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51 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Percent of Americans who vote in presidential elections |
50% |
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What percentage of voting age population is registered? |
2/3 |
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What is motor-voter law? |
You can get registered when you pass your drivers test |
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What are some of the most important changes in American elections? |
Suffrage, availability to African Americans, and voting age |
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What is the Australian ballot? |
Something we adopted in 1890, simplified and made a uniform ballot across the nation. |
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What was the result of non-voter studies? |
They have no impact on the outcome |
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What percentage of voters have claimed to vote in an election and did not? |
8-10% |
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Who are the people inactive in politics? |
Young persons, less educated, low income less likely to participate |
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Who are voting specialists? |
People who are only involved in politics when they vote |
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Who are parochial participants? |
VERY active politically- directly connect with politicians |
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1965 Civil Rights Act did what? |
suspended literacy tests as an act for voting |
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What country has oldest political parties? |
USA |
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Why have political parties become weaker? |
Politicians have become independent of them |
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What has led of decentralization of political authority in the U.S.? |
Federalism- the idea of federalism |
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What regulates American political parties the most? |
Law- state and federal |
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What is a sponsored party? |
When organizations are very involved in sponsoring a party and have a specific agenda/ goals |
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Who are the grand masters of building personal followings? |
Southern states in America Primarily republican/ conservative |
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What is the plurality system? |
Election system that the USA uses for voting |
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Why has the two-party system lasted in the U.S.? |
a 3rd party hasn’t been able to gain a following |
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One-issue parties are concerned with? |
Parties that run on one issue |
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What is a minor factional party? |
Very distinct on one specific thing- oceans |
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Characteristics of a party activist. |
More politically active than the general public |
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Why have democrats had difficulty lately winning presidency? |
1)taxes 2) Social issues |
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Major differences between presidential and congressional campaigns. |
1) The cost (1 billion to 1 million) 2) The attention that they draw |
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Bill Clinton 1992 campaign theme. |
WE NEED CHANGE |
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George W. Bush 2000 campaign theme. |
COMPASSIONATE CONSERVATISM |
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Fixed size of House of Representatives. |
435 (based on population) |
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What is “clothespin” voting? |
Choosing the lesser of two evils |
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What are position issues? |
Where the public is divided- taking a side on an issue- public picking sides |
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Drawbacks of TV debates. |
Too many- they are very scripted, no in depth talking about policy |
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What is a valence issue? |
Issues where the public is united |
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Government allotment for individual candidate election in dollars. |
$70 million on average |
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Where does most congressional campaign money come from? |
Privately gained donations or fundraising- advantage if you are wealthy |
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Who do PACs generally favor? |
Incumbents- people who are currently in office |
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2002 Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act. |
$2 thousand per candidate (raised from $500) |
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What party do most Americans say they belong to? |
The Democratic Party |
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What generally happens with negative ads? |
People get negative about the ads- people like the underdog |
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How many registered Lobbyist groups are there? |
3,000 |
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Do farmers stick with one party usually? |
No, They will side with politicians that will benefit them |
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When did labor groups come into popularity? |
Industrial revolution late 1800’s early 1900's |
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What do purpose incentives set out to do? |
Appeal to any elected official so they can gain something |
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Who is Ralph Nader? |
A consumer advocate- no smoking on planes, seatbelts, runs for president every year |
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Best way in which interest groups influence legislatures? |
Organization information |
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Most important thing interest groups can provide? |
Credible information |
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What happened after 1973 finance reform law? |
Created PACS because it said individuals cant contribute more than $1,000 to a candidate during any single election. it made federal tax $ available to help pay for presidential primary campaigns. It also helped increase amount of $ spent on elections. Changed the way $ was spent. |
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What is the conflict between government and business? |
Taking jobs outside of politics, 1000% income growth |
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Why have politicians become more dependent on the media? |
The best way to reach people and become involved |
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What did the invention of radio do for politicians? |
Mass appeal- direct attention |
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What president engaged in “systematic cultivation” (choosing spokes persons) of reporters? |
Theodore Roosevelt |
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What political office is a good positioning spot for run at presidency? |
Governor- fast track to advocacy |
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When can newspapers be sued? |
When there are any untruths, maliced, false information |
