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Civics Unit 3 The Election processPolitical Parties1I. History of PartiesNot in the Constitution- Washington against themFirst: Federalists (Adams, Hamilton) vs Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson)

2D-Rs dominant then split into Democrats (Jackson) vs WhigsSlavery issue formed a new party- Republicans (Lincoln)

3II. Party SystemTwo Party SystemOur electoral system discourages minor partiesGenerally align with liberal vs conservative ideologyForm consensus, general agreement, on issuesFocus on individuals more than parties

4Minor Parties or Third parties Single-issue parties- promote one policy matterEx: Prohibitionist Party, Right to Life PartyIdeological parties- support a political doctrineIdeology- set belief about human nature and govtEx: Socialist, Communist, Libertarian- limit govt interference, increase individual freedoms

5Radical (Far left)

Liberal

Moderate (Middle)

Conservative

Reactionary (Far right)

6Splinter parties- split from a major partyEx: Progressive Party, Green PartyHistoric: Bull-Moose PartyIndependent candidates- candidate w/o party

7Other systemsMulti-party systemsSeveral major and minor parties existModel in Europe and most democraciesSupport defined interests of the party, not a candidate Coalitions- temporary alliance of groupsProblems: unstable govt, no majority

8One party system (Dictatorship)Ex: Communist Party, Fascist party

9Exit TicketAre 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?10Stat. 1Stat. 2Stat. 1Stat. 21+-14+-2-+15-+3+-16-+4+-17-+5-+18-+6-+19-+7-+20+-8+-21+-9+-22+-10+-23-+11-+24+-12+-25+-13-+11Liberal/Conservative Scoring26 to 50= Very Conservative8 to 25= Conservative-7 to 7= Moderate-25 to -8= Liberal-50 to -26= Very Liberal12III. Party StructuresThree components of the partyParty OrganizationNational committee- representatives from each states decide focus of partyRaise funds, form consensus, conventionParty Electorate- faithful votersParty in Govt- elected officials

13RolesNominating candidatesForm consensusPlatform- statements of party beliefPlank- each part of the platform

14Bonding agent to people and ideasPartisanship- 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 issueWatchdog- on issues and on other party

15Civics Unit 3Elections

16I. Funding CampaignsPrivate Funds- money from individual contributors, large corporations, or fundraiserslimit of $2300 per personcan fund own campaign w/o limitPublic Funds- help by matching funds raised but has limits

17PACs and Soft MoneyPolitical Action Committees (PACs)- interest groups that try to elect candidates ($5000 limit)lobbyist- activist for an interest groupSoft money- unlimited money not for campaign but may help one sideEx: Swift Boat Vets, MoveOn.org

184.01-2 ReviewName and explain three different types of third-partiesWhat 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?19II. Nominating CandidatesPrimaries- voting for party candidate for general election (diff. ways of counting votes- winner take all vs. divided)Caucuses- group of people meet and select candidateConventions- Party members meet and pick candidate

20III. General ElectionCampaignLabor-intensive- volunteers, rallies, eventsMedia-driven- TV, radio, internet

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

22AssignmentOption 1: Pick a partyPick 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 govt or the culture of the party that affect your affiliation?Option 2: Pick a candidateWho 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 pages23Civics Unit 5Media and Public Opinion 24I. MediaPropaganda- technique of persuasion to influence behaviorcreate belief good or badMass media- tv, newspaper, radio, etc.Has become more biased over time. MSNBC , CBS, NY Times, -very biased.canvassing- targeting a group of people personally

25Methods of propagandaGlittering generalities- values w/o explanationsBandwagon- everybodys doing itStack Cards- show one sideJust Plain Folks- show as one of the peopleName Calling- accusatory generalizationsTransfer- combine ideas to transfer attitude toward one idea to the anotherEuphemisms- call things by better names

26Modern Media: Blogs, and on line news outletsSlate, Huffington Post, Media Matters, Drudge Report, NPR, all biased news outlets.Either extreme liberal or conservative viewpointTalk 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 balancedTime- leans left, US World Report is more balanced.

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

Fake Photo

II. Public OpinionVery important because reflects voting behaviorPublic Opinion polls- collect information by asking questionsstraw 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 peoplemargin of error +3-5%

35Civics 4.04Interest Groups and Political Action36I. Interest GroupsGroup of citizens coming together to effect public policyProtected by 1st Amendment: speech, assembly, petitionPublic Interest Groups- support causes that affect Americans in generalex: League of Womens Voters: educates voters

37II. Other Political ActionsLobbying- representatives from interest groups contacting govt officials to further cause

38Litigation- using courts to further causeNRA stopping DC handgun lawProtest- ex: Bus Boycott against segregationRecall- allow voters to remove an elected official from office

39Civics 4.06Citizenship

40I. CitizenshipDef: members of a country that have rights and responsibilitiesCitizenship by birth- born in state, territory, military base or to American parentsNaturalization- legal process to become a citizenMust demonstrate civic and history knowledgeexpatriation- give up citizenship

41Legal Aliens (immigrants)resident aliens have permanent residence in UScannot vote; but pay taxes, attend schools, have legal protectionIllegal Aliens risk being deported- sent back to native country

42II. Duties of CitizensFollow lawsPay taxes Jury dutyAttending schoolselective service (draft)- men must sign up for at age 18

43III. ResponsibilitiesDemocratic processvoting in electionsstay informed, participate in events, contact representatives, try to make a changeMust be 18, citizen, registered, and not a felon

44Volunteering Be educated

45IV. Modern IssuesElectoral CollegeSeparation of Church and State

American multiculturalism: melting pot vs. tossed saladE Pluribus Unum- from many oneTolerance- willingness to respect others different than yourselfAffirmative Action- preferences given to minorities to correct historical injustice

47Pro-choice vs Pro-lifeHomosexual rights

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49Balancing budgetsPoverty, public transfer payments, progressive tax

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