Unit 5

Question 1

Disenfranchising

Answer 1

Depriving someone of the right to vote

Question 2

Why do Republican states tend to require photo ID for voting?

Answer 2

Prevent voter fraud, but could get blamed for disenfranchising

Question 3

Linkage Institutions

Answer 3

Things that connect us to political processes (political parties, interest groups, elections, media)

Question 4

Roles of Political Parties

Answer 4

Nominate candidates/manage campaigns, inform + activate supporters, govern, watchdog

Question 5

Three Parts of Political Parties

Answer 5

Organization, in the electorate, and in government

Question 6

What is the primary goal of political parties?

Answer 6

To win and run the government

Question 7

Why do we still have a two-party system?

Answer 7

Political tradition, one person elected means usually major parties win, plurality system + winner-take-all system, most people are able to identify with one party or the other

Question 8

Grassroots Mobilization

Answer 8

Type of movement that encourages individuals to take action to influence the political parties (using the die-hard base individuals)

Question 9

Primaries

Answer 9

Political parties choose candidates (state parties run primaries)

Question 10

Closed Primary

Answer 10

Voters must be registered as party + can only vote in that party’s primary

Question 11

Open Primary

Answer 11

Independents and those registered for a different party may vote in a party’s primary

Question 12

Caucus

Answer 12

Meeting of voters

Question 13

Primary Season

Answer 13

January to June

Question 14

When are the presidential primaries?

Answer 14

March

Question 15

When are the normal primaries?

Answer 15

June

Question 16

Split Ticket Voting

Answer 16

Voting for officials of different parties based on preference on certain principles

Question 17

Divided Government

Answer 17

Era where the power of government shifts between parties

Question 18

Coalition

Answer 18

Group of groups that come together to support a political party

Question 19

Critical Election

Answer 19

An electoral “Earthquake” where new issues and new coalitions emerge and begin a new party era

Question 20

Party Realignment

Answer 20

Shifting of groups in a coalition when groups leave one party and join the other party

Question 21

Role of Interest Groups

Answer 21

Represent interests + gain support, educate public + office holders, help draft legislation, persuade officials, promote positive image of their group, use members to pressure legislators/government agencies

Question 22

Grass Roots Pressure

Answer 22

Utilizing the public/members to promote their message

Question 23

Litigation

Answer 23

Use of courts, lawsuits

Question 24

Electioneering

Answer 24

Direct involvement in the election process by donating money

Question 25

Lobbying

Answer 25

Activities that provide pressure to legislators and their actions

Question 26

When is Election Day?

Answer 26

The 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday of Nov

Question 27

Frontloading

Answer 27

Holding primary early to garner media attention

Question 28

Agenda-Setting Function of Media

Answer 28

Focus on only the story to set agenda for the candidates (by swaying public opinions)

Question 29

Federal Campaign Act of 1974

Answer 29

Controls which candidates get money and how much

Question 30

Soft Money

Answer 30

Less regulated contributions (non-limited) for PARTY expenses

Question 31

Hard Money

Answer 31

Direct donations to candidates (limited by FEC of 1974)

Question 32

Buckley v. Valeo

Answer 32

Supreme Court denies provision limiting amount of money individuals could spend on their own campaign due to it being in violation of the 1st Amendment

Question 33

Proliferation of PACs (Political Action Committees)

Answer 33

Created in 1974, allowing corporations + other groups to donate to campaigns

Question 34

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA)

Answer 34

Limits of $2000 for individual and $5000 for PAC contribution (indexed for inflation)