UNIT 4 + 5- POLITICAL BELIEFS AND BEHAVIORS + POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

POLITICAL BELIEFS 1

[[political socialization- process by which ppl learn about politics and gov and become part of the political process[[
who aids in political socialization? * family * school * media * socio- economic * peers

\ VOTING

the electorate has dramatically expanded over time
federal laws and constitutional amendments have reduced the power of states over a citizen’s right to vote (state are supposed to control voting)
[[acts/ amendments that impact voting[[ * 15th amendment * 19th amendment * 23rd amendment * 24th amendment * 26th amendment * voting rights act of 1965
americas has a lower voter turnout
the majority of eligible voters do not vote in non presidential elections * don’t think it is as important and think their vote doesn’t matter/ count

\ VOTING 2

who votes * ppl w more education- more * ppl w less education- less * ppl w more income- more * ppl w less income- less * ppl in lower income brackets- vote more democratic * ppl in higher income brackets- vote republican * older ppl- more than younger ppl * young voters- vote democratic * older voters- vote republicans * women vote more than men * women generally favor democrats * men generally favor republicans * white ppl tend to have higher turnout rates than minorities * minorities generally vote democratic * African Americans overwhelmingly vote for democrats

\ POLITICAL PARTIES

[[2 party system- political structure that has 2 dominant political parties[[
why does the US have a 2 party system? * most Americans are moderates * the winner take all system leads to a 2 party system * 2 dominant parties hinder other party development
[[single member district[[ * voters elect only 1 candidate for each position * structure where only 1 candidate is elected to each office on the ballot * the winner only needs to get more votes than any other candidate
[[winner take all- system used in the single member district system[[

\ POLITICAL PARTIES 2

third parties struggle in America * third parties are usually tied to one issue or one dynamic leader * the democrats and republicans are automatically placed on state ballots * third part candidates must submit a petition to get on the ballot * the 2 major parties have put other restrictions on third parties * ppl know third parties won’t win bc of the 2 party system. this belief leads to ppl voting for the least bad candidate instead of who they want to win, * EX- person votes for a democrat instead of the third party candidate he wants bc he really doesn’t want the republican to win

\ POLITICAL PARTIES 3

[[party realignment[[ - major party defeated and disappears * support shifts between 2 existing parties * occurs when very important issue cuts across part divisions * federalism keeps and guides the 2 party system (winner take all)
[[party dealignment[[ * party sorting * the process of ideologically similar ppl join gin the same political parties
[[polarization [[ * the vast and growing gap between liberals and conservatives, republicans and democrats * it is now a defining creature of American politics (It has gotten worse) * there are a variety of causes (from narrow casted media to primary challenges)

\ DIVIDED GOVERNMENT

[[divided gov- when the president is from a different party than the houses of congress[[
1969- 2010- the same party controlled the presidency and both houses of congress for 12 years
consequences of divided gov * heightened partisanship making it difficult for compromise * slowed the confirmation and legislative processes creating gridlock * increased public frustration contributing to the decline in trust and confidence in gov * lead to and a result of party polarization

\ INTEREST GROUPS

[[interest groups- are a linkage institution[[ * express their members’ preferences to gov policymakers (B, C, E, CO) * convey gov policy info to their members * raise and spend money to influence policymakers and in elections
operate at every level of gov
types of interest groups * business groups * labor groups * agricultural groups * professional associations * environment groups * public interest groups * single issue groups

goals * gain access to policymakers * influence public policy in the groups favor * support sympathetic policymakers
[[lobbying[[ * interest groups attempting to influence policy makers * substantial amounts of money are spent lobbying congress * lobbyists often testify before congressional committees * proved congress w info * lobbyists gain access to the regulatory agencies * lobbyists lobby the president through his staff * IGs lobby the courts by providing info through amicus curiae briefs * IG influence court appointments

[[PACs and super PACs- influence elections w money[[
[[elite theory- small group of super rich individuals, powerful corporate interest groups, and large financial institutions dominate key policy areas[[
[[pluralist theory-[[ * many groups compete for power in a large number of policy areas * competition limits power of the groups
[[hyperpluralist theory[[ * there are too many interest groups trying to influence public policy * in order to appease groups policy makers create poor legislation

\ CAMPAIGN FINANCE VOCAB

[[federal election commission (FEC)- independent federal agency that regulates/ creates rules for federal election[[
[[disclosed money- contributions reported to the FEC[[
[[political action committee (PAC)- designed to allow interests to raise and spend money to elect/ defeat candidates (disclosed)[[
[[super PAC-[[ * cannot contribute to candidates, individuals or companies * raise/ spend unlimited money independently advocating for or against certain candidates (disclosed)

]]citizens united v FEC- reduced to campaign finance restrictions leading to corporation donations and unlimited donations]]
allowed for companies to have free speech by spending money

\ [[CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS- PACS[[

directly to candidate * $2500 limit per election * less than $2000 name not disclosed to FEC
to the party * $30,800 limit (disclosed) * party decides where the money goes
to PACs * individual can give up to $5000 * $5000 limit to each candidate per election * $15,000 limit to party * $5000 to other PACs

\ CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION- SUPER PACS

candidate super PAC (disclosed) * unlimited money to super PAC * SPAC can spend money how it wishes promoting a candidate
issue aligned (disclosed) * corporation donates to issue * would not be controversial bc the money as to be reported- monitored
party aligned (disclosed) * person/ company can give unlimited money to support SPACs that can run ads in favor of the party/ candidates

\ [[SUPER PACS[[

unlimited given by individual, group, or company
unlimited money spent by the super PAC
all donations are public

\ CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS- SHADY OPTIONS

501 C4 * unlimited money to the C4 from anonymous (do not have to disclose donors) * spend unlimited money on things- can be vague * if they specifically advocate for/ against candidate they have to disclose spending to FEC

\ MEDIA AND THE GOV 1

media is a business * media is not part of the gov but they inform, reveal corruption, praise, and criticize the gov * exist to make a profit
[[media is a linkage institution[[ * links the gov to the ppl * interviewing citizens * presenting poll results * covering protests * covering important topics/ events * [[links the ppl to the gov[[ * interviewing political leaders * reporting on gov programs * reporting on gov activities

\ MEDIA AND THE GOV 2

[[media is an agenda setter (gatekeeper)[[ * media gives attention to some issues and not others. the media has control over what issues the ppl are informed on * media plays an important role in drawing public attention to particular issues while avoiding others
[[media is a watchdog[[ * observe the gov, corporations, and the ppl to check for appropriate behavior * will expose the negative actions of gov * gov has to act properly in order to not face scrutiny
[[media is a scorekeeper (horse race journalism)[[ * practice which journalist and reporters use in regards to gov coverage and campaign coverage w emphasis on who is gaining or losing, and not on what is being done abt issues * who gets to the scene first * everyone wants the scoop- doesn’t matter if data is 100% accurate