Civics Unit 3 The Election process

1. Political Parties Civics Unit 3 The Election process

2. I. History of Parties Not in the Constitution- Washington against them First: Federalists (Adams, Hamilton) vs Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson)

3. D-Rs dominant then split into Democrats (Jackson) vs Whigs Slavery issue formed a new party- Republicans (Lincoln)

4. II. Party System Two Party System Our electoral system discourages minor parties Generally align with liberal vs conservative ideology Form consensus, general agreement, on issues Focus on individuals more than parties

5. Minor Parties or Third parties Single-issue parties- promote one policy matter Ex: Prohibitionist Party, Right to Life Party Ideological parties- support a political doctrine Ideology- set belief about human nature and gov’t Ex: Socialist, Communist, Libertarian- limit gov’t interference, increase individual freedoms

6. Radical (Far left) Liberal Moderate (Middle) Conservative Reactionary (Far right)

7. Splinter parties- split from a major party Ex: Progressive Party, Green Party Historic: Bull-Moose Party Independent candidates- candidate w/o party

8. Other systems Multi-party systems Several major and minor parties exist Model in Europe and most democracies Support defined interests of the party, not a candidate Coalitions- temporary alliance of groups Problems: unstable gov’t, no majority

9. One party system (Dictatorship) Ex: Communist Party, Fascist party

10. Exit Ticket Are parties essential to our political system? What positive role do they play? What negative role do they play? Would it be better or worse if we had more powerful third parties?

12. Liberal/Conservative Scoring 26 to 50= Very Conservative 8 to 25= Conservative -7 to 7= Moderate -25 to -8= Liberal -50 to -26= Very Liberal

13. III. Party Structures Three components of the party Party Organization National committee- representatives from each states decide focus of party Raise funds, form consensus, convention Party Electorate- faithful voters Party in Gov’t- elected officials

14. Roles Nominating candidates Form consensus Platform- statements of party belief Plank- each part of the platform

15. Bonding agent to people and ideas Partisanship- enacting legislation on the basis of party and political ideology Ex: environmentalists will likely vote for generic Democratic candidate because they will act on that issue Watchdog- on issues and on other party

16. Civics Unit 3 “Elections”

17. I. Funding Campaigns Private Funds- money from individual contributors, large corporations, or fundraisers limit of $2300 per person can fund own campaign w/o limit Public Funds- help by matching funds raised but has limits

18. PACs and Soft Money Political Action Committees (PACs)- interest groups that try to elect candidates ($5000 limit) lobbyist- activist for an interest group Soft money- unlimited money not for campaign but may help one side Ex: Swift Boat Vets, MoveOn.org

19. 4.01-2 Review Name and explain three different types of third-parties What is an advantage of a multi-party system over a two-party system? Give an example of a plank for both political parties What is a way for PACs or other interest groups to get around campaign contribution limits? What is the purpose of primaries in the election system?

20. II. Nominating Candidates Primaries- voting for party candidate for general election (diff. ways of counting votes- winner take all vs. divided) Caucuses- group of people meet and select candidate Conventions- Party members meet and pick candidate

21. III. General Election Campaign Labor-intensive- volunteers, rallies, events Media-driven- TV, radio, internet

22. Electoral College- • determined by number of representatives in state • need 270 of 538 to win; if no 270, House decides • Inauguration- swearing in

23. Assignment Option 1: Pick a party Pick which of our two parties you most support. Explain why you support this party. What positions of the party do you agree with and why? Are there other factors like people in gov’t or the culture of the party that affect your affiliation? Option 2: Pick a candidate Who will you vote for in the 2012 election, who would you have voted for and why? Think about party, personal qualifications, positions on issues, etc. Length- 1-1.5 Double-spaced typed pages

24. Civics Unit 5 Media and Public Opinion

25. I. Media Propaganda- technique of persuasion to influence behavior create belief good or bad Mass media- tv, newspaper, radio, etc. Has become more biased over time. MSNBC , CBS, NY Times, -very biased. canvassing- targeting a group of people personally

26. Methods of propaganda Glittering generalities- values w/o explanations Bandwagon- everybody’s doing it Stack Cards- show one side Just Plain Folks- show as one of the people Name Calling- accusatory generalizations Transfer- combine ideas to transfer attitude toward one idea to the another Euphemisms- call things by better names

27. Slate, Huffington Post, Media Matters, Drudge Report, NPR, –all biased news outlets. Either extreme liberal or conservative viewpoint Talk Radio has both sides- opinions espoused by pundits not journalists. FOX News, CNN,PBS, Washington Post, Washington Journal,& Wall Street Journal are best at giving both sides. C-Span is top notch and balanced Time- leans left, US World Report is more balanced. Modern Media: Blogs, and on line news outlets

29. Conspiracy theorists like to make things up. Photo shop images. Happened to G.W. Bush as well. People believe it. Real Photo Fake Photo

35. Very important because reflects voting behavior • Public Opinion polls- collect information by asking questions • straw poll- unreliable, no control over who responds (ex: internet polls, voluntary polls) • scientific polling- get accurate information (ex: Gallup Organization or Harris Survey) • sample size about 1000 people • margin of error +3-5% II. Public Opinion

36. “Interest Groups and Political Action” Civics 4.04

37. Group of citizens coming together to effect public policy • Protected by 1st Amendment: speech, assembly, petition • Public Interest Groups- support causes that affect Americans in general • ex: League of Women’s Voters: educates voters I. Interest Groups

38. Lobbying- representatives from interest groups contacting gov’t officials to further cause II. Other Political Actions

39. Litigation- using courts to further cause • NRA stopping DC handgun law • Protest- ex: Bus Boycott against segregation • Recall- allow voters to remove an elected official from office

40. “Citizenship” Civics 4.06

41. Def: members of a country that have rights and responsibilities • Citizenship by birth- born in state, territory, military base or to American parents • Naturalization- legal process to become a citizen • Must demonstrate civic and history knowledge • expatriation- give up citizenship I. Citizenship

42. Legal Aliens (immigrants) • resident aliens have permanent residence in US • cannot vote; but pay taxes, attend schools, have legal protection • Illegal Aliens risk being deported- sent back to native country

43. Follow laws • Pay taxes • Jury duty • Attending school • selective service (draft)- men must sign up for at age 18 II. Duties of Citizens

44. Democratic process • voting in elections • stay informed, participate in events, contact representatives, try to make a change • Must be 18, citizen, registered, and not a felon III. Responsibilities

45. Volunteering • Be educated

46. IV. Modern Issues • Electoral College • Separation of Church and State

47. American multiculturalism: “melting pot” vs. “tossed salad” • “E Pluribus Unum”- “from many one” • Tolerance- willingness to respect others different than yourself • Affirmative Action- preferences given to minorities to correct historical injustice

48. Pro-choice vs Pro-life • Homosexual rights

50. Balancing budgets • Poverty, public transfer payments, progressive tax