AP American Government S12 Mrs. Wiens Unit II: Public Opinion and Political Action Essential Questions: What is public opinion and how is it measured? What role did the Framers think public opinion should play in American democracy? What is the public agenda, and how is the agenda shaped? How does public opinion in America today vary by race, gender, and other factors? What is political ideology, and how does it affect political behavior and influence public policy? When, if ever, should public policies mirror majority opinion? Do Americans trust their government? Who votes, who doesn't, and why is voter turnout so low in the United States? Why does the U.S. government behave differently than governments in countries with similar constitutions? What are the major subdivisions and functions of political parties? How has America's two-party system changed, and how does it differ from the party systems of other representative democracies? How much do parties affect how Americans vote? Why do political parties have such a difficult time holding their coalitions together? Why do third parties so often fail in U.S. politics? What effect has de-alignment had on political power? What matters most in deciding who wins presidential and congressional elections? Why do people join interest groups? How do interest groups and lobbyists influence government, and what limitations have been placed upon them? Should interest groups' political activities be restricted by law? What role does the media play in shaping public opinion? What effect does the media have on individual political beliefs and voting behaviors? Can we trust the media to be fair? Syllabus / Study Guide Chapters 6 Public Opinion Date Topics / Class Activities Assignments 1. Tues, Feb. 21 Measuring Public Opinion and Political Ideologies Computer Lab 1. DVD Framework for Democracy: Disc2 Episode8, 1,3,4 2. Ideology Paper Survey 1. Readings Book p. 541 The Values Divide by John White. Read and prepare to address the following topics a. What is the evidence of an ideological division in America along the so-called red/blue divide? b. What is the evidence that this 1
2. Wed, Feb. 22 Thurs, Feb. 23 3. Go to AP Am. Govt. class web page, click on AP Ideology Surveys and follow instructions. 4. Complete Parent Socialization Survey at home. Paper due Thursday, Feb. 23 Annenberg Video#2 Frames of Reference Episode, Ch. 1, 3, 4 on socialization & polls (HippoCampus video: Polls and Polling) Political Socialization Ch.6 Socialization and Opinion Polling PPT HippoCampus videos: Factors That Lead to Party Identification, Demographics, and Intensity, Party ID Ideology Paper due. Review ideology spectrum Socratic Circle or Hot Seat on Public Opinion over Reading Book articles division is exaggerated and really isn t all that important? c. What explanations are given for how the red/blue divide rose up? d. This is a thinking question, not necessarily an answer you have to write down: if you were advising a presidential candidate from either party in 2012, how would you advise him or her to deal with the ideological divide? 2. More articles: The Phantom Public by Walter Lippmann (Readings Book p. 383), Public Opinion and American Democracy by V.O. Key (R.B. p. 387), Politicians Don't Pander by Lawrence Jacobs/Robert Shapiro (R.B. p. 401) 1. Read Edwards text pp. 176-195 on polling. Summarize the five criteria for designing and interpreting surveys. 2. Answer questions over text reading in unit packet 3. Ideology Paper due tomorrow. Read Edwards pp. 196-208 and answer questions 6. Fri, Feb. 24 Mass Media Chapter 7: Mass Media Computer Lab Partner/Group Tasks: Exploration of the Media what is the real story? Due Fri, March 2 report findings to class 1. Read Edwards pp. 210-225 2. Answer questions Annenberg DVD#2, Episode 13 Media - raises excellent issues or Framework for Democracy? 7. Mass Media 1. Read Edwards pp. 225-237 2
Mon, Feb. 27 8. Tues, Feb. 28 Ch. 7 Media PPT TEST Ch. 6-7 in Computer Lab 60 Multiple Choice Qs. 2. Answer questions 1. Read and mark-up articles on class web page: Feeding Frenzy by Larry Sabato (RB p. 574), The White House Staff by Bradley Peterson (RB p. 581), Where Have All the Voters Gone? By Martin Wattenberg (RB p. 592) South Park Conservatives by Brian Anderson (RB p. 598) 8. Wed, Feb. 29 Chapter 8: Political Parties POLITICAL PARTIES: The Party in the Electorate, the Party Organization, and the Party in Government. s, Party Eras Ch. 8 Political Party PPT. Group Questions over Ch. 8, opt Hippocampus videos: Organization of Parties, Political Party Eras, The Function of Parties in America, Party Realignment and Dealignment 1. Read Edwards text Ch. 8, pp. 240-259 (247-271) 2. Read and mark-up article found on class web page: Red Over Blue by James Ceasar and Andrew Busch (RB p. 516) Take notes on: a) how people have interpreted the 2004 election b) how the authors interpret the red/blue divide c) the definition of realignment and criticisms of that theory and whether we have witnessed a realignment. d) how this article might be updated to take into account the results of the 2010 congressional elections. 3. Read article Critical Elections and the Mainstream of American Politics by Walter Dean Burnham (RB p. 511) 9. Thurs., March 1 10. Fri, March 2 What are the differences between an interest group and third political parties? 1. Finish PPT and Party Realignment PPT 2. Computer Lab- Third Party Web Activity (mb) American vs. Third Parties and Third Parties Due Wed, March 9th Minor Parties, Nominating a President in Primaries, Caucuses 1. Partners/Groups report findings on Media 2. Hot Seat over Readings Articles: 1. Read article from class web page: The Rise of the Southern Republicans by Earl and Merle Black (RB, p. 527) 3
The Media, Political Parties, and Social Policy HippoCampus videos: Third Parties (YouTube videos - Ch. 8 Political Parties ) 11. Mon, March 5 Chapter 9: Nominations and Campaigns Nominations and Campaigns: 1. Read Edwards Ch. 9, pp. 268-279 Presidential vs. Congressional, Primary 2. Answer questions in unit packet and General Elections Watch Annenberg Disc2 Episode 10-11 on Campaigns followed by Group Discussion Questions. HippoCampus videos: Primaries, Caucuses, Conventions 12. Tues, March 6 13. Wed, March 7 14. Thurs, March 8 Television, Debates, Direct Mail Computer Lab Campaign Finance Scavenger Hunt HippoCampus videos: Cost of Elections, Campaign Finance Reform Turn in Third Party Web Paper 1. Quiz over Campaign Finance 2. Gerrymandering PPT and video clip Safe Seat Primary Election 3. Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore? DVD and Handout Turn in Finance Scavenger-Hunt Web Activity Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore? DVD 1. Read Edwards Ch. 9, pp. 279-294 2. Answer questions 3. Ask your parents and other adults how they make up their minds whom to vote for. I m not particularly interested in whom they voted for, but what is important to them in making up their minds, e.g., party, stand on issues, character, endorsements, ads, etc. 1. Read Bushmanders and Bullwinkels by Mark Monmonier (RB p. 548) Study for Test over Ch. 8 and 9 15. Fri, March 9 Computer Lab - TEST over Ch. 8 and 9 Do FRQ (2005) found on QUIA (see class web page for link) Read and mark-up articles found on class web page: Free to Choose by Milton Friedman (RB p 611) and Flat 4
Broke with Children by Sharon Hays (RB p. 617) 16. Mon, March 12 Chapter 10: Elections and Voting Behavior Computer Lab What s in an Ad? Living Room Candidate 1. Read Edwards pp. 296-320 2. Answer questions Hippocampus videos: Incumbency, House and Senate Elections, General Elections, The Electoral College 17. Tues, March 13 Chapter 11: Interest Groups Interest Groups: Birth of, Types of Guided Lecture on Interest Groups 1. Read Edwards pp. 322-350 2. Answer questions 18. Wed, March 14 19. Thurs, March 15 Computer Lab Fortune's Top 10 Interest Groups Interest Group Web Activity Computer Lab - TEST over Ch. 10-11 Period 1 and 7 in EMAC. HAVE A FABULOUS SPRING BREAK. BE SAFE, HAVE FUN! Study for Ch. 10-11 Test Use your own words to answer these questions. Please type and save the answers on your hard drive. When appropriate, you may answer with bullet points. Complete sentences aren t necessary if you can make the point with phrases. Edwards Test Review Questions for Chapter 6 -Public Opinion 1. What is political culture? 2. How does American culture compare with other countries political culture? 3. What are the sources of political culture? 4. How does mistrust of government affect political culture? 5. What are political efficacy and tolerance? 5
6. What is political opinion? 7. What are the components that are essential to obtain accuracy in public opinion polling? 8. What are the primary agents of political socialization? 9. What are the cleavages in public opinion? 10. Evaluate the role of polls in American democracy. 11. Identify the political beliefs that are likely to be preferred by liberals and conservatives. 12. Identify the activities that encompass political participation in the United States. 13. Distinguish between conventional and unconventional types of political participation. 14. Explain what political scientists mean when they conclude that Americans are ideological conservatives but operational liberals. Census Civil Disobedience Demography Exit poll Gender gap Melting pot Minority Majority Political Culture Political ideology Political Participation Political Socialization Protest Public Opinion Random digit dialing Random sampling Reapportionment Sample Sampling error Tracking poll Edwards Test Review Questions for Chapter 7-Mass Media and the Political Agenda 1. Trace the development of the mass media and the way in which presidents have used the media in different periods of our history. 2. Describe the major sources that people rely on for their information about politics, and how technologies--especially the Internet--are changing this. 6
3. How do journalists define what is newsworthy? Where do they get their information and how do they present it? 4. What role does the profit motive play in how the mass media reports the news? 5. How fair is the charge that the media has a liberal bias? 6. What factors explain why the news is typically characterized by political neutrality? 7. What methods are used by political activists to get their ideas placed high on the governmental agenda? 8. How does the media act as key linkage institutions between the people and the policy makers? 9. What functions of the media may help to keep government small and what functions may encourage growth of government? 10. How has television encouraged individualism in the American political system? 11. Why has the rise of the "information society" not brought about a corresponding rise of an "informed society?" Terms to Know for Ch. 7 libel Defamation Prior Restraint beats broadcast media chains High-tech politics Investigative journalism Mass media Media event Narrowcasting Policy agenda Policy entrepreneurs Press conferences Print media Sound bites Talking head Trial balloons You may also be expected to know... Muckraker Associated Press 7
yellow journalism "Big Three" networks The Pentagon Papers Loaded language Equal Time rule Right-of-reply rule Political editorializing rule Fairness Doctrine Selective attention Editorial endorsement C-SPAN Routine stories Feature stories Insider stories News leaks Adversarial press "Off/On the record" "On (deep) background" Feeding Frenzy Pack Journalism New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964) Federal Communications Commission Shield law Freedom of Information Act (1974) "Above" or "Below the fold" stories Edwards Test Review Questions for Chapter 8- Political Parties 1. Compare the roles of the party-in-the-electorate, the party as an organization, and the party-in-the-government. 2. How does the political party serve as a key linkage institution to translate inputs from the public into outputs from the policymakers? 3. Describe Anthony Downs' rational-choice theory as a working model of the relationship among citizens, parties, and policy. 4. Trace the historical development of the American two-party system (the rise and decline of political parties). 5. How may the recent pattern of divided government explain party dealignment? 6. Differentiate between ideology or party philosophy of the Democratic or Republican parties. 8
7. Explain how electoral rules such as the "winner-take-all" plurality system have helped to maintain a two-party system in the U.S. 8. Evaluate the impact of minor or third parties on American politics and the American party system. 9. Why do we have a two party system in America? What are the effects of a two-party system as contrasted with the multi-party system? 10. What is the significance of the weak and decentralized character of the American party system? Terms to Know for Ch. 8 ideology party era critical elections party realignment divided government dealignment winner-take-all plurality system blanket primaries coalition coalition governments closed primaries linkage institutions National chairperson National committee national convention New Deal coalition party competition Party identification Party image Party machine Party neutrality Patronage Political Party Proportional representation Rational-choice theory Responsible party model Third parties Ticket-splitting 9
Test Review Questions for Chapter 18 - Social Welfare 1. What is meant by social welfare policy? 2. Contrast the liberal and conservative view about the conduct and impact of public assistance programs. 3. Distinguish the three major types of taxation: progressive, regressive, and proportional. 4. Show how each affects the public class structure in different ways. 5. Summarize the effects that social welfare programs have had on the day-to-day living conditions of groups of Americans, such as the poor, the young, and the elderly. 6. Differentiate between entitlement programs and means-tested programs. 7. Indicate the role that entitlements play in the U.S. budgetary system. 8. Identify the major American social welfare programs and the groups that benefit from them. 9. What is the political difference between programs like Social Security or Medicare and Aid to Families with Dependent Children? 10. Contrast social welfare policy in the U.S. with that of other major Western democracies. 11. Trace the evolution of America's social welfare programs, with emphasis on the role of the Great Depression. 12. Examine intergenerational equality issues that stem from disparity in public dollars spent on the elderly as contrasted with public funds spent on children. 13. Compare and contrast the views of recent presidents of both political parties toward social welfare expenditures. 14. Explain why policymaking in the U.S. is very incremental in nature. 15. What is the relationship between social welfare policy and the scope of government? 16. What are some possible solutions for reforming Social Security? 10
17. How was welfare (AFDC) reformed in 1996? Why was it possible to pass this reform? Terms to Know - Ch. 18 Social Policy Aid to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC) Earned Income Tax Credit Entitlement programs Feminization of poverty Food Stamps Income distribution Income Means-tested programs Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (1996) Poverty line Progressive tax Proportional tax Regressive tax Social Security Act of 1935 Social Security Trust Fund Social welfare policies Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Transfer payments Wealth Edwards Test Review Questions for Chapter 9 - Nominations and Campaigns 1. What role does campaign strategy play in winning a nomination to elective office? 2. Contrast and evaluate the caucus and primary methods of delegate selection. 3. Contrast the American primary system of nomination with those of other countries such as those in Europe. 4. Trace the historical evolution of national party conventions as nominating vehicles for presidential candidates. 5. How has high-tech campaigning changed the nature of American politics? 6. What impact has the growth of PACs has upon modern campaigning? 7. What role has money and technology played in American campaign organizations? What are the sources of campaign money? 11
8. What are the rules regarding campaign finances? 9. Analyze the role the media play in influencing the style and substance of presidential campaigns. 10. How are presidential campaigns different from congressional campaigns? 11. Evaluate whether the "openness" of the American style of campaigning leads to a more democratic system or a less democratic system of government. 12. Who ultimately decides elections? 13. Assess whether or not American presidential elections lead to an increased scope of government. Terms to Know for Ch. 9 Campaign strategy Caucus Direct mail Federal Election Campaign Act Federal Election Commission Frontloading Matching funds McGovern-Fraser Commission National party convention National primary Nomination Party platform Political Action Committee (PAC) Presidential Election Campaign Fund Presidential primaries Regional primaries Selective perception Soft money Hard money Super-delegates 527 groups You may also be expected to know... Congressional campaign committee Political machine Tammany Hall Patronage Plurality Linkage Institutions "loyal opposition" "out party" First Party System Second Party System New Deal Coalition 12
Spoils System Tammany Hall Civil Service "personal following" Coalition Progressives Dixiecrats Strom Thurmond George Wallace American Independent Party Ross Perot Test Review Questions for Chapter 19 - Healthcare and the Environment 1. Why is environmental policy so controversial? 2. What effect has the technological revolution had on standards of healthcare, and on the costs and access to medical care? 3. Contrast the costs and the results of healthcare policies in the U.S. with those of other industrialized nations. 4. Compare the role of government in medical care in the U.S. with that of other comparable countries. 5. Identify government insurance programs in the U.S. and determine who benefits from these programs. 6. How have issues of pollution affected political choices through their impact on business, economic growth, and jobs? 7. Summarize legislative enactments in the U.S. that establish federal environmental policy. 8. What impact has technological issues had on the scope of government? Terms to Know - Ch. 19 Healthcare and the Environment Clean Air Act of 1970 Endangered Species Act of 1973 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Medicaid Medicare National health insurance 13
Superfund Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 Water Quality Improvement Act (1970) Global warming Kyoto Protocol Acid Rain Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Edwards Test Review Questions Chapter 10-Elections and Voter Behavior 1. How do elections provide regular access to political power and how does the process relate to the level of political legitimacy? 2. What are the procedures that permit voters to enact legislation directly? 3. Trace the historical evolution of the American style of campaigning from 1800 to 2004. 4. Contract the characteristics of voters and nonvoters. 5. Summarize what the book says about how the following groups vote and the effect they have on campaigns: Hispanics, African Americans, Jews, Catholics, southerners, union members, business people, and poor people. 6. Why has voter turnout actually declined as the right to vote was extended to new groups? 7. What role has voter registration procedures and requirements played in structuring voter turnout? 8. Explain why party identification is crucial for many voters and explain party affiliation declined since the 1950s. 9. What conditions must be present for true policy voting to occur? 10. Outline the procedures of the electoral college and compare the present system with the process that was envisioned by the framers of the Constitution. 11. According to the democratic theory, what tasks do elections accomplish? 12. How may elections affect public policy and how may public policy affect elections? 13. How do elections influence the scope of government in a democracy? 14
Terms to Know - Ch. 10 Civil duty Electoral college Initiative petition Legitimacy Mandate theory of elections Motor Voter Act (1993) Policy voting Political efficacy Referendum Retrospective voting Suffrage Voter registration Help America Vote Act (2002) You may also be expected to know the following... incumbent Coattails Federal matching funds Front-loaded campaign Clothespin vote Closed primary Blanket primary Runoff primary Smith v. Allwright (1944) white primaries Whistle-stop train tour Campaign spots Federal Election Campaign Act (1974) prospective voting retrospective voting Split-ticket voting Straight-ticket voting General election Primary election Federal Election Commission (FEC) Bipartisan Campaign reform Act (2002) Super Tuesday Straw poll Bush v. Gore (2000) Edwards Test Review Questions Chapter 11-Interest Groups 1. What are the essential differences between interest groups and political parties? 15
2. Explain the three basic theories of interest group politics: pluralist theory, elite theory, and hyperpluralist theory. 3. What factors tend to make an interest group successful? 4. What is the difference between the staff and membership of an interest group? 5. What is the difference between a potential group and an actual group? How does the free-rider problem apply? 6. How have interest groups tried to shape public policy? List techniques. 7. How do lobbyists represent interest groups in influencing the legislative agenda? 8. What are the sources of funding for interest groups that enable them to influence the political process? What rules govern the funding of interest groups? 9. What are the different types of interest groups and their characteristics? 10. Explain why the authors of the textbook say that the problems of honest lobbying now appear to outweigh the traditional problems of dishonest lobbying. 11. What are the implications for the size of government that are generated by the power of PACs and special interest groups? 12. What is the appropriate role of interest groups within a democratic society? Actual group Amicus curiae briefs Class action suits Collective good Electioneering Elite theory Free-rider problem Hyperluralist theory Interest groups Lobbying Olson's laws of large groups Pluralist theory Political action committees Potential group Public interest lobbies Right-to-work law Selective benefits Single-issue groups Terms to Know - Ch. 11 16
Subgovernments Union shop Earmark You may also be expected to know... K Street solidarity incentives Material incentives Purposive incentives Ideological interest group Public-Interest interest group Ralph Nader Communication Workers of America v. Beck (1988) Social Movement Environmental Movement Feminist Movement Union Movement Foundations Direct mail Political cue Insider strategy Grassroots lobbying Astroturf lobbying "Revolving Door" Ethics in Government Act (1978) Lobbyist Disclosure Act (1995) Trade Association Iron Triangle Think tank 17
Interest Groups You should be familiar with the following Interest Groups. Basically, I want you to know the types of issues these groups are involved in and whether they are generally supporters of liberals or conservatives, or are non-ideological. If I gave you an issue, you should know which interest groups would be involved. The groups with an asterisk by them are ones you all need to know. There are, of course, many more organizations, but one must draw a line somewhere. Use this list to pick an interest group for your assignment. 1. AARP American Association of Retired People* 2. ACLU American Civil Liberties Union* 11. Christian Coalition* 21. NEA - National Education Association* 12. Club for Growth 22. National Resources Defense Council 3. AFL-CIO American Federation of Labor Congress of Industrial Organizations* 4. ABA - American Bar Association* 5. American Conservative Union 13. Council on American- Islamic Relations 6. American Farm Bureau 16. Environmental Defense Fund 7. AIPAC - American Israel Public Affairs Committee 8. AMA - American Medical Association* 9. ATLA - Association of Trial Lawyers of America 23. NOW National Organization of Women* 14. Eagle Forum 24. NRA National Rifle Association* 15. Emily s List 25. PETA People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals 26. Public Citizen* 17. Handgun Control, Inc. 27. Sierra Club* 18. NAACP National Association of Colored People* 19. NAM - National Association of Manufacturers* 10. The Business Roundtable 20. NARAL National Abortion Rights Action League* 28. US Chamber of Commerce 29. Veterans of Foreign Wars* 18