Political Institutions and Special Interests Flashcards
When did political parties begin to evolve?
Around 1789–remember there is no mention of poli parties in Constitution–Founders were against them.
Who was George Washingotn’s Secretary of Treasury?
Alexander Hamilton
- Loose construction interpretation of Constitution
- Strong federal got with power to assume any duties and responsibilities not prohibited to it by the text of the document
- Supported programs designed to benefit banking and commercial interests
- Pro-British
Who called for this?
Federalist Party
What were the Democratic or Jefferson Republicans?
- Formed in opposition to Federalists
- Took “strict construction” approach; interpreted Constitution in a narrow, limited sense
- Sympathetic to the “common man’s” needs
- Distrusted powerful centralized govt
- Saw working ppl e.g. farmers, shopkeepers, etc. backbone of nation
- Pro-French
Who saw working ppl as backbone of nation? Federalists or Democratic-Republicans?
Democratic-Republicans\Jeffersonians
Today’s Democrat Party traces back to….
Roots of Jefforsonians
When did the Democratic-Republicans begin to splinter and how?
1820s.
Democrats = Andrew Jackson Republicans = John Quincy Adams
The Whigs were organized by the old remnants of what 2 groups?
Federalists and National Republicans
Whigs were prominent during what year?
1840s
When was the modern day republican party born?
1854 as Whigs and anti-slavery Democrats came together to stop slavery.
So Republican party literally was born in response to be pissed that people wanted to stop slavery….k.
- Plan national nominating convention
- Write party platforms
- Raise money to finance political activities
- Carry out election campaigns
Is the role of what?
national party committees
When were national nominating conventions introduced?
1830s by Anti-Masonic Party
- Causes of the farmers and workers
- Impacted the mainstream parties with its reform agenda
We’re championed by what party in 1890s?
Populist Party
- Initiative petition
- Referendum (Allowing voters to approve or reject laws passed by their legislatures)
Innovations by what party?
Populists
What is a referendum?
Allows voters to approve or reject laws passed by their legislatures
What was the Progressive party also called?
The Bull Moose Party
- Splinter party
- Splinted away from Republicans
- Built around Theodore Roosevelt’s personality
Characteristics of what party?
Progressive\Bull Moose Party
When was teh Reform Party formed, and who did it form around?
1992, Around H. Ross Perot
Elections in the US are largely regulated by:
A. Federal Law
B. State Law
States
Primary Elections are…
Screen and select final party candidates – So it was choosing either Obama or Hilary in primary election in last election
Some states allow for “crossover” voting – what is that?
ALlows voters in a registered party to vote for candidates in another party in primary elections
Problem of this is that it can allow for tacti where person of other party votes for weakest choice in opposition party
When are national elections held?
November, each even-year; campaign usually begins after labor day.
Who is elected during off-year elections?
Congress members
What does PAC stand for?
Political Action Committees – helps fund poltiical campains
Why was the Federal Election Commission created in 1970s?
To assure that laws concerning campaign financing were followed?
What did the motor-voter bill make possible?
Made it possible for citizenst o register at their local DMV
What is an example of an ad hoc\informal interest group?
March of the Poor in 1963 in Washington DC.
What’s an example of a formal interest group?
Labor Unions, NRA, National Right to Life Org
Why were PACs formed in the 1970s?
They were formed in an attempt to circumvent legislation limiting contributions to political campaigns; critics see these interest groups as another means of diluting the influence indvidiual voters may have on thei elected oficials
Where can fundamental rights be traced back to?
Enlightenment period and British constitutional heritage
What article discusses the right to Habeas Corpus?
Article I
What year were the Bill of Rights adopted by Congress?
1789
What amendment prohibits states from denying civil rights and individual liberties to their residents?
Fourteenth Amendment of 1868
What is the 14th Amendment of 1868?
Prohibits states from denying civil rights and individual liberties to their residents
What did Gitlow case in 1925 allowed the Supreme Court to exercise?
Enforce the Bill of Rights at the state level
What are the 5 rights the 1st Amendment protects?
- Speech
- Religion
- Press
- Assembly
- Petition
What amendment sets forth the principle of seperation of Supreme Court of seperation of Church and State?
1st Amendment
In what Supreme Court case did they rule that school prayer in school is prohibited?
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
What did the Abington Twp v. Schempp (1963) rule?
Bible reading in public schools is prohibited
What amendment outlaw unreasonable searches and seizures?
Fourth Amendment
What amendment…
- Grand jury
- Outlaws double jeopardy (trying a person who has been acquitted of a charge a second time)
- States that a person may not be compelled to be a witness against him\herself
5th
What amendment bans cruel and unusual punishments?
8th Amednment
What is the 5th Amendment?
The Fifth Amendment says to the federal government that no one shall be “deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.”
What is Due Process?
fair treatment through the normal judicial system, especially as a citizen’s entitlement.
Mentioned in 5th Amendment
What is the Supreme Court’s ruling on the death penalty?
Death penalty can be applied if states are judicious (having, showing, or done with good judgment or sense) and use equal standards in sentencing to death those convicted of capital crimes
What is the “Equal Protection Clause” and what Amendment mentions it?
Part of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The clause, which took effect in 1868, provides that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction “the equal protection of the laws”.
What case ruled that seperate but equal is constitutional?
Plessy v. Feguson (1896)
What is de jure?
Legally enforced – Under law people were supposed to be integrating schools de jure
What is de facto?
Existing in fact – Even though there was a law against segregation of school (still today), there is still de facto segregation even though it’s illegal
Whose task is it to articulate interests in regards to political campaigns?
Interest Groups
