UNIT II.5 STUDYGUIDE: Elections, Voter Behavior, Special Interest Groups, Campaign Finance, Political Parties Mass Media

I.) Review the chapters by:                 a.) re-reading each section/summary

                                                            b.) going over class notes/ work/ worksheets

                                                            c.) making sure you know the vocabulary!

                                                            d. There willbe a FRQ on this test!

II.) Political Parties (know why they are a linkage institution)

            A.) Know all of the CHEESIE info (review CHEESIE WORLD matrix especially the parties’ stances)

 

            B.) What are political parties?

 

            C.) What purpose do parties serve?

 

            D.) What’s the history of political parties in the U.S.? (also see Beginning of Political Parties                     

                  Worksheet)

 

            E.) What is and why does the U.S. have a two party system?

                        1.

                        2.

                        3.

            F.) Where are parties strong?

 

            G.) What is the Tea Party?

 

            H.) What purposes do 3rd parties serve?

 

            I.) what types of parties are there?

 

            J.) Why don’t 3rd parties win?

 

            K.) What is the WASTED VOTE SYNDROME?

 

            L.) Other Terms to know: minor parties/3rd parties, independents, single member district, splinter party,

                 political party, straight ticket ballot, 3rd party members, independents, PARTISANSHIP (read the

                articles!!)

III.) Special Interest Groups

            A.) know what Special interest groups are

                        1.) purpose:

 

                        2.) Theories and how they apply?

                                    Pluralist

                       

                        3.) examples?

 

                        4.) How do they influence politics?

 

                        5.) How do they influence public opinion?

 

                        6.) Who are lobbyists?

 

7.). What are Iron Triangles and amicus curiae briefs? What role do they

     play in shaping policy?

                       

            B.) Campaign Finance and PACS

                        1.) What are they? Why have they developed?

 

                        2.) How are they restricted?

 

                        3.) What is the FECA?

 

                        4.) What is the FEC? What is its effect on democracy?

 

                        5.) Previous Campaign Finance Laws and Issues

                                    a.) what is soft money?

 

                                    b.) Hard Money?

 

                        6.) What is the McCain-Feingold Bill and what did it do? (BCRI):

 

                        7.) What is a 527 organization? Why did they become prominent?

 

                        8.) What did the Supreme Court say in these case?  

                                                Buckley v. Valeo?

                                                McConnell v. FEC

                                                Citizens United v. FEC?

                                                McCutcheon v. FEC

                        9.) What is a Super PAC? How is different than a PAC?

 

                        10.) What is a 501 c(4)? Why would people want them?

 

V.) Propaganda Ad Techniques

            A.) Know the basic techniques (and know examples that showcase these techniques):

                        1.) Testimonial

                        2.) Bandwagon

                        3.) Card Stacking

                        4.) Glittering Generalities

                        5.) Mudslinging

                        6.) Transfer/Playing on Emotion

                        7.) Subliminal

                        8.) Schtick

            B.) Know these types of commercials (and know examples that showcase these types of ads)

                        1. Profile spots

                        2. Testimonial

                        3. Accomplishment/Record Spots

                        4. Musical

                        5. Attack Ads

                        6. Response Ads

                        7. Generic Ads

                        8. Character Challenge Spots

                        9. Fear Ads

                       

 

VI.) Mass Media

            A.) What is the goal(s) of the mass media?

 

 

            B.) How do the media affect public opinion? Public agenda? Politics?

 

            C.) What are the roles of the mass media?

                        1.

                        2.

                        3

                        4.

                        5

 

 

            D.) Why is it considered the 4th branch of government?

 

            E.) How are the branches covered by the media? How do Politicians use the media?

 

            F.) Is the Media biased? Evidence for:

 

                                                       Evidence against:

 

            G.) What are the limits on media influence?

 

            H. What are the trends in the media?

                        1. TV vs other sources as primary source of news?

                        2.

                        3.

                        4.

            I.) Other Terms: Horserace Journalism, soundbites, muckracker, investigative journalism, Yellow Journalism, Media, news aggregator, blogs, Fairness Doctrine, Equal Time Rule, Net Neutrality, Freedom of Information Act, libel, slander  trial balloon; Citizen Journalists, Media Consolidation*

 

 

            J.) What is fake news? How can it be addressed? 

 

 

            K.) Be sure to read all of the articles that were assigned for homework!

 

Finally- KNOW New York Times vs. U.S. !!