Download Political Beliefs and Behaviors/Linkage Institutions

Political Beliefs and Behaviors/Linkage Institutions
Date
Mar. 23rd
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Mar. 31st
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Apr. 14th
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Goal
Political
Socialization/Mistrust in
the Government
Political Behaviors
Presidential Elections
Electoral College
Congressional Elections
Political
Parties/Organizations
Third Parties
Interest Groups PPT
Campaign Finance
Lobbying
Mass Media
Review
Test
Reading
None
Standard
AP Standards
390-402
462-486
487-492
493-503
430-456
AP Standards
SSCG7
AP Standards
AP Standards
AP Standards
433-446
581-611
508-542
AP Standards
AP Standards
513-521; 571-578
SSCG11
SSCG11
Georgia Performance Standards
SSCG7 The student will describe how thoughtful and effective participation in civic life is
characterized by obeying the law, paying taxes, serving on a jury, participating in the political
process, performing public service, registering for military duty, being informed about current
issues, and respecting differing opinions.
SSCG11 The student will describe the influence of lobbyists (business, labor, professional
organizations) and special interest groups on the legislative process.
a. Explain the function of lobbyists.
b. Describe the laws and rules that govern lobbyists.
c. Explain the function of special interest groups.
AP Standards
Individual citizens hold a variety of beliefs about their government, its leaders, and the U.S. political system in
general; taken together, these beliefs form the foundation of U.S. political culture. It is important for students to
understand how these beliefs are formed, how they evolve, and the processes by which they are transmitted.
Students should know why U.S. citizens hold certain beliefs about politics, and how families, schools, and the
media act to perpetuate or change these beliefs. Understanding the ways in which political culture affects and
informs political participation is also critical. For example, students should know that individuals often engage in
multiple forms of political participation, including voting, protest, and mass movements. Students should
understand both why individuals engage in various forms of political participation and how that participation
affects the political system.
Finally, it is essential that students understand what leads citizens to differ from one another in their political
beliefs and behaviors, and the political consequences of these differences. To understand these differences,
students should focus on the different views that people hold of the political process, the demographic features of
the American population, and the belief and behavior systems held by specific ethnic, minority, and other groups.
Vocabulary Political Beliefs and Behaviors
Political Socialization
Political Ideology
Conservative
Liberal
Social Conservative
Political Party
Soft Money
Political Machine
Linkage institutions
Party Platform
PAC
Midterm election
Push Polls
Direct Primary
Hard Money
Patronage
Realignment
Perot/Nadar
Primary
Open primary
Tracking Polls
National Convention
Super-Delegates
Plurality System
Spoils System
Critical Elections
Front-loaded campaign
Closed primary
Buckley v. Valeo
Bipartisian Campaign
Reform Act
Front loading
527 Groups
Exit Polls
National Chairman
Winner Take All System
Caucus
Party Dealignment
Incumbent
General election
Federal Election
Commission
Split Ticket
Super Tuesday
McConnell v. FEC
Straight Ticket
AP Standards
Students should understand the mechanisms that allow citizens to organize and communicate their interests and
concerns. Among these are political parties, elections, political action committees (PACs), interest groups, and the
mass media. Students should examine the historical evolution of the U.S. party system, the functions and
structures of political parties, and the effects they have on the political process. Examination of issues of party
reform and of campaign strategies and financing in the electronic age provides students with important
perspectives. A study of elections, election laws, and election systems on the national and state levels will help
students understand the nature of both party and individual voting behavior. Treatment of the development and
the role of PACs in elections and the ideological and demographic differences between the two major parties, as
well as third parties, form an important segment of this material.
Students must also consider the political roles played by a variety of lobbying and interest groups. Important
features of this section of the course include an explanation for why some interests are represented by organized
groups while others are not, and the consequences of these differences. Students study what interest groups do,
how they do it, and how this affects both the political process and public policy. Why are certain segments of the
population, such as farmers and the elderly, able to exert pressure on political institutions and actors in order to
obtain favorable policies?
The media has become a major force in U.S. politics. Students are expected to understand the role of the media in
the political system. In addition, the impact of the media on public opinion, voter perceptions, campaign
strategies, electoral outcomes, agenda development, and the images of officials and candidates should be
explored and understood by students. Understanding the often symbiotic, and frequently conflictual, relationship
between candidates, elected officials, and the media is also important.
Georgia Standards
SSCG8 The student will demonstrate knowledge of local, state, and national elections.
a. Describe the organization, role, and constituencies of political parties.
b. Describe the nomination and election process.
c. Examine campaign funding and spending.
d. Analyze the influence of media coverage, campaign advertising, and public opinion polls.
e. Identify how amendments extend the right to vote.
SSCG11 The student will describe the influence of lobbyists (business, labor, professional
organizations) and special interest groups on the legislative process.
a. Explain the function of lobbyists.
Essential Questions For Political Parties
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
How do political parties work to achieve their stated goals?
Explain the role of a critical election and the history of realigning elections in America.
Why do voters cause realignment?
What are the three political arenas within which a party may be found?
What is a political party machine? How has the party of machines been weakened? What are
some positive aspects of party machines
What are the effects Political parties have on the political process
In what ways are American political parties weak?
How do 3rd parties impact our political culture?
Analyze why third parties are so rarely successful.
Essential Questions for Elections
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
What is the purpose of elections?
Define closed, open, and blanket primaries.
What are the differences in running in a primary and the general campaign?
How has the primary system impacted elections?
Why did the framers believe in the Electoral College?
How does the Electoral College affect Presidential Campaigns?
Define the incumbency advantage and the coattails effect
Vocabulary for Linkage Institutions Unit
Political Party
Divided government
Winner-take-all system
Third Parties
Caucus
527 Groups
Interest Group
free rider
Watchdog
Front Loading
Realignment
Plurality
Straight ticket voting
Closed primary
Hard money
FECA
Lobbying
Agenda setting
Scorekeeper
Super Tuesday
Dealignment
Linkage institution
Split Ticket voting
Open primary
Soft money
Disclosure Requirements
Amicus curiae
Gatekeeper
Horserace Journalism
Super Delegates