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Chapter 5
How Do Citizens Connect With Their Government
Term | Definition |
---|---|
"Linkage" Instittutions | In the modern United States, four types of groups, known as "LINKAGE" INSTITUTIONS, play a vital role in connecting citizens to the government. These four are... 1. Political Parties.. 2. Campaigns and Elections.. 3. Interest Groups.. 4. Media |
Political Parties.. Ex: Republicans, Democrats | POLITICAL PARTIES represent broad points of view that present people with alternative approaches to how the government should be run. Each party seeks political power by electing people to office so that its positions and philosophy become public policy. |
Camapigns and Elections | CAMPAIGNS and elections involve citizens by reminding them of their ultimate power — the vote. The process of electing government officials provides citizens with vital information regarding issues and candidates' qualifications for office. |
Interest Groups | INTEREST GROUPS organize people with common interests and attitudes to influence government to support their points of view. They generally represent only one issue or a closely related set of concerns. |
Media | The MEDIA play an important role in connecting people to government. Most of us find out about candidates for office, public officials' activities, and the burning issues of the day through television, newspapers, radio, and the Internet. |
George Washington's 1796 Farewell Address | American political parties have had tarnished reputations from the beginning. In his 1796 FAREWELL ADDRESS to the nation, GEORGE WASHINGTON warned against "the baneful effects of the spirit of party" as inciting Americans "with ill-founded jealousies." |
Independent Voters | Today many Americans take pride in their status as "INDEPENDENT VOTERS," partly because they see parties as lacking vision for the country. |
Roles of Political Parties | 1. Running candidates for political office.. 2. Checking the other part.. 3. Informing the public.. 4. Organizing the government |
Running Candidates for Political Office | Parties select candidates for many elected positions in American politics. Parties present policy alternatives for voters. Some voters even choose a straight ticket, or candidates from the same party for all positions in that election. |
Checking The Other Party | A party that does not hold the majority in Congress often keeps the party in power from taking complete control. Party leaders can publicly criticize actions of a President who was elected by the opposite party. |
Informing The Public | Parties take stands on issues and criticize the points of view of the other parties. Their well-publicized discussions help to inform citizens about important issues and present alternative ways of solving societal problems. |
Organizing the government | Congress and the state legislatures are organized according to party affiliations. LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES usually support their party's position when considering potential laws and policies, and most votes fall roughly along party lines. |
Three Good Reasons for the American Two-Party System (Democratic and Republican Party) | 1. Consensus of Values.. 2. Historical Influence.. 3. The Winner-Take-All System |
Consensus of Values | Americans share a broad consensus, or agreement, of many basic political values. Both parties believe in liberty, equality, and individualism. Neither advocates that the Constitution be discarded. Both parties accept the election process and concede defea |
Historical Influence | The nation began with two political parties — the Federalists and the DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANS. During early American history politicians tended to take sides. This tendency has persisted throughout American history. |
The Winner-Take-All System | The single most important reason for a TWO-PARTY SYSTEM is the WINNER-TAKE-ALL electoral system. Consequently, one of the two major parties almost always wins a PLURALITY, and third parties are completely shut out of national offices. |
Public Offices | Collectively on all levels of government, Americans fill more than 500,000 different PUBLIC OFFICES. |
Types of Elections | 1. Primaries.. 2. General Elections |
Primaries | Usually held in the spring before the general election in the fall. Three kinds... 1. Direct Primaries.. 2. Closed Primaries.. 3. Open Primaries |
Direct Primaries | DIRECT PRIMARIES allow all party members to vote to choose the party's candidate for the general election. |
Closed Primaries | Most states conduct CLOSED PRIMARIES, in which only registered party members may vote for their party's nomination. |
Open Primaries | A few states allow voters to choose the party primary in which they want to vote on primary election day — a process known as OPEN PRIMARIES. |
General Elections | By law, candidates for Congress must be selected on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. The President and Vice-President have four-year terms, so they are only selected in every other general congressional election. |
Presidential Campaigns | Today it is almost impossible to mount a campaign for the presidency in less than two years. It certainly involves millions of dollars. Potential candidates typically launch "EXPLORATORY COMMITTEES". |
Exploratory Committees | Potential candidates typically launch "EXPLORATORY COMMITTEES" that involve extensive polling and fund-raising activities. Once potential candidates announce their candidacy, they must campaign for the primaries. |
Party Activists and Party Conventions | PARTY ACTIVISTS gather at the PARTY CONVENTIONS held in the summer to nominate their candidates formally. The candidates also announce their vice-presidential running mates at the summer conventions. |
Interest Group | One chief means of influencing the American government is by joining an INTEREST GROUP — an organization that pressures elected officials to enact legislation favorable to its causes. |
Types of Interest Groups | Three Types... 1. Public Interest groups.. 2. Underpaid professional workers groups.. 3. Businesses, corporations, and trade association groups |
Public Interest Groups | These groups claim to work not for self interest but for the best interest of the public. Animal rights groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals(PETA) and environmental interest groups such as GREENPEACE are examples. |
Underpaid Professional Workers Groups | Underpaid professional workers may organize as groups. Labor unions such as the AFL-CIO and the TEAMSTERS' UNION protect workers in factories or businesses. |
Businesses, Corporations, and Trade Association Groups | The most common type of interest group is formed around businesses, corporations, and trade associations. |
Lobbying | The organized process of influencing legislation or policy. Can take many forms, including... 1. Testifying in Congressional Hearings.. 2. Contact government officials |
Lobbying by Testifying in Congressional Hearings | Interest groups can testify in CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS. When Congress was considering discrimination in private clubs, Boy and Girl Scout representatives appeared in hearings to persuade Congress to allow each one to remain a single-sex organization. |
Lobbying by Contacting Government Officials | Lobbyists also contact government officials directly or informally, present research results and technical information, talk with people from the press and the media, and sometimes even help to draft legislation. |
Political Action Committees (PACs) | Electioneering is intended to help elect candidates who favor their positions or to defeat those who oppose them. It is generally conducted by POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES (PACs), who serve as special political arms for the interest groups. |
The Political Influence of the Media | The media can shape government and politics in many ways. Here are a few: 1. By influencing political opinions of voters.. 2. By determining the behavior of candidates and officials.. 3. By setting the public agenda |
Media Shaping Politics By Influencing Political Opinions of Voters | The media can SWAY people who are uncommitted or have no strong opinion in the first place. Since these voters often decide elections results, the power of media in elections can be substantial. |
Media Shaping Politics By Determining the Behavior of Candidates and Officials | Many good politicians have learned that they can succeed — in getting elected and in getting things done — if they know how to use the media. |
Media Shaping Politics By Setting the Public Agenda | Most Americans learn about SOCIAL ISSUES from print or electronic media. The fact that the media focuses on some issues and ignores others can help set what gets done in government. |
The Internet in Politics | Not since television has an innovation had the potential to impact politics greater than the INTERNET. With more and more Americans getting wired, the ability to reach millions of voters will be a lure which no politician can resist. |