Unit 2- Political Behavior & Citizenship Flashcards
Ttwo major US political parties
Republican
Democrat
Political party
A group of persons who seek to control government through winning elections and holding public office
Minor party
One of the less widely supported political parties in a governmental system
electorate
Call the persons entitled to vote in a given election
Incumbent
Current office holder
Political spectrum
Range of political views
Different types of party system
Multi party system
One party system
Two party system
Bipartisan
Supported by two parties
Pluralistic society
One consisting of several distinct cultures and groups
Divided government
No party controls both legislative and executive branches
Suffrage (franchise)
The right to vote
Voter qualifications
Citizenship
residence
age
Off year elections
Congressional elections held in years when there is no presidential election
Straight ticket voting
I’m voting for candidates of only one party in an election
Split ticket voting
Voting for candidates of both parties for different offices at the same election
Independent
Voter that doesn’t identify with any of the major parties
Nomination
The naming of those who will seek office
Five ways to nominate
Self announcement Caucus The convention Direct primary Nomination by petition
Caucus
Group of like-minded people that meets to select the candidates who support in elections
Absentee voting
A process by which people could vote without going to their polling places on election day
Election law
Elections are primarily regulated by state law, but there are some overreaching federal regulation
Electronic voting
Even though people want to use more electronic voting, they have been troublesome for some states. Machines are expensive to buy and upkeep.
General election
Regularly scheduled elections at which voters make the final selection of officeholders (November elections)
Precinct
A local voting district
Polling place
Where voters who live in a precinct go to vote
Mass media
Means of communication that to reach large masses of people simultaneously
Eight factors of public opinion
School Family Peer groups Historic events Opinion leaders Mass media Race occupation
Public opinion
Those attitudes held by a significant number of persons on matters of government and politics
Best way of measuring public opinion
Scientific public opinion polls
Polls
An activity in which several or many people are asked a question or series of questions in order to get information about what most people think about something
How does media affect society?
Media play a very large role in shaping the public agenda
Today, television and the Internet allow candidates to appeal directly to the people without help of a party organization
Interest group
Private organizations whose members share certain views and work to shape the making and content of public policy *not getting elected
Three differences between political parties and interest groups
Nominations (political parties nominate) Primary focus (parties want to win elections; interest groups want to influence) Scope of interest (parties worry about all issues; groups only on one issue)
Lobbying
Any activity by which a group pressures legislatures and influence the legislative process
Propaganda
A tech nique of persuasion aimed at influencing individual or group behavior
Bill of rights
The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution
First amendment
Right to freedom of expression (press, speech, religion, assembly, and petition)
Second amendment
Right to bear arms; protect the state militias
Fourth amendment
The right to not have evidence seized from you without a warrant based on probable cause
Fifth amendment
The right to not incriminate yourself (plead the fifth); can’t be tried twice for the same crime
Sixth amendment
The right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, be informed of the cross-examine witnesses, and the right to a lawyer
Ninth amendment
The right to Protect to people’s rights that aren’t listed to protect them from the government
