Final Exam Flashcards
Why does America have little confidence in Congress?
Congress is less productive because of gridlock, incumbency, and the influence of money.
Incumbency Advantage
Congress people almost always win reelection because of their recognition and influx of money.
3rd party examples
Abe Lincoln/Republicans(most successful), Green Party, Libertarian Party, Bull Moose Party(Teddy Roosevelt).
Barriers for 3rd parties
Psychological barriers (Americans are committed to voting for one of the major parties) , electoral college/rules, and they aren’t on every ballot.
19th century 3rd parties?
Revolved around issues and were often long-lasting parties that didn’t revolve around candidates.
20th century 3rd parties?
revolved around personalities and candidates. Parties died when the person no longer ran.
1st party system?
Weak system- Federalists vs whigs
2nd party system?
Nation became more partisan; more people voted, news was partisan, party loyalty developed. Democratic party.
3rd party system?
Triggered by slavery, Republicans vs Democrats.
4th Party System?
As America transformed from agriculture to industry- parties changed. Parties became more polarized.
5th party system?
Triggered by the great depression of the 1930’s.
Northerners started to form a liberal democratic party.
Issues that arise in campaigns?
Position issues: issues that set candidates apart.
Wedge issues: issues that only one-party uses to put a wedge between the other party.
Valence Issues: Everyone agrees on these issues.
What is the electoral college?
people that formally cast votes for the president. Number of reps depends on what state you’re in. you win the college when you get 270 votes.
Ranked-choice voting?
People vote for their first, second, third, and fourth choices for each office. Winning candidate must get 50% of the vote. If no one wins, the candidate with the least amount is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to the voter’s second choice of the remaining candidates.
Where do we get our partisanship?
Family, community, school, culture, race, SES etc.
What’s an interest group?
an organization of individuals who share a common political goal and unite for the purpose of influencing public policy decisions.
What is a PAC?
Political Action Committee- the fundraising arms of interest groups
What is the free rider problem?
an economic concept of a market failure that occurs when people are benefiting from resources, goods, or services that they do not pay for.
What are the different categories of interest groups?
Environmental, consumer,Religious, Second amendment, Reproductive rights, human rights.
Media Convergence
the merging of traditional media with digital communication technologies such as telecommunications and the Internet.
What are social movements?
as large groups of individuals or organizations organized around a common social or political issue
What is pluralism?
Pluralist interest group arrangements are characterized by large numbers of interest groups competing for policy influence.
What is Corporatism?
the control of a state or organization by large interest groups
Political Efficacy
Citizens feeling like they have a say in politics. Higher efficacy= more political participation
Exploratory committee
How candidates get their money before they run for real and campaign.
Different kinds of polls.
Benchmark- tells a candidate how well known they are.
Tracking- follows changes in attitude towards candidates.
Exit- focuses on vote choice and view of candidates.
Push- seem innocent, but are pushing an agenda
Iron triangle
Congress, bureaucracy, and interest groups.
