POLS 2 Exam Study Guide

Family

Primary socialization agent where children first learn societal values, norms, and beliefs.

Media

Influences Americans of all ages, framing issues and directing public opinion.

Social Groups

Defined by characteristics like race, gender, income, and religion.

Education

Public schooling imparts knowledge about government and civic duties.

Political Conditions

Party Realignment involves a significant shift in political party allegiance.

~ Ex/ Many Republican Americans became Democrats during the Great Depression (1930's) due to FDR's social welfare programs.

Political Apathy

Lack of interest or concern for political matters.

Political Efficacy

Belief in one's ability to influence government decisions.

Amber Alert System

Result of public participation influencing policy for child protection.

Political Party Identification

Affiliation with political parties like Republican, Democrat, or Libertarian.

Spiral of Silence

Phenomenon where individuals fear expressing dissenting opinions.

Political Ideology

Beliefs such as liberal, conservative, or libertarian views.

Electoral College

~The Electoral College is how we refer to the process by which the United States elects the President, even though that term does not appear in the U.S. Constitution. In this process, the States (which includes the District of Columbia just for this process) elect the President and Vice President.

~ Consists of 538 electors. The majority of 270 electoral votes is required to elect the president.

Hard Money

Regulated contributions directly supporting a specific candidate.

*Contributions and donations are regulated by Congressional legislation (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act BCRA, etc) and overseen by the Federal Election Commission (FEC)

Soft Money

*This money cannot be used to support a specific candidate by donating directly to their campaign

–but can be used in paying for ads, campaign events, or giving to the candidate’s party

*Soft money is largely contributions and donations to a political party from SuperPACS, PACs, citizens, interest groups, corporations, unions, etc

*This is very ambiguous as money is used for Party and Interest Building Activities, which has never been defined by legislation and the FEC

Federal Election Commission

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) enforces federal campaign finance laws, including monitoring donation prohibitions, and limits and oversees public funding for presidential campaigns.

Interest Group

An organized group that seeks to influence public policy and decisions on specific issues by lobbying and advocating for their interests.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to favor a political party.

Incumbent

Current officeholder seeking re-election with advantages like name recognition.

Reapportionment

Redistribution of congressional seats based on population changes.

- Congress reappoints seats

*Reapportionment happens every ten years after the national census (population) count. The Census of 2010–Ohio lost two seats and Utah and Arizona each gained one.

Redistricting

When a state loses or gains representatives, District boundaries are redrawn by state legislatures. The majority party in the state legislature has more control over redrawing boundaries.

-Adjusting district boundaries due to changes in representation.

Speaker and Majority Party

They determine if a bill will reach the House floor for voting after the committee/subcommittee process.

Senate Committees

There are 20 Standing Committees and potentially over 100 subcommittees, with Senators serving on multiple committees due to the limited number of Senators.

Majority Party in the Senate

Allows more debate compared to the House, fostering a more respectful relationship between parties.

Congress and Bill Importance

Bills are sponsored by Representatives from relevant states, go through committees like Agriculture, and may receive funding from the powerful Appropriations Committee.

Legislation Funding Process

Involves progression through the House, Committee, Subcommittee, Appropriations Committee, and back to the Committee for funding decisions.

House Rules Committee (HRC)

The most influential committee in determining the path of a bill, including assigning it to the appropriate committee and regulating debate time on the House floor.

Agents of Socialization

Family, Media, Social Groups, Education, and Political Conditions

Involuntary Groups

______ are groups formed without the explicit consent or choice of the individuals involved, often due to external circumstances or societal norms. defined by race for example.

Voluntary Groups

defined by income, religion - you chose to join these groups (labor unions are voluntary groups related to income).

Party Realignment

Party realignment refers to a shifting of political party coalitions and voter bases, often resulting in a new dominant party system.

How does participation relate to influence

~Your participation means you influence the government, influence means public participation in policy-making.

~Creation and directon of policy is not dependent on the participation of all, although it should be, Us has lowest voter turnout of all western nations.

Conservative Beliefs

Little or no government intervention and regulation of economy, small government, private sector should solve economic and social problems

Liberal Beliefs

High government intervention and regulation of economy and high government support for social programs.

Many Americans are ___ on Social Issues, but ___ on economic issues.

Liberal, Conservative

3 Types of Media

The 3 types of media are print media, broadcast media, and Internet.

Broadcast Media

The purpose of broadcast media is to disseminate information, news, and entertainment to a wide audience through television, radio, and online platforms.

Print Media

Print Media refers to any form of media that is printed on paper, such as newspapers, magazines, brochures, and flyers.

~Many educated, influential and economic still use print media, although its looking leadership

Internet Media

Internet Media refers to digital content distributed over the internet, such as websites, social media, videos, and podcasts.

~ Broadcast and print media are on the internet

Soundbites

Brief quotes and short characterizations of events. Politicians and others often manipulate soundbites for their own advantage.

FCC oversees ___ and ___ media (except for private cable and satellite / private = you pay for services)

print, broadcast

FCC penalizes ___ and ___ references

obscenity, sexual

Fairness Doctrine

The Fairness Doctrine was a policy of the FCC that required broadcasters to present both sides of controversial issues.

Equal Time Rule

The Equal Time Rule is a regulation that requires broadcast stations to provide equal time to all candidates running for political office.

Right of Rebuttal

The Right of Rebuttal allows individuals or organizations mentioned in a media report to respond to the allegations made against them.

Issues for the FCC

The Reagan Administration (President Ronald Reagan 1981-1989) and Congress deregulated the media, ultimately leading to the FCC ending the Fairness Doctrine. The rise of private cable companies during the 1980s influenced deregulation

Rules for Presidential Candidates

Must be 35 years old, natural born citizen and residents of the US for 14 years

Rules for Senate Candidates

Must be 30 years old, US citizens for 9 years and residents of the state he or she represents

Rules for House Candidates

Must be 25 years old, US citizens for 7 years and residents of the state he or she represents.

Voter Vault is?

The Republican Data system

Vote Builder is?

The Democrat Data system

Prospective voter

Voting is based on what a candidate says he or she will do in the future if elected. Voting based on the future

Retrospective Voter

A voter who evaluates an incumbent's performance to decide whether to re-elect them based on past actions rather than future promises.

What makes up a Republican Party?

People who believe in, people who are, and people who live in?

People who believe in:

-- Economic and Social Conservativism

-- Less government spending and taxation

-- Less government economic regulation

-- Traditional values

People who are:

-- Rural poor

-- Usually white

--Live in the South / mid-West / West / Rural Regions / Suburban Region. The middle of the US between the coasts-Red States

Hispanic Phenomenon

Increasing numbers of Hispanics (Latinos) voting in conservative fashion due to disapproval of gay rights issues and other traditional values issues

What makes up the Democrat Party?

People who believe in, people who are, and people who live in?

People who believe in:

--More social welfare and education spending

--More government regulation

--Higher taxing

People who are:

--City dwellers / urbanites

--Urban Poor

--Working class / union members

--Minorities

--Upper-middle class intellectuals and professionals

People who live in:

--Live in the East and West Coast as well as the old rust belt (Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana) –Blue States.

--However, most of these states in the rust belt, which have large numbers of working class / union members, voted for Donald Trump in 2016. Their main issue was jobs

Founding Fathers Assumption?

People cannot be trusted to make decisions wisely and choose candidates directly. The election of President should not be based solely on direct popular vote

The electoral college is a form of___.

Indirect Voting

How does the electoral college work?

The electoral college is a system where each state is assigned a certain number of electors based on its representation in Congress. These electors then vote for the President and Vice President, with the candidate who receives a majority of electoral votes (270 out of 538) winning the election.

-States have as many electors as they have representatives and senators

- The key is for presidential candidates is to campaign in states which have a lot of electoral votes

In the majority of states, electors cast their vote based on the popular vote..... Except for ___

Nebraska and Maine

The Theories of Power

The main theories of power are pluralism, elitism, majoritarianism, and bureaucratic rule.

Majoritarianism

Government is run by interest groups who represent the majority. The amber alert system was the result of a popular citizens interest group

Pluralism

Government is run by competing interest group representing all citizens equally

Elitism

Government is run by interest groups representing the wealthy. These interest groups compete with each other

Bureaucratic Rule

Government is run by stifling bureaucracy. Presidents come and go, Congresses change, but the majority of our nearly 4 million civil servants stay the same

The Iron Triangle

The Iron Triangle refers to the close relationship between government agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups, often leading to mutually beneficial outcomes.

- Essentially, The Triangle is a longstanding, mutually-beneficial relationship between,

Interest Group -> Congressional Committee -> Bureaucratic Agency -> American Association of Retired Persons -> Congressional Subcommittee on Aging

Free Rider

An individual who realizes the benefits of interest groups, but never participates. Those who realize the benefits of public and private services, but never contribute

How to Win an Election and Re-Election to Congress

1. Casework; Service to Constituency

2. Bring Home the Pork $$ (pork barrel projects); Government funding and subsidies

• Highway construction provides construction jobs

• Subsidies for farmers and ranchers

• Earmarks–Place pet projects from own district and state into bills

3. Baby Kissing / Meet and Greet in District; City Hall Meetings, BBQs, Fairs, etc

4. Congressional post office; Used by incumbents to mail flyers during campaign season. This service is free, but not meant for this purpose

5. Incumbency; Incumbents have a track record and they are known by interest groups and voters. This makes them hard to beat

What is an Incumbent

An Incumbent is a member of Congress who has already won a seat

Once a seat is won (in Congress), the ability to hold the seat is high --> Why?

• Incumbents have a proven track record

• Incumbents can raise more money due to their track record

• Incumbents can pass bills to benefit constituency

• Incumbents can use the congressional post office to their advantage

• Incumbents can use casework

- Before the 1990s, 90% of incumbents have won their seats in most elections. Many incumbents lost seats in 1994, 2006, 2010, 2018

What can hurt Incumbents?

4 things

1.Redistricting; Loss or gain of a seat(s)

2. Disruptive Issue; War, recession, increasing taxes, inflation, unemployment

*Scandal

*Committing electoral fraud by accepting bribes for services in Congress (Tom DeLay, Ben Arrendondo, Duke Cunningham, William Jefferson)

*Soliciting prostitutes in airport restroom (Larry Craig)

*Sexual Harassment (Bob Packwood)

3. Midterm Election; Most voters participate during Presidential election years, but not during the years in between

*Only 1/3 of voters who voted in Presidential election will vote in midterm election

4. Strong Challenger; Challengers can use disruptive issues and scandals

*Millionaire challengers present the biggest threat to incumbents

Committees and Subcommittees

Committees and Subcommittees are smaller groups of members within a legislative body that focus on specific areas of legislation for review and discussion.

a.The House of Representatives

b. A proposed bill must go to its correct committee and subcommittee

c. 20 Standing Committees in the House in 2020 (Standing Committees are Permanent Committees)

Members of the House may not serve on any committee or serve on only one since there are so many Representatives

d. There could be anywhere from 60 to more than 100 subcommittees in the House depending on the majority party and the needs of the nation

e. Debate on a bill is controlled by the bill sponsor, the ruling party and the Speaker of the House

Speaker of the House

Relating to Committees and Subcommittees

The Speaker of the House has the most control over debate on bills

The Speaker and the Majority Party decide if a bill will even make it to the floor of the House to be voted on –after going though the committee/subcommittee process

The Speaker chooses or influences selection of committee and subcommittee member

The Senate

1. 20 Standing Committees/ there could be anywhere from 60 to more than 100 subcommittees

    a. Senators may serve on many committees from the time they enter the Senate since there are only 100 Senators

2. More debate is allowed by Majority Party then in the House

    a. Relations between the parties is more cordial and respectful

3.Approves Treaties (2/3 vote) and Presidential Appointments

How does Congress determine if a bill is importaintt?

Example:

Important bill concerning cattle ranching in Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota is brought before the House by those states’ Representatives–they are the Bill Sponsors

Bill placed by the House Rules Committee before the Committee on Agriculture

Committee sends bill to Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry

The subcommittee examines and investigates bill

Subcommittee sends bill back to Committee

Committee further examines bill and determines whether it is important enough to give funding to Committee sends findings to Appropriations Committee.

o Appropriations (one of the most powerful committees) decides to appropriate (give) funding to the bill – the funded bill goes before the House to be voted on by all Representatives

Remember, a simple majority passes the bill and then it moves to the Senate

The Legislation Funding Process

House -> Committee -> Subcommittee -> Appropriations Committee -> Committee

In Depth Legislative Process: The Bill Process

Member(s) of House proposes new legislation which becomes a bill

o FYI–The Senate can also propose new legislation, but no matter what, new legislation must go through both the House and Senate

House Rules Committee (HRC) is the most powerful committee and sends the bill to its proper and respective committee

oHRC determines if and where bill goes and how much debate time there will be for debate if and when it makes it to the floor

The Committee sends the bill to the proper Sub-committe

The Sub-committee discusses and agrees to the form, intent and results of the bill and sends bill back to Committee

The Committee discusses and agrees to the form, intent and results of the bill and sends bill to House Rules Committee

House Rules Committee determines when bill will be presented on the floor of the House

o House Rules Committee (HRC) can refuse to allow a bill to come to thefloor

o HRC can send a bill back to Committee. Remember, 90 percent of bills never make it through Committee, by sending a bill back to Committee it almost ensures it will never come back to the HRC.

After a bill is debated on the floor of the House and if passed by a 50 percent + 1 (simple majority)vote, the bill than goes to the Senate where the same process is followed except all that is needed to pass a bill in the Senate is a simple majority which is 51 yes votes or 50 plus

Sometimes the same bill will pass through the House and Senate at the same time

oExample

House: Shays/Meehan Bill

Senate: McCain/Feingold Bill

Both were the same campaign finance reform bills

FYI–If a bill does not pass one or both the House and Senate, it goes back to committee

A bill passed by both the House and Senate will then go to the President

o If the President passes the bill than the bill is now in the books, so to speak

o If the President does not pass the bill by vetoing it, the Senate can override the President with a 2/3 vote (67 votes)

o The Veto is a powerful tool which Presidents routinely use

o If the Senate does not override the President than the bill goes back to Committee

How do interest groups gain influence?

Interest groups gain influence by lobbying policymakers, providing campaign contributions, and mobilizing public support for their causes.

How do incumbents stay in office?

Incumbents stay in office by building name recognition, fundraising, and leveraging their experience and track record to appeal to voters.