| liberal generalization. they are this way because? | young (unbiased, havn't started economic life), college educated (liberal universities with liberal professors/people), Jewish (gov. interaction helped immigrants)/nonreligious (makes them more easy going). Power of citizens to make own choices (their youth makes them want to be independent but also desire good in the world) |
| conservative generalization. they are this way because? | old(economically conservative- seen more therefore, more biased), white (economically conservative $), rich (economically conservative $), from the Midwest |
| Populist generalization. they are this way because? | Old (makes them socially conservative b/c more biased), poorly educated (socially conservative because didn't go to a university and experience new views), poor (makes them economically liberal), religious (makes them socially conservative), single or married white female |
| Libertarian generalization. they are this way because? | young (makes them socially liberal), college educated (makes them socially liberal), white (economically conservative-$), west, vote 3rd party (socially liberal) |
| new liberal/middle class | people depending on government. Mix of money and liberalism, make good money, college educated, vote liberal, anti-corporation anti-materialism (but are actually materialistic) |
| political elites | have a disproportionate share of power because they care enough to get involved, show more consistency with their ideology, |
| liberal-taxes | progressive income tax (rich people pay more), move to sales ("consumption') tax, higher taxes on investments and estate |
| liberal-government spending | MORE! higher minimum wage, reduce economic inequality, regulate business, TAX RICH. welfare programs to FIX INEQUALITY |
| liberal-civil rights | more active (higher quotes for hiring and college admissions), gov. should give equality (ex. gay marriage), pro abortion. |
| liberal-crime and punishment | solve CAUSES of crime. No "3 strikes you're out"/ death penalty. Legalize victimless crimes (drugs and prostitution) |
| liberal-social | EQUALITY believe in rights of the people that the government should protect (free speech, believe health care is a right), separation of church and state, gov. should not regulate internet porn, etc. |
| conservative-taxes | flat tax (every pays the same percent of income tax), less business regulation, FREE TRADE let the market do "its thing", lower tax |
| conservative- government spending | LESS! State and local governments are more efficient in dealing with economy. cut welfare |
| conservative- civil rights | no affirmative action (prevent descrimination of minorities and women) or quotas. can control civil liberties |
| conservative- crime and punishment | punish people as a deterrent. Support death penalty |
| why would a conservative oppose death penalty? | Gov messes up a lot. What if we are wrong? Don't take the chance |
| traditional middle class | 4 year college, suburban, church affiliated, pro-business, socially conservative Republican |
| Populist views | Economically liberal, socially conservative. Reduce financial inequality, control business, regulate conduct, pray in school. |
| Libertarian views | Economically conservative, socially liberal. Want small government overall. |
| what is political socialization? | generalizations about how you get the political views you have |
| influence of: marriage, race | married people are more conservative, and people with kids. they vote similar because they have similar opinions. race-they vote similar because they face similar hardships. asians are conservative. Lainos and Blacks are democratic, democratic blacks think the death penalty is biased. they like affirmative action |
| influences on the 2 party system EO | 1. Electoral system: WINNER TAKES ALL and PLURALITY SYSTEM-MOST votes win. therefore forces the candidate to make sure they have the largest following on election day 2. Opinion of voters- citizens normally agree on issues enough to let them opinions form 2 broad based coalitions |
| history of Democratic and Republican parties | Democrats went from local→national. Went from S→ N and W. Republicans went from national→local. Went from N→ S and SW |
| National Democratic and Republican Conventions | ultimate power and nominates president. nat. state delegates committee, Congressional campaign committees, nat. chair for daily work |
| types of realignments | 1. major party disappears 2. voters shift from 1 party to another |
| 1860, 1896, 1932 | 1860 slavery: whigs collapsed, Dems were divided, anti-slavery R's won. shows that parties need to take a stand on big issues. 1896 economics: R's (big business, hard money, protective tariff) defeated D's/Bryan (small town, low tariff) 1932 depression: FDR's new deal dem's. Democrat FDR got support from all because he gave special interest to many factions |
| what happened with the R's in the late 1960s? | R's became a well-financed bureaucracy. They use computerized mailings and , raise money, recruit candidates, have legal advisors, advertise. both use public opinion polls to find issues with voter response |
| what happened with the D's in the late 1960s? | D's were the "everything else" party (with more factions). both use public opinion polls to find issues with voter response |
| each person is responsible for his/her own place in society-ex? | Republican- cut funding for welfare |
| the economy is too complicated to be left alone and must be managed at the Federal level-ex? | Democrat- stimulus package, fixing unemployment |
| government should be limited to doing only those thing that people cannot do for themselves-ex? | Republican- more troops to Afghanistan (people can't do that on their own so gov should give $ to that instead of welfare etc.) |
| Rely more on an active role by the Federal government-ex? | Democrat- health care reform, desire to have a public and private plan choice (more power to decide EQUALLY) |
| Rely more on an active role y the state and local governments-ex? | Republican- desire for fed gov. to give STATES money (state budgets)- state and local governments are in charge of money |
| Growing urban and national problems at times makes state and local government obsolete-ex? | Democrat- idea that states have failed to have appropriate budgets (programs are not being given EQUALLY)- fed. gov. should control budgets instead |
| cut back/ eliminate unnecessary and overlapping Federal programs-ex? | Republican- criticize a program that gives money to people that would get it in 2 years when they retired anyway |
| Group comes before the individual. society is responsible for each member-ex? | Democrat- like social security system b/c it covers everyone. also solve causes of crime, don't punish the individual |
| free enterprise system is the key to individual and national prosperity-ex? | Republican- free market is the only way to make jobs (low taxes, less regulation>power to employees to increase jobs) |
| Place less emphasis on individual enterprise and initiative-ex? | Democrat- pro minimum wage because it equally covers everyone, not just individuals |
| what are parties an outgrowth of? why? | political ideologies. Because they express values/beliefs and opinions on certain topics. people with the same views form parties to make their beliefs heard |
| dealignment v. realignment | R= sharp lasting shift in popular coalition supporting 1 or both parties. D= people are stepping away from affiliation with both parties (more inbetween, moderates) |
| WHERE are political parties becoming weak? why? L.O.L | 1. as labels because more independents 2. as organizations 3. as sets of leaders |
| reforms? effect of reforms on political parties | 1. primary elections- stops political boss manipulation 2. nonpartisan elections 3. no party-business alliances- causes corruption 4. stricter voter registration requirements- reduce voting fraud 5. civil service reform- eliminate corruption 6. initiative and referendum elections- citizen vote directly on legislation--> WEAKENING OF POLITICAL PARTIES |
| reasons for differences from Europe | 1. fed system DECENTRALIZES POWER 2. parties REGULATED by state and federal LAWS 3. party leaders did not choose candidates-chosen through PRIMARIES 4. PRESIDENT is elected SEPARATELY from CONGRESS 5. POLITICAL CULTURE= more independent, Americans do not join |
| functions of political parties (2 party system) | 1. label leader- supports voters viewpoints 2. influence voters- build coalitions of like minded citizens 3. support leaders- through awareness and campaigning 4. oppose- parties are the "loyal opposition" who try to force compromise 5. build for the future- remain a strong coalition to keep influence strong |
| Reasons for no third parties? ex? BECW-what should they do instead? | 1. state ballot access- need large numbers for access 2. electoral college system- need PLURALITY of state votes to get a college vote 3. cost- very expensive for national elections 4. "dont want to waste my vote" view- they wont get elected anyway. ex. NY Republicans. INSTEAD they should join with a major coalition to put in their influence |
