Download interest groups

Test Review – Chapters 7, 8 & 9
March 12, 2009
Ballots
What method of voting do we use in the U.S.
today?
Australian Ballot – specifically the Office-Group
Ballot
Ballots
What method of voting was used during colonial
elections?
Voice voting.
Do we still use this?
No
Ballots
Name three advantages of Online Voting.
Increases voter turnout, efficient, cheap
Name three disadvantages of Online Voting.
Hackers, technical failures, some voters (older
people) don’t use technology.
Ballots
What sort of ballot/voting machine system do
we use in Harris County?
E-Slate
Types of Elections
In this type of election, members of the same
party gather to decide whom they will support
in an election (hint: it takes a loooong time)
Caucus
Types of Elections
An election held within a party to pick that
party’s candidates for a general election.
Primary
Types of Elections
In this type of primary, only declared party
members may vote for candidates for their
party.
Closed Primary
Types of Elections
In this type of primary, qualified voters from
either party or independents may vote for a
party’s candidates.
Open Primary
Types of Elections
This type of election is held on the first Tuesday
after the first Monday in November. Voters
may select candidates from either party.
General Election
Money & Elections
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is part of
which level and branch of government?
Federal Executive
Money & Elections
Name the FEC’s four areas of responsibility.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Timely disclosure of campaign finance data
Limits on campaign contributions
Limits on campaign expenditures
Provide public funds for the presidential
elections
Money & Elections
What is the maximum individual contribution to
a federal candidate (per election)?
$2,400
Money & Elections
In the 2008 presidential election, did either
candidate accept federal matching funds?
Yes, John McCain accepted matching funds. This
limited his spending in the general election to
$84 million.
Barack Obama, who did not accept matching
funds, spent $150 million on the general
election.
Money & Elections
Money given directly to the candidate or
campaign. Subject to FEC regulation.
Hard money
Money & Elections
Funds spent by organizations that are not
contributed directly to candidate campaigns,
and which do not "expressly advocate" the
election or defeat of a candidate.
Soft money
Money & Elections
Arms of labor unions, corporations, and interest
groups that collect and donate money to
political parties and candidates.
Political Action Committees
Money & Elections
True/False: Some wealthy individuals give
money to political campaigns because they
hope to gain influence or be offered important
political jobs (cabinet post, ambassadorship).
True
Money & Elections
Who gives the most to candidates? Individuals
or PACs?
Individuals. PACs are in second place.
Money & Elections
What is one reason why interest groups,
through PACs, give money to political
candidates?
They want access to the candidates once they
are elected.
Money & Elections
This government agency deals with campaign
financing of federal (national) elections.
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Mass Media
How does mass media affect public policy?
The media have the power to get the public to
focus on a certain issue.
Mass Media
What is the #1 media source for most
Americans?
Newspapers, radio, TV, Internet, movies, books,
art?
TV
Mass Media
What factors limit the influence of the mass
media?
Most people do not follow public events closely.
People tend to select sources of information
that reflect and support views they already
hold.
Most media focus on entertainment, rather than
on informing the public/serious news.
Mass Media
Which media source provides the best in-depth
reporting?
Newspapers
Public Opinion
True/False: An election is the best way to
measure public opinion.
False
Public Opinion
Definition: The attitudes held by a significant
number of people on matters of government
and politics.
Vocab Term:
Public opinion
Public Opinion
What are the six factors that shape public
opinion?
Family, schools, mass media, peer groups,
opinion leaders, historic events
Which factor is the most important?
FAMILY
Public Opinion
What is political socialization?
How you get your political opinions; the
influences that shape your political views.
Public Opinion
What are the five steps of scientific polling, in
order:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Define the universe
Construct a sample
Prepare valid questions
Conduct interviews
Report the poll’s findings
Public Opinion
In a poll, what is the difference between a random sample and
a quota sample?
1. Random sample: a certain number of randomly selected
people who live in a certain number of randomly selected
places. (example: the first 1,000 people who walk by)
2. Quota sample: sample deliberately constructed to reflect
several of the major characteristics of a given universe.
(example: interviewing 50 percent men, 50 percent
women; 25 percent seniors, 25 percent juniors, 25
percent sophomores, 25 percent freshmen)
Public Opinion
How do biased/loaded questions influence
opinion polls?
They create inaccurate responses.
Give an example of a biased/loaded question.
Public Opinion
Definition: Poll that seeks to read the public’s
mind simply by asking the same question of a
large number of people.
Vocab term:
Straw Poll
Public Opinion
What is the best way to measure public opinion?
Opinion Polls
Interest Groups
Most interest groups are formed on the basis
of…
A shared attitude/common opinion on a specific
issue
Interest Groups
Who is targeted by lobbyists?
All 3 branches
Legislative -- pass favorable laws
Executive -- how laws are/aren’t enforced; executive
appointments
Judicial -- nominations to bench, influencing judge’s
opinions
Interest Groups
Definition: A group that pushes for public
policies that benefit all of society
Vocab Term:
Public Interest Group
Interest Groups
The AFL-CIO, the Fraternal Order of Police, the
International Longshore and Warehouse
Union are examples of which type of interest
group?
Labor Groups
Interest Groups
Name the 6 functions of Interest Groups
1. Stimulate interest in public affairs
2. Represent members based on shared attitudes,
instead of shared geography
3. Provide specialized information to government
agencies
4. Serve as vehicles for political participation
5. Provide additional checks and balances
6. Compete with one another in the public arena
Interest Groups
The National Association of Manufacturers
(NAM), the Chamber of Commerce, and the
United States Brewers Association are
examples of which type of interest group?
Business Groups
Interest Groups
National Grange, American Farm Bureau,
National Farmers Union are examples of which
type of Interest Group?
Agricultural Groups
Interest Groups
ACLU, Sierra Club, National Women’s Political
Caucus are examples of which type of interest
group?
Groups that promote causes
Interest Groups
League of Women Voters, Common Cause,
Public Citizen are examples of which type of
interest group?
Public Interest Groups
Interest Groups
National Council of Churches, American Jewish
Congress, National Catholic Welfare Council
are examples of which type of interest group?
Religious Organizations
Propaganda Techniques
“John Carlin is a ‘tax-and-spend,’ bleeding-heart
liberal. He raised taxes 57 times as governor
of California.”
Name the propaganda technique.
Name-calling/mudslinging
Propaganda Techniques
“Joan Finney stands for American values. She
will create jobs. She has a proven track record
on crime. She believes in strong families.”
Name the propaganda technique
Glittering generalities
Propaganda Techniques
“A vote for Mike Hayden will not keep America
safe. The United States will likely face another
terror attack if he is elected.”
Name the propaganda technique
Fear
Propaganda Techniques
“Bill Graves led the fight for a balanced budget. He
fought to improve education and expand the
number of children with health insurance.”
(neglecting to mention he was caught accepting
bribes from an insurance company lobbyist)
Name the propaganda technique:
Card-staking
Propaganda Techniques
“Today, Senator Ted Kennedy and JFK’s
daughter, Caroline Kennedy, endorsed Barack
Obama for president.”
Name the propaganda technique
Testimonial
Propaganda Techniques
“Robert Docking was born in a small town. He
was the first in his family to graduate from
college. He came back home, took over the
family store…”
Name the propaganda technique
Plain Folks
Propaganda Techniques
Name the propaganda
technique
Transfer
Propaganda Techniques
“The Electricians’ Union, the Fraternal Order of
Police, the Plumbers’ Union, all of the barbers
in town, and the old guys who hang out in the
diner have endorsed Bob Bennett for
governor. Shouldn’t you?”
Name the propaganda technique
Bandwagon