5. US Democracy and Participation Flashcards Preview

US Government and Politics: Evidence > 5. US Democracy and Participation > Flashcards

Flashcards in 5. US Democracy and Participation Deck (90)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

What type of candidates do caucuses tend to favour? What 2016 example is there of this (IOWA DEMOCRAT)? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Caucuses tend to favour more radical candidates than primaries do due to them attracting more militant party members.
In 2016, Bernie Sanders won 66% of the caucus vote compared to 33% for Clinton due to being more ideologically liberal.

2
Q

What % of the popular vote did Donald Trump take in Arizona in their 2016 primary? How many delegates did this result in him recieving? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Trump took 46% of the Arizona popular vote in their Republican primary, leading to him taking all 58 delegates for this state.

3
Q

What % of the vote did Donald Trump recieve in the New Hampshire primary in 2016? What fraction of delegates did this translate to? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Trump took 35% of the New Hampshire popular vote in 2016, translating into 11 of 23 delegates here.

4
Q

In how many states did Obama recieve < 90% of votes in the 2012 Democrat primaries? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Obama recieved < 90% of the primary vote in 14 states in 2012.

5
Q

What % of the West Virginia primary vote did Obama recieve in 2012? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Obama recieved only 59% of the West Virginia primary vote in 2012.

6
Q

What instances are there of incumbent presidents facing severe challenges from within their own party at primaries? What are the impacts of these? - US Democracy and Participation

A

In 1976, Gerald Ford faced significant opposition from Ronald Reagan. Jimmy Carter faced a challenge from Edward Kennedy, while George H W Bush faced opposition from Pat Buchanan. This promotes major dissatisfaction and a lack of confidence in an incumbent, damaging their campaign.

7
Q

What was the result of the 2020 Democrat Iowa Caucus? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Sanders - 26%
Buttigieg - 26%
Biden - 15%

8
Q

When have super-delegates been significant? Why? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Super-delegates have been significant in 2008, when neither Obama nor Clinton reached the required absolute majority of state delegates to win a nomination. This meant that Obama was dependent on super-delegates to achieve his majority.

9
Q

What examples are there of a candidate having a significant post-convention ‘bounce’? - US Democracy and Participation

A

In 1992, Clinton saw a ‘bounce’ of 16% in the polls. In 1984, Mondale saw a ‘bounce’ of 9%.

10
Q

What examples are there of a post-convention ‘bounce’ being misleading? - US Democracy and Participation

A

In 2016, Clinton recieved a ‘bounce’ of 4.5%, superior to Trump’s, yet lost. Furthermore, in 1984, Mondale saw a ‘bounce’ of 9%, superior to Reagan, yet still lost.

11
Q

What instances are there of Presidential Debates being significant? - US Democracy and Participation

A

In 1980, Reagan used his closing address to the public to launch a damning attack on the Carter regime, with this creating a stark comparison to Carter’s relatively downbeat and uninspiring address. Furthermore, Trump’s unconventional attacks on Clinton fitted his narrative of being anti-establishment and a political outsider.

12
Q

What example is there of debates being of limited importance to elections? - US Democracy and Participation

A

In 2012, Obama’s performance in the first debate was dismal in comparison to the more charismatic Romney, with this threatening to undermine his bid for re-election. However, Obama was still able to win the electio despite this.

13
Q

What was the % gap between people who thought Romney had won the first debate of 2012 and people who thought Obama had? Who was this in favour of? - US Democracy and Participation

A

There was a 52% gap between the percieved winners of the 2012 first debate, with this in favour of Romney.

14
Q

What is the ‘October Surprise’? How was this significant in 2016? - US Democracy and Participation

A

The ‘October Surprise’ is an event occurring late in a presidential election to the disadvantage of one candidate and effectively finishing any chance of them succeeding in the election. This was seen in 2016 when Clinton’s emails began to be investigated by the FBI. This seriously undermined Clinton’s candidacy.

15
Q

What was the turnout at the 2020 election? What was the turnout at the 2016 election? What was the turnout at the 2008 election? - US Democracy and Participation

A

2020 - 66%
2016 - 54%
2008 - 62%

16
Q

What example is there of Ohio acting as a Bellwether State? - US Democracy and Participation

A

In all of the last 14 presidential elections, Ohio has suppoorted the winning candidate.

17
Q

How many of the last 7 incumbents running for President have successfully run for a 2nd term? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Of the last 7 incumbents to have run for a 2nd term, 5 were successful in winning the Presidency again.

18
Q

How many incumbent Senators have been defeated in congressional primaries between 1982 and 2016? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Between 1982 and 2016, only 8 incumbent Senators were defeated in congressional primaries.

19
Q

What was the incumbency rate in the 2020 Congressional Elections? - US Democracy and Participation

A

93% of incumbents won their elections in the 2020 elections.

20
Q

In 2016, how many times more money did Senate incumbents raise compared to their challengers? - US Democracy and Participation

A

In 2016, Senate incumbents raised 7 times as much money as their challengers.

21
Q

What is the coattails effect? When has it been significant? - US Democracy and Participation

A

The coattails effect is the process by successful Presidential candidates manage to help candidates for other offices into power by strong performances at the top of a ticket. This was seen under Reagan, who saw substantial Senate and House gains following his Presidential success.

22
Q

What caveat is there that limits the impact of the coattails effect? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Clinton, Bush, Obama and Trump all had either very limited or non-existent coattails, suggesting that this phenomenon is largely in decline.

23
Q

How many states had split Senate combinations between Democrats and Republicans in 1975? How many were split in 2017? - US Democracy and Participation

A

In 1975, 44 states had split Senate representations. 12 had split Senate representations in 2017.

24
Q

What % of congressional districts were competitive in 2016? What does this indicate? - US Democracy and Participation

A

7% of congressional districts were competitive in 2016. This means that control of the House is likely to remain entrenched with a certain party for prolonged periods. Furthermore, it means that representatives in safe districts can prioritise loyalty to parties and other organisations over their constituents.

25
Q

Which President saw his party gain seats in both houses of Congress at midterms and when? - US Democracy and Participation

A

In 2002, Bush gained seats for the Republicans in Congress and the Senate, a rarity.

26
Q

What examples are there of interest groups in the US using electioneering and endorsement to advance their aims? - US Democracy and Participation

A

The NRA uses its ‘Victory Fund’ PAC to bypass campaign finance restrictions, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence endorsed Biden and committed funds to his campaign, while the National Right to Life did the same for Trump.

27
Q

What example is there of a campaign generating significant publicity and pressurising government? - US Democracy and Participation

A

In 2020, the BLM movement coordinated significant support following the murder of George Floyd to pressurise government through marches, protests and media campaigns.

28
Q

What instances are there of legal action being used by pressure groups to create change? - US Democracy and Participation

A

In 1954, the NAACP organised the Brown v Board ruling to desegregate education, while there was also a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s banning of transgender healthcare protections.

29
Q

What example is there of an interest group conducting programme monitoring? (Trump immigration policy) - US Democracy and Participation

A

The ACLU asked for a legal challenge against the Trump administration’s travel ban on 7 Muslim countries.

30
Q

What examples are there of pro-life activists participating in agenda-building? - US Democracy and Participation

A

‘Heartbeat bills’ which would restrict abortion availability were lobbied for by Americans United for Life and Faith 2 Action.

31
Q

Between 2010-18, how many abortion bills were directly copied from those produced by interest groups? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Between 2010-18, 400 abortion bills were copied from those produced by pro-life groups.

32
Q

What instance is there of a pressure group acting to preserve citizen’s political participation and political rights? - US Democracy and Participation

A

CitizensUnited.org led to the ending of restrictions on soft money donations made by organisations, with this ruling effectively credited with creating Super PACs in line with the First Amendment and its right to free speech.

33
Q

In 2022, how much money was spent on attempts to lobby the federal government? - US Democracy and Participation

A

In 2022 $3.7bn was spent on attempts to lobby the federal government.

34
Q

What instance is there of successful lobbying over environmental issues during the Trump presidency? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Under Donald Trump, regulations surrounding the environment were reduced following an attempt to lobby the federal government by fossil fuel companies. This occurred through an Executive Order to end carbon emission restrictions.

35
Q

What instance is there of pressure groups attempting to lobby legislators over the Trans-Pacific Partnership? How many groups participated? - US Democracy and Participation

A

1500 pressure groups participated in a mass letter signing exercise of constituents designed to oppose the US’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

36
Q

What % of successful House candidates had a greater level of funds than their opponents in 2012? - US Democracy and Participation

A

In 2012, 95% of successful House candidates had a greater level of funds than their opponents.

37
Q

What instance is there of a religiously-minded group representing their case at a standing committee? - US Democracy and Participation

A

The Director of the Christian Legal Society’s religious freedom arm appeared at a meeting of the House Judiciary Committee on religious liberty in the US.

38
Q

How much money was raised to lobby senators to support the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the SC? Why was this? - US Democracy and Participation

A

$10m was raised by pro-Kavanaugh groups to lobby senators to support his nomination, with this occurring as conservatively-minded groups wished to influence the ideological balance of the Supreme Court.

39
Q

What instance is there of the NRA successfully bringing legal cases through the judiciary? - US Democracy and Participation

A

2008’s District of Columbia v Heller declared Washington DC’s ban on handguns to be unconstitutional in line with the 2nd Amendment, with the NRA’s action through this hence helping to preserve gun rights in line with their agenda.

40
Q

What is the role of the interest group EMILY’s List? What do they aim to achieve? - US Democracy and Participation

A

EMILY’s List aim to support female candidates early in an electoral process to encourage more women to be representatives in Congress.

41
Q

What is the League of Conservation Voters’ ‘Dirty Dozen’ campaign? How many of their dozen were defeated in 2012? - US Democracy and Participation

A

The ‘Dirty Dozen’ campaign targets 12 politicians who have poor voting records and stances on the environment, and in doing so aims to defeat them at election. In 2012, 11 of these 12 were defeated.

42
Q

What is the current membership size of the NRA? How much does it spend on its operations annually? - US Democracy and Participation

A

The NRA currently has 3.7 million members, spending $250m on operations every year.

43
Q

How many members does the American Federation of Labor have? How many times did its President meet Obama in his first 6 months in office? - US Democracy and Participation

A

The American Federation of Labor has 12 million members. Its president met Obama 6 times during his first 6 months in office.

44
Q

How many votes were needed for Biden to win a single EC vote in California? How mang votes were needed for Trump to win a single EC vote in Wyoming? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Biden needed over 300,000 votes to win a single Californian EC vote, whereas in Wyoming, Trump required only 120,000 votes to win a single EC vote. Wyoming vote is effectively 3x more valuable than California.

45
Q

How many fewer votes did Trump recieve than Clinton in 2016? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Trump recieved 3 million fewer votes than Clinton in 2016 yet still won the Presidency.

46
Q

What instances are there of third party candidates having qualified successes in elections but winning no/few EC votes? - US Democracy and Participation

A

In 1992, Ross Perot won 19% of the popular vote yet no EC votes.
In 1968, George Wallace succeeded in taking 45 EC votes as a regionally based candidate.

47
Q

How many elections since 1968 have seen rogue electors? How many did Clinton/Trump have in 2016? - US Democracy and Participation

A

In 7/13 elections since 1968 there have been rogue electors. In 2016, 5 Clinton and 2 Trump supposedly committed electors chose to vote for alternative candidates.

48
Q

What % of people in the US supported a popular vote system of election in 2007? - US Democracy and Participation

A

In 2007, 72% of Americans claimed to support a popular vote system of election.

49
Q

What impact would a congressional district system have had on the 2000 general election? What impact would it have had on the 2012 election? - US Democracy and Participation

A

If a congressional district system were employed in 2000 then an even less proportional result in favour of Bush would have been produced. Furthermore, in 2012, Romney would have only lost by 5 EC votes instead of a much larger losing margin despite his 5 million vote loss to Obama

50
Q

When was the Federal Election Campaign Act intrdouced? How did it aim to reform campaign finance? - US Democracy and Participation

A

The Federal Election Campaign Act was intrdouced following the Watergate Scandal in 1974. This aimed to limit the size of individual donations to reduce reliance on a few individual donors. Placed limits on maximum donations.

51
Q

When was Buckley v Valeo? How did this act to diminish the role of the 1974 FECA? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Buckley v Valeo was in 1976, with this Supreme Court case ending limits upon individual or PAC donations to or against candidates as this violated the First Amendment’s freedom of expression rights.

52
Q

When was the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act passed? What did this aim to achieve? - US Democracy and Participation

A

The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act was passed in 2002. This introduced 527 groups, which were able to raise and spend millions of dollars, mostly donated by wealthy and unknown individuals.

53
Q

When was Citizens United v FEC? What were the impacts of this on campaign finance laws? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Citizens United v FEC took place in 2010. This allowed corporate and labour organisations the same freedom of speech rights as individuals, meaning they could have unlimited campaign spending. CREATED SUPER PACs.

54
Q

When was Speechnow.org v FEC? What impacts did this have on campaign finance laws? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Speechnow.org v FEC was in 2010. This confirmed the creation of Super PACs, which would be permitted unlimited spending so long as this spending is not directed towards candidates.

55
Q

When was McCutcheon v FEC? What impact did this have on campaign finance laws? - US Democracy and Participation

A

McCutcheon v FEC was held in 2014. This ruled that the 1974 Federal Election Campaign Act was unconstitutional as it limited freedom of expression rights when donating sums to candidates.

56
Q

What % of the population of the US donated 1/5 of money during the 2020 election? - US Democracy and Participation

A

0.1% of the population donated 1/5 of all money during the 2020 election.

57
Q

How much money did Biden raise in 2020? How mucn money did Trump raise? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Biden raised $1.6bn in 2020, with Trump raising $1.1bn.

58
Q

How much money did Obama spend in 2008? How much money did McCain spend? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Obama spent $760m in 2008, compared to $360m for McCain.

59
Q

What % of money raised on behalf of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign was raised by Priorities USA Action? How much money did this total? - US Democracy and Participation

A

90% of outside funds donated on behalf of Clinton’s campaign were donated by Priorities USA Action. This totalled $192m.

60
Q

What % of Clinton’s donations came from individual donors? What % of Trump’s came from the same source? - US Democracy and Participation

A

71% of Clinton’s donations came from individual donors. 42% of Trump’s came from the same source.

61
Q

How many states switched political allegiance between the presidency of LBJ and the election of Nixon? How many states switched political allegiance between the presidency of Bush and the election of Obama? - US Democracy and Participation

A

36 states switched their allegiance between LBJ and Nixon, whereas only 9 switched party allegiances between Bush and Obama.

62
Q

What are typical and untypical Republican economic policies? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Typical: rugged individualism/self-help, reduced state interference, neoliberalism ideas on tax and regulation, limited government intervention.
Untypical: isolationist policies supported through ‘America First’, initiatives to combat globalisation, stimulus packages during economic downturns.

63
Q

What are typical and untypical social Republican policies? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Typical: strongly oppose abortion, mandatory prison sentences for gang crimes/drug dealers/murderers, focuses on traditional values of Christianity.
Untypical: Bush aimed to reform education, Trump’s CARES package, Susan Collins a moderate Republican supporting same-sex marriage.

64
Q

What are typical and untypical Republican foreign policies? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Typical: Iraq war 2003, NATO Commitment, strong investment in military, withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement, HAWKISH.
Untypical: Trump criticised NATO for excessive expense to the US, Trump’s trade wars with China.

65
Q

What are typical and untypical Democrat economic policies? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Typical: favour an enabling state (New Deal, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act), some regulation of the Free Market, progressive taxation.
Untypical: favour balanced budgets, some fiscally conservative representatives in Mid-West areas.

66
Q

What are typical and untypical Democratic social policies? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Typical: support pro-abortion stances, favour LGBTQ rights, provision of welfare (Affordable Care Act), mixture of punishment and reform when dealing with offenders.
Untypical: Southern Democrats support abortion controls, also less supportive of LGBTQ rights and gun controls. Some opposed Obamacare.

67
Q

What are typical and untypical Democrat foreign policies? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Typical: lower levels of defence spending, environmental protections, typically doveish.
Untypical: support of 9/11 retribution and ‘War on Terror’.

68
Q

In 11 elections from 1980-2020, at least what % of black Americans supported Democratic candidates? - US Democracy and Participation

A

At least 83% of black Americans supported Democratic candidates from 1980-2020.

69
Q

What % of black Americans supported Obama in 2008? - US Democracy and Participation

A

95% of black Americans supported Obama in 2008.

70
Q

Why have Hispanic voters previously been attracted to supporting Bush and Trump? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Bush: fluent Spanish speaking and brother married to a Hispanic woman, took 43% of vote in 2004.
Trump: machismo attitude appealed to Hispanic voters, Puerto Rican groups fearful of left-wing policy.

71
Q

What Christian group tends to support the Democrats? What was the % lead for Democrats with this group in 2020? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Catholics tend to support the Democrats. The Democrats had a 5% lead with this group in 2020.

72
Q

What % of evangelical Christians supported Republicans in 2020? - US Democracy and Participation

A

76% of evangelical Christians supported the Republicans in 2020.

73
Q

In 9/10 elections from 1964-2000, women supported which political party? - US Democracy and Participation

A

In 9/10 elections from 1964-2000, women supported the Democrats.

74
Q

What was Trump’s male/Biden’s female gender gap in 2020? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Trump’s male gender gap - 11%

Biden’s female gender gap - 12%

75
Q

What % of white, non-college educated voters supported Trump? - US Democracy and Participation

A

67% of white, non-college educated voters supported Trump.

76
Q

What % of post-graduates supported Biden? - US Democracy and Participation

A

62% of post-graduates supported Biden.

77
Q

Who are key figures in the Republican fiscal conservative faction? What is the relative significance of this faction currently? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Key fiscal conservatives include Rand Paul and the former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. This faction is heavily influential on spending policies, resisting bipartisan cooperation with the Democrats.

78
Q

What are key policies of the Republican fiscal conservative faction? - US Democracy and Participation

A

The fiscal conservative faction heavily influenced the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 2017, called for a reduction in US spending (including on defence), a limited government and a small state, wish to slash economic regulation.

79
Q

Who are key figures in the Republican social conservative faction? What is the relative significance of this faction? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Marco Rubio, Mike Pence, Ted Cruz and Rick Santorum are key figures in the social conservative faction. They are the largest ideological caucus in Congress and have major influence over Republican social policy and attitudes.

80
Q

What are key views and policies of the Republican social conservative faction? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Social conservatives oppose abortion and recreational drug use, yet favour gun rights, traditional family values and heterosexual marriage, the death penalty and tough sentencing.

81
Q

Who are key figures in the Republican moderate faction? What is the relative significance of this faction? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Key figures in the moderate faction include Mitt Romney, John McCain and Susan Collins. This is a very small faction in the Republican Party and has minimal influence on policy.

82
Q

What are the key policies and ideas of the moderate Republican faction? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Moderate Republicans favour gay marriage and, in some cases, abortion. They value higher public spending on education and healthcare (Obamacare) and believe that the state should have a greater economic role. It is still, however, pro-business and favours low tax.

83
Q

Who are key figures in the liberal/progressive Democrat faction? What is the relative significance of this faction? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Key liberal figures include Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. This faction is not as significant as the moderate faction, yet still has great importance within the Democratic Party and has been growing in recent years.

84
Q

What are key policies and ideas of the liberal/progressive Democratic faction? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Liberals/progressives favour social and racial justice, LGTBQ rights, free college education for all. They oppose expansion of nuclear power stations and wish to reach net zero. They also believe in a more lenient approach to criminal sentencing and punishment

85
Q

Who are key figures in the moderate/centrist Democrat faction? What is the relative significance of this faction? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Key figures in the moderate/centrist Democrat faction include Joe Biden and the Clintons. This is the largest congressional grouping of Democrats, particularly so after 1992 and the election of Clinton, selling itself as a middle way between the 2 extreme wings of American politics.

86
Q

What are key policies of the moderate/centrist factions of the Democrat Party? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Moderates/centrists believe in a ‘public option’ for healthcare to compete with private providers, they want to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour, favour minority rights and social liberalism. Redistributive taxation should be used to create an enabling state which should increase equality of opportunity. College fees should be made more affordable and climate concerns should be responded to.

87
Q

Who are key individuals associated with the conservative Democrat faction? What is the relative importance of this faction? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Jim Cooper and Joe Manchin are key figures associated with the conservative Democrat faction, with most of these individuals representing Mid-Western or Southern locations. This is the smallest Democrat grouping, and while it has little direct influence on shaping policy, it has proved to be a major disruptive influence on the ideas of the mainstream party.

88
Q

What are key policies of the conservative Democrat faction? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Conservative Democrats favour balanced budgets, oppose Obamacare, are unsupportive of gun control measures and less likely to wish to advance LGBTQ rights. They are fiscally neo-conservative and socially conservative, using this to reach bipartisan agreement with moderate Republicans.

89
Q

Why is female support of the Republican Party (particularly recently) lower than male support? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Under the Trump presidency and during his campaigning, Trump showed disdain for and very derogatory attitudes towards women, which caused aversion among many female voters. Furthermore, the party traditionally opposes abortion and other measures that many women are supportive of.

90
Q

What instances are there of amicus curiae briefs being used in the US? - US Democracy and Participation

A

Amicus curiae briefs were used heavily on the Gratz v Bollinger and Grutter v Bollinger affirmative action cases, brought by those who supported the university’s admission policy. 33 briefs were also used on McDonald v City of Chicago (2010), which continued to uphold gun rights.