Government Chapter 16 Linkage institutions

Ideology ideology – a wide set of beliefs that an individual has on what a government should be doing liberal – ideology that generally wants the government to provide services for its people and is pro-choice. Conservative – ideology that generally wants the government to protect its people, tax less, and is pro-life

Ideology continued Moderates – those who are ideologically in the middle – They see bits of both sides as correct Libertarian – an ideology that is also a political party. – They generally seek less government involvement in the lives of citizens.

Political Spectrum – A figurative map of political ideologies Left – side of the political spectrum that contains liberals Right – side of the political spectrum that contains conservatives Up – Side of the modern political spectrum that contains authoritarians (more government involvement) Down – Side of the modern political spectrum that contains Libertarians(less government involvement)

Linkage Institutions linkage institutions – organizations that connect citizens to their government by giving them a way to influence policy political parties – linkage institutions that focus on nominating candidates and changing policy from within the government. – Like the driver of a car – They focus on many issues interest groups – linkage institutions that try to persuade elected officials and their constituents in order to change policy from the outside. – Like a backseat driver in a car – They focus on few issues. – Examples include AARP, NRA, PETA.

Political Parties multiparty system – Having many parties in a nation’s government – parties represent many ideologies and make it difficult to obtain a majority. two party system – Two major parties compete for power although minor parties exist. – The U.S. uses the two party system. – It makes a majority easier to obtain for the major parties

Political Parties Continued platform – a party's statement of beliefs – Used to attract/recruit voters for candidates Planks – Single parts of a party’s platform – generally known as issues – Several planks make up the party’s platform

Political Parties Democrats – political party that generally contains liberals – Symbol is the Donkey – Color is Blue Republicans – political party that generally contains conservatives – Symbol is the elephant – Color is red Independent – a voter who decides to not join any of the two major parties – Symbol is the mongoose – That is a lie, there is no symbol for independents

Political Parties Continued third party – The term for any minor party within the two party system – There are MANY third parties in the U.S. Libertarian – Currently the most popular third party

History of American Parties Federalists – America's first political party. – Members include: George Washington, John Adams, and Alexander Hamilton

History of American Parties democratic-republicans – America's second major party. – Thomas Jefferson is credited with founding the party Democrats (1830s) – conservative political party of Andrew Jackson Whigs – American political party from the 1800s that opposed Andrew Jackson's Democrats – William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor Republicans (1860s) – liberal political party of Abraham Lincoln

Interest Groups lobbying – to act of persuading members of congress on behalf of an interest group – The main activity of many interests groups Lobbyists – people hired by interest groups to persuade lawmakers – They are like walking billboards

Interest Groups Amicus curiae briefs – Could be written and presented to the Supreme Court by an interest group. Bills – Could be written by lobbyists or interest groups and presented to congressmen to introduce. Political Action Committee (PACs) – Formed by interest groups because they cannot donate to campaigns legally – Primary purpose is to FUNDRAISE for and donate to campaigns