Linkage Institutions - Honors Gov

26th Amendment

voting age changed to 18

the electorate

those eligible to vote

disenfranchised

denied the right to vote

Hard money donations

political donations that are regulated by law through the Federal Election Commission

Soft money donations

money donated to political parties in a way that leaves the contribution unregulated

PACs

Political Action Committees that raise and spend money to elect or defeat candidates, a form of soft money donations

Citizens United v. FEC

the majority held that under the First Amendment, corporate funding of independent political broadcasts in candidate elections cannot be limited

Revolving door

an employee switches their job from a position in the federal government to a job in a private industry/interest group

Lobbyists

they communicate info of special interests to lawmakers, and influence legislators

Which groups of voters tend to vote with Republicans?

white males

Which groups of voters tend to vote with Democrats?

non-white women

Which groups of voters tend to not vote in elections because they lack political efficacy?

Younger, poor, and minorities tend to vote less due to a lack of political efficacy

Political efficacy

the ability to produce a desired or intended result

What are a few of the reasons that the US has such low voter turnout when compared to other democracies?

Some people think that their single vote won’t change anything, and have an overall feeling of hopelessness (lack of political efficacy)

National Rifle Association (NRA)

Supports and maintains regulations of guns

National Right to Life

Protects and defends the right to life/humankind

Defense Contractors

businesses that provide services or products to a country's military or intelligence agencies

National Education Association

Supports and maintains regulations of education: schools, faculty, and services

Flaw of two-party system

prevents third parties from having a real chance, pushing out the voice of those that don’t fall in line with one of the two major parties

Flaw of soft money donations

Since the amount is unregulated, it creates a higher chance of nepotism

Flaw of revolving door phenomenon

Could be bad if the person joins a PAC or other soft money organization; if the area of interest changed, people might question if they did anything for the government while they held that position