A political organization that stated goals of which will principally benefit nonmembers

a party of efficiency

one of the two major political parties in the US

more socially conservative and economically liberal

Federal funds provided to states and localities

provided for airports, highways, education, and major welfare services

Federalists

Supporters of a stronger central government who advocated ratification of the constitution

founded a political party supporting a strong executive and Hamilton's economic policies

A political system in which ultimate authority is shared between a central government and state or regional governments

independent organization established by interest groups, political candidates, adn people who hold office

serve to raise and contribute money to political campaigns of individuals whose platforms agree with their aims

founded bc federal laws prohibit most interest groups from contributing money directly to political campaigns

Political Parties

Federal grants for specific purposes defined by federal law

usually require that the state or locality put up money to match some part of the federal grants, though the amount of matching funds can be quite small

made by the national government to the states in order to finance education

made to support the building of wagon roads, canals, railroads, and flood-control projects

Any presidential candidate who raises at least $5000 in individual contributions of $250 or less from people living in 20 states is eligible

a candidate gets federal money to match what he or she has raised in contribution of $250 or less

federal government pys the entire cost of the campaign up to a limit set by law

Revenue-Sharing Funds

Law providing for the distribution of a fixed amount or share of federal tax revenues to the states for spending on almost any goverment purpose

distribution was intended to send more money to poorer, heavily taxed states and less to richer, lightly taxed ones

ended in 1986

Chief Justice who supported Hamilton in the case of McCulloch v MD

endowed the necessary and proper clause in this case and stated that the power to tax involves the power to destroy

Marshall declared that supreme court could declareact of congress unconstitutional

power granted by constitution to federal government flows from the people and thus should be generously construed

federal law is supreme over state law

ruled that national policies take precedents over state policies

based on necessary and proper clause

Supporteres - tool for democracy

Critics - bandwagon effect; politicians become followers not leaders; results depend on wording; average American has little political knowledge

Idea that each american should have = chance to succeed but soem will do better than others

Belief that one has an obligation to participate in civic and political affairs

part of the 4 key elements of American political culture

religious views affect family

protestants - conservative

catholics - more liberal

jews - devidedly more liberal

liberal - jobs for all; subsidized medicare and education; tax rich; civil rights; tolerant on public and political conduct; post-grad, urban, critical of business, democratic

conservatives - opposite of liberals

pure liberals - liberal on economic and personal issues

pure conservatives - conserv on eco and pers issues

libertarians - conserv on eco and lib on pers

populists - lib on eco and conserv on pers

formal meeting of members, representatives or delegates

or an agreement between states, sides, or military forces

national convention held for each party in order to elect presidential candidates

meeting of the respective party members in a local community for the purpose of nominating candidates and delegates for office

or meeting in congress of respective party members in either house to organize, determine their position on legislation and decide other matters

US - rights; individualism; competitin; euqality; rules based on circumstances; liberal on religion; personal freedom

Japan - good relations with collegues; respect authority; group decisions in harmony

Sweden - more deferential than participatory; dont challenge govt; equality over liberty; more whats best that what people want

Novemebr every 2 years for HoR and Senate

primary and general

not as popular as presidential elections

incumbents 90% of time reelected in congress

In Novemebr of every 4 years

elected by electoral college

delegates chosen Feb-June by states

1781-1789 govt dominated by states; 1 house congress; 7 delegates from each state with 1 vote

*go over chart of weaknesses

1787 led by Daniel Shay and otehr Rev War soldiers

prevent forecloseure of farms as results of high interest rates and taxes

highlighted weakness of confederation

bolstered support for stronger national government

Great Compromise

2 house legislature

senate - 2 reps from each state

HoR - number based on state population

Checks and Balances

declares that all laws and treaties made by federal govt shall be the supreme law of the land

set constitution as highest form of law

federal govt must prevail over any conflicting or inconsistent state exercise of power based on necessary and proper clause

meeting of delegates in May 1787 to revise Articles of Confederation

produced new constituion in use today

created 1787 with Electoral College Compromise at Constitutional Convention 

group of presidential electors

number from each state is equal to senate + HoR

legal theory that state has right to nullify any federal law that the state deems unconstitutional

rules imposed by federal govt for as conditions for obtaining federal grants or requirements that the stes pay the costs of certain nationally defined programs

most concern civil rights and evvironmental protection

a belief in the importance of hard work and personal achievement

believers had an obligation to work, save money, obey the secular law, and do good works

a more or less consistent set of views as to the policies govt ought to pursue

coherent set of values and beliefs about public policy, who should rule, what principle rules should obey, and what policies to pursue

liberal v conserv

distinctive and patterened way of thinking about how political and economic life ought to be carried out

based upon american revolution with liberty as goal

key elements: liberty, individualism, equality of opportunity, civic duty

principle that formerly obligated broadcasters to present both sides of a political issue

abolished 1987

obligation on broadcasters to give al candidates for office equal access to the media

liberal side of political spectrum

appeals to minorities, poor, old, NE, midwest, and Pacific Ocean area

founded by Jefferson

85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, Jay

published in NY newspapers to convince people to adopt newly proposed constitution

#10 by Madison discusses how a well constructed union can break and control the violence of faction

when a political party has dominant control in a set geographical area, such as a city

opponents of a strong central govt

against gratifying constitution

supported bill of rights

support states rights

principle of american govt

constitutional authority is shared by 3 branches of govt

Great - 2 house legislature

3/5 - slave counts as 3/5 person for representation purposes only

slave trade - 1808 abolished selling of slaves

trade - no taxes on state exports

electoral college - set up college to elect president

right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of state or district where the crime was committed, to be informed of the nature and cause of accusation, to be confronted with the witness against him, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence

suspended the use of literay tests in granting right to vote

added to registration laws allowing people who did not meet registration requirements to vote if they or their ancestors had voted before 1867

made to exempt poor illiterate whites from registration, established to keep former slaves from voting

declared unconstitutional 1915

a requirement that citizens pay a tax in order to register to vote

adopted by many states to prevent former slaves from voting

unconstitutional

a requirement that citizens pass a literary test in order to register to vote

established to prevent slaves from voting

illiterate white passed by grandfather clause

party leaders and elected officials who become delegates to national convention without having to run in primaries or causcuses

AKA purposive incentive

sense of satisfaction derived from serving a cause from which one does not benefit personally

widely shared demand for change in some aspect of the social or political order

a set of secret govt documets stolen by an antiwar activist

Supreme court said they could be published because they didnt compromise security

TV License

no one may operate a tv station without a license from the federal communications commission

newspapers which circulated among elites to the expenses of printing more newspapers and the lack of transportation

printed by parties early newspapers

the associated press and united press international provide most of the national news that local papers publish

supply routine stories immediately to practically every daily newspaper in america

liberal

a person who favors a more active federal govt for regulating business, supporting social welfare, and protecting minority rights

prefer less regulation of private social conduct

provides us with reasonably accurate measure of how people think, provided certain conditions are met

govt doesnt always do what people want, which causes many people to become cynical of govt

18 year old americans shall not be denied the right to vote

people who vote but do little else

tend not to have much schooling or income and to be substantially older than average person

not only vote but also like to get involved in campaign activities

better educated than average voters

distinguishable interest in conflicts, passion, and struggle of politics

do not like the conflict and tension of partisan campaigns

reserve their energy for community activities of a more nonpartisan nature

most common form of party organization

members motivated by solidary incentives

neither flexible nor inflexible

not very hardworking

usually based in a particular region that protest depressed economic conditions

especially involving farmers

having only 2 major parties

democrats and republicans have been relatively balanced between 1888 and 2000

best known as an outsider presidential candidate in 1992 and 1996

founded reform party and won their nomination for 96 election

had to run as independent because of ballot access laws

less than 8%

held the first week in November

winner assumes designated office

Soft Money

FEC Limits

usally an advantage for the candidates since it gives voters a better outlook on each one

risk of slips of the tongue since it is unscripted

forces candidates to rely on stock speeches

candidates sell themselves to public

only match contributionsof small donors, less than $250

gives incentive to raise money from small donors

govt also give lump-sum grants to parties to cover convention costs

French travelor to the US who observed american culture

minimal taxes, no aristocracy, vast territory, fertile soil, and few legal restraints made for unique political culture

according to Sidney Verba and Norman Nie, people who are highly educated, have high incomes, and tend to be middle-aged rather than young or old

participate in all forms of politics and account for 11% of the population

eco - dont favor govt efforts to ensure everyony has a job

civil - dont favor strong desegregation of schools and work

pol - dont favor protecting rights of accused

Elections

study on chart: 

source of campaign money

campaign finance rules

effects of reform

money and winning

individual donations - $1000

ban on corporate and union denotions

allowed them to raise money through PACs

PAC limit - $5000 per election per individual candidate, $15000 per year per political party

federal tax money made available for primaries and general election campaigns

key to american political system: TV, radio, newspaper, magazines, internet

gatekeeper: determine what subjects becomes political issues and for how long

scorekeeper: track political reputations

watchdog: investigate personalities and expose scandals

national law is the dominant law

supreme court had power to interpret constitution

important in Marbury v Madison and McCulloch v MD

founding father

continental congress

co-wrote federalist papers

first chief justice of supreme court

leader of federalist party

gov of NY

opponent of slavery

national govt and state govts have defined areas of authority

natl govt rules by enumerated powers only

natl govt has limited constitutional powers

st and fed govts are sovereign within sphere or operations

st and fed relationship is tension more than cooperation

rights of a witness

cant be charged for same crime twice

 cant be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law

repealed the 18th amendment

made selling, transportation and consumption of alcohol legal again

80% europeans vote, 50% americans vote

completely inactive - rarely vote, no organizations

voting specialsists - vote but do little else

campaigners - vote, get involved in campaign

communalists - involved in community activities

parochial participants - dont vote, cantact officials about personal problems

complete activists - participate in all forms

practice of keeping african americans from voting in primary elections through random completion of registration requirements and intimidation

unconstitutional

people who hold liberal views on economic matters and conservative ones on social matters

strong govt to regulate business and impose strict social and criminal sanctions

principle of american govt whereby constitutional authority is shared by 3 separate branches of govt

legislative, executive, judicial

an american news agency, the world's largest such organization

owned by contributing newspapers and broadcast stations who contribute stories

supply national and international info to press

seizing upon any bit of info or rumor that might call into question the qulifications or characted of a public official

Role of Watchdog

media will watch a cerain candidate

investigates and releases all info about him and reports it to the people

watches over what they say or do

sets a term limit for the president

2 terms

"forward-looking"

examine the views that the rival candidates have on issues

cast our ballots for the person we agree with

requires a lot of knowledge about issues and candidates

individual - $2000

PAC - $5000

"backward looking"

looking at how things have good in past and then voting for party that controls white house if they agree with past

doesnt require a lot of info

deciding voters

any organization that seeks to influence public policy

types - institutional and membership

Lobby

involves individuals who join activities and contribute to politics

most common form of party organization

motivated by companionship

neither corrupt nor flexible

not very hard-working

led Democratic-Republicans

first member of the HoR to be elected president

co-wrote federalist papers

Puposive Incentives

protects against arbitrary arrest and prosecution

extends to both aliens and citizens