The Political Process

 Political parties have national, state, and local organization.  Major political parties seek to define themselves in ways that win majority support.  At the same time, they try to maintain their core principles.

 Select candidates  Raise funds  Conduct campaigns  Identify important issues  Monitor the party in power

 The Democratic and Republican parties are coalitions of several factions and interest groups.  Both parties conduct campaigns that appeal to voters in the middle of the political spectrum.

 Third parties can form to highlight single issues in a given election or provide a long term forum for minority views.

An ideology is a set of beliefs about life, culture, government and society. Ideology is shaped by many factors.  Family  Education  Religion  Socio-economic status  Race and ethnicity  Gender  Home region

 Conservative – generally believes that the role of government should be limited and that enterprise and initiative should be promoted.  Liberal – generally believes that the role of government should be active and that economic opportunity should be promoted.  Moderate – generally seeks middle ground between conservative and liberal positions.

 Participating in politics  Voting  Campaigning  Expressing opinions  Lobbying  Demonstrating  Writing letters  Joining interest groups

 Identifying issues  Making political contributions  Lobbying government by providing useful information to officials

 Giving selective attention to issues  Shaping public opinion by influencing attitudes and beliefs  Providing information to policy makers

 Libertarian  Libertarian – Favor less government involvement in both economic and personal conduct issues. Generally favor less government overall and maximizing all personal freedoms.  Populist  Populist – Favor more government involvement in both economic and personal conduct issues, generally favor the presence of more government involvement and less individual liberty.

 Ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause.  Propaganda Techniques:  Name Calling  Glittering Generalities  Transfer  Testimonial  Plain Folks  Card Stacking  Band Wagon  Repetition

 Ways individuals may seek nomination for national, state, and local office:  Caucus  Nominating Conventions  Petitions  Direct Primary  The two major parties use national nominating conventions to select presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

 Once nominated, candidates campaign and go before the voters for election to office.  In VA, 17-year-olds can register and vote if their 18 th birthday is on or before the general election.

 Federal Election Campaign Act provides a system of financing:  Public funding of presidential elections  Limitations on the amounts presidential and congressional candidates may receive from contributors  Public disclosure of the amount candidates spend to get elected

 In state and local campaigns, campaign contributions are unlimited by must be reported.  Rising campaign costs require candidates to conduct extensive fundraising activities.