on the ballot

2) Tradition

3) No franking privilege (sending mail for free)

4) Do not have casework to prove that they can do good.

5) Have less money because they do not get access to the tax payer fund that was created in the Federal Election Reform Act.

6) The two major party candidates are always on screen and 3rd parties candidates do not get tv time so people do not know them.

What are media powerbrokers

Someone hired by a news outlet that tells the news. They have a large following of people and can influence their opinion. By influencing their opinion it can shape policies.

What are policy entrepreneurs?

On outside trying to get into political spear or on inside trying to pass policy. Invest resources for a cause. Policy entrepreneurs are individuals or groups who work to promote new policy ideas and initiatives, often by leveraging their expertise, networks, and resources to build support for their proposals among policymakers and the public.

What are the 5 political values

These are what we expect our government to hold on to.

-Freedom

-Democracy (want to promote democracy)

-Equality (equal protection and everyone is provided the same opportunity)

-Responsibility (we hold a civic responsibility to help make our country better)

-Individualism (We are all different and should embrace the differences)

what are the steps in policy evaluation (5)

1) Study

2) Evaluation

3) oversight

4) provide feedback to policy maker to make modifications

5) policy fragmentation

What are the three categories of interest groups

Business groups (labor groups), Single issue groups, public interest groups

What are the three types of third parties (3)

1) Legitimate: Offer alternate to the major two parties. Usually led by a charismatic leader so they can attract more voters

2) Single- issue- 3rd parties: Want to bring awareness to an issue not to win an election. Smaller in nature. Can be extreme on their stance than the two major parties.

3) Ideology 3rd parties: Try to match an issue. Can be more extreme than the two major parties on the issue.

What are the two theories on media's influence

All poweful and reinforcement theory