Exam 2 PDF

CH6 We the People Public Opinion Wednesday, September 25, 2024 2:31 PM Defining Public Opinion Political opinion: deals with citizens attitudes about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events What do you think about government matters, and how you think about institutions...

CH6 We the People Public Opinion Wednesday, September 25, 2024 2:31 PM Defining Public Opinion Political opinion: deals with citizens attitudes about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events What do you think about government matters, and how you think about institutions and issues is a result of many contributing factors Democracy let citizens have opinions on all aspects of government- exercise opinion at elections Important role of values crafting your opinion ○ Values are not rooted in politics, however, many values can crosscut government issues Once you start constructing your value system, and finding those overlapping points of values and politics, you being to create your political ideology Two main political ideologies(this is different than party affiliation) ○ Conservatives:(republicans): believe in limited government in its size and involvement and the free-market economy ▪ Prefer local solutions to issues, rather than federal government involvement ▪ Low taxes rates, low spending rates, low regulation on business ▪ International affairs is a divisive point in conservative ideologies, as greater internation involvement can increase opportunity, while also creating entanglements ○ Liberalism: favors more government involvement in society to create and ensure a fairer system of opportunity ▪ Higher spending on social programs and safety nets, increased taxation ▪ Promote scientific investments and place focus on the environment ▪ Ensure protections for minority communities and the decrease of discriminatory practices ▪ Approve of regulations on business to ensure fair practices in an open market ▪ International assistance to foreign countries, involvement in global alliances organizations Conservative and liberalism lie along and ideological spectrum that have more ideologies At the Edges of American conservatism and liberalism are libertarianism and democratic socialism, ○ Libertarianism: a degree of conservativism that advocates for a smell a government that is possible, arguing that the market(and people) will regulate themselves ○ Democratic socialism: is a degree of liberalism that argues for more government involvement to reduce inequality Americans who identify ideologically as liberals or moderates are recently on the rise comparatively to those who identify as conservatives Conservatives or moderates are generally higher than those who identify as liberals(moderates are the ones that politicians aim) How we Form Political Opinion Exam 2 Page 1 How we Form Political Opinion Political opinions are not just formed in a vacuum, nor do they typically remain state over lifetime ○ Americans go through a process of political socialization that takes your beliefs and values and allow you to start identifying how they intersect with politics ○ Experiences and actors can shape political socialization ○ These experiences can change from generation to generation Family, education, friends, social groups, political leaders, and media have a key role in shaping political socialization and opinion Families have one of the largest and earliest influencers on person's political views ○ They guide access to info and your relation with voting ○ While studies generally show that children mirror the political preferences of their parents, polarization has impacted politics in the home Education provides a more formal avenue for instruction in civics, politics and government ○ Quality and how much you are expose to politics can vary from state to state ○ Texas constitution allow a more active role of the legislature in educational matters Social Groups and friends: can be highly influential on your political ideologies, particularly when you are younger Social groups are usually influenced by where you live, school, and your background ○ Friends and expose you to new sources of info and political ideologies ○ Social pressures can impact/influence on political thought ○ However, people tend to group with likeminded people Religion ○ They may not directly speak about politics, but they can shape beliefs on issues that ate political ○ The religion role in shaping politics has a direct impact on the discussions surrounding the intent of the Establishment clause Party affiliation: is extremely important in shaping political ideologies ○ Parties are North Start of policy ○ Polarization can lead to more stringent ideological viewpoint on issues leaving those firmly within the parties to reinforce polarization Economic Background: plays a role in how you construct your political ideology ○ Because American is capitalist, free market system, Americans are typically driven by economic self-interest ○ How successful one is in the economic system can shape views on large issues like taxation, business regulations, provisions of services ○ Where you live helps to form you political ideology ○ Federalism allows states to maintain a significant amount of power, and one- party dominance can cause those of differing ideologies to relocate to a region more friendly to the specific politics Social groups that you didn't choose but are part of ○ Racial and ethnic background ○ Impacts the history of interaction with gov and the perception of policy Exam 2 Page 2  ○ Impacts the history of interaction with gov and the perception of policy ○ Gender differences drives in split of ideological affiliation ▪ Women are likely to priories gender issues President purposefully attempt to influence or guide public opinion ○ In a democracy built by the founders to insulate politics from your opinions, leaders still need your approval to get the job done ○ Politicians always have an agenda and popular support can go a long way in seeing that agenda becomes reality Political knowledge and Changes in Public opinion Media in a consumer-driven industry that responds to demand-which can be uninformed and biased and usually give incomplete information Your exposure to information allows you to further shape your opinion is not age restricted ○ All this info can increased your political knowledge, which can alter your perception of policies based on a deeper understanding of either the issue or its impacts ○ You are preconditioned to reject messaging that does not agree with your worldview(selection bias)-the more politically knowledgeable you are, the more able you are to finetune the info you access ○ The less political knowledgeable you are, the more susceptible to outside influences you will be Level of responsibility that fall on the American- because of the wide information access Government Opinion and Public Policy Scholars debate the real impact of public opinion on policy changes. However, the relationship between politicians and the public remains responsive ○ Specific policy change is difficult to create, but politicians talk about certain issues because of public opinion ○ Those in vote demographics more likely to vote though, can have a greater impact on a politician or candidate ○ The affluent and educated can also have an overrepresentation in policy discussions ○ American with wealth can approach policy changes through numerous way, direct lobbying campaign contributions, marketing and messaging Exam 2 Page 3 CH9 We the People Political Parties Monday, September 30, 2024 2:31 PM What are Political Parties Political Parties: are coalitions of people that group togheter under a certain political ideology to try win control of governmental positions and implement policies. ○ Parties are used to communicate to citizens and citizens can communicate to parties Parties ensure that there are efforts made towards political compromise within government between competing parties ○ Compromise outside and within parties is difficult(everyone think different) ▪ Polarization and division within parties due to differing political ideologies ○ Parties do offer organization to political thought, and pathways to achieve progress on generally agreeable issues Governing requires organization and mobilization, and it is hard to mobilize ○ Parties offer that organization ○ They register voters, find candidates, fund candidates, get candidates on allots, communicate and create policy positions Political parties can influence the "winner-takes-all" system, helping to form a majority that might limit the rights of minority groups- which goes against American democratic values. ○ Parties can also reinforce social division, focusing on maintaining their policy views instead of promoting cooperation. Political parties are not in constitution The U.S. has a two-party system due to its election rules. ○ In "plurality voting," the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they don’t get over 50%. ▪ This system makes voters choose between the two main parties to avoid wasting their vote. ○ In contrast, "proportional representation" gives parties seats based on their percentage of votes, supporting multi- party systems.(you will get representation even if it isn't majority) ○ The U.S. system pushes voters to back one of the two major parties, leading to a two-party system. - Political parties can be formed by politicians or outside groups aiming to gain power in government. - Parties, like political ideas, change over time based on public opinion. - Different beliefs within a party can also shift its direction. Exam 2 Page 4  - The U.S. has mostly had a two-party system, though smaller parties have existed. - The **Federalist Party** faded in the early 1800s after Thomas Jefferson became president, leading to the rise of the **Jeffersonian-Republicans** (later becoming the Democratic Party). - As the party grew, divisions within it appeared. - The **Whig Party** emerged in the 1830s, replacing the Federalists and eventually leading to the creation of the Republican Party. - Debates over slavery in the mid-1800s led to the Civil War, dividing political parties. - After the war, party positions on policies began to shift, especially during the New Deal era. - The Democratic Party became associated with social welfare and bigger government involvement. - Discussions about civil rights in the 20th century caused some southern Democrats to shift to the Republican Party. - The Republican Party, in the 1960s, focused on lower taxes, less government spending, and fewer regulations. - Social conservatism grew in the 1970s, shaping today's political parties. - By the 1970s/80s, party positions ("big tents") became clearer. - Modern politics sees brief periods of single-party control, but internal divisions often arise. - The **Tea Party** and **Freedom Caucus** emerged as conservative factions of the Republican Party. - The **progressive wing** of the Democratic Party gained influence toward the end of Obama's presidency. - These small but active groups can have a big impact on politics. Parties can be formed by those in politics or by outside groups that attempt to organize to win a role in government Parties, like political ideologies are not static, the respond to the will of the people and popular opinion ○ Differing ideologies within the parties an also change party trajectory The U.S has experienced different versions of political parties since its inception(federalist vs antifederalist), but generally has defaulted to tow-party system-though smaller parties have operated in the periphery The Federalist party fell out of promises in the early 1800s following President Jefferson elections as president ○ This led to the rise and political domination of the Jeffersonian-Republicans(the precursor to the Democrat Party) ○ Dominance led to division within the party as it grew in size to encompass more and more members Exam 2 Page 5  size to encompass more and more members ○ The Whing Party emerged in the 1830s as a successor party to the Federalist and a precursor party to the Republican Party Divisions over the issue of slavery in Med-1800s provided the catalyst (civil way) Political Parties in U.S come out of the Civil War just as divided as they were going into it ○ However, while we know these parties are parties we have today, we also know their positions on policy look different now than during the reconstruction era ○ The shift in ideological affiliations of the parties begin with the onset of the New Deal era Policial parties in U.S came out of the Civil War just as divided as they were going into it ○ Democrat Party associated with social welfare programs are broader government involvement However, the discussion around civil rights in the decades following The New deal began to chip away to Democrat Party popularity ○ Geographic division emerge in the party between southern democrats that supported segregation and elements of the party that supported civil rights legislation and government interventions ○ This led to a shift of southern Democrats to the Republican Party Issues pertaining to the economy also influenced a shift in a party support ○ Republicans in the 1960s adopt a platform based on low spending and low taxation. Less government involvement in regulations Counterculture on the 1970s also drove to social conservatives The party "tents" as we know them now, begin to settle around the 1970s/80s ○ Single party power though is increasingly short lived in the contemporary era ○ Big tent also lead to division ○ Schism within the parties have emerged ▪ Tea Party/Freedom Caucus in the conservative wing of the Republican Party emerged in opposition to republican bipartisanisms under President Obama ▪ The progressive wing of the Democrat party emerged towards the end of the Obama administration ○ These factions, while proportionally small can have an outsized influence in politics- particularly when motivated Congressman Kevin McCarthy,(R-CA) form 2007-2023 ○ First speaker that wasn't elected in the first ballot of voting since the 1920s ○ Made a deal with democrats to pass a continuing resolution(a temporary budget) and avoid a government shutdown ○ Removed from the speakership by elements of the Freedom Caucus, where the chamber went 21 days before a new speaker(Mike Jonhson) was voted in Exam 2 Page 6  speaker(Mike Jonhson) was voted in ○ Resigned in December 2023 Parties and Elections Parties extremely important in election process Parties recruit the people you end up voting for Parties play a role in selecting candidates, and also play a role in who ends up on the ballot for the general election ○ The primary process let party members decide who will represent them in the general election. ○ Pary elites can have an outsized impact on the candidates, through the primary process ▪ Primaries are lower turnout voting events ▪ Primary vs caucus- the difference is important ▪ Open(you don’t have to be affiliate to a party) or closed(don’t need to be affiliate) primary (TX is open for now) Moving from the primary to the general, parties turn their focus to mobilization ○ Registering voters, passing out candidates or party merch, placing signage, ads ○ Campaigns use data to target voters and personalize messages to increase participation. The National level attracts the most attention ○ More visibility by media ○ Attract mor attention form Americans, just as most people don’t vote in primaries or elections, many people fixate national party Party platforms explain each party’s policy goals and vision for the country. ○ Party platforms are voted on by party members, but usually only the most politically active people participate in these events. The Party platform of 2024 differ greatly in their communication and policy ○ Economy ranks high on both party platforms, but that is where similarities end ▪ Republican focus on the economy, social issues, elections security ▪ Democrats emphasize other policies as well. Parties in Government It is important for party coalitions to remain cohesice, since they determine what policies pass ○ Cohesion under big tents and during polarization becomes difficult to achieve ○ Extremely difficult representation for third parties ○ "Independent congressman" still need to affiliate to a party to have support Political polarization impacts parties, partisanship and policy on a large way Remember what influences your ideology also influences your Exam 2 Page 7  Remember what influences your ideology also influences your perception of other parties, coupled with a "winner take all" system can increase the prevalence of Affective polarization and Negative partisanship This relates with fractious federalism concept, where parties don’t cooperate because they don’t get along Exam 2 Page 8 Gov TX CH6 Political Parties Wednesday, October 2, 2024 2:22 PM Roles and Structure of Political Parties in TX Political parties state, local and nation Governance partisanship, and polarization alll look different in Tx than they do at Nacional level ○ FEDERALISM CREATES THESE INDIVIDUALITIES IN THE LAYERS OF GOVERNMENT ○ Interest differ between local,state, and national layers of gov ○ Even though conservatives have a strong majority, the divisions in society are still very sharp. Tx politics are changing, less moderates but also more independets Political races getting closer, state-wide electicion won by replublicans When a group holds most of the power, they may feel less motivated to compromise, which can lead to the formation of smaller, opposing groups Division among conservatives party lines between moderates and more strict conservatives Democrats in TX experience more local success, with city council, mayoral, and house wins Structure Precinct chairs and county chairs are elected in party primaries, and make up the county executive committee ○ Precinct chair will head the precinct convention and plan the county convention, also running the county primary ○ County chairs heads the executive committee and leads all the precinct chair State level there is the state chair and vice chair, positions part of the state executive committee Exam 2 Page 9  part of the state executive committee ○ Selected every 2 years ○ Acts as the gateway for running the statewide position, raise funds for operation and candidates, establish party policy Conventions operate on a temporary basis during campaign seasons ○ Precinct conventions select delegates to send to the cpunty conventions, they also try to influence the drafting of the party platforms ○ County conventions in turn, delegates to go to state convention State convention occur every other year(vs every 4 year at national level) ○ State conventions certify party nominees for statewide offices, elect state executive committee positions Texas has a history of one-party dominance. ○ Both major parties have strong followings in the state. ○ Third parties operate on the sidelines but have seen some success. Voters at both national and state levels face similar trade-offs when considering third-party candidates. ○ Segregationist third parties gained support in Texas after Democrats shifted toward civil rights. ○ In the 2006 governor's race, Republican Rick Perry won with 39% of the vote, with the rest split among four other candidates (two independents, one Democrat). Barries to access for 3rd parties present themselves twofold ○ Plurality voting, lead voters make trade-off between voting with the person that most aligns their ideology, to vote for the major party candidate that has a greater chance to winning ○ Voting rules are created by lawmakers-form major parties In TX there are rules governing how to appear in the ballot ○ Very expensive History as a One-Party State One Party Dominance shifted form democrat party to the republican party in TX over time ○ Role of minority party has shifted as well ○ Under One-party dominance, general elections are less exciting than primaries Democrats in Tx experience the same shift in ideology against the big Democrat Party due to party's adoption of less fiscally and socially conservative platforms ○ This led to split between how Texans vote between state and national level Democrats still remain dominant in Tx until mid-1990s ○ Pockects of conservatives rebranding inder the Replublican party emerging in the TX hill country and Dallas by 1950s Exam 2 Page 10  party emerging in the TX hill country and Dallas by 1950s Dominance porteds problems for parties By 1940s the Democrat Party fractured along liberal and conservatives lines Once weakness is displayed by a party, the opposing party an galvanize support and contest a closer general election By 1970s TX democrats were still able to win office, however challenges problems in general elections During the redistribution of party ideology, conservative democrats typically won primary contest President Lyndon B Johonsosn is the exception to this trend 1976 last time TX delegates were awarded to a Democrat The Renegan era represent a change in the national level voting partterns of texans and ushered a new voting pattern for Texans at state level- which led to shift towards Replublican Party dominance by the mid-1990s The surge in membership to the Replublican Party led to the marginalization of the remaining conservative elemetns of the democratic party TX Party Politics Today National-level factors like polarization, factions, and negative partisanship also affect Texas party politics. Factionalism impacts the overall health and governance ability of political parties. ○ The Tea Party significantly influenced Texas Republican politics. ○ Some factions are closely aligned with former President Trump. ○ Republicans question whether conservatives are conservative enough. ○ Politicians must deliver for their constituents, who may resist compromises on policy. ○ Influential individuals and interest groups both within and outside Texas shape political questions and answers. Large amounts of money in Texas political races attract more challengers within parties. ○ This year, primaries were very competitive, especially after the failure of school voucher legislation that the governor prioritized. ▪ Governor Abbott used his own money to support candidates who challenged those who opposed school vouchers. ▪ Republicans in the House who voted to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton are facing similar challenges from more conservative candidates. Struggle of ideologies within Republican Party in tx Democratic Party in Tx comparatively experiences less (public) disunity and factionalism, as the minority party their ability to be successful can be partially tied to the health of the party Living patterns patters of Texans mean that cities in tx are more Exam 2 Page 11 Living patterns patters of Texans mean that cities in tx are more likely to have bases of support for democratic party One party Dominance impacts where people live, texans who identify as either conservative or liberal are likely to co- locate with likeminded individuals Dallas,Austin, houston and san antonio are bastions of support for the democratic party,with local elections reflecting voters preference Shift in political ideolody crosscut all aspects of demograpgic changes in tx Control of the Republican Party over the major governmental positions create the opportunity for the party to remain in power for a long time For the Democrat Party, failure over the deades has cascaded all the way down the party echelons to the local level STRUGLESS WITH FUNIDNG, RECUITING, ORGS AND mobilization ompact the real ability of the party to present challengers to the dominant republicnas Exam 2 Page 12 CH11 We the People Groups and Interests Monday, October 7, 2024 2:28 PM Defining interest groups Interest groups: are organized groups of people or institutions that use advocacy to influence public policy To increase the chances of being heard and have their respecting policies Interest groups differ from lobbies, PACs, social movement, and political parties ○ Lobbies are employ as the action arm of interest groups-more formalized ○ PACs spend money in support of candidates or policy preferences ○ Social movements are less formalized and can also engage in civil disobedience efforts ○ Political parties are broad coalition, while interest groups are narrow Interest groups interact with all and echelons of gov ○ Many Americans participate in interest groups passively or actively ○ Interest groups serve to educate their members on policy issues, as well mobilize voters to achieve their policy objective ○ They engage all branches of gov But not all interest groups are the same-some are more influential than others ○ Differences driven by the size of coalition and access to financial resources ○ Popular or broadly applicable interest can elicit more support from politicians Types Corporate groups and trade associations: Business can be heavily influential in politics and gov As a free market(capitalist) economy, business play an important role in the health of the American economy-a prime subject of importance for politicians and voters Through the experience of business after cooperative federalism (expansion era of gov regulations), many business came together to try and reduce the amount of government issued regulations ○ Regulation can restrict profitability ○ These business employ lobbyist, spending $34 for every $1 spent by other types of interest groups ○ This spending impacts the policy preferences of parties and politicians, and can work in your favor or against you Labor Groups: Unions ○ Are groups of workers under a profession that pay dues for union membership, to engage in collective bargaining for salary and benefits as well as broader job protections ○ Decline in amount of union membership in U.S(from 35% to Exam 2 Page 13  ○ Decline in amount of union membership in U.S(from 35% to 6.1%) ▪ Constitute less than one percent of interest groups High rates of political activity and often are reliable voters and even campaign volunteers or workers Union endorsements are coveted aspects of political races, with the impact to swing national elections Professional Associations: groups of certain types of professional workers Advocate to the gov on behalf of their preferences ○ Typically legal standards for licensure in states to practice, those standards can be influences by professional associations Not all politicians are experts on everything. Professional organizations understand the intricacies of these professions Citizen Groups: organization made up of regular people united by shared interests, starting from the community level. ○ Heavily influential in gov ○ Hyper niche, or broad range of interest ▪ The AARP has nearly 40 million members ▪ National Taxpayers Union focuses its efforts on redrafting U.S tax code ▪ The AARP different reach and influence ○ It is hard to convince politicians to change policy if interest represented does not impact a majority, or is unknow to voters Government groups: Interest, they aren't just for citizens outside the government ○ Because of federalisms local and states govs need things from the federal gov, such as funding ○ How funding is awarded to certain governments and certain projects in areas is not always formulaic, it can depend on the effectiveness of communication between the layers of government Think Tanks: Professional organization that conduct policy research and draft products that address areas of U.S policy ○ Employ research and subject matter experts to increase credibility ○ Experts write papers as well as conduct speaking engagements to discuss policy issues ▪ These products and events are public, and free, to include people working in and for gov ○ These orgs are non-profits, however they solicit donorship ▪ Can also be partisan, and should communicate up front to readers Why Do interest form Interest Groups are byproduct of citizenship in the U.S wanting a more active voice in gov, and the diversity of interest the electorate represents Federalism also helps this process- because it creates multiple touchpoints for citizens with the gov and the opportunity to Exam 2 Page 14  touchpoints for citizens with the gov and the opportunity to experience a policy win The concept of pluralism also assist this process Mobilization is hard, efforts toward collective action are similar hard Overcoming the propensity towards free riding is significant barrier for interest groups To be effective, interest groups have to entice membership through offering a type of benefit that incentivizes action over free riding(the person that doesn’t do anything but get the benefits) Many of the interest groups we talked about already offer these benefits Benefits of Interest Groups Informational: gives info to invite membership Material: tangible exchange for participation, gift, discounts Solidarity: Extend social opportunities to members Purposive: provides a policy end state to encourage membership, but also a sense a civic duty and responsibility core to American Democracy Interest Groups wants to increase their membership, as size impacts the potential for success Interest groups, represent a broad section of interest in U.S, but don’t necessarily represent a broad section of demographics ○ Interest Groups with money access, regardless its size are more influential ○ Higher educated, high income, professional are also more likely to have to time and ability interest groups ○ The absence of demographic(small size) means these groups may not experience success What do interest groups do Interest Groups work to improve the chances that their policy preferences will be passed or favored by gov Congress Lobbying: can be professional and amateur Provide info to lawmakers and staff, they testify on behalf of bills, market, advertise, talk, and suggest financial contributions Nearly 12,000 lobbyist are registered with the gov ○ This number fluctuates The identification of lobbyist is important Congress often attracts a lot of lobby interest, due to its size It is really difficult for legislators to be policy experts across the board, and lobbies offer information that desperately needed ○ Infor is used to draft bills ○ Lobbies meet with legislators and testify on behalf of legislation ○ The types of advice to legislators can take different forms, they can explain policy, provide statistics for support of a Exam 2 Page 15  they can explain policy, provide statistics for support of a policy, or offer advice on how to best ensure the passage of a bill Lobbying and regulation of AI Executive Bills don’t stop with congress though, they have to be signed and implemented by the executive ○ Bobbyists can engage the elements of the executive to ensure the implementation of the of the policy along interest groups preference The executive, congress, and supportive interest groups cooperation together create the Iron triangle Issue networks are not as fixed as iron triangle and come together when necessary for an issue that requires policymaking Judicial Courts can effectively litigate police issues, and lobbyist can bring the suit to the courts themselves, fund the litigation(very expensive), or file a legal brief on behalf of an issue being litigated Political participation don't have just encompass financial contributions, it can be leveraged(aprovechar) to support lection and policy outcomes Interest groups use Advertisements to shape your viewpoint for the issue long before electoral contest Protesting mobilization occurs in an effort to scale up pressure on politicians on particular issue ○ Can be maintain for long time ○ Historically drawn broader public attention to injustices within or by the gov How Influential are Interest Groups Leadership to convince people to join and lawmaker to support a cause Professional staff in organization can impact effectiveness Exam 2 Page 16 CH6 Governing Tx Interest Groups and Lobbying Wednesday, October 9, 2024 2:30 PM Interest Groups in the Political Process The same problems that affect group action at the national level also make it hard to organize at the state and local level. Despite these challenges, Texas has a strong history of influential interest groups. ○ Since interest groups are often linked to business, Texas' large economy suggests a strong presence of these groups. ○ In the early 20th century, Texas experienced a boom in natural resource discoveries, which fueled the growth of interest groups. ○ As Texas grows in the tech industry, it becomes even more open to the influence of business and industry interest groups. National interest groups aim to attract large memberships for resources and visibility. ○ Their success depends on having clear, specific policy goals. ▪ Vague goals make success harder and discourage people from joining or donating. ○ However, smaller interest groups can still have political influence. ○ Polarization can shift attention to smaller or niche groups (e.g., local book bans). Interest groups form because of federalism. This means the is incentive for interest groups to organize that target state and local level policy change Outside of narrowly defined policy goals, interest groups success can depend on the other aspect with nation interest groups, resourcing, leadership, organization ○ Texas Politics look different than federal level, different political culture ○ This impacts the messaging that can reasonably resonate within the branches of gov ▪ One-party dominance and the impact on the pluralist market of ideas Businesses played a large role in the establishment and growth of the relation between interest groups and the TX gov ○ "Kingmakers" in TX politics for nearly 4 decades, until business diversity in the state grew to where it was unable to be managed by a single elite grouping ▪ Relation between government and the economy are powerful ▪ Selected, funded, and endorsed candidates for office who would be sympathetic to policy interest Agricultural groups were prominent shaping TX gov(cons of 1875) Interest groups are reflective in cultural values in TX Policymakers at the state level and local level have the same Exam 2 Page 17  Policymakers at the state level and local level have the same need for info, money, resources, and voter support that underrides the relation between interest groups and politicians at the national level* ○ As the cost of elections rise, need of interest groups support also rise ○ Any uptick in primary challengers also drives up the cost of elections and can invite interest group involvement due to the political stakes of elections* ○ Voters mobilization is important Public employee: Encompass state, local, or special gov district employees such as teacher, police, firefighters, justices of peace, and constable ○ Federal employees have restriction on their participation in politics and political events Unions exist in Texas with strong support, but not all workers join, leading to the formation of interest groups for these professions. ○ Many interest groups in TX split the difference between union and professional association ○ These groups are very powerful so they are very important for candidates Access to politicians is important for the realistic possibility of having policy interest pass. Interest groups, and by extension lobbyist cultivate relationship with politicians in a myriad of ways ○ Financial and voter mobilization support on the front end of an election can solicit access on the backend of elections ▪ Politicians usually want to keep and grow spheres of support, so they will work to keep influential interest groups aligned with their candidacy ○ Entertaining politicians is a substantive part of creating access for interest groups ▪ Dinner, lunches, hosting events. This money counts as lobbying expenditure Interest groups and lobbyist expenditures on legislators consistently draw public scrutiny(observacion) Importance of lobby reform at the federal level to increase+ transparency and facilitate a more "fair" playing field ○ Bobby laws look different in TX- and lobby laws at the federal level are still imperfect solution ○ Lobbyist register with the TC Ethics Commission and submit periodical reports on expenditure over certain dollar amounts ▪ Spending is not necessarily capped at a certain amount, and how much lobbyist spent is doesn't have to be report+ Politics is a small circle, so politicians often become close with key members of interest groups and lobbyists. ○ Gifts can blur the line between lobbying and personal Exam 2 Page 18  ○ Gifts can blur the line between lobbying and personal relationships, making it unclear why policies are made. ○ "Revolving door" laws were created to stop former lawmakers from using their insider knowledge to help interest groups. ○ While there are restrictions for top federal officials, there are no restrictions on former governors. Lobby reform is important, but in Texas, it's complicated by the strong presence of lobbies and the fact that many former lawmakers become lobbyists. Unreported lobby gifts affect transparency in the system. While corruption isn't common in most interest groups or lobbying activities, the lack of stricter laws and enforcement can still influence policy decisions. Types of Interest Groups and Lobbyist Mobilization is hard in TX Lowest proportion of voter in TX Low participation in politics or interest How interest groups Impact elections in Tx Money makes it easier to lobby a friendly candidate, so interest groups and lobbyists have a big role in elections. ○ PACs not only raise funds but also signal strong support for a candidate. ○ PACs can support candidates or specific issues, the latter being called "issue advocacy." ○ In 2022, there were over 2,000 active PACs in Texas, spending more than $393 million. ○ Interest groups play a major role in mobilizing voters, often funded by PAC contributions. Money is most effective when directed at powerful positions.It ○ In the legislature, the Speaker of the House and committee chairpersons can receive significant financial support from interest groups because of their roles in advancing legislation. ▪ While money can be used to unseat incumbents, doing so is a risky strategy. It is not necessary to know where the money came from Supreme Court case about donors: Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Current speaker of the state house, Phelan was in a headed primary and subsequent run-off election earlier this year ○ Phelan amassed more donation than his challenger David Convey ○ The highest donor weren't from the city they represent Policy Issues areas that interest groups support Think Tanks were particularly influential in the debate within the Republican Party of TX to prioritize and pass legislation to authorize school vouchers ○ Think tank pushed for pro-voucher legislation 1989, spending millions to target anti-voucher opposition(TPPF) Exam 2 Page 19  millions to target anti-voucher opposition(TPPF) Interest group capture: spectrum of interconnectivity between interest groups and agencies in charge of regulation + ○ The process by which gov agency comes to serve the objectives of the interest that the agency is supposed to regulate Elements of the Texas Railroad Commision As long as TX and federal law allows for donation via PAC, these groups will have opportunity to influence the political process comparatively to private citizens Exam 2 Page 20 We the People CH10 Campaigns and Elections Monday, October 14, 2024 2:29 PM Elections in America State and local governments are primarily charged with running elections State, county, and city elections boards are responsible for establishing and staffing polling places, processing mail in ballots, and verifying the eligibility of voters ○ Voter registration, mail in ballot eligibility, ID requirements, recount thresholds Elections are multi-phase events, beginning with primaries, run- off, and then general elections Elections occur at least once every 2 years ○ Midterm: Elections held off cycle from a presidential election Elections occur at each echelon of federalism for not only lawmakers but for the governmental positions In elections, the "winner takes all," meaning you need more votes than your opponent to win. ○ Plurality voting is used in most elections: the person with the most votes wins, even if they don't get over 50%. ○ Majoritarian voting happens in some primaries, where more than two candidates are involved. ○ Some primaries are party-specific, but some states allow all candidates from any party to run together. ○ Ranked-choice voting can be used in majoritarian systems to find a winner quickly. ○ Plurality voting might raise concerns about the fairness of the result. Voting has become easier over time, allowing people to choose between parties for individual offices. ○ The secret ballot, where candidates from all parties were listed, wasn't introduced until the 1900s, when the government took on a bigger role in elections compared to political parties. ○ This change made split-ticket voting (choosing candidates from different parties) more possible, though straight- ticket voting (choosing all candidates from one party) remains common due to party influence. ○ Polarization increases straight-ticket voting. ○ Split-ticket voting was more frequent in the 1970s and 1980s during a time of party shifts. Technology has changed how voters cast their votes, making the process faster and easier. ○ Many counties use electronic voting systems for registering or counting votes, but these systems have security Exam 2 Page 21  or counting votes, but these systems have security vulnerabilities. ○ The shift from paper ballots to electronic systems was influenced by the 2000 presidential election (Bush v. Gore), which involved disputes over Florida’s vote-counting process. ○ Paper ballots can be hard to interpret, and hand-counting is time-consuming and can lead to human error. Voting practices have expanded to encompass mail-in ballots and early voting ○ Mail in ballots are easier and quicker avenues to cast your ballot. States determine their laws pertaining to the access of mail in ballots ▪ This method of voting has drawn increased scrutiny following the presidential elections of 2020 due to fears over the potential for fraud Early voting allows flexibility and possibility to fix problems ▪ Texas ask for specific requirement to do be able to do mail in voting Who can vote? Voter eligibility laws are broadly determined by the fed gov. Based on age and residency primarily Must be 18 years old (26th amendment) U.S citizen, dual citizen ○ Unless you live in U.S territory (EX: Puerto Rico cant vote) From there, you must meet your particular states residency requirements and legal requirement ○ Residency is a big deal because of federalism ○ Each ballot is unique based on where a person lives because representation is linked to specific geographic areas through redistricting. Districting is the process of drawing electoral map lines that define representation areas, and when these lines are redrawn, it's called redistricting. ○ Redistricting happens every 10 years after the national census, with state legislatures handling the process. ○ The Supreme Court requires districts to have roughly equal populations due to population growth. Gerrymandering can affect representation by creating "safe districts" that favor one party, sometimes allowing candidates with no local ties to win. ○ Safe districts help parties maintain power but reduce competitive races, and extreme gerrymandering can be unconstitutional if racially biased. Partisan redistricting can increase polarization by promoting the interests of loyal voters over broader concerns. Exam 2 Page 22  In presidential elections, votes are counted in two ways: for your state's delegates and the popular vote. ○ The major parties select their presidential nominees through the primary and convention processes. ○ Early primary elections can give candidates momentum, not just for popularity, but due to the perception of winning. ▪ "Frontloading" happens when states move their primaries earlier to influence the nominee selection. ○ Party conventions aim to make delegate selection more equitable. ▪ Delegates can be elected or chosen by the party during the primary process. ○ There are two types of delegates: ○ Some must vote according to their state's primary or caucus results. ○ Others can vote however they choose, especially in multi- round contests without a clear winner. The Electoral College determines the president, not the popular vote. ○ When you vote, you are choosing electors who will vote for the president. ○ Each state has electors based on its number of representatives and senators, plus 3 delegates from Washington D.C (538 total). The president is selected when candidate is able to accrue 270 electoral college votes regardless of the outcome of popular vote The distribution of delegates through the electoral college leads to an overrepresentation of smaller states in process comparatively to larger states Some states use a winner-takes-all system, while others like Maine and Nebraska split their votes. "Faithless" electors may not follow their party's vote, but there are no laws against this in many states. Five times in history, a candidate won the Electoral College but lost the popular vote: Donald Trump (2016) George W. Bush (2000) Benjamin Harrison (1888) Rutherford B. Hayes (1876) John Quincy Adams (1824) These events led to discussions about reforming the Electoral College. Measures for reform include: Ballot Initiatives: Citizens can propose laws directly to the public. Referendums: Congress can send a proposed law to the public Exam 2 Page 23  Referendums: Congress can send a proposed law to the public for a vote. Recalls: Citizens can remove elected officials by popular vote; 18 states allow this process. Elections Campaigns ○ Candidates need campaign staff, a manager, and temporary consultants. ○ The amount of money candidates have affects how their campaigns are run. ○ Campaigns can be grassroots (local efforts) or media-driven. ○ Media plays a key role in informing voters about candidates. ○ Debates, which are heavily covered by the media, can help or harm a candidate’s chances depending on their performance. Money and Politics Capped: ○ PACs (Political Action Committees): PACs have contribution limits when donating directly to candidates or political parties. They are subject to caps on the amount of money they can contribute. No Cap: ○ Super PACs: Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money. However, they cannot directly coordinate with candidates or their campaigns. Their spending is mostly for independent expenditures like advertisements and advocacy. Individual contributions and public funding have spending limitations when donating to specific candidates. Exam 2 Page 24 Gov TX CH5 Campaigns and Elections Wednesday, October 16, 2024 2:29 PM Features Of elections in TX Most of election take place for candidates at the subnational level At state level, elections for local and state office follow the same oath as those state hold for national level offices ○ States hold primary elections in March on even numbered years ○ Primaries are conducted by the party and funded jointly by the party and the state and must be won by majoritarian vote ○ Contest that don't have a winner with over 50% of the vote go to a run-off(segunda vuelta) ▪ Open v. Closed primary if you vote in a parties primary you must vote in the same part's run-off if you didn’t vote in primary, you can vote in any run-off General elections are held in November of even numbered years, along with national elections ○ Fiscal responsibility matters ○ Elections for high-ranking positions such as Governor, Lt Governor, Comptroller and Attorney general are held in nonpresidential elections years to decrease the amount of influence a president may have in state level elections ▪ Remember more people vote in presidential elections City council, school board and some other local governments elections are held off-cycle- this translates to a lower voter turnout Voter fatigue- even if local elections impact more daily life than presidential elections When an elected office becomes vacant, a special election is held to fill the position. ○ Special elections can also be held to decide on budgets or constitutional amendments. ○ The Governor calls special elections for statewide and federal positions, while local officials hold them for local vacancies, following state laws. ○ The Governor can appoint someone temporarily to fill a position until the special election takes place. Participation in TX Elections TX lower voter turnout proportionately to its population Voting in TX began as a closed practice with racial minorities and women barred from the polls until federal gov action ○ 19th and 24th amendment ○ Prior 24th amendment, TX had a law to prohibit Back from participate in Democratic primary elections ▪ As TX was a one-party dominance state, it disallowed participation by Black Exam 2 Page 25  participation by Black Tx CREATE VOTING AND REGISTRATION PROCESS THAT WAS DIFFICULT FOR MANY TO NAVIGATE ○ Lections registration was legally required more than 9 months prior to a general election- this was the require to be done on a yearly bias ○ Long residency requirements and restricting voting of those who didn’t own property Voting Rights Acts of 1965 allowed racial minorities voter registration to double in less than a decade ○ Provided for federal election examiners to ensure the proper conduct of elections in the State, and made provisions for bilingual ballots in areas over 5% of population speaks a language other than English The Shelby decision in 2013 allowed TX change its voting lasws without federal preclearance ○ Mail in balloting, absentee balloting, assistance at voting booths, types and hours of polling locations, ability to courier ballots all impacted by recent legislation. Voter ID requirements remain a point of contention in the state ○ COVID raised issue of convenience voting in TX and drew scrutiny to local elections practices that made voting easier during the pandemic In Texas: ○ You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of the state and county where you're registered for at least 30 days. ○ You need to be registered 30 days before the election date. ○ Convicted felons who haven't completed their sentences and those deemed mentally incompetent cannot vote or register. ○ Felons who have completed their sentences can regain eligibility to vote. ○ Around 80% of eligible voters in Texas are registered, with federal laws allowing registration at DMVs. ○ Latino and Black voters are registered at lower rates compared to White voters in Texas. Voting dies not occur on election days, Early voting begins 2 weeks before elections to accommodate persons ○ Many Texans participate in early voting Straight toket voting used to be easier, with an option for voters to Select one option that seleclted allc andidates from one party for each available office on the ballot This can encourage votes in what are know as "down ballot" races. You tipically positions listed on the ballot in order of governmental echelon they represent Where you live matters because it determines who you can vote for and is influenced by the districting process in your state's legislature. Redistricting is often a contentious and partisan process. ○ Apportionment adds competition by redistributing the 435 House seats based on population shifts from the census. States can gain or lose seats based on these changes. Exam 2 Page 26  States can gain or lose seats based on these changes. Texas does not have an independent redistricting commission, meaning the state legislature controls the process. TX voter turnout ○ Texas ranks last among the 50 states in voter participation, despite offering early voting and some provisions for mail- in voting. ○ Factors like education level, age, income, and the state's lack of party competition may influence turnout. ○ Southern states, in general, have lower voter participation rates. ○ Voter fatigue is an issue, as Texas has many elections due to its size and the role of the public in government. ○ A lack of voter knowledge can also impact turnout, as people are less likely to vote for positions they don’t fully understand or feel are relevant. ○ Lower participation in constitutional election, higher in presidential elections ○ One party dominance can bi of a misnomer when it comes to describing Republican PARTY POLITICS IN STATE ○ LOW VOTER TURNOUT affects both parties Campaigns Almost anyone can run for office in TX, there are constitutional age and residency minimums to qualify ○ TYPICALLY, ASPIRING OFFICEHOLDERS START AT THE LOCAL LEVEL ANY TRY TO LEERAGE THOSE POSITIONS INTO INCREASINGLY HIGH- PROFILE POSTIONS ○ This path helps build donors and support ○ The incumbency advantages helps, certain TX officeholders have been in the same position for 5 decades or more ○ Independence have hard time in TX so few are incentivized to run for state office because of legal barriers ○ Moderates don’t equal independents Former independent candidate for president for this election cycle Tobert F. Kennedy jr. Was able to achieve required to appear on the ballot in TX in November, despite pushback from the Democratic Party Kennedy has subsequently dropped out of the race for presidential and endorsed President Trump ○ Kennedy has taken the step to remove himself from the ballot of TX Campaign Financial laws ○ Campaign finance laws for Texas races are limited to reporting requirements ▪ Quarterly Reports: Candidates must report finances every quarter to the Texas Ethics Commission, with fines for late submissions. ▪ Campaign Treasurer: Candidates need a treasurer to handle their money. Exam 2 Page 27  handle their money. ▪ Contribution Limits: There are limits on donations to candidates near legislative sessions and on cash contributions. ▪ No Overall Limits: There are no overall limits on donations, which allows interest groups to have more influence in Texas politics. ○ The absence of finance contribution limitation impacts interest groups involvement in TX politics and Incumbents: Candidates already holding office typically get more financial backing than challengers. Media and Candidates: Media gives free exposure to politicians, and in return, they attract viewers by covering Texas politics. However, media attention can also lead to more errors, which can harm campaigns. Polarization: Voter preferences have become more divided, with political focus shifting toward national issues rather than local ones. Urban vs. Rural Shift: Suburban voters have recently leaned more Democratic compared to rural areas. Exam 2 Page 28 We the people CH8 Political Participation and Voting Monday, October 21, 2024 2:30 PM Forms of Political Participation Political participation includes a wide range of activities, from simple things like putting up yard signs to more direct actions like donating money, lobbying, or joining interest groups. Voting is the most common way people participate in politics. ○ Although voter turnout in the U.S. is relatively low, participation in other political activities is generally even lower. ○ 15th, 17th, 19th, 24th, 26th amendments Election participation history ebbs and flows depends on variety of factors(mobilization, legislation, likeability of candidates) ○ Record voter turnout in 2020 still globally behind ○ Higher income and education levels correspond to higher voter turnout rates for those demographics, which is unique to American democracy ○ This pattern of voter turnout can lead to the election of candidates that don't reflect interest of the majority ▪ Low midterm participation reinforces this cycle too Technology has changed political participation by making it easier to share messages and get involved. ○ You can interact directly with politicians online and get updates on important issues right away. ○ Digital platforms help people who are already involved by allowing them to take action quickly. ○ These platforms also make it easier for people who weren’t sure about getting involved to join in. ○ Online groups can encourage people who are still unsure about participating. Digital participation doesn’t always lead to participation outside of the online world. ○ It depends on what kind of participation you’re trying to create and how well you keep people engaged. Studies show that digital participation can lead to more involvement, like joining political groups, volunteering for campaigns, and being more open to discussing politics with family and friends. ○ The percentage of people who donate has doubled since 1992, because digital platforms make it easier Information in digital space is free and easy to access, decreased barriers to access more info allows increase political participation and knowledge ○ Digital content can be passive, ads about politics can apper on non-political content- influencing you without noticing ○ Digital media is more Appeling and engaging ○ Higher levels of political expression are noted through the digital space Exam 2 Page 29  digital space Social media increases political engagement but lets people choose what to engage with, which can reinforce their current beliefs. ○ People tend to follow content they agree with rather than ideas that challenge them. ○ This can lead to a more divided, or polarized, group of voters. ○ While digital participation helps create larger, more diverse communities of interest, these groups are often loosely connected and harder to keep engaged over time. Social media has intensified political conflict, deepened social and cultural divisions, and increased intolerance toward certain groups. ○ The digital space allows for all kinds of views, even discriminatory ones. ○ This type of rhetoric lowers the level of respect in political discussions and can push people away from participating. ○ Not everyone has equal access to digital spaces, with barriers often tied to socioeconomic differences. ○ The digital world also exposes users to not only domestic but also foreign influences. Who votes? Voters face trade-offs when supporting third-party candidates in a two-party system, weighing whether their vote has an impact. They apply the same cost-benefit thinking when deciding whether to vote at all. ○ Voting requires balancing civic responsibility and the benefit of getting your preferred candidate into power against the time it takes to prepare and cast a vote. ○ Common reasons for not voting include registration issues, physical limitations, scheduling conflicts, or disinterest in the candidates and politics in general. ○ Many factors influence why people vote, including weather and demographics. Studies show that people with higher education and income are more likely to participate in elections. College-educated individuals vote more often than those with only a high school diploma. ○ Higher-income individuals also contribute more to political campaigns. Older Americans tend to vote at higher rates than younger Americans. Campaigns are increasingly targeting and mobilizing young voters, especially through digital and social media. Younger voter demographics are showing up more at the polls and tend to focus on different policy issues than older voters. ▪ Increasing voter mobilization efforts aimed at young Exam 2 Page 30  ▪ Increasing voter mobilization efforts aimed at young voters Racial and ethnic representation in voting significantly impacts election outcomes and government policies. ○ The participation of racial and ethnic minorities is steadily increasing in the U.S. ○ The history of disenfranchisement of racial minorities has led to higher voter participation and continued mobilization through interest groups and social movements. ▪ De facto segregation and income disparities can still affect voter turnout. ▪ Political representation can also influence people's willingness to vote. ○ Racial minorities, particularly, tend to vote for Democratic candidates, while non-Hispanic white voters often lean toward Republican candidates. Women and men similarly register to voting, but women more likely to partake in voting ○ With women generally voting at higher rates number for democratic, while men support republican ○ 2016: 1st time major party selected a women nominee for president ○ Women being elected into office increasing Religion plays a huge role ○ The separation of church and state removed religious elements from government and publicly funded activities. ○ This led to a movement of individuals who want to restore religious aspects in daily life. ▪ Establishment Clause vs Free Exercise Clause ○ Religion influence voters, but also demographics Political Environment and Voter Mobilization Political Environment: demographics, social and familial factors impact your willing ness to vote Mobilization is key in determining whether you vote.(interest groups, political parties, lobbyist, nonprofits) Friends and social groups have impact in political participation We are more likely to vote of political races are contested ○ Media saturation and higher rate of public attention can positively impact voter turnout The system leads to targeted spending, targeted campaign and targeted emphasis by politicians who focus on those contested elections-which polarization is the difference between majority and minority governmental control ○ "Battleground states" those contested areas that are going to draw a lot of attention The ability to take part in direct democracy also drives up voter participation Exam 2 Page 31  voter participation ○ Ballot measures and referendums drive up voter participation and often pertain to "controversial" issues State and Electoral Laws and Participation The laws individual states create matter a great deal in determining voter participation, as we know from out discussion of states politics Generally if voting is easier Opt-out and opt-in(tx) process Exam 2 Page 32 We the People CH7 The Media and Political Information Wednesday, October 23, 2024 2:23 PM Media in American Democracy Freedom of speech and press are protected by the 1st Amendment, which was included because of colonists' bad experiences under British rule. ○ These freedoms are key to democracy, but how they're applied can vary across different democracies. ▪ Some governments limit media access or control the spread of information to depending in their interests. ▪ The U.S. has also restricted speech and press in the past, like with the Alien and Sedition Acts. ▪ Freedom of the press wasn’t fully protected under the 14th Amendment until Near v. Minnesota (1931), shortly after Gitlow v. New York (1925) protected freedom of speech. The U.S. has a unique way of understanding freedom of speech, shaped by its government preferences. ○ Americans believe the media has three main roles: ▪ Inform the public, Provide space for public discussion, Hold the government accountable for its actions. ○ An informed public is essential because political knowledge helps voters better influence the political process. ○ Accountability is a key part of democracy, and media plays a big role in ensuring it. Journalism involves a professional approach to ensure high standards, such as accuracy and legal compliance. ○ Professional journalism is different from content creators or influencers because it goes through an editorial process. ○ This process communicates the trustworthiness of the information to the reader and ensures legal compliance ○ Though bias exists, journalists work to minimize it in their reporting. The relationship between the press and government changes over time, influenced by perceptions, events, and government actions. ○ American democracy was not always transparent, and corruption was common in early U.S. politics, leading to a more hostile relationship between the press and government. ○ As technology advanced, with politicians reaching Americans through radio and TV, the relationship became more cooperative. Presidents used media to guide Americans during major events like the Great Depression and World War II, fostering trust. ○ However, this trusting relationship was broken during the Vietnam War due to media exposure of government coverups The U.S.'s long involvement in the Vietnam War placed accountability mechanisms, like journalism, in a more distrustful position. Media worked hard to uncover government coverups during the war, contributing to the resignation of President Nixon. This led to a standard in journalism known as adversarial journalism, where journalists actively question and challenge government actions. The process of holding the government accountable can become politicized, as it often influences political perceptions and agendas. Exam 2 Page 33  Digital media has impacted traditional journalism and created new forms of journalism that are gaining popularity. Citizen journalism involves everyday people, outside of professional journalism, sharing information on politics and governance. More citizen involvement can lead to increased government accountability and uncover new information. However, independent citizens don’t follow the same professional standards as journalists, which can affect the accuracy and reliability of the information shared. Opinion journalism (Op-eds) provides space in professional journalism for citizens to share their views. Anyone can contribute to a journalistic outlet through an Op-ed. These pieces are labeled as opinion pieces to signal potential bias, as they come from non-journalists. Journalistic outlets also include political commentary, using reporting or data in shows or segments for analysis. Most media in the U.S. is owned by for-profit corporations, so profit influences how news is produced. Public broadcasting, like NPR and PBS, gets some funding from government subsidies but makes up a small percentage of the media market. Media companies depend on advertising revenue, meaning they need to attract viewers to stay profitable. ▪ This affects the type of news that gets shown, often prioritizing stories with big impact or high-profile attention. ▪ Profit motives can significantly shape what news is covered and may even influence election outcomes. Over 75% of print media is owned by large media conglomerates. Local news ownership is increasingly being consolidated by for-profit companies. Profit-driven ownership affects the type of news that is presented to the public. The reach of media can shift American public opinion and lead to political action by highlighting certain issues. Framing: Media shapes how a story is presented to influence your opinion, sometimes in a biased or incomplete way. Agenda setting: Media decides which issues to cover, influencing what the public sees as important. Priming: Media highlights specific aspects of issues, shaping how the public prioritizes them. There are both partisan and non-partisan media outlets. Mainstream media organizations have higher professional standards and aim to provide balanced, less biased reporting (e.g., ABC, CNN, FOX). ▪ Americans generally agree on which organizations are considered mainstream and many get their news from these sources. Partisan media focuses more on opinion-based commentary, often promoting a specific political viewpoint or criticizing the opposing side (e.g., Buzzfeed, Newsmax). The way people receive news matters, with 86% of Americans getting their Exam 2 Page 34  The way people receive news matters, with 86% of Americans getting their news from websites. These websites reach millions daily, significantly influencing public understanding of policy issues. Digital news has changed how people interact with media, as they now expect quick updates. Many digital media organizations evolved from traditional print media, and physical newspapers still circulate. ▪ The introduction of paywalls has shifted how Americans consume news, with more people opting for digital over physical news. Where people get their Political News Two-thirds of Americans get their news from news aggregators, like Google News, which compile news from various sources. Some news organizations simply repackage other outlets' reports; you can see this in the byline if the article originated elsewhere. International news can offer commentary on U.S. politics, sometimes helping to moderate bias. Television still commands a large audience (two-thirds of Americans), with traditional broadcast news and political comedy shows being popular. TV reporting is limited by time, which means it doesn't dive deep into topics and doesn’t produce much original reporting. Radio is becoming less common, with only a quarter of Americans getting their news from radio or podcasts. Political podcasts, especially among conservatives, are rising in popularity. Only 5% of Americans read print newspapers, as most people have shifted to digital media, which broadens access to information. The rise of large, profit-driven media conglomerates has made news a scarce resource in some areas. National news primarily focuses on national issues, with technology and media influencing every aspect of how news is delivered and consumed. The overlap of technology and media has made the news industry profitable again, leading to more content and consumption. Algorithms give companies significant control over the news you see, tailoring content based on your interests. Quality of Political news and information Many Americans believe news organizations are becoming more important, but Republicans are more likely to think their influence is declining. Trust in news is linked to how Americans perceive the news' influence, and it's often partisan. Democrats tend to have higher trust in national news and social media, while Republicans tend to distrust them more. Governments decide how much they regulate information, shaping the media landscape. Echo chambers, where people only hear opinions similar to their own, reinforce mistrust and political polarization. Exam 2 Page 35  mistrust and political polarization. Partisan news bubbles represent a small portion of the population but can still influence opinion. Misinformation is a significant problem, fueled not just by the digital space and deregulation of journalism, but also by public interest in controversial content. Misinformation spreads quickly and can have serious consequences. Foreign adversaries may use misinformation to impact American politics. A small group of people can cause large-scale harm in the information space, amplified by algorithms that boost certain content. Exam 2 Page 36