AP Unit 5 Political Participation Notes PDF

AP Unit 5 Political Participation Voting Rights and Models of Behavior 2  How Amendments expanded political participation? Know the number and what it did (Civil War, Early 20th, Civil Rights and Vietnam) ▪ 14th (1868) Citizenship for all persons born in United States included...

AP Unit 5 Political Participation Voting Rights and Models of Behavior 2  How Amendments expanded political participation? Know the number and what it did (Civil War, Early 20th, Civil Rights and Vietnam) ▪ 14th (1868) Citizenship for all persons born in United States included previously enslaved people EPC & DPC ▪ 15th- (1870) Added African American Men ▪ 17th- (1913) changed practice for electing Senators to direct vote by people (was state legislators)Structure of Congress ▪ 19th- (1920) [Added Women] ▪ 24th - (1964) Eliminated Poll tax [structural barrier to voting] GIDEON ▪ 26th- (1971) lowered voting age to 18 3  4 Models Explaining Voting Behavior 1. Rational Choice - Voting based on what is perceived to be in their best interest 2. Retrospective Voting - voting to decide whether the party or candidate in power should be re-elected based on the recent past 3. Prospective Voting - voting based on predictions of how a party or candidate will perform in the future 4. Straight-Ticket voting - voting for all of the candidates from one political party on a ballot. a. aka- Party-line voting 4  Voter Turnout (and choice) 5 What affects voter turnout? Structural Barriers: State laws which affect the ability to vote. Voter ID Laws* and Polling Hours Types of Voting allowed ▫ Absentee ballots, Early voting, Mail voting* Variations in funding for political places: ▫ pay workers, equipment, postage* Types of Registration: signing up to vote ▫ Online, in-person, auto, day-of. Type of Election: ▫ More turnout for Presidential than Midterm 6 What is used to predict likelihood of voting? 1. Demographic characteristics - Who turns out in high numbers? Wealthy, Older church attendees/activist, veterans, & highly-educated - Voting Bloc: a demographic group that votes in noticeable pattern - Ex: “Religious Right”- White Evangelical Christians consistently voted Republican since the 1960’s. 2. Political efficacy: the belief that an individual’s participation in the political process will make a difference Both are used to predict the likelihood of whether an individual will vote. 8 Factors Influencing voter choice 1. Party Identification and ideological orientation 2. Candidate Characteristics 3. Contemporary Political Issues 4. Demographic Characteristics of voters a. (Religious beliefs or affiliation, age, gender, race and ethnicity) 9  Linkage Institutions * Linkage Institutions: Channels that allow individuals to communicate their preferences to policy-makers - Anything that “links” people to government - Political Parties (5.3-5.5) - Interest Groups (5.6 - 5.7) - Elections (5.8 - 5.11) - Media (5.12 - 5.13) 10 Political Parties 11  3 Portions of Political Parties 1. Party in Government: - Choose leaders in each chamber/house - Those leaders choose committee members - Propose, debating, and vote on legislation by building coalitions. 2. Party in the electorate: - citizens who identify with a party and then - vote, donate, and volunteer* 12  3 Portions of Political Parties 3. Party organization: structure of the national, state and local parties. (Some similarities/some differences depending on levels) ▪ Search out, education, and Mobilize voters- Get people out to vote and inform them of issues ▪ Create Party platforms- A list of goals outlining parties stance or position on issues ▪ Recruit Candidates- (local as training for higher levels) ▪ Campaign management- Fundraising, media strategy ▫ Lessened overtime 13 How and Why Political Parties Change and Adapt 14 From Party-Centered to Candidate-Centered Campaigns - Party Centered campaigns: Party leadership would nominate candidates and raise funds*. Strong Party Bosses rise in the early 1800’s (and with Trump) - Candidate Centered campaigns: public focus on the candidate and issues rather than party. *Connect to rise of direct primary election system (people choose presidential candidates) (Link) *Candidates more responsible for raising their own funds 15  The structure of parties has been affected by.. 1. Campaign Finance Laws- Who can donate and How much funds can be contributed to promote a candidate, party, or policy initiative. (5.11) 2. Changes in communication and data management technology- Parties use social media and voter data to: - Disseminate (spread) control (micro-target based on demographic data), and clarify political messages - AND Enhance outreach and mobilization efforts 3. Critical Elections: elections in which there is a realignment of political party support among voters (demographic/geographic/ideological) - Change in the base of support for the party 16 CRITICAL ELECTION SLIDE SHOW How have parties adapted overtime? 18 Third-Party Politics 19 20 Barriers to Third Party Wins ▪ Electoral College ▪ Absorbing 3rd Party Agenda into major parties platforms 21 How are electoral votes allotted? WINNER TAKE ALL: A system where the candidate with the most votes wins all the Proportional System: Electoral votes of that state Electoral votes are divided or apportioned based on the voting - Advantages the two-party results of the state. system - Used by Maine (4) and - Structural barrier to Nebraska (5) still independent/3rd party - Original system candidate - What most states utilize today 22 Absorbing Third Party Agendas ▪ 3rd party voters often vote for the major party that most adopts their views on issues (major party more likely to succeed) Bernie Sanders = Independent Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton 23 Interest Groups Influencing Policy-Making & Policy Outcomes 24  Interest Group a formal or informal association of people seeking to influence governmental/public policy ALWAYS CONNECT TO PLURALISTIC DEMOCRACY 25  Types of Interest Groups Single-Issue Groups: goal of affecting society and policy making ▫ AKA- ideological, social, or protest movements ▪ EX: guns (NRA) & abortion (Emily’s list) ▫ Very Specific ▪ Trade Associations: represent entire industries ▪ Ex: Medical Organizations (AMA) ▫ Very broad 26  Influence can be impacted by: Inequality of economic resources- some groups NRA & AARP have a lot of money (maybe a lot of members, maybe a few wealthy ones) Unequal access to decision makers- have a lot of access to decision/law makers. (Think Iron Triangles and Issue Networks) Commitment of members of the groups- some groups have a lot of members who support their cause but a lot suffer from.. 27 Influence can be impacted by: ▪ “Free Rider” Problem: a problem in group behavior when individuals can benefit without making personal contribution of money or effort. ▫ Ex: Listening to NPR but never donating What can be done about it? - Providing selective benefits: goods and services that are only available to members, to encourage more people to join. 28  Strategies for Influencing Public Policy 1. Educate voters & office 3. Drafting Legislation: remember holders ex: submit Amicus anyone can write a bill but a member Curiae to SCOTUS of that portion of congress must 2. *Lobbying*- convincing introduce it. legislators to act in a certain - connect to political access. way 4. Mobilizing the public: applying a. OFTEN COUPLED WITH pressure on and work with legislators MAJOR DONATIONS or government agencies - connect to economic - connect to member resources commitment 29 Iron Triangle - LONG LASTING Iron triangles and issue networks help interest groups exert influence across political party coalitions (especially when working within party coalitions is not enough) 30 Who is competing for policy outcomes? ▪ Interest Groups THESE ALL HAVE ▪ Professional Organizations IMPACT ON POLICY MAKING ▪ Social Movements AT KEY STAGES IN ▪ The Military VARYING ▪ Bureaucratic Agencies DEGREES ▪ ALL TRYING TO PERSUADE… ▪ Congress: who must pass the Budget 31  Letter from a Birmingham Jail “Injustice ANYWHERE is a threat to justice EVERYWHERE”  A Letter from Birmingham Jail Author: MLK Date: April 16, 1963 To: 8 Alabama Clergymen (White) - Who had encouraged MLK to be patient - When YOU.. Advocates for “Nonviolent direct action”: “disobeying unjust laws” - Necessary to force “negotiation” - Necessary for “societies growth” 33 UNIT 5 QUIZ Thursday 12/5/24 ELECTING A PRESIDENT & CONGRESSION AL ELECTIONS 35 THE OUTCOME OF ELECTIONS IS AFFECTED BY - Incumbency Advantage Phenomenon - Open and closed primaries (voting processes to elect candidates) - Caucuses (closed meetings of party members to select candidates or decide policy) - Party conventions - General (presidential) elections - The Electoral College 36 THE OUTCOME OF ELECTIONS IS AFFECTED BY Incumbency advantage phenomenon: benefits current officeholders possess over challengers - NAME RECOGNITION - FUNDRAISING - MEDIA EXPOSURE - STAFF 37 38  How Congressional and Presidential candidates are selected? Primaries - elections are held to determine who would represent the party in an election. Spring & Summer of ELECTION YEAR Types of Primaries: - Closed Primaries - Only registered party members can vote in the primary - Open Primaries - anyone can vote for any candidate but you can only vote in one Primary (Democrat or Republican) 39 How Congressional and Presidential candidates are selected? Caucus - a meeting of party members to decide who they want to be their party’s nominee for president. - Example of Elite Democracy (What is the resource?) 40  How candidates are selected? In both primaries and caucuses. Candidates are trying to gain DELEGATES: party members who vote at the Convention to choose candidate for the party. Democrats and Republicans have different ways of allocating delegates 41  Step 2 - Win the Nomination National/Party Convention: party delegates vote and parties announce their nominee - Need majority of delegates to become candidate for party - 4 days of hollerin - Announce the VP - Summer of Election Year (July/August) 42  Step 3 - Win the General Election ▪ Nominees from each party then run against each other. ▪ Election Day: 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in November ▫ Done to avoid religious holiday ▪ DOES THE POPULAR VOTE WIN THE ELECTION? 43 Electoral College 12th Amendment: Changed how Electoral college voted for president. Before: Candidate with most electoral votes become President and Candidate with the second most becomes Vice President After: They run together on the same “ticket.” The president that receives the majority is elected with his/her chosen Vice President. 44  Electoral College Each state is allocated a number of Electors The Number equals Congressional delegation. The total number of electoral votes is 538. - 435 HoR + 100 Sen + DC3- 23rd Amendment Majority required to win: currently 270. - Each party determines how they are chosen According to the Constitution - Electors *can’t be members of congress* 45  Packing: Concentrating Gerrymandering like-minded voters can affect together Congressional Elections Both of these Cracking: Spreading like lessen voting minded voters apart power of people Modern Campaigns 47  Modern Campaign Strategies The benefits and drawbacks of modern campaigns are represented by: - Duration of election cycles getting longer - Primary/Caucus takes time while party bosses acted fast - Dependence on professional consultants for - Opposition Research - Polling (U4), - Field Strategy- where to be & when- (Focus on BATTLEGROUND states) - Mobilizing- You must get the people out on voting day!! - Social Media- for easier and targeted campaign communication and… - Fundraising- with candidate-centered all this leads to rising campaign costs and requires intensive fundraising efforts. 48 Campaign Finance 49  SPENDING = SPEECH = 1st Amendment Hard money: Soft Money: Political contributions that are Unregulated contributions regulated by election laws to political parties that are theoretically spent on “party-building” activities DO NOT CONFUSE WITH: such as HARD AND SOFT CURRENCY “issue ads” - (not about a candidate) (GOLD V CASH Unit 1) “get out the vote” campaigns. 50  MUST KNOW LAW Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA) - Increased Hard money caps but Placed restrictions on soft money and issue ads - Added Stand by your ad provision: - “I am … & I approve this message” - Limited Corporate Donations - to DECREASE CORRUPTION 51  PACs Political Action Committees (PACs): Organizations established by businesses, labor unions, and interest groups to fundraise and channel financial contributions into political campaigns. - Legally allowed to coordinate with a candidate/campaign - because donations are limited. 52  SUPER PAC 4. Super PAC (Independent Expenditure Only Committee): - Legally can Receive and spend unlimited amounts of money because - They are ‘independent’ and not coordinated with the candidate 53  SCOTUS DECISION Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission - Struck down provisions of BCRA that prevented or limited corporations from making political expenditures from general treasuries. - Based on 1st Amendment Free Speech Clause - Upheld portion that said you must disclose who is paying for/providing the advertisement 54  5-4 DECISIONS - 2009 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Majority Holding- the argument of preventing corruption is not strong enough to limit corporate campaign spending “Political speech is indispensable to democracy” - This changed over 20 years worth of precedent - This is what “created” the ‘Super PAC’ DISSENT- CONSTITUTION PROTECTS PEOPLE NOT CORPORATIONS 55 56 Loopholes and such 57 The Media & Changing Media 58  Roles of the Media GATEKEEPER: Agenda Setting: influence how citizens acquire political info (news events, election coverage, political commentary) and political participation - This can be done through traditional, online, and social media - Determines what’s important, and for how long Issue Framing: Set the context, interpret fact, and provide legitimacy to topics (often through Political Commentary) 59 Types of Journalism Investigative Journalism: Horse-Race Journalism: - Deep Original ▪ Based on Polls about ‘Trust and Investigations on a Confidence’ specific topic over a long ▪ All about who is winning right then period of time. (RARE) ▫ Not Focused on: policies, issues, and - Sometimes it exposes secret platforms information. ▫ Focused on: popularity and other - Hold Government factors accountable- Whistleblowers! ▪ CONSUMER DRIVEN ▫ 24 hour news network 60  Social Media - BECAUSE People want information ALL THE TIME - It allows people to *FEEL* like they are connected with politicians - (2 way communication) - Candidate-centered campaigns use it for agenda setting. - Use of influencers to sway opinions and court voters 61 Debates over media bias 1. With more media choices than ever there is uncertainty over the credibility of news sources and information. 2. There is a focus on reinforcing existing beliefs (bias) by - Consumer-driven media (based on money) and - Ideologically- oriented media (cater to particular view) These both affect democratic debate and political knowledge of the populace 62  Debates about the impact of media ownership Consolidation: Emergence of large conglomerates owning multiple media outlets. - Media becoming more elite therefore fewer points of view are related - Today, 90% of media is owned by 6 companies - CBS, Comcast, Disney, News Corporation, Time Warner, Viacom. 63  How media influence is limited 1. Audience Fragmentation: people are now scattered across more news outlets 2. Selective Exposure: people screen out messages that do not conform to their beliefs 3. Selective Perception: people perceive their desired message (kinda like a horoscope) 64 UNIT 5 TEST 12/10/24 SCOTUS TEST 12/12/24