Presentation Transcript

1. Political Party Organization
2. Party Organization Political parties exist for one reason: to nominate and elect candidates to office
3. Political Parties Must have… Leaders
4. Political Parties must have… Committees
5. Political parties must have… Workers able to carry out the party’s program
6. Political parties must be… Organized at the local, state, and national levels
7. Political Parties must be… Able to raise money to pay expenses
8. Political parties must… Nominate candidates for office and plan campaigns to get them elected
9. Party Committees
10. National Committees Largest party committee is the national committee Members of the national committee may be elected by voters in a statewide election, or chosen by the state central committee. The party’s presidential candidate often chooses the national committee chairperson
11. National committees sets dates, rules, and location of national convention publishes and distributes literature; arranges speakers; aids presidential candidate
12. State Committees Each party has a state committee in each of the 50 states. This committee completes the following tasks: Supervises the party organization in each state Raises money and organizes to help candidates win elections
13. Local Committees & Organizations Local party organizations are responsible for: Conducting all local campaigns Raise money for the party and party candidates Electing local committee members
14. Campaign Interest groups & campaign financing
15. Financing Campaigns Running for a political office is EXPENSIVE!!! With a partner brainstorm five sources (ways) someone who runs for a political office could obtain (get) money.
16. Rising campaign costs Require candidates to conduct extensive fundraising activities Limit opportunities to run for public office Give an advantage to wealthy individuals who run for office Encourage development of political action committees Give issue-oriented special interest groups increased influence
17. Private financing Who are private financers? Voters Business owners Labor unions Other organizations that believe a political party best represents their interests
18. Public Financing Who are public financiers? tax payers who voluntarily donate to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund by checking a box on their tax forms.
19. Campaign finance reform Rising campaign costs have led to efforts to reform campaign finance laws. Limits have been placed on the amount individuals may contribute to political candidates and campaigns.
20. Campaign financing after nomination After winning the nomination of their party, presidential candidates who accept public financing cannot accept private contributions. Campaigns must be paid for only with the public funds they receive.
21. What are Interest Groups? Organizations that seek to influence government policy Also known as pressure groups or lobbies
22. What are Lobbies/Lobbyists? People who are paid by an interest/pressure group (lobby) to represent that groups interests. Lobbies do not seek to influence elections like the political parties do, they want to influence public opinion.. Lobbies may represent economic interests, social interests, or general public interest.
23. Different types of interest groups Business associations, labor unions, farm organizations, veterans’ organizations, teachers’ associations, and consumer groups Public interest groups
24. Criticism of interest groups Interest groups are too involved in lawmaking. Well-funded and organized groups receive too much attention; other interests are not equally represented.
25. How do lobbyists try to influence opinion? Propose, research, and help write bills for Congress Testify at committee hearings and may present evidence Supply lawmakers with information Advertise in the mass media Supply workers and funds to election campaigns
26. How do lobbyists try to influence government and public opinion?  Argue for or against legislation  Ask congress members to sponsor bills  Supply information, help write bills  Testify at hearings  Advertise  Provide workers and contributors for candidates  Urge people to contact public officials
27. Evaluating political campaigns
28. Shaping public opinion People’s opinions are influenced by: Family, friends, teachers, and clubs. Information from mass media: television, newspapers, magazines, radio, and the Internet.
29. Shaping public opinion The importance of staying informed: Democracy requires informed citizens. Well-informed citizens must recognize differences between facts and opinions
30. How do citizens make informed choices in elections? Voters evaluate information presented in political campaigns to make reasoned choices among candidates The media play an important role in the political process
31. How to evaluate campaigns Separate fact from opinion FACT: is something that is true about a subject and can be tested or proven. Look for clues such as: " 56% of...., or "The patient experienced..." OPINION: is what someone thinks about that subject. Look for clues such as: "I believe...", "It's obvious...", or "They should..."
32. How to evaluate campaigns 2. Detect bias
33. How to evaluate campaigns 3. Evaluate sources
34. How to evaluate campaigns 4. Identify propaganda
35. Shaping public opinion Propaganda: Propaganda is ideas spread to influence public opinion, consumers, and voters. Mass media and communications technology enable the spread of propaganda.
36. Types of propaganda Concealed propaganda attempts to fool people. Revealed propaganda makes people aware that it is trying to influence them. Propaganda techniques: bandwagon, card stacking, glittering generalities, name-calling, plain-folks appeal, and testimonials
37. Role of media in campaigns
38. How does the media play a role in the political process? 1. Identifying candidates.
39. How does the media play a role in the political process? 2. Emphasizing selected issues.
40. 3. Writing editorials, creating political cartoons, publishing op-ed pieces.
41. 4. Broadcasting different points of view.
42. How to measure public opinion Measurements of public opinion: Elections Polls or surveys—take opinions of “samples” of population Wording of polls, number of responses and the sample population influence the outcome of polls. Polls may also influence public opinion.
43. HOW IS PUBLIC OPINION MEASURED?
44. Voter registration & the voting process
45. Voter registration Voting is a basic responsibility of citizenship. Voter registration is required before a citizen may vote. The number of citizens who register and vote is related to how important elections issues are to citizens.
46. What are the qualifications for voter registration in Virginia? ONLY CITIZENS WHO REGISTER TO VOTE MAY PARTICIPATE IN PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTIONS
47. What are the qualifications for voter registration in Virginia? YOU MUST: be a citizen of the United States be a resident of Virginia and precinct Be at least 18 years of age by the day of the general election