Unit 3: Study Guide for Lecture Notes
1.Why did one Founding Father call factions “inevitable?”
One Founding Father (James Madison) called factions “inevitable” because he believed that the people
needed to control their effects. A geographically large republic is more likely to be able to cure the “mischief
of factions.”
2. When political parties can’t get things done what steps in to fill the vacuum?
Interest groups fill the vacuum when political parties can’t get things done.
3. What is an amicus curiae brief? Give an example of an interest group filing one on behalf
of someone or something else?
An amicus curiae brief was filed by NAACP on behalf of minorities in civil rights cases. They are filed by
interest groups that help on their behalf and support their belief.
4. What type of interest group lobbying is most effective?
Interest group lobbying is most effective on narrow, technical issues that are not well-publicized.
5. List some primary functions of lobbyists. Why are they called the “third house” of
Congress?
Functions of lobbyists are influence on the government, provide information to the government, testify at
hearings, and help write legislation. They are called “third house” of Congress because they work too closely
to Congress that they are considered this.
6. What are PACs? What do they do?
PACs or Political Action Committees are groups that raise funds for favored candidates.
7. How many times more can a PAC contribute to a candidate than an individual? Are there
any limits to the amount of money a PAC can contribute in one year?
PACs could contribute 5 times more than an individual with no limit to how much money a PAC can
contribute in one year.
8. What percentage of PAC money went to incumbents? To challengers?
In 2004, 79% of PAC money went to congressional incumbents, and 7% went to challengers.
9. Who gets more money from PACs, presidential candidates or congressional candidates
and why?
PAC money makes up a higher percent of congressional campaigns funds than presidential campaign funds.
10. One PAC group has given more money than any other since the 1970’s. Which group?
Corporations have given more money than any other PAC.
11. What does it mean to say that PACs have overrepresented the wealthy and
underrepresented the poor?
PACs overrepresented the wealthy because they have more money to contribute, while underrepresented
the poor who lack such representation because of the money.
12. What is the legal basis for PACs? In the First Amendment, PAC’s have the Right to
_________________?
PACs provide a means of participation and representation for the average person. In the First Amendment,
PACs have the Right to petition the government.
13. How has the nomination of the presidency changed over time? What came before
primaries?
The nomination of the president went from caucuses, to nominating conventions, to primary elections. It is
more candidate-centered politics than party-centered politics.
14. What is considered the “linking mechanism” between the people and their government?
Political parties are the linking mechanism between people and government.
15. Which Founding Father wrote that factions were harmful?
Madison wrote in Federalist #10 that factions were harmful.
16. Who was part of FDR’s “grand coalition?”
FDR’s “grand coalition” included urban dwellers, labor unions, Catholics, Jews, the poor, Southerners,
Blacks, and farmers.
17. What was Nixon’s “Southern Strategy?”
Nixon’s Southern Strategy and Reagan built a coalition of disenchanted white suburban middle class,
Southern white Protestants, and big businesses.
18. Define ‘divided government.’ What has been the pattern of the last few decades related
to Republicans and Democrats?
Divided government is one party has power in the presidency, while the other in the Congress. It is usually a
Republican President with a Democratic Congress.
19. The single-member, winner-take-all system is most closely associated with what type of
political system?
The single-member winner-take-all system is most closely associated with two party systems.
20. Why did Ross Perot, a third party candidate in 1992, while winning a substantial amount
of the popular vote, not receive one electoral vote?
Even though Perot won 19% of the vote in 1992, he had 0 electoral votes since he didn’t win any states.
21. Strong grass-roots organizations have contributed to the percentage of what kind of
candidate?
Strong grass-roots organizations have contributed to the percentage of Independent candidates.
22. What were two reforms of the Progressive Era related to elections?
The Direct primary and the 17th Amendment are reforms of the Progressive Era.
23. Describe the “quota system” established by the Democratic Party with the aim of greater
inclusion?
The “quota system” was developed to ensure that the young, women, and minorities are represented in
party affairs especially the national convention.
24. Besides the media, what are other important sources of “political socialization” for
Americans?
Aside from the media, the other important sources of political socialization are the idea of gaining
information from your surroundings.
25. Critics say that the media devotes the largest amount of presidential campaign coverage
to what activities?
Critics say that the media devotes the largest amount of presidential campaign coverage to day-to-day
campaign activities.
26. What is “horse race” coverage?
“Horse Race” coverage focuses on topics public likes like superficial and interesting stories.
27. Why is the media referred to as a “gatekeeper?”
Media is referred to as a “gatekeeper” because it influences which subjects are of national importance. They
help to set up national agenda.