Exam 3 Flashcards
agents of political socialization
childhood-family,friends,peers, school adulthood- media, opinion leaders,major life events, churches/religious places, economic status
political socialization
the learning process through which most people acquire their attitudes,opinions, and beliefs of government.
Why is participation so important?
So people can be heard. They need to know what the public wants and the only way to know is if people go out and vote.
How do people participate? What is done the most? What is done the least?
people participate so they are heard. lobbying,
• Voting, writing letters/emails to officials, attending party events, joining an interest group, running for office, helping campaign, donate to campaign, promote thru social media
• Voting is done the most
• Running for office is done the least
How does political socialization affect participation?
because if people around you do not vote you are more likely to not vote and be involved as well.
What is political efficacy?
the more you believe you have an effect the better you’ll do in office.
How does political efficacy affect participation?
because if you don’t believe in what you’re talking about it wont sound realistic.
Why do those who are wealthier participate more?
Already have been successful in society
Why do those with more education participate more?
the more education you have the more knowledge you may have about politics and certainly the more capable you are to obtain knowledge you need to participate. Skills useful in participation are also improved as your education level increase.
Why do older people participate more?
older voters want no change but will promote their own interests first as do most of us.
Why does it matter that older Americans vote much more often than younger Americans?
elected officials will pay much more attention to demands of older Americans than to younger ones.
What is an interest group?
Organized groups of people sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policy makers.
Why do interest groups form?
to have power, protect status quo, change something, represent ideology, represents group, demography, business and industry, professional and trade, labor unions, ideological, single issue, government
What is a public interest group?
advocate for policies that favor general public as much or more than members of the interest group
Who is represented by the most interest groups?
Businesses are represented the most. Much, much more representation for them than unions
Who is the least represented by interest groups?
Least represented are those at the bottom of the income scale.
Who joins interest groups? (think about who participates more)
People who want to make a change
Strong republicans strong democrats
What are solidary, material and purposive benefits? How connected to joining an interest group?
Soildary- pleasure in associating with like minded people. (stay around)
Material- practical benefits such as discounts, subscripitions, or group insurance
Purposive- satisfaction resulting from working for a cause in which they believe in. (stay around)
What characteristics enhance the chances of success for an interest group?
strong membership- activism not just size, unified membership- work together,
adequate resources to act- conventions, lobbist, money to hire a lobbist
quality ownership- no scandals
economic importance- how it appeals to the world
political track record- will the members vote based on issues.
Why is AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) a powerful lobby?
because it has a lot of members and they get things done.
How do interest groups’ lobbyists try to influence members of Congress?
Interest groups spend hundreds of millions of dollars a year to lobby members of Congress on a range of issues. These groups try to affect the legislation being generated in Congress. Sometimes lobbyist speak with congresspeople directly, but lobbyists also testify at congressional hearings.
How can interest groups’ lobbyists try to influence the President?
go through advisors of the president
Why do interest groups lobby departments and agencies in the Executive Branch?
which have the ability to set policy affecting commerce and trade throughout the country. Some scholars have claimed that lobbying of regulatory agencies has resulted in agency capture, effectively handing control of the agency over to the industries it was intended to regulate.
What are the lobbying techniques identified in the textbook and in class?
class: make relationships, provide research, offer testimony, provide legal advice, follow upon legislation
Book- personal contacts with key legislators, provide expertise and research results for legislators, offering testimony before congressional committees, provide legal advice to legislators, following up
How are these lobbying techniques connected to the need for quality information?
because the lobbists are the ones who get the information and share it with their groups
Why do interest groups form Political Action Committees (PACs)?
created to raise funds and make contributions to campaigns
What do campaign donations from their PAC get the interest group?
money, support
What is a SuperPAC?
allowed to accept unlimited amount of funds, only former governors and senators. once candiate declares running they have to discountiue all ties from the superpacs
How are SuperPACs connected to independent expenditures in elections?
independent means they are not republican nor democrat. there may be a connection and then there may not be a connection.
What is “dark money?”
politically active non profits which are IRS designations.
Don’t know who actually donated money, don’t see their name
independent expenditure
a group “independent” of any candiates campaign or any poltical party.
interest group
organized group of people sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policy makers.
lobbyist
a person who handles a particular interest group’s lobbying efforts.
material incentive
practical benefits like discounts, subscriptions, or group insurance
purposive incentive
satisfaction resulting from working for a cause in which one believes.
public interest group
advocate for polices that favor general public as much or more than members of the group
solidary incentive
pleasure in associating with like minded people
Why has the U.S. consistently had two major parties who have dominated elections?
because people think the 3rd party wont win, small support system of the 3rd party.
What are the functions of political parties identified in class?
informing the public, balancing competing interests, policy making
What 3 factors influence who someone votes for?
party identification, issues, candiate’s image
What is party identification?
a psychological attachment to one party over any other party
What is a “strong Democrat” or “strong Republican?”
They only vote for issues of the party
They volunteer, run for office, give money, vote
What is an independent who leans Republican or an independent who leans Democratic?
an independent who leans one way is someone who is can vote independent on one thing but vote republican or democrat on the other
