What is classical liberalism?
philosophy and embodiment (Shared belief system) that the American people were look for liberty, individualism, nationalism, power to the people, equality, idealism, limited government
What is the American dream?
idea that the US is the land of opportunity and if you work hard you can achieve economic success
What is the Industrial Revolution?
economic change from agricultural society to an industrial society
What caused the depression?
capitalism
What do liberals believe about the government?
the role of the government is to provide justice and equality (housing, healthcare, education)
What do conservatives believe about government?
the role of the government must be limited and government should provide law & order and competitive market- people should pay for education, housing and healthcare
What is capitalism?
economic system but its also an ideology; system where the resources (goods and services) are provided by private enterprise, key: private ownership
What do interest groups do?
put their group in power
What economic change occurred during the time of the founding fathers?
the economy shifted from a mercantile economy to free market
What is pluralism?
theory that interest groups check and balance the power of interest groups
What is a movement?
interest groups willing to die for causes
Types of interest groups
economic, ideological, public, foreign, government, movement
What category of interest groups are tax exempt charities?
either ideological or movement... no idea
Distinguish between open and closed shops.
open shop means you have to be a member of the union
What factors impact on interest group power?
size, resources, cohesiveness, leadership, ability/techniques to raise money
What is a PAC?
political action committee- group of people within every interest group that is legally entitled to raise money from its members and give that money to a political candidate
What is soft money?
PAC & cooperations giving excessive money before the government regulated it
What is hard money?
money received from PAC & cooperations after the government regulated it
What is BCRA?
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act
What are political parties?
organizations which function to get someone elected or re-elected; party out of power is criticizing party out of power to get back in power
What law governs the election process?
State law
Why is the primary preferred over the caucus?
primaries are more representative since people go out to vote
What is the sequence of events between the primary/caucus to the National Convention?
General election, electoral college determines campaign
Why do we need a National Convention?
It is were formal candidates get announced
Why is a National Convention important?
determines the candidates we will vote for
What # wins the electoral college?
270
What is the president's constitutionally fixed term of office?
4 years
Where did the electoral college come from?
the constitution
What is mass media?
means of communicating with the public via radio, tv, internet, magazines
Where did most Americans get news from before 1960?
newspaper
Where do most Americans get news from after 1960?
tv
What media does a better job covering news and politics?
radio i guess
What is the public view of the media?
it is biased
What marks the 1800s in media?
literacy changed
Who did the fireside chats?
FDR
After the electoral college vote for president, and the winner cannot be determined, what happens?
House of reps chooses president
After the electoral college vote for vice president, and the winner cannot be determined, what happens?
senate chooses vice president
How media influences people depends on what?
political socialization, selectivity, needs, ability to comprehend/retain
When campaigns are about who is ahead rather than issues, what is it called?
no idea
How long do Americans spend watching TV?
8 hours
What is non-partisan?
where the party does not directly identify its denomination
What is libertarian?
non interventionists; practice abstentions, support individual freedom and foreign affair; strictly limited govt
How do you win the electoral college votes in most states?
win the popular vote
What is the role of the press?
dominate presidential election and serve as a watch dog
What is political culture?
the composition of assumptions and beliefs that people have toward the govt; affected by economic change
Define direct primary.
where the people vote in the primary election