Civics Unit 4 Study Guide

Question 1

Describe in detail how the national nominating conventions work? Who organizes them?

Answer 1

The National Nominating Convention officially chooses the candidates for president and vice president - Late Summer, The National Committee organizes the National Nominating Committee and the National Committee is the largest Committee

Question 1

What is the difference in the general elections and the primaries?

Answer 1

The General Election (November) is the big Election where the citizens in the US votes for who they want in office while in primaries (February - May), they vote for who they on the ballots and the people voted from the primaries will be on the ballot in the General Election (Based on the popular vote (vote of the people))

Question 2

Describe how the Electoral College works.

Answer 2

The Electoral college is a group that was chosen to elect the president. (1 elector for each representative and senator +3 from Washington D.C.) THey need 270 electoral votes to win and the electors based off of the popular vote in their state

Question 3

Why do we have Political parties?

Answer 3

To nominating candidates and put ideas into action

Question 4

List 3 third party candidates in our country’s history and the party they represented.

Answer 4

• Green Party - Ralph Nader - 1960’s/70’s
• Progressive/Bull Mouse - Teddy Roosevelt - 1912
• American Reform - Ross Perot - 1992 (1996)

Question 5

Describe the Federal Election Campaign Act

Answer 5

The Federal Election Campaign Act limits how much money people could contribute to candidates (No one can give more than $5800)

Question 6

Define and give examples of one-party, two party, and multiparty systems

Answer 6

-1 party-system (dictator ship) Russia, Korea
- 2 party-system (offers a choice) US
-Multiparty-system (offers several choices) Coalitions are formed Argentina, Belgium, Grazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, India

Question 7

Define and give examples of Interest groups

Answer 7

Interest groups are organizations with a common interest that try to influence government policies, ex. NAACp, NOW, NRA, farmer groups, teacher groups, AARP - retired.
Public Interest groups: promote issues that affect everyone, ex. groups that protect the environment (Greenpiece, sierraclub)
Lobbyist is paid by an interest group to represent their interests- they may take congressmen to dinner - Allows groups with more money to become too powerful.

Question 8

Define and give examples of all propaganda techniques

Answer 8

1. Testimonials - candidates get endorsement from famous people
2. Bandwagon - “Everybody’s doing it!”
3. Name Calling - Candidates criticizing opponents
4. Glittering Generalities - words or statements that sound good but have little meaning
5. Plain-Folks Appeal - candidates appear to be average, hard working citizens
6. Card Stacking - user party that support only one side of a particular candidate

Question 9

How and why do people use propaganda?

Answer 9

Propaganda is the ideas spread to influencer public opinion, consumers, and voters, used by everyone - Propaganda has increased because of technology and mass Media, Concealed propaganda attempts to fool people - Revealed propaganda makes people aware that it is trying to influence them.

Question 10

List some examples of Public Interest Groups

Answer 10

Groups that protects the environment (Green piece, Sierra Club, ABA commission on Homelessness and Poverty, Affordable House Industry Information, American Association of Retired people)

Question 11

Define and give an example of Progressive Tax

Answer 11

Progressive taxes: take a larger percentage from high income group, ex. Income Tax

Question 12

Define and give an example of Regressive Tax

Answer 12

Regressive taxes: take a larger percentage from low income group, ex. Sales Tax

Question 13

Describe in detail how income taxes work

Answer 13

Income taxes is based on a persons taxable income, the largest source of revenue, paid is local, state, and federal government.

Question 14

List and give examples of all types of taxes

Answer 14

• Individual Income tax - Largest Source of revenue - paid to local, state, and FEDERAL government
• Sales tax - collected by STATE and local
• Excise tax - for luxury tax
• Property tax - chief income for most LOCAL government
  -Estate/inheritance - estates of diseased, value of inheritance
• Gifts tax - gifts over $15000
• Tariff tax - on imports to regulate trade
• Progressive taxes - take a larger precentage from high income groups (ex income tax)
• Regressive taxes - take a larger percentage from ow income groups (ex sales tax)

Question 15

List and describe the three principles of taxation

Answer 15

1. Ability to pay : The more you make, the more you pay
2. Equal Application: property/sales tax
3. Scheduled payments: each paycheck
   - Tax Day - April 15

Question 16

How does the government raise money

Answer 16

Taxes, fees/fines, borrow - bonds - people/business, other countries lending, selling timber from national forests

Question 17

How does the government borrow money?

Answer 17

Bonds - people/business, other countries lending

Question 18

Define and list reasons we have tariffs

Answer 18

Tarrif: tax on imports TO REGULATE TRADE - US customs collect tariff