Unit Four - Political Parties, Interest Groups, Campaigns, Elections and Mass Media
Political Parties
Political parties are major vehicles of popular participation in democratic government. Their nature and functions and the roles they play in American politics are a major reason why government in the United States is in fact "government by the people." In the United States, political parties have shaped the way the government works. Today, the major parties perform several important functions without which our government could not function. The two-party system in the United States is a product of historical forces, our electoral system, and the ideological consensus of the American people. It provides more political stability than a multiparty system and more choice than a one-party system.
What is a political party?
- What are the major roles and functions of political parties in the American political system?
- What is the political spectrum? State and explain the major positions of Liberal, Conservative, and Moderate
- What are the major beliefs of the Democratic and Republican parties and where do those beliefs place them on the political spectrum?
- Democratic Party
- Divided Government/Gridlock
- Faction
- Grass-Roots Organization
- National Chair
- National Committee
- National/Nominating Convention
- Political Consultants
- Political Machine
- Political Party
- Republican Party
- Superdelegates
- Third Party
- Two-Party System
The Electoral Process - Campaigns and Elections
The election process lies at the very heart of the democratic concept. It is impossible to picture a democratic society in which popular elections are not held. The idea that the electoral process is a form of combat is evident in many words that describe it. Contenders who are ready to fight in the political arena are those who throw their hats in the ring. Even the word campaign has a military origin. Running for elected office is a challenge, made additionally difficult by the complex role that money plays in the process. The nominating process narrows the field of possible candidates for office, and thus is an essential part of an election. The caucus and convention were important nominating methods in the past. The direct primary has largely replaced them.
- How do campaigns and elections shape the American political system?
- What are national (nominating) conventions?
- What is a party platform?
- What does “balancing the ticket” mean? What factors does a candidate consider when he/she is choosing a vice presidential running mate?
- What is the Electoral College and why do we have an Electoral College?
- Electors are distributed on a winner-take-all basis. What does winner take all mean? (candidate needs to win majority, 270 out of 538)
- What is a general election?
- What factors shape voter behavior?
- Ballot measure
- Campaign contributions
- Caucus
- Closed Primary
- Federal Communication Commission
- Federal Election Commission
- General Election
- Gerrymandering
- Hard Money
- Incumbent
- Initiative
- Nomination Process
- Open Primary
- Party Platform
- Precincts
- Primary Election
- Referendum
- Soft Money
- Straight-ticket voting
- Swing state
- Winner-take-all Electoral System
Do you feel part of the political process? Or do you believe that the political process in the United States has been taken over by forces beyond your control? Soon you will be eligible to vote—but will you choose to vote? The success of democracy rests on participation by the people, and, in particular, on the regular and informed exercise of the right to vote. The history of the United States has been marked by a steady expansion of the electorate through the elimination of restrictions on voting qualifications.
Mass Media and Public Opinion
Have you been watching the current presidential election on television and online? The news media covers the presidential election—both extensively and intensively. But the media do more than merely report events. They also play a large role in shaping the opinions of the American people. The American public gets information on public issues through several forms of mass media, especially through television and online. The media influence American politics by helping to set the public agenda and by playing a central role in electoral politics.
- What role does the mass media play in campaigns, elections, and policy making?
- Why is the news so powerful during elections?
- Evaluate the concept of image and image development. How do candidates and public officials groom their image, and how does image impact elections?
- How does the motivation and structure of media organizations influence the nature of news coverage in America?
- How has the growth of the Internet changed media in America?
- Adversarial press
- Blogs
- Fourth Branch
- Prior Restraint
- Sound bites
- Spin Doctor
- Watchdog journalism
- White House Press Corps
- White House Press Secretary
- Yellow journalism
Do you belong to an interest group? You may not think so, but everyone has certain interests that he or she thinks is important. Joining with others is both practical and democratic. An athletic association, a foreign student exchange program, the student council—these are all examples of interest groups that bring people together and promote specific goals. Interest groups are private organizations that try to persuade public officials to respond to the shared attitudes of their members. They stimulate interest in public affairs and serve as a vehicle for participation in the political process. Most interest groups represent economic interests such as business, labor, agriculture, and certain professions. Others are devoted to specific political and social causes, religious interests, or the welfare of a certain segment of the population. Lobbyists use a variety of techniques to try to persuade policy makers to share an interest group's point of view. Money is an indispensable campaign resource. Yet money also poses a variety of problems in the election process, and therefore the use of money is regulated in today's elections.
- What are the major roles and functions of interest groups in the American political system?
- What are interest groups and how do they use lobbyists to influence politics?
- Explain how modern political campaigns are financed by Political Action Committees and individuals.
- How do the media both inform people about politics and shape the issues?
- 501 (c)(3) committees
- 527 political committees
- Citizens United v. FEC
- Earmarks
- FECA (Federal Election Campaign Act)
- Interest Group
- Issue advocacy ads
- Lobbying
- McCain-Feingold Act
- Political Action Committee (PACs)
- Soft money vs. hard money
- SuperPACs
- The Revolving Door
Projects: Mock Election
Test: Comprehensive exam