Political Parties

A.
B.
Not in the Constitution- Washington against them
First: Federalists (Adams, Hamilton) vs
Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson)

C.
D.
D-Rs dominant then split into Democrats
(Jackson) vs Whigs
Slavery issue formed a new party-
Republicans (Lincoln)

A.
Two Party System
1.
Our electoral system discourages minor parties
2.
Generally align with liberal vs conservative ideology
3.
4.
Form consensus, general agreement, on issues
Focus on individuals more than parties

B.
1.
2.
Minor Parties or Third parties
Single-issue parties- promote one policy matter a.
Ex: Prohibitionist Party, Right to
Life Party
Ideological parties- support a political doctrine a.
Ideology- set belief about human nature and gov’t b.
Ex: Socialist, Communist,
Libertarian- limit gov’t interference, increase individual freedoms


Radical (Far left)

Liberal

Moderate (Middle)

Conservative

Reactionary (Far right)

3.
4.
Splinter parties- split from a major party a.
Ex: Progressive Party, Green Party b.
Historic: Bull-Moose Party
Independent candidates- candidate w/o party

C.
Other systems
1.
Multi-party systems a.
b.
c.
Several major and minor parties exist
Model in Europe and most democracies
Support defined interests of the party, not a candidate d.
e.
Coalitions- temporary alliance of groups
Problems: unstable gov’t, no majority

2.
One party system (Dictatorship) a.
Ex: Communist Party, Fascist party


Are parties essential to our political system?

What positive role do they play?

What negative role do they play?

Would it be better or worse if we had more powerful third parties?

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
26 to 50= Very Conservative

8 to 25= Conservative

-7 to 7= Moderate

-25 to -8= Liberal

-50 to -26= Very Liberal

A.
1.
2.
3.
Three components of the party
Party Organization a.
b.
National committee- representatives from each states decide focus of party
Raise funds, form consensus, convention
Party Electorate- faithful voters
Party in Gov’t- elected officials

B.
Roles
1.
Nominating candidates
2.
Form consensus a.
Platform- statements of party belief b.
Plank- each part of the platform

B.
C.
Bonding agent to people and ideas
1.
Partisanship- enacting legislation on the basis of party and political ideology
2.
Ex: environmentalists will likely vote for generic Democratic candidate because they will act on that issue
Watchdog- on issues and on other party

“Elections”

A.
B.
1.
2.
Private Funds- money from individual contributors, large corporations, or fundraisers limit of $2300 per person can fund own campaign w/o limit
Public Funds- help by matching funds raised but has limits

C.
PACs and Soft Money
1.
2.
Political Action Committees (PACs)- interest groups that try to elect candidates ($5000 limit) lobbyist- activist for an interest group
3.
Soft money- unlimited money not for campaign but may help one side a.
Ex: Swift Boat Vets, MoveOn.org

3.
4.
1.
2.
5.
Name and explain three different types of thirdparties
What is an advantage of a multi-party system over a two-party system?
Give an example of a plank for both political parties
What is a way for PACs or other interest groups to get around campaign contribution limits?
What is the purpose of primaries in the election system?

A.
B.
C.
Primaries- voting for party candidate for general election (diff. ways of counting votes- winner take all vs. divided)
Caucuses- group of people meet and select candidate
Conventions- Party members meet and pick candidate

A.
Campaign
1.
2.
Labor-intensive- volunteers, rallies, events
Media-driven- TV, radio, internet

B.
C.
1.
2.
Electoral Collegedetermined by number of representatives in state need 270 of 538 to win; if no 270, House decides
Inauguration- swearing in



Option 1: Pick a party

Pick which of our two parties you most support. Explain why you support this party. What positions of the party do you agree with and why? Are there other factors like people in gov’t or the culture of the party that affect your affiliation?
Option 2: Pick a candidate

Who will you vote for in the 2012 election, who would you have voted for and why? Think about party, personal qualifications, positions on issues, etc.

Length- 1-1.5 Double-spaced typed pages

Media and Public Opinion

A.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Propaganda- technique of persuasion to influence behavior create belief good or bad
Mass media- tv, newspaper, radio, etc.
Has become more biased over time.
MSNBC
, CBS, NY Times, -very biased.
canvassing- targeting a group of people personally

B.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Methods of propaganda
Glittering generalities- values w/o explanations
Bandwagon- everybody’s doing it
Stack Cards- show one side
Just Plain Folks- show as one of the people
Name Calling- accusatory generalizations
Transfer- combine ideas to transfer attitude toward one idea to the another
Euphemisms- call things by better names

MODERN MEDIA: BLOGS, AND ON LINE NEWS
OUTLETS

Slate, Huffington Post, Media Matters, Drudge Report,
NPR, –all biased news outlets.

Either extreme liberal or conservative viewpoint

Talk Radio has both sides- opinions espoused by pundits not journalists.

FOX News, CNN,PBS, Washington Post, Washington
Journal,& Wall Street Journal are best at giving both sides. C-Span is top notch and balanced

Time- leans left, US World Report is more balanced.

Conspiracy theorists like to make things up.
Photo shop images. Happened to G.W. Bush as well. People believe it.
Real Photo
Fake Photo

A.
B.
Very important because reflects voting behavior
1.
2.
Public Opinion polls- collect information by asking questions straw poll- unreliable, no control over who responds (ex: internet polls, voluntary polls) scientific polling- get accurate information (ex: Gallup
Organization or Harris Survey) a.
b.
sample size about 1000 people margin of error +3-5%

“Interest Groups and Political Action”

A.
B.
C.
Group of citizens coming together to effect public policy
Protected by 1 st Amendment: speech, assembly, petition
1.
Public Interest Groups- support causes that affect
Americans in general ex: League of Women’s Voters: educates voters

A.
Lobbying- representatives from interest groups contacting gov’t officials to further cause

B.
C.
D.
1.
Litigation- using courts to further cause
NRA stopping DC handgun law
Protest- ex: Bus Boycott against segregation
Recall- allow voters to remove an elected official from office

“Citizenship”

Def: members of a country that have rights and responsibilities
A.
Citizenship by birth- born in state, territory, military base or to American parents
B.
Naturalization- legal process to become a citizen
1.
2.
Must demonstrate civic and history knowledge expatriation- give up citizenship

C.
D.
1.
2.
Legal Aliens (immigrants) resident aliens have permanent residence in US cannot vote; but pay taxes, attend schools, have legal protection
Illegal Aliens risk being deported- sent back to native country

C.
D.
A.
B.
E.
Follow laws
Pay taxes
Jury duty
Attending school selective service (draft)- men must sign up for at age 18

A.
1.
2.
3.
Democratic process voting in elections stay informed, participate in events, contact representatives, try to make a change
Must be 18, citizen, registered, and not a felon

B.
C.
Volunteering
Be educated

A.
B.
Electoral College
Separation of Church and State

C.
1.
2.
3.
American multiculturalism: “melting pot” vs.
“tossed salad”
“E Pluribus Unum”- “from many one”
Tolerance- willingness to respect others different than yourself
Affirmative Action- preferences given to minorities to correct historical injustice

E.
F.
Pro-choice vs Pro-life
Homosexual rights

G.
H.
Balancing budgets
Poverty, public transfer payments, progressive tax