CIVICS UNIT 3 THE ELECTION PROCESS

Political Parties

I. History of PartiesA. Not in the Constitution- Washington

against themB. First: Federalists (Adams, Hamilton) vs

Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson)

C. D-Rs dominant then split into Democrats (Jackson) vs Whigs

D. Slavery issue formed a new party- Republicans (Lincoln)

II. Party SystemA. Two Party System

1. Our electoral system discourages minor parties

2. Generally align with liberal vs conservative ideology

3. Form consensus, general agreement, on issues

4. Focus on individuals more than parties

B. Minor Parties or Third parties 1. Single-issue parties-

promote one policy mattera. Ex: Prohibitionist Party,

Right to Life Party2. Ideological parties-

support a political doctrinea. Ideology- set belief about

human nature and gov’tb. Ex: Socialist, Communist,

Libertarian- limit gov’t interference, increase individual freedoms

Radical (Far left)

Liberal

Moderate (Middle)

Conservative

Reactionary (Far right)

3. Splinter parties- split from a major partya. Ex: Progressive Party, Green Partyb. Historic: Bull-Moose Party

4. Independent candidates- candidate w/o party

C. Other systems1. Multi-party systems

a. Several major and minor parties exist

b. Model in Europe and most democracies

c. Support defined interests of the party, not a candidate

d. Coalitions- temporary alliance of groups

e. Problems: unstable gov’t, no majority

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

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?

Stat. 1

Stat. 2

Stat. 1

Stat. 2

1 + - 14 + -

2 - + 15 - +

3 + - 16 - +

4 + - 17 - +

5 - + 18 - +

6 - + 19 - +

7 - + 20 + -

8 + - 21 + -

9 + - 22 + -

10 + - 23 - +

11 - + 24 + -

12 + - 25 + -

13 - +

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

III. Party StructuresA. Three components of the party

1. Party Organizationa. National committee- representatives from each

states decide focus of partyb. Raise funds, form consensus, convention

2. Party Electorate- faithful voters3. Party in Gov’t- elected officials

B. Roles1. Nominating candidates2. Form consensus

a. Platform- statements of party belief

b. Plank- each part of the platform

B. Bonding agent to people and ideas1. Partisanship- enacting

legislation on the basis of party and political ideology

2. Ex: environmentalists will likely vote for generic Democratic candidate because they will act on that issue

C. Watchdog- on issues and on other party

Civics Unit 3

“Elections”

I. Funding CampaignsA. Private Funds- money from individual

contributors, large corporations, or fundraisers

1. limit of $2300 per person2. can fund own campaign w/o limit

B. Public Funds- help by matching funds raised but has limits

C. PACs and Soft Money1. Political Action Committees

(PACs)- interest groups that try to elect candidates ($5000 limit)

2. lobbyist- activist for an interest group

3. Soft money- unlimited money not for campaign but may help one sidea. Ex: Swift Boat Vets, MoveOn.org

4.01-2 Review

1. Name and explain three different types of third-parties

2. What is an advantage of a multi-party system over a two-party system?

3. Give an example of a plank for both political parties

4. What is a way for PACs or other interest groups to get around campaign contribution limits?

5. What is the purpose of primaries in the election system?

II. Nominating CandidatesA. Primaries- voting for party candidate for

general election (diff. ways of counting votes- winner take all vs. divided)

B. Caucuses- group of people meet and select candidate

C. Conventions- Party members meet and pick candidate

III. General ElectionA. Campaign

1. Labor-intensive- volunteers, rallies, events2. Media-driven- TV, radio, internet

B. Electoral College- 1. determined by number of representatives in

state 2. need 270 of 538 to win; if no 270, House

decides

C. Inauguration- swearing in

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

Civics Unit 5

Media and Public Opinion

I. Media

A. Propaganda- technique of persuasion to influence behavior

1. create belief good or bad

2. Mass media- tv, newspaper, radio, etc.

3. Has become more biased over time. MSNBC , CBS, NY Times, -very biased.

4. canvassing- targeting a group of people personally

B. Methods of propaganda1. Glittering generalities-

values w/o explanations2. Bandwagon-

everybody’s doing it3. Stack Cards- show one

side4. Just Plain Folks- show

as one of the people5. Name Calling-

accusatory generalizations

6. Transfer- combine ideas to transfer attitude toward one idea to the another

7. Euphemisms- call things by better names

MODERN MEDIA: BLOGS, AND ON LINE NEWS OUTLETS

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.

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 OPINIONA. Very important because reflects voting

behaviorB. Public Opinion polls- collect information

by asking questions1. straw poll- unreliable, no control over who

responds (ex: internet polls, voluntary polls)2. scientific polling- get accurate information (ex:

Gallup Organization or Harris Survey)a. sample size about 1000 peopleb. margin of error +3-5%

CIVICS 4.04“Interest Groups and Political Action”

I. INTEREST GROUPS

A. Group of citizens coming together to effect public policy

B. Protected by 1st Amendment: speech, assembly, petition

C. Public Interest Groups- support causes that affect Americans in general1. ex: League of Women’s Voters: educates

voters

II. OTHER POLITICAL ACTIONSA. Lobbying- representatives from interest

groups contacting gov’t officials to further cause

B. Litigation- using courts to further cause1. NRA stopping DC handgun law

C. Protest- ex: Bus Boycott against segregation

D. Recall- allow voters to remove an elected official from office

CIVICS 4.06“Citizenship”

I. CITIZENSHIP

Def: members of a country that have rights and responsibilities

A.Citizenship by birth- born in state, territory, military base or to American parents

B.Naturalization- legal process to become a citizen

1. Must demonstrate civic and history knowledge

2. expatriation- give up citizenship

C. Legal Aliens (immigrants)1. resident aliens have

permanent residence in US

2. cannot vote; but pay taxes, attend schools, have legal protection

D. Illegal Aliens risk being deported- sent back to native country

II. DUTIES OF CITIZENS

A. Follow lawsB. Pay taxes C. Jury dutyD. Attending schoolE. selective service (draft)- men must sign

up for at age 18

III. RESPONSIBILITIESA. Democratic process

1. voting in elections2. stay informed, participate in events, contact

representatives, try to make a change3. Must be 18, citizen, registered, and not a

felon

B. Volunteering C. Be educated

IV. Modern Issues

A. Electoral CollegeB. Separation of Church and State

C. American multiculturalism: “melting pot” vs. “tossed salad”

1. “E Pluribus Unum”- “from many one”2. Tolerance- willingness to respect others

different than yourself3. Affirmative Action- preferences given

to minorities to correct historical injustice

E. Pro-choice vs Pro-lifeF. Homosexual rights

G. Balancing budgetsH. Poverty, public transfer payments,

progressive tax