AP US GOVERNMENT REVIEW SHEET UNIT 3: INTEREST GROUPS, POLITICAL PARTIES,
PARTY PLATFORMS, PRIMARIES & CAUCUSES, ELECTORAL COLLEGE, ELECTIONS AND
CAMPAIGNS, & CAMPAIGN FINANCE
Ch. 11: Interest Groups
1. What is the major difference between an interest group and a political party? AN INTEREST GROUP SEEKS TO
INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY, BUT A POLITICAL PARTY SEEKS TO ELECT CANDIDATES TO OFFICE.
2. What has happened to the number of interest groups since the 1960s? THEY HAVE INCREASED DRAMATICALLY.
3. Give an example of an institutional interest group. FRIENDS OF TOBACCO
4. Give an example of a membership interest group. AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS
5. List 3 ways in which interest groups raise money. MEMBERSHIP DUES, RECEIVE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC GRANTS,
DIRECT MAIL CAMPAIGNS
6. List 6 activities of interest groups. SUPPLY CREDIBLE INFORMATION; RAISE PUBLIC SUPPORT; CREATE PACs AND
MAKE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS; EMPLOY FORMER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS; SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES
THROUGH PROTEST AND DISRUPTION; LEAD LITIGATION
7. What is a PAC? What is its purpose? POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE; ORGANIZATIONS CREATED BY INTEREST
GROUPS TO MAKE CANDIDATE AND/OR PARTY CONTRIBUTIONS; FUNDING VEHICLES ARE MONITORED BY
FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION (FEC)
8. Explain the inverse relationship between political parties and interest groups. WHEN PARTIES ARE WEAK, INTEREST
GROUPS ARE STRONG; WHEN PARTIES ARE STRONG, INTEREST GROUPS ARE WEAK.
9. What’s the most common function of a lobbyist? PROVIDE INFORMATION TO LEGISTATORS; CONVINCE
POLITICIANS TO SUPPORT THE POINT OF VIEW THAT THE LOBBYIST REPRESENTS
Ch. 8: Political Parties
1. Define “political party.”
GROUP THAT SEEKS TO ELECT CANDIDATES TO PUBLIC OFFICE; PARTY GIVES AN IDENTIFIABLE LABEL TO
CANDIDATE
2. Define and give an example of realignment.
SHIFT IN POLITICAL PARTY LOYALTY; AFRICAN AMERICANS MOVING FROM REPUBLICAN TO DEMOCRATIC
PARTY, 1930s
3. Define dealignment.
MOVING AWAY FROM PARTY IDENTIFICATION; INDEPENDENT, MODERATE VOTERS
4. Define “divided government.”
ONE POLITICAL PARTY CONTROLS ONE BRANCH OF GOVT., WHILE THE OTHER MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY
CONTROLS ANOTHER BRANCH OF GOVT.
5. Define “ticket splitting.”
VOTER SELECTS A CANDIDATE FROM ONE POLITICAL PARTY FOR A PARTICULAR OFFICE, BUT SELECTS A
CANDIDATE FROM THE OTHER MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY FOR ANOTHER OFFICE – IN THE SAME ELECTION
YEAR
6. Who are superdelegates?
PARTY LEADERS AND POLITICAL ELITES WHO ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO ANY 1 CANDIDATE WITHIN THE PARTY
DURING THE NATIONAL CONVENTION
7. Describe the major differences between the Democrats and the Republicans in nominating a presidential candidate.
D—NUMBER OF DELEGATES FOR A PARTICULAR CANDIDATE IS PROPORTIONAL TO % OF POPULAR VOTE
RECEIVED IN A STATE PRIMARY ELECTION; AT LEAST 15%
R—UNIFIED CONVENTION; MOST STATE PRIMARIES ARE WINNER-TAKE-ALL
8. Name 5 reasons why minor / 3rd parties have not fared well in the U.S.
EXCLUDED FROM DEBATES, UNLESS POLLING AT 15% OR ABOVE; WINNER-TAKE-ALL SYSTEM OF ELECTORAL
COLLEGE; SINGLE-MEMBER DISTRICTS; DENIED FEDERAL MATCHING FUNDS UNLESS 5% VOTE RECEIVED AT
PREVIOUS ELECTION; LACK OF MEDIA COVERAGE
9. What is a single-member district? How does this favor the 2 party system?
ONE REPRESENTATIVE PER DISTRICT; WINNER-TAKE-ALL PRINCIPLE—NO PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION
10. Describe at least 4 ways that minor parties contribute to the U.S. political system in spite of institutional obstacles.
CONTRIBUTE IMPORTANT ISSUES & IDEAS (GREEN PARTY-ENVIRONMENT); INCREASE POLITICAL
PARTICIPATION—PEOPLE BECOME INTERESTED IN POLITICS DUE TO 3RD PARTIES; REINFORCE DEMOCRATIC
PRINCIPLES, PROVIDING POPULIST REPRESENTATION; SOMETIMES 2 MAIN PARTIES ADOPT THEIR ISSUES –
THEY INFLUENCE MAINSTREAM
11.Describe the winner-take-all feature of the Electoral College.
CANDIDATE WHO GETS THE MOST POPULAR VOTES WITHIN THE STATE WINS ALL OF A STATE’S ELECTORAL
VOTES; THERE IS NO PRIZE FOR 2ND PLACE
A) Which 2 states DO NOT use the “winner-take-all” rule in the Electoral College system?
MAINE, NEBRASKA
B) Give 3 reasons why the Electoral College has not been abolished.
IT WOULD REQUIRE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, AND IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO GET ¾ OF THE
STATES TO AGREE.
NO CLEAR CONSENSUS ON THE ALTERNATIVE—POPULAR VOTE? CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT?
IT COLLECTIVELY BENEFITS SMALL STATES.
HISTORY/TRADITION; RESPECT FOUNDERS’ WISHES; CHECKS THE AVERAGE VOTER.
12. Name 6 groups that are generally part of the Democratic coalition of voters.
AFRICAN AMERICANS, SENIOR CITIZENS, LABOR UNION MEMBERS, URBAN DWELLERS, JEWISH AMERICANS,
IMMIGRANTS
13. Name 4 groups that are generally part of the Republican coalition of voters.
WHITE SOUTHERNERS, BUSINESS OWNERS, EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS, SUBURBANITES
Ch. 9 & 10: Campaigns & Elections
14. What are the top 3 factors that determine who wins an election?
PARTY IDENTIFICATION
ISSUES
CAMPAIGNS
15. What is the difference between a prospective voter and a retrospective voter?
PROSPECTIVE VOTERS LOOK TO THE FUTURE / CAMPAIGN PROMISES TO DECIDE WHO TO VOTE FOR;
RETROSPECTIVE VOTERS LOOK AT THE MOST RECENT PAST TO DETERMINE THEIR VOTE
16. Define and give an example of a “critical” election.
AN ELECTION THAT PRODUCES A MAJOR PARTY REALIGNMENT – 1932; 1980
17. What is an incumbent?
PERSON WHO CURRENTLY SERVES IN THE OFFICE THAT THEY ARE SEEKING RE-ELECTION
18. Define malapportionment.
DISTRICTS OF AN UNEQUAL SIZE—EX. – 1 DISTRICT THAT HAS TWICE THE POPULATION AS ANOTHER DISTRICT
(REYNOLDS V. SIMS)
19. Define gerrymandering.
DISTRICT BOUNDARIES DRAWN TO FAVOR 1 PARTY RATHER THAN ANOTHER (MILLER V. JOHNSON)
20. Who determines the boundaries of U.S. Congressional districts within a state?
STATE LEGISLATORS
21. When and why did the presidential primary begin in the U.S.?
PROGRESSIVE ERA 1900-20—AN ATTEMPT TO INCREASE VOTER PARTICIPATION; RESTRICT POWER OF
NATIONAL PARTIES
22. Define and give an example of an open primary.
ANY VOTER, REGARDLESS OF PARTY, MAY VOTE; CHOOSE PARTY BALLOT; GEORGIA
23. Define and give an example of a closed primary.
VOTERS MUST BE A REGISTERED PARTY MEMBER TO HAVE THEIR VOTE USED IN THE DELEGATES COUNT;
CALIFORNIA
24. Which state holds the first caucus in the presidential nomination process?
IOWA
25. Which state holds the first primary?
NEW HAMPSHIRE
26. Define and give an example of a valence issue.
EXTENT TO WHICH A CANDIDATE EMPHASIZES A PARTICULAR ISSUE; HEALTHCARE
27. Define and give an example of a position issue.
THOSE ISSUES ON WHICH THE CANDIDATES HAVE OPPOSING VIEWS -- ABORTION
28. What are 3 sources of campaign funding?
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS, GOVT. FUNDS, PACs
29. In a primary election, when does a candidate receive federal matching funds?
FOR INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS OF $250 OR LESS, FROM EACH OF AT LEAST 20 DONORS IN EACH OF 20 STATES
30. What is the maximum amount an individual can donate to a campaign, per election, per candidate?
$2600
31. What is the maximum amount a PAC can donate to a campaign, per election, per candidate?
$5000
32. What requirements must be met to form a PAC?
CONSIST OF AT LEAST 50 VOLUNTEERS, GIVE TO AT LEAST 5 FEDERAL CANDIDATES
33. What is the FEC?
FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION—OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR CAMPAIGNS & ELECTIONS (EST. 1974)
34. How is the general presidential election funded?
PUBLIC FUNDING – TAX DOLLARS; CANDIDATES CAN REJECT PUBLIC FUNDING AND RAISE THEIR OWN $$
35. What funding is available to minor party candidates in the general election?
PARTIAL FUNDING IF THE PARTY HAD AT LEAST 5% OF THE POPULAR VOTE IN THE PREVIOUS ELECTION
36. What is soft money?
UNLIMITED FUNDS THAT COULD BE DONATED TO A POLITICAL PARTY THEN PASSED ON TO A CANDIDATE,
WITHOUT NAMING THE CANDIDATE
37. What is an independent expenditure?
PACs, 527s, 501(c)GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS CAN SPEND AS MUCH AS THEY WISH ON ADVERTISING AS LONG AS
IT IS NOT COORDINATED WITH A SPECIFIC CAMPAIGN
38. What is the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002?
MCCAIN-FEINGOLD ACT – BAN ON SOFT MONEY; RESTRICTIONS ON INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES – ADS
CANNOT AIR SOONER THAN 30 DAYS BEFORE A PRIMARY AND 60 DAYS BEFORE A GENERAL ELECTION
39. Describe the ruling in the Buckley v. Valeo case.
SUPREME COURT RULED THAT INDIVIDUALS COULD CONTRIBUTE AN UNLIMITED AMOUNT TO THEIR OWN
CAMPAIGN
40. Describe the ruling in the McConnell v. FEC case.
SUPREME COURT UPHELD THE BIPARTISAN CAMPAIGN REFORM ACT OF 2002; IT DID NOT VIOLATE FREE
SPEECH
41. Describe the ruling in the Bush v. Gore (2000) case.
SUPREME COURT OVERRULED THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT, STOPPING THE RECOUNT; MORE PRECISE AND
CONSISTENT STANDARDS EVALUATING BALLOTS WOULD HAVE TO BE APPLIED TO ALL COUNTIES;
DETERMINED THAT BUSH WOULD EMERGE AS THE WINNER OF ELECTION OF 2000
41A: Describe Citizens United v. FEC 2009
SUPREME COURT RULED THAT BCFRA CANNOT RESTRICT INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES; DISCLOSURE OF
CONTRIBUTIONS STILL REQUIRED
Ch. 7: The Mass Media and the Political Agenda
42. What is the Associated Press?
WIRE SERVICE OF THE NATIONAL MEDIA EST. 1848; FOSTERED OBJECTIVE REPORTING AND SYSTEMATIC
DISTRIBUTION OF INFO.
43. Define a sound bite.
A SHORT VIDEO CLIP OF AN OFFICIAL BOILING DOWN AN ENTIRE SPEECH INTO A FEW CATCHY PHRASES
(BROADCAST JOURNALISM)
44. Define and give an example of narrowcasting.
TARGETING OF A SEGMENTED AUDIENCE BY RADIO AND TV STATIONS – FOX NEWS, MTV, ESPN
45. Give 7 examples of the types of national media outlets.
WIRE SERVICES, NATIONAL MAGAZINES, EVENING NEWS BROADCASTS, CABLE NEWS NETWORKS,
NEWSPAPERS WITH NATIONAL READERSHIPS, RADIO, INTERNET
46. Describe the media’s role as gatekeeper.
MEDIA INFLUENCES WHAT SUBJECTS BECOME NATIONAL POLITICAL ISSUES AND FOR HOW LONG
47. Describe the media’s role as scorekeeper.
MEDIA TRACKS POLITICAL REPUTATIONS AND CANDIDACIES, COVERING ELECTIONS AS THOUGH THEY ARE
HORSE RACES
48. Describe the media’s role as watchdog.
MEDIA INVESTIGATES PERSONALITIES AND EXPOSES SCANDALS
49. What is prior restraint?
CENSORSHIP; PREVENTION OF A PUBLICATION
50. What is the FCC?
FEDERAL COMMUNICATION COMMISSION – REGULATES RADIO & TV STATIONS
51. List 3 ways in which the federal government influences the broadcast media.
LICENSING, PREVENTION OF MONOPOLIES, FORMING RULES FOR TV & RADIO IN CAMPAIGNS (EQUAL TIME
RULE, ETC.)
52. What is the Fairness Doctrine?
REQUIRED BROADCASTERS TO GIVE TIME TO OPPOSING VIEWS IF THEY BROADCAST A PROGRAM GIVING ONE
SIDE OF A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE; ABOLISHED IN 1987
53. Define and give an example of a trial balloon”.
STATEMENT INTENTIONALLY LEAKED TO THE PRESS BY AN UNNAMED SOURCE TO TEST THE PUBLIC’S
REATION TO A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE; SOCIAL SECURITY PRIVATIZATION
54. Define and give an example of a routine story.
REGULARLY COVERED STORIES; BILLS PASSING CONGRESS, A PRESIDENTIAL TRIP
55. Define and give an example of a feature story.
STORIES NOT ROUTINELY COVERED THAT REQUIRE A REPORTER’S INITIATIVE; WAR IN IRAQ COVERAGE
56. Define and give an example of an insider story.
STORIES THAT INVOLVE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING OR POLITICAL LEAKS; WATERGATE
57. Describe the agenda-setting theory of the media.
MEDIA INFLUENCES WHAT PEOPLE WILL DISCUSS AND FOR HOW LONG
58. What is a linkage institution?
CONNECTS GOVERNMENT TO THE AVERAGE CITIZEN