AP American Government Unit 5

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Questions and Answers

What was a significant outcome of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 concerning political advertising?

It established a requirement for candidates to approve their advertisements. (correct)

It eliminated restrictions on soft money.

It allowed candidates to coordinate directly with Super PACs.

It allowed unlimited corporate donations.

What distinguishes Super PACs from traditional PACs?

Super PACs are funded exclusively by public donations.

Super PACs are illegal under current campaign finance laws.

Super PACs cannot coordinate with candidates. (correct)

Super PACs can only contribute a limited amount to campaigns.

What was the primary issue at stake in the Supreme Court case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission?

The limitation of donations from individual PACs.

The constitutionality of regulating campaign advertisements. (correct)

The ability of corporations to contribute soft money to campaigns.

The necessity of disclosing donors of political advertisements.

Which of the following statements about Political Action Committees (PACs) is accurate?

PACs are created to channel financial contributions into political campaigns. Signup and view all the answers

Which assertion accurately reflects the provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act regarding corporate donations?

It placed limits on corporate contributions to reduce corruption. Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum number of electoral votes required to win the presidency?

270 Signup and view all the answers

What changed about the electoral process with the adoption of the 12th Amendment?

Candidates no longer run on separate tickets. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following methods is NOT used in gerrymandering?

Redistricting Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of hard money in campaign finance?

It is regulated by election laws. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of modern campaigns has led to rising campaign costs?

Dependence on professional consultants Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is associated with soft money in campaign finance?

Contributions for party-building activities Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary function of opposition research in modern campaigns?

To gather information on rival candidates Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'packing' refer to in the context of gerrymandering?

Concentrating like-minded voters into a single district Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment granted citizenship to all persons born in the United States, including previously enslaved people?

14th Amendment Signup and view all the answers

What is retrospective voting?

Voting to decide whether to re-elect a party or candidate based on recent performance Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of the 24th Amendment?

Elimination of the poll tax Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT typically increase voter turnout?

Structural Barriers Signup and view all the answers

Which voting model emphasizes the significance of a voter's belief that their participation can make a difference?

Voter Efficacy Signup and view all the answers

What is straight-ticket voting?

Voting for all candidates from one political party Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic group has consistently shown high voter turnout?

Wealthy individuals Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18 years?

26th Amendment Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Free Rider' problem refer to in group behavior?

Individuals benefitting without personal contributions Signup and view all the answers

What is one method interest groups use to influence public policy?

Educating voters and office holders Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following entities are mentioned as competing for policy outcomes?

Interest groups and bureaucratic agencies Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy is often coupled with lobbying efforts?

Major donations Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Iron Triangle play in political influence?

It helps interest groups exert long-lasting influence Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of providing selective benefits in a group?

To encourage more people to join Signup and view all the answers

Who were the recipients of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'Letter from Birmingham Jail'?

Eight Alabama clergymen Signup and view all the answers

What is one function of issue networks in relation to interest groups?

They facilitate alliances across various political forces Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant outcome of the Federal Election Commission's majority holding?

It led to the creation of the 'Super PAC'. Signup and view all the answers

Which role of the media involves influencing how citizens acquire political information?

Agenda Setting Signup and view all the answers

What does investigative journalism primarily focus on?

Deep investigations on specific topics over time. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the impact of social media on political campaigns?

It allows for two-way communication and candidate-centered campaigns. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary concern regarding the abundance of media choices?

Uncertainty over the credibility of news sources. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of horse-race journalism is emphasized?

Focus on who is winning and public perception. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key function of issue framing in the media?

Setting the context and interpreting facts. Signup and view all the answers

What argument is made in the dissent regarding corporate involvement in politics?

The Constitution protects individual citizens, not corporations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of nonviolent direct action according to its advocates?

To force negotiation Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinguishing feature of closed primaries?

Only registered party members can vote Signup and view all the answers

Which component significantly contributes to the incumbency advantage phenomenon?

Name recognition Signup and view all the answers

What is a caucus in the context of candidate selection?

A gathering of party members to select nominees Signup and view all the answers

What is required for a candidate to become the nominee at the national convention?

A majority of delegates Signup and view all the answers

On what day is the general election held in the United States?

First Tuesday after the first Monday in November Signup and view all the answers

Why are incumbents often more successful in elections?

They benefit from name recognition and media exposure Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of delegates at the party convention?

To vote for the party's nominee Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

AP Unit 5: Political Participation

This unit covers voting rights, models of political behavior, voter turnout, linkage institutions, political parties, third-party politics, and the media.

5.1 Voting Rights and Models of Behavior

Amendments Expanding Political Participation:
- 14th Amendment (1868): Granted citizenship to all persons born in the U.S., including previously enslaved people.
- 15th Amendment (1870): Granted African American men the right to vote.
- 17th Amendment (1913): Changed the process for electing senators, allowing direct popular vote by citizens. This replaced the previous system of state legislators electing senators.
- 19th Amendment (1920): Granted women the right to vote.
- 24th Amendment (1964): Eliminated poll taxes, creating a structural barrier to voting.
- 26th Amendment (1971): Lowered the voting age to 18.
Models Explaining Voting Behavior:
- Rational Choice: Voting based on perceived self-interest.
- Retrospective Voting: Voting to decide whether the current party or candidate should be re-elected based on their recent performance.
- Prospective Voting: Voting based on predictions of how a party or candidate will perform in the future.
- Straight-Ticket Voting (Party-Line Voting): Voting for all candidates of a single political party.

5.2 Voter Turnout (and Choice)

Factors Affecting Voter Turnout:
- State laws affecting the ability to vote (Voter ID laws, polling hours).
- Types of voting allowed (absentee ballots, early voting, mail voting).
- Funding for political places (pay for workers, equipment, and postage).
- Types of registration (online, in-person, auto, day-of).
- Type of election (Presidential vs. Midterm).

5.3 Political Parties

Three Portions of Political Parties:
- Party in Government: Leaders in each legislative chamber, committee members, propose, debate and vote on legislation. Coalitions are formed.
- Party in the Electorate: Citizens who identify with a political party, participate in voting, donations, and volunteering.
- Party Organization: Structure of the national, state, and local parties. This includes identifying issues, mobilizing voters, creating party platforms, and recruiting candidates.

5.4 How and Why Political Parties Change and Adapt

From Party Centered to Candidate Centered Campaigns:
- Shift away from party leadership nominating candidates to candidates taking more responsibility for raising their own funds and campaigning.
- Rise of candidates running independently of the party.
- Rise of direct primaries where citizens vote directly for their preferred candidates.
Factors Affecting Party Structure:
- Campaign finance laws: Changes in who can donate, and how much.
- Changes in communication technology: Social media and data management are used to disseminate clear political messages and enhance outreach.
- Critical elections: Elections that cause realignments of political party support among voters.

5.5 Third-Party Politics

Barriers to Third-Party Wins:
- Electoral College: Winner-take-all system can make it challenging for third-party candidates to gain traction.
- Absorbing third-party agendas into major parties’ platforms: Major parties often adopt ideas from third parties when successful.
Third-Party Agenda Absorption: Third-party voters often opt for the major party most aligned with their views.

5.6-5.7 Interest Groups Influencing Policy-Making & Policy Outcomes

Interest Groups: Formal or informal associations of people seeking to influence government/public policy; always connected to pluralistic democracy.
Types of Interest Groups:
- Single-Issue Groups: Focused on specific issues like guns or abortion.
- Trade Associations: Represent entire industries.
Factors Affecting Interest Group Influence:
- Inequality of economic resources: Differences in a group's financial ability can affect their influence.
- Unequal access to decision-makers: Access to decision-makers greatly impacts a group's success.
- Commitment of members: strong member support can affect success.
'Free Rider' Problem: Individuals benefit from a group's actions without contributing; addressed through selective benefits.

5.8-5.9 Electing a President & Congressional Elections

Factors Affecting Election Outcomes:
- Incumbency advantage: Incumbents (current office holders) benefit from name recognition, fundraising, media exposure, and staff.
- Primaries and Caucuses: Methods of selecting candidates for each party. These include open/closed primaries and caucuses.
- The Electoral College: A system in which electors from each state cast votes for president; candidates with the most electors win.
- Election day: The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

5.10 Modern Campaigns

Modern Campaign Strategies:
- Duration of election cycles increasing as campaigns expand with more methods of election (e.g., caucuses instead of primaries).
- Reliance on professionals: professional consultants for various campaign tasks, such as opposition research and polling.
- Field strategy: locating places and times strategically to campaign in areas where votes are easily won.
- Social media: use to communicate and influence.
- Fundraising is more substantial: Candidate centered campaigns which have rising costs & intensive efforts.

5.11 Campaign Finance

Hard Money: Regulated contributions to candidates, parties, and campaigns.
Soft Money: Unregulated contributions to political parties with the idea of campaign building.
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA): Law that placed limits on hard money, soft money, & imposed provisions on issue ads.
Political Action Committees (PACs): Organizations created to funnel donations into political campaigns.
Super PACs: Independent expenditure-only committees, not coordinated with candidates, and can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money in campaigns. SCOTUS decision removed limits on corporate funding of independent political advertisements.

5.12-5.13 The Media & Changing Media

Roles of the Media:
- Gatekeeper: Determines what topics are important and for how long.
- Agenda Setting: Influence what issues citizens think are important.
- Issue Framing: Setting the context, interpreting facts, and providing legitimacy to topics.
Types of Journalism:
- Investigative: Deep, thorough inquiries.
- Horse-race: Focus on polling and who is winning.
- Consumer-driven: 24-hour news cycle.
Debates about Media Bias:
- Uncertainty over credibility due to media choices.
- Media bias and belief reinforcement via consumer-driven media and ideologies.
- Consolidation of media ownership: Large conglomerates owning multiple outlets impact diversity of viewpoints.
How media influence is limited:
- Audience fragmentation: Audiences scattered across various outlets.
- Selective exposure: People choosing media sources that align with their beliefs.
- Selective perception: Individuals interpret information based on their prior beliefs.

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