Political Systems Political Parties Elections Interest Groups

Essential Question What are the pros and cons of politics in American life?

Political Parties A group of people that seek to control the government by winning elections and holding public office Partisanship – the strong support of a party and what they stand for

What Parties Do Nominate Candidates Inform and Activate Supporters “Bonding Agent” Governing Act as Watchdog

Two Party System History – Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists Force of Tradition Electoral System Ideological Consensus

Historic Party Time Periods Democratic – Started with the election of Jefferson and then Jackson solidified support through the Civil War Republican – Began with Lincoln and ran through the Progressive Era – Elections of 1912 and 1964 turning points Democratic – Dominated by the Depression and Roosevelt’s New Deal

Current System Era of Divided Government (1968- ) – Back and forth on the Presidency – Congress often controlled by opposition party – Split-Ticket Voting – voting for candidates from different parties on the same election ballot

Minor Parties Examples: Libertarian Green Constitution Socialist Four Types – Ideological – Single Issue – Economic Protest – Splinter

Other Government Systems Multi Party System – Proportional Representation – Parliamentary Systems – Coalition – an alliance of different groups/parties to form a majority

Voting and Elections

The Right to Vote Successful democratic government depends on the participation of its citizens through voting. The history of the United States has been marked by a steady expansion of the electorate through the elimination of restrictions on voting qualifications.

Expanding Franchise Property and religious tests eliminated by the mid 1800s 15 th Amendment after the Civil War 19 th Amendment in 1920 The Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s 26 th Amendment

Limiting Participation Citizenship Residence Registration Literacy Tax Payment

Preclearance The Voting Right Act of 1965 Requirements of only some states shown to have discriminating voting patterns. They must get federal government approval to change anything about voting in their states.

Voter Behavior Low voter turnout is a serious problem in this country. Among those who do vote, sociological and psychological factors work together to influence voter behavior.

Voting Factors Non-Voting Factors – “Cannot-Voters” and efficacy (lack of feeling influence) Sociological Factors – Income/Occupation, Education, Gender/Age, Religious/Ethnic Background, Geography and Family, Peers Psychological Factors – Party Identification, Candidates, and Issues

Running Elections Election Day – Polling places, absentee, and vote by mail Ballots – – Office Group vs. Party Column Automated Voting Online Voting?

The Nominating Process Methods: Caucus Convention Primary – Closed vs. Open – Top-two

The Formation of Public Opinion public opinion noun 1. the attitude of the public, especially as a factor in determining the actions of government Family Education Mass Media Peer Groups

Measuring Public Opinion Elections – Mandate – a claim of approval for a course of action by elected officials. Personal Contact Polling – Straw vs. Scientific Scientific Polling – Define Universe – Construct a Sample – Prepare Valid Questions – Interview – Report Findings

The Mass Media

Campaign Financing Campaign finance refers to all funds raised in order to promote candidates, parties, or policies.

Sources of Money Sources – Individuals (Small Donors) – Wealthy Individuals/Families – Candidates – Political Action Committees (PACs)

The Average Campaign For Congress costs: $1,700,000 For Senate costs: 10,500,000 For President costs 2012: – Obama Democrats $1,107,114,702 – Romney Republicans $1,238,097,161

Campaign Finance Reforms Regulation FECA in 1972 Federal election Commission – Public Disclosure – Limits/PACs Hard vs Soft Money Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission – The case has changed the nature of campaign finance…

Interest Groups They are Good – Stimulate interest – Bring people together – Provide information – Provide a way to get involved – Provide oversight – Compete with other groups They are Bad – Influence out of proportion to their size – It is unclear who they really represent – Run by an active minority of the groups – Tactics undermine political system norms… A group that seeks to influence public policy Different than parties in making nominations, their focus, and their scope

Types of Interest Groups Economic Interests – Business – Labor – Agriculture – Professional Others – Certain specific cause – Support a certain group – Religious organizations

Interest Groups at Work Providing information – Propaganda – Supporting candidates and parties – Through PACs and “Soft Money” – “Grass Roots” organizing Advocating policy positions – Lobbyist – a person who advocates for a particular group through the legislative process