civics unit 6 Flashcards
What are present day examples of countries that have a one party political system
China, North Korea
What type of political system do most countries have today
Multi-Party System
What is a coalition government? What are three examples of present day coalition governments
alliance made between two or more parties to achieve a majority of the vote, Canada, Germany, Israel
Historically, the U.S. has had what type of political system
TWO PARTY SYSTEM
What were the two original political parties in the U.S.
Democratic-Republican and federalists
What are the two current major political parties in the U.S.? How long has it been this way
Democrat and republican, 1860
What are two important things that a third political party can do
They sometimes act as spoilers and take votes away from the major parties, They sometimes influence the major parties with ideas
How did a third party affect the Election of 1912
The Republicans ended up splitting their votes and as a result the Democratic candidate Woodrow Wilson won the Presidency
What issues that later became laws were originally brought up by third parties
Populist Party 1890s made up of farmers and laborers wanted direct election of Senators and an 8 hour work day, Progressive Party aka Bull Moose Party 1912 led by T. Roosevelt
What three things are third parties usually based on or around
Single Issue, Political Beliefs, Single Candidates
What does “grassroots movement” mean
idea that starts with a local or regional group of people and moves to the national scene
What is the difference between a plank and a platform
Plank – a party’s stance on one issue
Platform – the goals of the party or stance on all issues
What is the main purpose of a political party
to get candidates elected to office
What are the two jobs of the National Party Committee
each party has one made up of representatives from all 50 states and headed by a National Party Chairperson, raise money for Presidential elections and organize the party’s national convention
.How did political machines help their community? In return for what
provided needy citizens with jobs, food and other services in return for votes, Businesses would pay employees “bonuses” to vote for certain politicians
What is the difference between a closed primary and an open primary
Closed Primary – only registered party members can vote, most states use this
Open Primary – party declaration not required to vote, but you can only vote in one party’s primary
What is the purpose of a primary
registered voters in each state choose the candidate to represent the party in the general election
What are the 3 requirements people must meet to be eligible to vote
18 years old
Resident of the state at least 30 days prior to election day
U.S. citizen
What is the difference between straight ticket and split ticket
Straight ticket – voted for all candidates in one political party
Split ticket – chose candidates from both parties
How can you still vote in an election if you are away at school or serving in the military
Absentee Ballot
List 4 characteristics of people who usually vote
Have positive attitudes toward government and citizenship
Higher education
Middle-aged
Higher incomes
What is the number one reason people who don’t vote give as their reason
apathy
What percentage of the electorate typically votes in a Presidential election? In a midterm election
50%, between 7% and 20%
What is the original meaning of the word idiot
from Ancient Greece, it was used to describe someone that didn’t vote
When would a runoff election need to be held
would be held in states where a majority is needed to win an election, most states only require that you win a plurality
What is a recall election
special election where voters can vote an official out of office before their term is up
What is an initiative
a way citizens can propose new laws or state constitutional amendments
What is a referendum
a way for citizens to approve or reject a state or local law
What is an incumbent
the person who currently holds the office
How can a third party candidate qualify to be given money from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund
Done at the “grassroots” level
How can a major party candidate qualify to be given money from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund
The voters get to personally know the candidate and the candidate gets to know the voters
How does money get put into the Presidential Election Campaign Fund
Walking around neighborhoods and making phone calls
What is the difference between hard money donations and soft money donations
Hard money is limited, goes directly to a candidate
Donations given to political parties and not designated for a particular candidate
What is a lobbyist and what do they do
try to influence candidates and elected officials
What is the purpose of a PAC
They raise money for their group to give to political parties and their candidates
What are the 3 rules that were put into effect by the Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002
Prohibits national political parties, federal officeholders and federal candidates from raising soft money,
Bans corporations, unions and interest groups from running ads aimed at a candidate for federal office 60 days from the general election and 30 days from a primary election,
Limits hard money contributions; candidate may collect up to $2000 per donor in each election (hard money); political parties can collect $25,000 per donor each year
What is the definition of public opinion
The ideas and attitudes people have about candidates, elected officials, government and political issues
What is the public agenda
Issues that receive the most time, attention, money and effort from government leaders
What is an interest group
people who share a point of view about an issue
What is prior restraint? Is it allowed
government censorship of material before it is published, Journalists can report what they want even if it is embarrassing or unpopular for elected officials
What are three different types of interest groups
Economic, Group specific, Public
.List the 7 different types of propaganda
Endorsements, Stacked Cards, Name-Calling, Glittering Generality, Symbols, Just Plain Folks, Bandwagon
What did the Federal Election Campaign Finance Act of 1971 do
limits the amount of money PACs can contribute to candidates for national office
What did the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946 do
All lobbyists must register with federal and state governments and disclose who hired them, how much they are paid and all expenditures
