Ideology: a basic set of political beliefs about the roles of government and the individuals in society

People who have similar opinions on political issues are grouped according to whether or not they are “left,” “right,” or “center”

Left Center Right

Radical Moderate Reactionary

Liberal Conservative

Want extreme change to create a brand new society

Want extreme change to restore society to an earlier time

Most political disagreements come down to one big issue:Should the government be large and involved, or small and not involved in business, society, and in taking care of problems?

Favors an active role of the government in solving society’s problems Regulate business Regulate economy

Social Pro-choice Social welfare Against war Gay rights

Economic Aid for poor Government regulation Higher taxes (especially on Rich)

Calls for a limited role in government Social Conservatism

Pro-life Limited government involvement Traditional family

Economic conservatism (fiscal conservatism) Pro-military Pro-business Limited government aid Limited government regulation Lower taxes

Centralism – in the middle between conservative and liberals. No official partyBegan to form and internet base group

“dedicated to developing common sense proposals to address the most difficult issues facing the country

“Middle of the road voters” Hold a mix of liberal and conservative views Make up the largest group of voters Often cross party lines depending on the

candidate and the issue of the day Often decide elections

A strong belief in individual freedom Individual responsibility Smaller government Anti-interventionist Tend to be:

Conservative on fiscal Liberal on social

Government should stay out of Marriage Schools Abortion drugs

the belief that a government should control either economic or social policy or both to some degree

Political PartiesPolitical Parties

In America, we have organized political parties.

This is a group of voters with broad, common interests who want to influence/control government policy by electing candidates to office.

USUALLY party members share viewpoints/ideology.

In America, we have organized political parties.

This is a group of voters with broad, common interests who want to influence/control government policy by electing candidates to office.

USUALLY party members share viewpoints/ideology.

A group of people who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office

A party platform is a statement of party principles and issue positions. Written every 4 years Each statement on an issue is called a plank

A fervent, sometimes militant supporter or proponent of a party, cause, faction, person, or idea.

A member of an organized body of fighters who attack or harass an enemy, especially within occupied territory; a guerrilla.

The US has a two party system

Two parties Democratic Party

Republican Party

Founded in 1828

Ideology Center-Left Liberal

Party Color: Blue

this party is popular on the East and West Coast, in the Northeast states, and in cities.

More likely to be minority, female, less affluent

Strong federal government Tax cuts for poor/raise taxes on rich Support government regulation Pro-abortion Pro-Gun control Oppose school prayer Regular increase in minimum wage Pro Gay rights issues

Founded in 1854

Political Ideology Center-Right Conservative

Also Known as The Grand Old Party or GOP

Party Color Red

this party is popular in the Deep South, the Midwest, the Southwest, and rural areas everywhere.

White, male and relatively affluent Limited government Broad based taxes Oppose excessive government regulation Pro-life Pro gun rights Favor Christian values Against excessive regulation of economic system

(mandatory artificial raises in minimum wage) Pro free enterprise

What are minor parties?

Parties without widespread support in the country

Important because they draw attention to certain issues

There are 4 types of minor parties.

Ideological party Economic interest party Single issue party Splinter party

Jill Stein-Green Party

Gary Johnson-LibertarianVirgil Goode –Constitutional Party

Ideological PartyBased on a particular set of beliefsConstitutional Party: Return to an original interpretation of Constitution and our Biblical foundation Libertarian Party: Supports laissez-fair markets

and personal freedoms

Economic Protest PartyDevelop as a response to bad economic timesPopulist Party (1892-1908) protested conditions

and government policies that hurt farmers.

Single Issue Party Their name indicates

their primary concern Right to Life Party:

Opposes legalized abortion

Splinter Party Split away from major

party States’ Rights Party

(1948) – split from Democratic Party to oppose racial integration

Based onRegionGenderRace Age incomeEducationVeteranReligion ideology

Families School Mass media Peers Political leaders and “opinion makers” church

Interest GroupsInterest Groups

Group of people who seek to influence government at any level

The GoodSpeak on issues of concern to membersPresent information to government officialsMonitor government actionsKeep members informed

The BadSeek to achieve goals at expense of society as a wholeCorruption: Money in exchange for support?????

is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by many different types of people and organized groups, including individuals in the private sector, corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or interest groups.

Private group sponsored by corporation, trace associations, unions or other interest groups

hard money; Hard' money is contributed directly to a candidate. It is regulated by law and monitored by the Federal Election Commission. Individuals can give no more than $2,500 to each candidate or candidate committee per election.

soft money: contributions are sometimes called "nonfederal" contributions because they are given to political parties for purposes other than supporting candidates for federal office. There are no limits on the amounts of soft money that can be given by individuals to political parties. Labor unions and corporations are prohibited from giving money to candidates for federal office, they can give soft money to parties.

The "superPAC", which is officially known as an "independent expenditure-only committee", has become an increasingly popular method of influence for special interest groups.

The "superPAC" is like a traditional PAC (Political Action Committee) without many of the restrictions. For instance, a "superPAC" can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money for the sole purpose of supporting or opposing political candidates.

A "superPAC" can directly attack a political candidate. The only caveat is that a "superPAC" is not allowed to coordinate directly with candidates or political parties.

The "superPAC" will be an extremely crucial part of the 2012 Presidential election.

is a type of U.S. tax-exempt organization named after Section 527 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 527). A 527 group is created primarily to influence the selection, nomination, election, appointment or defeat of candidates to federal, state or local public office.

Political power should be distributed among various groups in society

Divide your paper into 4 areas.

With a partner, select 1 interest group, 1 lobby group, 1 PAC and 1 revolving door group.

Use Opensecrets.org to research each group.

For each group record1. How much $ was

collected?2. How is that money

divided among the political parties?

3. Which candidate revives the most money from that group

Who votes and why? Who votes and why? pg 51-52pg 51-52

Participation of citizens in the democratic processEssential!!!!

Civics refers to the rights and duties you have as a citizen

Voting Stay informed on political issues (read, watch news, listen to radio) Discuss / debate issues with others Try to persuade others to support your ideas Attend a public meeting Volunteer on a political campaign Attend a campaign rally Organize a demonstration Run for office Circulate / sign a petition

Rally strong and vocal support from a large group of people at a local levelPublic demonstration InternetWrite lettersFlood e-mails

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name-callingtransferbandwagonplain folkstestimonialcard-stackingglittering generalitiesStage events