AP Government UNIT 2

Political Beliefs and Behaviors

POLITICAL CULTURE

1. Definition

2. 10 Characteristics of American Culture

DON’T TOUCH!

IDEOLOGY and PUBLIC POLICY

1. BackgroundA. Ideology Definition

B. Ideologues

IDEOLOGY and PUBLIC POLICY

2. LiberalismA. Classical vs. Modern

B. Peak 1930-1970

C. Decline 1980-1990

D. Neoliberals

IDEOLOGY and PUBLIC POLICY

3. Conservatism

A. = Classical liberalism

B. Resurgence since 1970s

C. Neoconservatives/ New Right

1. Social

2. Economic

3. Foreign Policy

IDEOLOGY and PUBLIC POLICY

4. Socialism

5. Libertarianism

PUBLIC OPINION

I. Types of Publics

Who is paying attention?

PUBLIC OPINION

II. Types of Opinions

Death Penalty

Presidential Popularity

Military Draft

Abortion

Gun ControlBalanced Budget

Building Codes

ERA

PUBLIC OPINION

III. Measurements of Public Opinion

a. Election- but why?

b. Straw polls- inaccurate

c. Scientific polls

1. Construction

2. Use

3. Abuse of Polls

PUBLIC OPINION

IV. Public Awareness and Interest in Politics

POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION

I. Definition

II. 8 Agents of socialization

VOTER TURNOUT

I. Historical qualifications for suffrage

VOTER TURNOUT

II. Current Qualifications (set by states)

A. Citizenship

B. Residency

C. Age

D. Registration (except ND)

VOTER TURNOUT

III. Voter turnout in the US vs. other countries

A. Turnout in various elections…

B. Why the other Western nations have higher turnouts- around 90%:

1. Penalties

2. Multi-party system

3. Registration

VOTER TURNOUT

IV. Reasons for low voter turnoutA. Institutional barriers 1. Registration - Motor Voter Registration Act2. Long Ballot3. Type of Election4. Absentee Ballot 5. Ballot Fatigue - too many elections 6. Young people

B. 4 Political Reasons: efficacy, candidates, no competition, mobilization efforts

VOTER TURNOUT

V. Who Votes?

A. Characteristics of likely voters- EDUCATED,older, white, wealthy

B. Does low turnout matter? YES and NO

FACTORS AFFECTING VOTER BEHAVIOR

7 Factors

1. Geography

2. Strong Presidential candidates (coattail effect)

3. Timing (realignment, midterms)

4. Party Affiliation (strongest)

5. Demographics

FACTORS AFFECTING VOTER BEHAVIOR

Demographics Continued:

A. Sex

B. Race

C. Social Class

D. Religion

I like Cheney!

Hillary ‘08

VS.Rep.

Dems

FACTORS AFFECTING VOTER BEHAVIOR

6. IssuesRetrospective - are you better off today than you were four years agovs. Prospective- looking ahead at how a candidate will handle something

7. Candidate Appeal8. Residency in Florida (in 2000 1,000 people voted for

all 10 prez candidates, 700 voted for both Bush and Gore, 3600 voted for all 10 except Bush, 700 voted for all 10 except Gore

CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS

1. IntroA. Schedule

B. Terms

C. Term limits = No-No

D. Single Member Districts

CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS

2. Primary ElectionsA. Progressive Reform

B. Types1. Closed - registered only

2. Open- pick party primary

3. Blanket- free love

CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS

3. Factors Affecting Outcome of Congressional ElectionsA. Incumbency- the greatest influence

= Permanent congress• The Incumbency Advantage

1. Franking Privilege2. Staff3. Patronage4. Gerrymandering = safe seats5. Committee Service6. Name recognition: Duncan Hunter vs. Whats His Name7. Casework8. Pork Barrel9. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Frank the mailman

Contains work for the district

CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS

3. Factors Affecting Outcome of Congressional Elections Continued

B. Type of Elections• Incumbent Campaign• Weak Challenger• Strong Challenger• Open Seat- think of musical chairs• House vs Senate• Midterms = bad for President

Somebody fill me!

I have no chance

Oh, my poor opponent!

I can do it!

CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS

3. Factors Affecting Outcome of Congressional Elections Continued

C. Coattail EffectD. MediaE. Party AffiliationF. Issues- scandals anyone?G. Campaign ConsultantsH. Technology

PATH TO THE PRESIDENCYPath To The Presidency

Invisible PrimaryUnofficial campaignLots of time in Iowaand New Hampshire

Declaration of Candidacy

IOWA1st Caucus

"Select Delegates"Local to DistrictDistrict to StateState to National

CAUCUSES

Pick delegatesFor Convention

Method 1

SUPER TUESDAYSouthen Regional Primary

FRONT LOADING

NEW HAMPSHIRE1st Primary

"Delegate Selection Primary"Vote for Delegates

"Beauty Contest Primary"Vote for candidate

Party Picks Delegates

PRIMARIES

Pick DelegatesFor Convention

Method 2

Party Platform

Select VP"Balance the Ticket"

Formal Selection of Nominee

Convention

Nomination Phase Fall Campaign

Inaguration

Formal Election

Meeting of Electors

Election Day

PATH TO THE PRESIDENCY

Pros of Nominating System

Cons of Nominating System

CAMPAIGN FINANCE

Vocab to start our discussion:1. Soft money- money given to party for party building purposes2. Hard Money- money given to candidate for election3. Independent expenditure- unlimited funds spent by

individual. Actions cannot be coordinated with candidate or campaign

4. Disclosure- reporting sources of funding5. Contribution- bills you drop on a candidate6. PACs- Political Action Committee ( a group affiliated with an

organization whose job is to work on campaigns and support candidates)

CAMPAIGN FINANCE

1. Federal Election Campaign Acts 1971-74Main Provisions:

• DISCLOSURE• SUBSIDIES• LIMITATIONS- $1000 per candidate, per election ,

$5000 for PAC contributions

BUCKLEY V. VALEO (1976) and its interpretation of FECA

CAMPAIGN FINANCE

2. Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (McCain- Feingold Bill)

A. Bans Soft Money to the National PartiesB. Limits amount and use of soft money to the state

parties ($10,000 and GOTV)C. Doubles individual “hard money” donations ($2000

and tied to inflation)D. No change for PACsE. Unions and Corporations banned from soft money

contributions

CAMPAIGN FINANCE

Ways around McCain-Feingold

QuickTime™ and aSorenson Video 3 decompressorare needed to see this picture.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE

3. ANALYSIS- points to ponderA. No subsidies for congressional candidatesB. No limits on Congressional spendingC. No limits on Independent Expenditures (527 groups

like swift boat veterans)D. Lack of subsidies for Minor Party prez candidatesE. Candidate-centered campaigns- whose power suffers

as a result of this?F. Growth of PACs- their $ goes to incumbentsG. Presidential candidates can opt out of funds and not

abide by spending limits