Transcript Topic 2 political behavior

TOPIC 2 POLITICAL BEHAVIOR
PARTY SYSTEMS
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One-party systems are usually found in nations with authoritarian governments.
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Minor parties exist in two-party systems, but two major political parties compete for
power.
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In multi-party systems, several parties often combine forces in a coalition government.
POLITICAL IDEOLOGY
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People with a liberal ideology are more willing to trade economic freedom for greater
equality.
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People with a conservative ideology tend to believe the role of government should be
limited.
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Most people are moderates, falling somewhere in between liberal and conservative.
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Currently, the Democratic Party is more liberal and the Republican Party more
conservative.
PARTY ORGANIZATION AND MEMBERSHIP
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At each level, the party endorses and works for the election of its candidates.
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Fundraising is a key function of state and national parties.
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Generally, citizens join a political party when they register to vote or vote in certain
elections.
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Party membership provides a way for citizens to increase their influence on government.
FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES
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Parties bring key issues to public attention and involve people in the political process.
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Political parties help the government operate smoothly, and they dispense political
patronage.
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The winning party implements its key policy initiatives, and the losing party is a
“watchdog.”
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Parties contribute to political stability.
SELECTING CANDIDATES TO REPRESENT THE
PARTY
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A vital function of political parties is to nominate candidates for elected office.
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To get onto the ballot, a candidate must file by fee or by petition.
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Candidates are chosen by caucuses, primaries, or conventions.
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Rules for presidential primaries vary among the states and even within many states.
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Primaries are a long, costly process and states with late primaries may receive less
attention.
MINOR OR THIRD PARTIES
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Third parties have been on the American political scene since the early days of the
Republic.
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A third party generally forms as a single-issue party, an ideological party, or a
splinter party.
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Minor parties have influenced the outcome of national elections.
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As a result of the two-party tradition, third parties face a number of obstacles.
VOTER PARTICIPATION
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Voter participation in the U.S. is low compared to many other democracies around the
world.
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Many citizens do not vote because of registration practices or little party involvement.
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Voter turnout is impacted by the sheer number of elections and new requirements for
voting.
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Citizens who vote regularly have positive attitudes toward government and citizenship. A
number of reforms are being considered to make voting more convenient.
THE STRUCTURE OF ELECTIONS
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Election cycles, term limits, and ballot issues all influence voter choices at the polls.
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Federal election cycles are determined by the term lengths set out in the Constitution.
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The federal election cycle ensures that the entire government will not turn over at the
same time.
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Some, but not all, federal and state positions have term limits.
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In many states, citizens vote on legislative referendums, popular referendums, and
initiatives.
VOTERS’ ELECTION CHOICES
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Voters’ personal backgrounds affect their decisions.
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Voters are also influenced by loyalty, or lack of loyalty, to a political party.
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Voters look for a variety of qualifications in candidates for office.
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Voters are typically most concerned with issues that directly affect them.
CAMPAIGN STRATEGIES
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A campaign manager is responsible for the overall strategy and planning in a campaign.
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A large election campaign expenditure is advertising, much of which is propaganda.
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Television is the most important communication tool for a presidential candidate.
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Social media can be a powerful and cost-effective campaign tool.
COMMON PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUES
CAMPAIGN FINANCE
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Efforts to regulate money in campaigns are controversial.
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Limits on campaign spending and donations can be seen as limits on free speech.
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Presidential candidates who receive public funds must limit the amount spent by their
campaign.
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Direct funding, or hard money, comes from contributions made directly to a candidate.
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Indirect funding, or soft money, comes from organizations independent from a campaign.
POLITICAL CULTURE
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Political socialization includes absorbing the political culture of one’s nation.
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A shared belief in liberty and freedom are part of American political culture.
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Political culture sets the general boundaries within which citizens develop and express
opinions.
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The political culture a person comes from impacts how he or she sees the world.
POLITICAL EFFICACY
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A person’s level of political efficacy reflects their political socialization.
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Feelings of political efficacy are vital in a democracy.
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People join interest groups because they believe being part of such a group will improve
their political efficacy.
INTEREST GROUPS SEEK SUPPORT
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Interest groups use the mass media to inform the public and to create support for their
views.
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Many interest groups encourage members to communicate directly with government
officials.
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Interest groups compete for power and influence.
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Smaller interest groups or single-issue interest groups are most effective in shaping
policy.
POWER OF INTEREST GROUPS
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People in an interest group share common goals and organize to influence government.
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Interest groups are an important component of American civil society.
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There are key differences between political parties and interest groups.
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Interest groups help bridge the gap between people and the government.
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A properly organized and equipped interest group has more influence than its individual
members.
THE RISE OF POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES
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PACs are designed to collect money and provide financial support for a political
candidate.
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PACs became popular after Congress passed laws limiting donations to federal
candidates.
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Direct donations to candidates by PACs are limited, but indirect donations are unlimited.
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527 organizations focus on advocating an issue.
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Super PACs can receive unlimited donations and spend unlimited sums if done
independently.
STRATEGIES OF PACS
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PACs use donations, or the threat of withholding donations, as leverage with a candidate.
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Large campaign donations may increase a group’s access to an official when elected.
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PACs spend money to influence election outcomes.