Government
Political Socialization - lifelong process by which people form their ideas about politics and acquire political values. Basically WHY?
- Education
- Social Groups/Peers
- Family
- Other Factors
Agents of Political Socialization (ranked)
- Media
Values
Priorities
Rules
Exposure
Patriotism
Respect
Rallies
Like-minded people
Activism
Public opinion
Statistics/Research
Mass media
Social media
Gender
Marital Status
Religion
Social Class
Race
Ethnicity
Education level
Political Spectrum - where an individual lies pertaining to ideology within a political scope
Radical - favor rapid change. may use violence to press agendas and produce as much change
Conservative - less government and whatnot. Think Government IS the problem of equality
Liberal - favors change. government actively promote social reform to increase well-being. Government IS the solution for equality
Moderate - between the two wings. where most of the population will lie in two-party dominant system
Reactionary - stick to the Constitution by all costs. may use violence to keep original laws in place
Social & Cultural Issues
Social & Cultural Issues. I don't even want to write this because it's just the opposite of liberal views
favor affirmative action
pro-choice on abortion
oppose death penalty, favor gun control
favor gay marriage and progressive gender stances
favor social change
Economic & Fiscal Policy
Foreign Policy
regulate businesses
favor high taxes
government control
Economic & Fiscal Policy
free market
gov -- inefficiency
favor lower taxes, less spending
Foreign Policy
less defense spending. more tax dollars at home for social welfare programs
prefer multi-lateral diplomacy
more defense spending. larger budgets
prefer uni-lateral diplomacy (not conferring w others)
Public Opinion and Polling - the aggregate of attitudes or beliefs as to the political climate. The combination of all Political Socialization
Political Efficacy
One's own influence or effectiveness on politics, faith in government, usually measured by surveys
Political Culture
moral judgments, political myths, beliefs on society
sets of attitudes and practices that shapes behavior
Voting Polls
Media
Campaigns
Gallup
Pew
Rasmussen
opinions on candidates
opinions on issues
opinions on current policy
healthcare
taxes
Types
Exit Poll - as people leave polling place
Push pulls - ones that influence or alter views
Tracking polls - campaigns to see demographics
Political Party - a group of people who work to control government through WINNING ELECTIONS and holding public office
- Connect citizens to the government
- Nominate candidates. present, debate
- Inform and activate supporters
- Run campaigns at all levels of government
- Govern. control public office and money
- Act as a Watchdog. usually when party is out of power. criticized party that is in power on the job
Two-Party System
Why?
Tradition
Electoral System (winner take all) Plurality
Minor Parties
Ideological Parties
particular set of beliefs
example: libertarian party
emphasizes individualism
reducing governmental roles
Single Issue Parties
concentrate on only one public policy matter
most important thing is to put issue into spotlight
example: right to life party, free soil party
Economic Protest Parties
dissatisfied about current economic conditions
example: greenback party for protecting farmers
Splinter Party
ones that broke off from major parties
form around strong personality - example is green party
Roles Minor Parties Play
Spoiler role
Innovator role
foreign policy
5 jobs of political parties
Create Balance
Unite levels of Government
Influence law and policy
Influence voters
Support candidate
Elections
Qualifications
Executive
Legislative
35 years old
natural born citizen
14 years resident
Senate
House
30 years old
9 years resident
25 years old
9 years resident
Primary Season
Primaries
delegate selection process
or candidate preference election
open (any), closed (registered)
Caucuses
National Conventions
ceremonial affair for parties to elect candidates
where the vice president is chosen
delegates attend the conventions according to the primary outcome
superdelegates (only dems) are free agent delegates who usually decide
General Election
Debates
Campaign Finance
Federal Election Commission (FEC) created by FE Campaign Act 1974
partial funding for primaries (major)
full funding for generals (major)
5k in 20 states
matches conts. up to 250
click to edit
Buckley v Valeo means that money = free speech
Finance Reform
hard money - given specifically to candidates to fund their campaigns
soft money - given for party-building activities to help out the party
McCain-Feingold Act - banned soft money, inc ind cont., limit issue ads
Political Action Committees
PAC's
labor unions, interest groups
over 4,600, can't "buy" candidates
Super PAC's
can't be sponsored by candidate or party
CAN give directly to campaigns
click to edit