Download Unit 2- Political Participation

Unit 2
Political Participation
Study Guide
Name ____________________________________
Period ________ Due Date ____________
1
Lesson #1- Political Ideology, Spectrum and Socialization
1.
Citing at least 4 specific examples of the differences between
conservatives and liberals.
Liberals
Conservatives
2.
Why are the majority of Americans considered to be moderates?
3.
Define the following terms:
Fascist
Anarchist
Ideology
Political
Socialization
Republican
Democrat
Liberal
Independent
Moderate
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Libertarian
Totalitarian
Radical
4.
Draw and label the political spectrum and ideology grid:
5.
What are Political Socialization and Political Culture?
6.
What factors contribute to how you vote and what you belief
politically?
7.
Which factor do you think affects your decisions most and why?
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Lesson #2- Political Parties and Functions
1. What is a political party? What are the 2 major political parties in the
US? What are their symbols?
2. What are the essential functions of political parties? Discuss at least 4.
3. Imagine a political system that did not have political parties? Would it
work? Why or why not? Defend your position using specific examples
to support your argument.
4. How does partisanship create gridlock?
5. Discuss at least 3 major issues today where the 2 major parties in the
United States disagree. What side are you on? Why?
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Lesson 3- Minor Parties
1. What are the 4 different types of minor parties in the US? Give an
example for each one from class discussion.
2. If minor parties have very little success getting candidates elected to
office, then why do they exist? Why would a politician ever run as a
minor party candidate?
3. In terms of splinter parties, what is the “kiss of death?” How did these
parties affect the Gore v. Bush election of 2000 and the election of
1912?
4. What are the functions of minor parties in our country? Explain at
least 2 examples discussed in class.
5. If you created your own minor party, what would be the major issues
in your party’s platform?
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Lesson 4- Voting Laws and Amendments
1. Explain the rights extended in the following Amendments:
15th
19th
23rd
24th
26th
2. Why did the 15th fail for over 80 years in granting full voting rights to
African-Americans?
3. What are some common state laws concerning voting? Cite specific
examples from class.
4. Evaluate whether or not you believe electronic voting will be
beneficiary in our future. Defend your position.
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Define:
Precincts:
Polling Places:
Coattail Effect:
Absentee Voting:
Straight-Ticket:
Split-Ticket:
5. What are the requirements for voting in Illinois?
6. When is Election Day for the General Election?
7. What is the Help America Vote Act of 2002?
8. Describe the Electoral College. How many votes does a candidate need
to win? How many electoral votes does IL have?
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Lesson 5- Primary Elections and Nomination Process
1. Why is the nomination function of political parties so vital to our
system? Over history, what have been the common methods used to
nominate candidates for office?
2. What are primaries?
3. Explain the differences between closed and open primary systems
used throughout the United States. What is used in Illinois?
4. What is a blanket primary? Why was California’s blanket primary
system struck down by the Supreme Court in 2000?
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Lesson 6- American Voting Behavior
1. Look at the voter turnout chart on page 165 of your text. What
conclusions can you reach based on this information?
2. After participating in class discussion and reading about American
voting behavior, what do you think is the best explanation as to why
many Americans do not vote? Defend your position.
3. Why are so many people who are eligible to vote unregistered?
4. According to the chart on page 167 in your text, what groups of people
vote Democrat? Republican? Which groups have the highest voter
turnout? Lowest?
5. How can one argue that although the US has relatively low voter
turnout, it is still, undoubtedly, the most politically active nation on the
planet?
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Lesson 7- Interest Groups and PAC’s
1. Discuss the role of interest groups in the American political system?
What is lobbying? How do they differ from political parties?
2. How can interest groups affect each of the 3 branches of government?
3. Give at least 3 examples of interest groups from class. Discuss their
purposes.
4. What are PAC’s? What role do they play in elections and campaigns?
What are the legal limits to their campaign contributions?
5. Interest groups……Good or bad? You decide and defend. Are they
beneficial or detrimental?
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Lesson 8- Campaigns and Elections
1. What are the sources of campaign funding in the US?
2. How does the current system of campaign funding give a HUGE
advantage for incumbents?
3. What is the difference between hard and soft money contributions?
What is the importance of the McCain-Feingold law?
4. What are the contribution limits of individuals to candidates, PAC’s,
and National Party Committees?
5. What is bundling? How did this strategy help the Bush campaigns of
2000 and 2004?
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2008 Presidential Candidates-Online research and class discussion
1. Directions: Research the presidential candidates from the 2008 election.
Make sure you research both President and Vice President Candidates. Find
their name, background information and facts that were important to educate
voters:
Republican Candidates
Democratic Candidates
1. John McCain
1. Barack Obama
2. Sarah Palin
3. Joe Biden
2. According to the research you have done who did you feel was the most
qualified candidate and why?
3. Does the result of the 2008 election match the research that you did?
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