CIVICS UNIT 5 THE ELECTION PROCESS

Political Parties

I. History of PartiesA. Not in the Constitution- Washington

against themB. First: Federalists (Adams, Hamilton) vs

Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson)

C. D-Rs dominant then split into Democrats (Jackson) vs Whigs

D. Slavery issue formed a new party- Republicans (Lincoln)

II. Party SystemA. Two Party System

1. Our electoral system discourages minor parties

2. Generally align with liberal vs conservative ideology

3. Form consensus, general agreement, on issues

4. Focus on individuals more than parties

B. Minor Parties or Third parties 1. Single-issue parties-

promote one policy mattera. Ex: Prohibitionist Party,

Right to Life Party2. Ideological parties-

support a political doctrinea. Ideology- set belief about

human nature and gov’tb. Ex: Socialists-Equal

distribution of wealth, Communists- collective ownership of everything, Libertarians- limit gov’t interference, increase individual freedoms.

Radical (Far left)

Liberal

Moderate (Middle)Centrists Conservative

Reactionary (Far right)

3. Splinter parties- split from a major partya. Ex: Progressive Party, Green Partyb. Historic: Bull-Moose Party

4. Independent candidates- candidate w/o party

C. Other systems1. Multi-party systems

a. Several major and minor parties exist

b. Model in Europe and most democracies

c. Support defined interests of the party, not a candidate

d. Coalitions- temporary alliance of groups

e. Problems: unstable gov’t, no majority

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

Exit Ticket 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?

Stat. 1

Stat. 2

Stat. 1

Stat. 2

1 + - 14 + -2 - + 15 - +3 + - 16 - +4 + - 17 - +5 - + 18 - +6 - + 19 - +7 - + 20 + -8 + - 21 + -9 + - 22 + -10 + - 23 - +11 - + 24 + -12 + - 25 + -13 - +

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

III. Party StructuresA. Three components of the party

1. Party Organizationa. National committee- representatives from each

states decide focus of partyb. Raise funds, form consensus, convention

2. Party Electorate- faithful voters3. Party in Gov’t- elected officials

B. Roles1. Nominating candidates2. Form consensus

a. Platform- statements of party belief

b. Plank- each part of the platform

B. Bonding agent to people and ideas1. 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

C. Watchdog- on issues and on other party

Civics 4.02

“Elections”

I. Funding CampaignsA. Private Funds- money from individual

contributors, large corporations, or fundraisers

1. limit of $2300 per person2. can fund own campaign w/o limit

B. Public Funds- help by matching funds raised but has limits

C. PACs and Soft Money1. Political Action Committees

(PACs)- interest groups that try to elect candidates ($5000 limit)

2. lobbyist- activist for an interest group

3. Soft money- unlimited money not for campaign but may help one sidea. Ex: Swift Boat Vets, MoveOn.org

4.01-2 Review1. Name and explain three different types of

third-parties2. What is an advantage of a multi-party

system over a two-party system?3. Give an example of a plank for both

political parties4. What is a way for PACs or other interest

groups to get around campaign contribution limits?

5. What is the purpose of primaries in the election system?

II. Nominating CandidatesA. Primaries- voting for party candidate for

general election (diff. ways of counting votes- winner take all vs. divided)

B. Caucuses- group of people meet and select candidate

C. Conventions- Party members meet and pick candidate

III. General ElectionA. Campaign

1. Labor-intensive- volunteers, rallies, events2. Media-driven- TV, radio, internet

B. Electoral College- 1. determined by number of representatives in

state 2. need 270 of 538 to win; if no 270, House

decidesC. Inauguration- swearing in

Civics 4.03

Media and Public Opinion

I. MediaA. Propaganda-

technique of persuasion to influence behavior

1. create belief good or bad

2. Mass media- tv, newspaper, radio, etc.

3. canvassing- targeting a group of people personally

B. Methods of propaganda1. Glittering generalities-

values w/o explanations2. Bandwagon-

everybody’s doing it3. Stack Cards- show one

side4. Just Plain Folks- show

as one of the people5. Name Calling-

accusatory generalizations

6. Transfer- combine ideas to transfer attitude toward one idea to the another

7. Euphemisms- call things by better names

Examples of propaganda designed to make a candidatelook bad. Photo shopped images.

II. PUBLIC OPINIONA. Very important because reflects voting

behaviorB. Public Opinion polls- collect information

by asking questions1. straw poll- unreliable, no control over who

responds (ex: internet polls, voluntary polls)2. scientific polling- get accurate information (ex:

Gallup Organization or Harris Survey)a. sample size about 1000 peopleb. margin of error +3-5%

CIVICS 4.04“Interest Groups and Political Action”

I. INTEREST GROUPSA. Group of citizens coming together to

effect public policyB. Protected by 1st Amendment: speech,

assembly, petitionC. Public Interest Groups- support causes

that affect Americans in general1. ex: League of Women’s Voters: educates

voters

II. OTHER POLITICAL ACTIONSA. Lobbying- representatives from interest

groups contacting gov’t officials to further cause

B. Litigation- using courts to further cause1. NRA stopping DC handgun law

C. Protest- ex: Bus Boycott against segregation

D. Recall- allow voters to remove an elected official from office

CIVICS 4.06“Citizenship”

I. CITIZENSHIPDef: members of a country that have rights

and responsibilitiesA.Citizenship by birth- born in state, territory,

military base or to American parentsB.Naturalization- legal process to become

a citizen1. Must demonstrate civic and history

knowledge2. expatriation- give up citizenship

C. Legal Aliens (immigrants)1. resident aliens have

permanent residence in US

2. cannot vote; but pay taxes, attend schools, have legal protection

D. Illegal Aliens risk being deported- sent back to native country

II. DUTIES OF CITIZENSA. Follow lawsB. Pay taxes C. Jury dutyD. Attending schoolE. selective service (draft)- men must sign

up for at age 18

III. RESPONSIBILITIESA. Democratic process

1. voting in elections2. stay informed, participate in events, contact

representatives, try to make a change3. Must be 18, citizen, registered, and not a

felon

B. Volunteering C. Be educated

IV. Modern IssuesA. Electoral CollegeB. Separation of Church and State

C. American multiculturalism: “melting pot” vs. “tossed salad”

1. “E Pluribus Unum”- “from many one”2. Tolerance- willingness to respect others

different than yourself3. Affirmative Action- preferences given

to minorities to correct historical injustice

E. Pro-choice vs Pro-life

G. Balancing budgetsH. Poverty, public transfer payments,

progressive tax