Exam 3 Study Guide: Voting, Elections, and Political Processes (copy)

Voting and Elections

• Who was allowed to vote when our nation was founded?

  • Initially, voting rights were restricted predominantly to white male property owners.

• Impact of Amendments:

  • 15th Amendment: Granted African American men the right to vote.
  • 19th Amendment: Granted women the right to vote, marking a significant stride for gender equality in suffrage.
  • 26th Amendment: Lowered the voting age to 18, expanding eligibility to younger citizens.

• US Voter Participation vs. Other Countries:

  • Voter participation in the US tends to be lower compared to other democracies, particularly in mid-term elections.

• Voter Participation Rates:

  • Approximately 60-66% of eligible voters participate in presidential elections.
  • Congressional election participation typically hovers around 50%.

• Popular Vote vs. Electoral College:

  • The popular vote is the total number of votes cast by citizens.
  • The Electoral College vote is the mechanism established by the Constitution for the indirect election of the President and Vice President.

• 2020 vs. 2016 Presidential Elections:

  • The 2020 election saw higher voter turnout compared to 2016, reflecting increased voter engagement and different political climates.

• Voter Registration Responsibilities:

  • Individual citizens are responsible for registering to vote.

• Voter Registration Control:

  • State governments control voter registration requirements.

• Political Candidate Selection in the US:

  • Political candidates are primarily selected through primaries, caucuses, and conventions within political parties.

• Impediments to Voting and Consequences:

  • Barriers such as voter ID laws, limited polling locations, and misinformation can hinder voter turnout.

• Decreased Voter Turnout Factors:

  • Factors include apathy, disenfranchisement, lack of access to voting, and complex registration processes.

• Individual Benefits of Voting:

  • Voting allows individuals to express their opinions, influence government policy, and participate in democracy.

• Incumbent Advantage:

  • Incumbents often have advantages such as greater visibility, established networks, and funding resources for campaigning.

• Divided Government:

  • Occurs when one party controls the presidency and another controls Congress, leading to potential gridlocks in governance.

Political Culture, Public Opinion, and Socialization

• American Political Culture:

  • Characterized by values such as individualism, democracy, equality, and a belief in civic duty.

• Public Opinion:

  • Refers to the collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on various issues.

• Relation to Individual Opinion:

  • Public opinion is shaped by individual opinions aggregated across society.

• Political Socialization:

  • The process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values.

• Agents of Socialization:

  • Family, schools, peers, media, and significant life events, in this order.

• Public Opinion Polling:

  • Surveys designed to measure public sentiment on various issues and influence political decision-making.

• Factors Affecting Opinion Polling:

  • Sample size, selection bias, question wording, and timing can affect poll outcomes.

• Information Sources on Government and Politics:

  • Most individuals rely on media (television, internet) for information on government and politics.

The Media

• Largely Unregulated Media Outlet:

  • The internet and social media are often less regulated compared to traditional media sources.

• Important Media for Elections:

  • Social media is becoming increasingly significant for political campaigning.

• Negative Campaigning:

  • Candidates engage in negative campaigning to discredit opponents and draw voter attention, often leading to higher engagement.

• Media’s Role in Newsmaking:

  • The media is responsible for framing news stories and shaping public perception.

• Media Focus:

  • News media often emphasizes sensational stories, political scandals, and breaking news.

• Muckraking vs. Yellow Journalism:

  • Muckraking: Investigative journalism aimed at exposing corruption.
  • Yellow Journalism: Sensationalized news often exaggerating or misrepresenting information to attract readers.

• Research on Network Media Content:

  • Studies indicate biases in media coverage, as well as how it influences public opinion and political behaviors.

Political Parties

• Definition of Political Party:

  • An organization that seeks to gain power by winning elections and influencing government policy.

• Types of Parties:

  • Major parties (e.g., Democrats, Republicans), minor parties (e.g., Green Party, Libertarian Party).

• US Party System:

  • The US has a two-party system due to plurality voting, ballot access laws, and historical precedent.

• Origin of Political Parties in the US:

  • Political parties originated in the US in the late 18th century as factions began to form around differing ideological beliefs.

• Winner-Take-All System:

  • An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins, leaving no representation for losing candidates.

• Proportional Representation System:

  • An electoral system where parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive.

• Party Platform:

  • A document outlining a party's principles and policy goals.

• Republican Party Views:

  • Typically supports lower taxes, less regulation, and conservative social policies.

• Increasing Republican Membership:

  • Growth attributed to shifting demographics, appeals to conservative ideologies, and local and state issues.

• Democratic Party Views:

  • Generally favors social equality, increased regulation, and progressive taxation.

• Demographic Importance for Future Parties:

  • Latino and younger voters are increasingly important for both major parties' electoral success.

Interest Groups

• Definition of Interest Group:

  • An organization formed to advocate for specific causes, interests, or policies.

• Types of Interest Groups:

  • Economic groups (e.g., trade unions), public interest groups (e.g., environmental organizations), ideological groups (e.g., religious groups).

• Most Numerous Interest Groups:

  • Economic interest groups tend to be the most numerous.

• Collective Good:

  • A benefit that cannot be denied to anyone in a group, regardless of whether they contributed to its provision.

• Functioning of Interest Groups:

  • They lobby, conduct research, advocate for policy changes, and mobilize members for campaigns.

• Amicus Curiae Brief:

  • A legal document submitted by non-litigants to advise the court on matters of law or policy related to a case.

• Iron Triangle:

  • The stable relationship between government agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees that work together to influence policy.

• Direct vs. Indirect Lobbying Tactics:

  • Direct lobbying involves direct interaction with lawmakers.
  • Indirect lobbying mobilizes public opinion to influence decision-makers.

• Success of Direct Lobbying:

  • Often successful due to established relationships and access to decision-makers.

• Grassroots Lobbying:

  • Involves mobilizing the general public to contact legislators and influence policy decisions.