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Political Participation

MUST know vocabulary

1. Voting Rights Act

2. Civil Rights Act

3. Cleavages

4. Registered voters v. Eligible voters

5. 19th Amendment

6. 26th Amendment

Focus questions

1. Why would over 70% of US citizens say they voted in the last Presidential election, when in reality it was only approximately 58%

2. Is low voter turnout a “Bad” thing?

3. Why do younger citizens vote in smaller numbers than older citizens? How do you propose to increase voter turnout for the 18-24 year old demographic?

4. Does the Electoral College suppress voter turnout?

Notes

• US well known for low voter turnout – usually in the mid 40% to 50% range

• Europe averages mid 70%

• Most Americans follow political campaigns over 80%

• 73% of Americans say they voted in 2008 Pres election yet only 58% did

Who participates

• Education – the more education, the more likely to vote

• Religious involvement – as religious involvement increases so does participation

• Race and Ethnicity – Whites vote in higher % than blacks and Latinos

• Age – 18-24 year least likely to vote; the 45 year old and above vote in largest %

• Gender – since 1992 women vote in larger # than men, but PS’s say rate is =

• 2 Party system – Lower competition lower voter turnout; rates increase greatly during Presidential elections

• Since all people fit in various demographics, cross cutting cleavages form :

Would a 45 year old black female, regular church goer, with a PhD be more or less likely to vote than a white male, with a high school dropout, heathen, 23 year old

Expanding Suffrage

• 1830’s property restrictions lifted

• 15th Amendment

Jim Crow Laws – attempts to limit black voters: in place through the 1960s; Plessey v. Ferguson – Separate but = IS Constitutional

Civil Rights Act 1964 and Voting Rights Act 1965 – Kills Jim Crow

Commerce clause

• Women’s Suffrage 19th Amendment 1919

• 26th Amendment 1971 – 18 year olds allowed to vote

Voter Turnout

• Measured 2 ways

Proportion of registered voters that vote v. % of eligible voters that vote

• The 1st method reflects a much higher turnout

• More likely to vote if registered

• US is very low compared to other democracies – England 75%, Italy and Australia 90%

Voter Registration:

• States determine voter eligibility, no state allowed to impose more than a 30 day waiting period

• “Motor-Voter” – allows citizens to register when getting or renewing their driver’s license

Low voter turnout:

• Difficulty/process of absentee voting

• The vast number of offices

• Weekday v. weekend/holiday voting

• Weak Political parties

• Ballot fatigue

Americans tend to participate in large numbers beyond the traditional voting; campaign contribution, community involvement, political volunteers, contacting public officials

Elections and Campaigns

MUST know vocabulary

1. Hard Money v. Soft Money

2. Buckley v. Valeo

3. Open primary

4. Closed primary

5. Caucus

6. Realignment

7. 17th Amendment

Questions:

1. Should any restrictions be placed on campaign contributions? Are campaign donations a form of free speech? Are corporations people, does a corporation have free speech rights?

2. The primary season is a long, expensive process. Should the US go to a 1 day or 1 week super primary system?

• Over 500,000 elective offices nationwide

• Campaigns are longer and more expensive than in previous years

Functions of elections

• Allows for political participation

• Legitimizes positions of power

Guidelines for elections

• Constitution sets broad parameters for elections

Sets terms for elected office

House 2 years

Senate 6 years

President 4 years, no more than 2 terms

• Sets date for national elections

Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November

Role of Political Parties

• Compared to other democracies, party in US less important: the candidate is responsible for announcing, campaigning, collecting signatures, and fund raising

• Party influence greatly declined since 19th century

- Direct election of Senators 17th amendment

- Nominating conventions v. party caucuses (no more smoked filled rooms)

- New campaigning techniques, internet, email, cell phones, computers, etc. have made candidates much less dependent on party

- Much less “Straight ticket” voting, now more split ticket

Winner take all

• Candidate who wins the most votes – wins: In most elections a plurality is all that is required not a majority

• Single member districts

- Nearly insures a 2 party system since US does not operate a Proportional system

- Limits multiple parties

Primaries and General elections

• Primary – Reform from 19th century allowing more citizen participation

- Primary used to select the party’s candidates

• Closed Primary – Only party members are allowed to vote in their party’s primary (most)

• Open Primary – Voters choose for which party’s candidates to vote (only a few states)

• Blanket Primary – Can select different candidates for each office from both parties

• Caucus – Iowa: See note handout

• More people vote in General elections than in primaries 50% of eligible v. 25% eligible

Congressional v. Presidential elections

• Congressional Regional or statewide

• House elections less competitive: Strong incumbency advantage

• Fewer voters vote in midterm elections averages 36% Mid term voters more activist and ideological than Presidential year votes

• Presidential popularity affects mid terms positively or negatively – Coattail effect

• Congress people have much more personal contact with constituents

• President relies on mass media

• Congress people can deny responsibility: Blame President or other members

Campaign and election reform

• Reform Act of 1974

- all contributions over $100 must be disclosed

- No foreign contributions

- Individual contributions limited to $1,000/candidate, $20,000 to a national party, and $5,000 to a PAC

- PACs are allowed: contributions not to exceed $5,000 to a candidate and $15,000 to a national party

- Federal matching funds provided to major candidates; only funds allowed after conventions

• 1976 Buckley v. Valeo: No limit on personal spending for your own campaign

- Ross Perot 1992 and 1996

• Soft Money - $ not specified for a candidate but given to party for “Party building”

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act 2002

- Banned soft $ to national parties

- Limited campaign ads by interest groups

- Raised individual contributions to $2,000, and maximum to all candidates to $95,000 over a two year election cycle

Election 2000:

Bush v. Gore: Showed the problems of multiple ballot methods

527’s outgrowth of BCRA

• 2002 restrictions led to 527’s

• Not a special interest or PAC: Independent but partisan groups raised significant amounts of $ for both parties; ran negative campaign ads - can not say “do not vote for” or “vote for” candidate X

• In 2004 527’s raised characters issues

2009 Citizens United

Critical realignment elections

• Realignment – Significant shift in the way a large group of voters from 1 party to another

• Realignment occurs because of significant issues: Primarily economic or social

• Election of 1860: Slavery divided the Democrats; 4 candidates; Republicans win; creates a North – South split

- Republicans will dominate national politics until 1932

• Election of 1896: Economic realignment Democratic split: Farmer v. Laborer; former democratic supporting laborers realign with Republicans: continues Repub dominance

• Election of 1932: Depression and citizen reaction to a perceived Republican inefficiency

- New Deal Coalition: Farmers, urban workers, northern blacks, southern whites

- Democrats will dominate until 1960s’

Dealignment: Recently voters less likely to affiliate with either party

• 2004 election: alignment according to Red/Blue, primarily North/South, Urban/Rural

- New alliance highly religious w/out regard to religious affiliation – mainly voting Republican

Political Parties

MUST know vocabulary

1. Political efficacy

Questions:

1. Is the dominance of a 2 party system antithetical to the true essence of democracy

2. What is the most significant factor causing party realignment/dealignment?

• Recent pride in “independent” status; avoid labels like staunch Republican or loyal democrat

• Parties appear quickly during GWs 1st term

• 2004 may have reversed the anti label ideology

Political Party functions

• Connecting citizens to government: Linkage function – connecting a large population to the governments at all levels

• Increases Political efficacy - the ability of a citizen to influence or be influenced by the government

• Running candidates for office: Parties help fund and organize candidates

• Informing the public: Provide voters information on policy and candidates issues

• Organize government: Coordinate governmental policy; provides cohesion among 50 disparate states

Why 2 party system

• Consensus of values: Most Americans agree on broad political ideas, concepts and values

- In general limited range of beliefs v. Europe w/significant range of political beliefs

• History

• Winner take all system – single member district, pluralist electoral system; no proportion

• Organization of 2 party system

Grass roots organization: Strong state and local organization

- National chairman and committee

- National convention every 4 years to nominate Presidential candidate

- Congressional campaign committee to assist incumbents and challengers

- Broad ideological base to appeal to a large group: “Large umbrella or Big tent”

Historical development

• Federalists v. Anti Federalists 1790’s – 1810’s 2 party

• Era of Good Feelings 1816-1824 1 party

• Jacksonian Democracy 1828-mid 1800s 2 party emergence of Whigs

- Beginning of Democratic Party

- Universal manhood suffrage

- Nominating conventions

• Whigs few successes: Harrison and Taylor; no ideological coherence

• North south tension: Emergence of Republican Party will dominate through 1932

- End of Democratic dominance

- Characterized by Laissez Faire economic policy

• 2nd Democratic Era 1932 - 1968

- Beginning of cooperative federalism

- More national government involvement in economy and states; Court Packing plan

• Era of Divided government

- 1968 - ? : Gridlock? Executive and Legislative Branch of differing parties for extended

• Republican hold on Presidency 1969 – 1993

- Republicans begin to use more professional approach, consultants, electronic media,

highly structured and organized

- Democrats begin a period of Grass roots organizing

- Reputation of leaderless, disorganized, and directionless – Lack vision

Minor parties/3rd Parties

• Why 3rd parties do not win

- Often not taken seriously

- Issues they represent are co opted by major parties

- Funding is difficult

- Dominance of 2 parties

- “Winner take all” system, single member district

Party Power: Realignment v. Dealignment

• Straight ticket v. Split ticket voting

- Red v. Blue, West, Midwest, and Northeast v. Rest of nation

- Stronger party identification

- Breakup of the Solid South – Republicans gain control of Southern states

- National security and religion play significant role; creation of new religious alliance

- 2008 election: NC, Fla., and Va. Go to Democrats

Interest Groups

MUST know vocabulary

1. Special Interest Groups (SIG)

2. Political Action Committees (PAC)

Questions:

1. Are SIGs dangerous to a democratic society or is it simply as Madison predicted in Federalist 10?

2. Is there too much $$$ in Washington? Do lobbyists have too much influence?

3. Does an SIG need all 3 parts to be effective? Consider the AARP v. NRA

Interest group – Organization of people who enter the political process to achieve a goal

• About 2/3 of Americans belong to interest groups

• The practical application of Madison’s “Factions” in Federalist 10

Parties, Interest groups, PACs, and 527s

• All attempt to influence government policy making

Parties v. Interest groups

• Parties work through the electoral process; Parties run candidates – IGs and PACS support candidates

• Parties generate and support a broad spectrum of policies – IGs and PACS very specific policy issues

PACS and 527s

• PACS are the political arm of interest groups, legally entitled to raise voluntary funds to candidates or parties

• The number of PACS has grown rapidly since 1974

• 527s not regulated by Federal Election Commission

Pluralism v. Elitism v. Hyperpluralism

The growth of Interest Groups

• K Street

• Lobbyists

• General interest groups v. specific

Types of membership

• Individual v. Organizational

• Individual – Sierra Club, NAACP, AFL-CIO, NOW, AARP, Christian Coalition

• Organizational – National Council of Education, National League of Cities, NMA

Types of IGs

• Economic – profits, prices and wages

- Labor Unions – In decline

- Agricultural groups – Not as powerful as used to be

- Business groups – US Chamber of Commerce, Pharmaceutical lobby: over 200 million

spent on lobbying in 2000

- Professional groups – AMA, AAUP, NEA, ABA: Attempt to influence policy on issues specific to their professions

Consumer and Public Interest Groups

• Ralph Nader

• PIRGs, Common Cause – Electoral reform, League of Women Voters

• Environmental interests – Sierra Club, Audubon Society

Sometimes Interest Groups are in Conflict: Economic IGs are in conflict with environmental or consumer groups.

How IGs work

• Lobbying

- contacting Government officials

- Meeting and socializing

- Lunches

- Testifying at Congressional hearings

- Lobbyists can provide expert testimony and information to Congressman which sometimes Congressman do not have time to get on their own

• Electioneering

- Supporting candidates via $

- PACs help pay costs of candidates sympathetic to their issue

• Litigation

- IGs will sue to bring their issue to the fore

- Successful in Civil Rights legislation of 1950s and 60s

- Brown v. Board

- Amicus Curiae briefs – Friends of the court: Written arguments to courts supporting a particular cause, issue or case

- Class Action suits – similar plaintiffs file as one large group: Brown v. Board

• Appealing to the Public

- Beef: It is what’s for dinner

- Pharmacy

- NRA

Ratings game

• IGs rate candidates on issues that are important to them

SIG $$

• Foundation grants – Ford Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, EDF

• Federal Grants and contracts

• Direct Solicitation – Individuals make contributions directly to a cause: NAACP, NRA, ACLU

Effective Interest Groups

• Size – AARP

- Free Rider – The larger the group - more likely members will think others will do work

• Intensity/membership – Single issues groups are most intense: Gun control, Pro choice/life

• Financial resources – Fund raising is critical

Revolving Door

• Government officials often times end up working for SIGs that once lobbied them

Most current SC ruling on Lobbyists and interest groups

➢ Citizens United v. FEC

➢ Colbert Super PAC

➢ Colbert Super PAC Part II

➢ Colbert Super PAC Part III

➢ Colbert Super PAC Part IV

➢ Super PAC ad

➢ Super PAC ad II

Public Opinion

Polling data

MUST know vocabulary

1. Political socialization

2. Push polling

Questions:

1. In what ways may polls be misleading? What is critical for polls to be effective?

Measuring public opinion – Relatively new science

• Gallup Poll 1932

• Today CNN, Fox, CBS, USA Today, NYT all sponsor polls

• Representative Sample

- Random Sampling Usually 1000 – 1500 respondents = a +/- 3% error rate

• 1936 Literary Digest Poll fiasco – See notes handout

• Respondents knowledge – Must allow for respondents lack of knowledge

• Careful and objective wording – Cautious of loaded questions or words

- Question can be yes/no or list of strength responses

• Cost v. Accuracy – Call in polls are not reliable but are cheap

• Variance between samples – Sampling error

Factors that influence Political Attitudes

• Political socialization – Lifelong process whereby an individual gains their opinion and beliefs

1. Family – Most significant influence on beliefs: Correlation between parents political beliefs and children – Not as strong recently – Growth of independents

2. Gender – “Gender Gap” Women are more likely to vote Democratic, although may be in decline – 2004 48% of women voters voted Republican

- Women vote more often than men

3. Married v. Unmarried – Married more likely to vote Republican

4. Religion – Evangelicals strong connection to conservatives

5. Education – The higher the economic level more likely to vote Conservative, although a college education tends to make citizens more liberal in their political, economic, and social views

6. Social Class – the strong links that used to exist no longer do: No clear connection between social class and voting patterns

7. Race and Ethnicity – Most minority groups tend to vote Democratic, exception Cuban – Americans who vote in large numbers for Republicans: strongest affiliation is blacks who overwhelmingly vote Democratic 90%

8. Geographic Region – Coasts tend to be more liberal: Maybe a more urban/rural split

Solid South no longer as Democratic: Civil Rights issues have become social, moral and security issues

Push polling – Polls intentionally designed to make voters think a specific way

• Results are not generally recorded, really have no meaning, poll is only intended to make voters react

• John McCain 2000 SC primary; 2002 Ga. Senate election Max Cleland

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