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Civics Unit 5 The Election process

Political Parties. Civics Unit 5 The Election process. I. History of Parties. Not in the Constitution- Washington against them First: Federalists (Adams, Hamilton) vs Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson). D-Rs dominant then split into Democrats (Jackson) vs Whigs

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Civics Unit 5 The Election process

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  1. Political Parties Civics Unit 5 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: Socialists-Equal distribution of wealth, Communists- collective ownership of everything, Libertarians- limit gov’t interference, increase individual freedoms.

  6. Radical (Far left) Liberal Moderate (Middle) Centrists 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?

  11. 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

  12. 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

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

  14. 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

  15. Civics 4.02 “Elections”

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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?

  19. 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

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

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

  22. Civics 4.03 Media and Public Opinion

  23. I. Media Propaganda- technique of persuasion to influence behavior create belief good or bad Mass media- tv, newspaper, radio, etc. canvassing- targeting a group of people personally

  24. 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

  25. Examples of propaganda designed to make a candidate look bad. Photo shopped images.

  26. 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

  27. “Interest Groups and Political Action” Civics 4.04

  28. 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

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

  30. 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

  31. “Citizenship” Civics 4.06

  32. 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

  33. 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

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

  35. 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

  36. Volunteering • Be educated

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

  38. 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

  39. Pro-choice vs Pro-life

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

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