5.1-5.3
What is the rational choice model of voting?
Someone voting in their best interest, by supporting the candidate whose platform will give them the most favorable outcomes.
What are some strategies do candidates employ in order to win elections?
Fundraising and advertising and Micro-targeting
What is the election that decides which candidate will fill an elective?
General election
1974 legislation designed to regulate campaign contributions and limit campaign expenditures
Federal Election Campaign Act
agenda-setting
The way the media influences what issues the public considers important enough to address through the government
What is a linkage institution?
A group that connects the people to the government, ways for the people to communicate their preferences to the government.
What are Coalitions?
demographic groups, if they vote as a whole, they can significantly alter the outcome of an election
Who is the person who acts as the voters' representative at a convention to select the party's nominee?
Delegate
People who promote the election of candidates for political office by helping advise candidates on how best to present their ideas to the public
political consultants
Journalism that focuses on who is winning or ahead in the polls rather than on candidates' policy agenda or debate
“horse race” journalism
How are retrospective and prospective voting different?
Retrospective voting refers to voting based on the candidate's record in office or others in their party. Prospective voting refers to voting based on how a citizen thinks a candidate will act and perform if elected to office
What is the main purpose for Interest groups?
to influence and educate voters and office holders on the interest group’s chosen issue
What methods do interest groups use to try to influence public policy?
Interest or pressure groups may use television, radio, magazine, and newspaper advertising to create public support for their policies.
What is FEC and what does it oversee?
FEC was created to oversee and regulate the money being spent in Political campaigns and established limits for how much money a person could give to a political candidate
Why is horse race journalism considered as a bad journalism type?
Horse-race coverage reduces citizens' substantive knowledge of politics (such as policies or candidates' issue positions) and fosters political cynicism and alienation. More recent versions of horse race coverage that produce forecasts has been shown to reduce voting in multiple studies.
What is political efficacy, and why is it important?
Political efficacy refers to a citizen’s belief that their vote matters and can influence government policies. This is important because it increases the political knowledge of the citizens causing them to be more aware of political and government policies.
What is the Iron Triangle? What is its purpose?
The strong, mutually beneficial relationship between interest groups, congressional committees, and government agencies, working together to develop and conserve their own power, and expand their political influence
What is one advantage of open primaries?
allows all voters to vote in all races in a Primary Election
How are Super PACs different from other PACs?
Super PACs are committees that may receive unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations, labor unions and other PACs for the purpose of financing independent expenditures and other independent political activity.
What are the benefits of citizen journalism?
Citizen Journalism creates an environment for individuals to be considered and accepted on a global scale. The circulation of information and news does not fully divulge the accurate perceptions of what is going on in the world
How does the type of election (midterm vs. presidential) influence voter turnout?
People are more likely to turnout for Presidential elections rather than midterms, people in congress tend to stay in congress, people may believe their political efficacy is lower in those elections so they do not turn out as much, on Presidential elections there is more engagement and focus overall, since there is more political engagement more people turn out
What are Third Parties? Why can’t Third-Parties win?
A Term used for American political parties other than the two dominant parties, Because of the Two-Party System and Winner-take-all voting districts
Why do incumbents win reelection so often?
One of the most important reasons as to why incumbents are nearly unbeatable is because they normally have much better financed campaigns than their opponents.
What was the decision in Citizens United v. FEC and how has it impacted campaign finance?
FEC that had upheld restricted corporate spending on electioneering communications. This ruling effectively freed corporations, including incorporated non-profit organizations, to spend money on electioneering communications and to directly advocate for the election or defeat of candidates.
What are the effects of media consolidation?
Concentration of media ownership or media consolidation or media convergence is a process whereby progressively fewer individuals or organizations control increasing shares of the mass media.