Unit 3 Flashcards
Family effect on political socialization
Most important in early years. He nears it diverges but most have similar views as parents
Political socialization
The process an. Individual acquires political values and views
Media influence on political socialization
Very big impact, younger people do not watch the news while older people do
Schools effect on political socialization
Significant role in socialization basics of democracy and capitalism. More likely to vote. Knowledge of politics. More tolerant of opposing opinions
Demographic factors on political socialization
Occupation, race, gender, age, religion, region, income, and ethnicity
Group affiliations effect on political socialization
People with a common bond which are expressed through group membership for example interest groups, labor unions, and professional organizations
Opinion leaders on political socialization
Highly respected people because of education, position, personality, or expertise
Ideology
Sets of beliefs about politics
Liberal
Supports active government in promoting individual welfare and civil rights and excepts peaceful political change within the political system is usually part of the Green party or Democratic Party
Conservative
Supports limited government role in economy, traditional values, and more active government role and national security. Cautious about change usually Republican
Moderate
Between liberal and conservative. Usually more tolerant and no extreme views
Radical
Favor significant fast change and will resort to extreme violent means
Reactionary
Advocates returning to a previous structure of order. Sometimes rely on extreme means
Public Opinion
Collection of public attitudes towards politics, public policy, or public issues.
Public opinion factors
Distribution of views, changes over time, or strength of opinion
Sampling
People chosen to participate in the pool representatives of the general population
Random sampling
Sophisticated survey organizations use this based on that everyone should have equal probability of being selected
Sampling error
Level of confidence in a poll
Exit polls
Surveys is by media to predict electoral winners
Straw polls
Asking a large number of people the same question
Benchmark polls
Used by prospective candidate to test the waters
Tracking polls
Measure support for candidate on day-to-day basis
Mass media
Radio, television, newspaper, magazine, etc.
Media event
Stage event unexpected to look spontaneous
Press conference
Meeting of public officials with reporters
New media
Talk radio, television talk shows, television Townhall meetings, and cable comedy show spoofing
Roles of the media
Watchdog-expose corruption. Setting public policy agenda-they can choose what they want to show, big issues will attract more attention.free exchange of idea-many journalists are eager to share their views
Staged events
Candidates hold a staged media event and individual press
Interviews
Lay ground rules about interview
Spin
Spin issues to try to get public and reporters to agree with their view
Soundbites
Try to capture main points in a few colorful words
Trial balloon
Tell reporter about a proposal off the record to see what publics reaction is
Leak
Let information out in an off the record conversation
Horserace journalism
Focuses on public perception, Paul dates, and differs among candidates. Day today coverage of the status
Technological regulations
The FCC regulate interstate and foreign communications
Structural regulations
Control of organization and ownership of Broadcrest networks-The 1996 telecommunication act
Content regulations
Although mass media is protected by the First Amendment, it is been subject to content regulation
Interest groups
Groups of people typically concerned with public officials to support issues that impact membership
Interest troops connection to Fed 10
Madison warned against factions and the impact of them
Functions of interest groups
Raise awareness to the public, link between membership and government(linkage institutions), Provide information to the government officials to persuade, how public participate in political process towards a goal
Economic interest groups
Labor union-AFL/CIO, Teamsters
Business groups-Chamber of Commerce
Professional groups-AMA and ABA
Agricultural groups-national farmers Union
Union shop
Provision Found and many collective-bargaining agreements requiring all employees of a business to join the union
Right to work laws
Prohibits business from having laws that require workers to join unions
Promoting causes
American Civil Liberties Union-ACLU, NRA, AARP, NAACP
Public interest groups
Deal with issues like environment, crime, consumer production, etc.
- League of Women Voters
- Moms against drunk driving-MADD
Interest groups influence on elections
Encourages members to vote for a candidate who supports their interest and contribute money to candidates to political action committees (PACS)
Lobbying
Attempting to influence policymakers into supporting their caused by supplying data to support their position
Direct lobbying
Using personal contacts
Grassroots lobbying
Integrated group members write letters, call, and email
Coalition lobbying
Several infant room with similar goal going in together to influence policymakers
Regulations of lobbying
- Federal regulation of lobbying act required lobbyist to register with the clerk of the house and secretary of Senate if they wanted to influence legislation
- Lobbying disclosure act requires legislation if lobbying was directed at members of Congress, congressional staff, or policymakers in the executive branch
Litigation
If an interest group is unsuccessful in Congress they may attempt to further interest in court(NAACP segregation in schools)
Amicus curiae briefs
Legal briefs submitted by a friend of the court to raise additional points of view and attempt to influence courts decision
Political action committees-PACS
Formed after 1910s campaign-finance reform is preventing labor unions and corporations from directly contributing to a candidates running for federal office
Super PAC S
Form July 2010 following speech now.org versus FEC
- Allows for unlimited fundraising from corporations, unions, and individuals
- Cannot give money directly but can overly support/oppose one
Linkage institutions
The way issues make their way I’m becoming the government policy agenda(Lings public with policymakers)
For main linkage institutions
Parties, elections, interest groups, the media
Rational choice theory
People act in their own best interests weighing the cost and benefits of alternatives
Party identification
Citizens preference of one party
Current trend of party identification
Decline in party identification
Ticket splitting
Becoming a norm and political behavior. Voting with one party for one office and vote for another party for another office that means
National convention
Meeting of the parties delegates to choose presidential candidate and party platform
National committee
Representatives from states that keeps the party operating between national conventions
National chairs person
Usually chosen by the presidential nominee and conducts day-to-day operations
One Party system
Only one party has a chance of winning the election
Two-party system
Several parties, but two major parties. Difficult for the third-party to gain power
Multiparty system
Several major and minor political parties. Many European countries have the system
Critical elections
No coalitions replace old ones and majority party is displaced by the minority
Party realignment
Displacement of the majority party by the minority party, usually during a critical action
Party dealignment
Disengagement of people and politicians from a party
Party neutrality
A term used to describe the fact that many Americans are indifferent or neutral towards a major political party
Ideological
Based on a certain set of beliefs
Splinter/personality/factional
Splits away from major party and usually formed when a strong leader loses the party nomination
Single issue
Parties at only concentrate on one issue(prohibition)
Protest
Usually emerge during economic discontent
Presidential elections
Every four years also have the highest voter turnout
Off your elections/midterm elections
Held every four years with no presidential election is being held also have lower voter turnout
Closed primary
Only voters who have registered with the party may vote for the party’s candidates
Open primary
Voters choose from candidates from different parties
Blanket primary
Voters may choose a candidate from either party(only in Alaska)
Runoff primary
When no candidate receives a majority of the votes in the top to vote getters have another election
Regional primary
Critics believe that we should move towards a system with a national primary held in the election year
National primary
Critics of primary system and caucuses believe that we should move to primary scheduled regionally
Caucus
Meetings of a party members to discussed and openly vote for the candidate they support
One has a president won the election without winning the popular vote
Bush versus Gore
Cleveland versus Harrison
Tilden versus Hayes
Jackson versus Adams
Referendum
Method of direct legislation at the state level to allow voters to approve or disapprove of legislation or a constitutional amendment
Initiative
Process in some states that allow voters to propose changes to the constitution by a vote if they are able to get enough signatures on a petition calling for a referendum
Recall
A vote at the state/local level to remove an elected official from office
FECA
Federal election campaign act-established the FEC
FEC
Federal election commission-enforce the act and established public financing for presidential candidates
Buckley versus Valeo 1976
Restrictions on PAC contributions and self financed campaigns were ruled unconstitutional
Soft money
Unlimited amounts of money given to political parties for voter registration drives, national party conventions, an issue advertisements
Hard money
Money directly given to the candidate (can be regulated)
Bipartisan campaign finance reform act (BCRA)A.k.a. McCain-Feingold act 2002
Banned use of soft money and federal campaigns, increased limits on individual contributions, and required candidates to stand by their advertisements
527 organizations
Examined the use of soft money
Citizens United versus the FEC
Supreme Court held that limiting the amount of money, business, unions, and other groups use to influence an election is unconstitutional.
- worried that businesses will be able to overpower the citizens
- significant increase in money spent during campaign since the super PAC
Motor voter act
Passed in 1993 that required states to permit people to register to vote at the same time as they were getting a license
