Composite of all peoples views and thoughts about ideas, situations, issues and officials

Opinions Based On:

1)Personal Interest 2) Media 3) Society 4) Religion 5)Family 6) Stronger Party

Polls/Surveys

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Pre- Social organization of the US was one of "island communities" with few social and economic links between them. Local groups.

Post- Railroads connected most of country.  Two decades later brought nation agricultural associations and trade unions.

Economic Associations- Chamber of Commerce, Nat. Assoc. of Manufacturers

Intellectuals & Activists- NAACP, Nat. Audobon Society

1) Solidary purpose- like-minded individuals

2) Material purpose- membership offers benefits

3)  Puposive- People are commited to and wish to advance the group's political goals

Groups that rely on purposive incentives, face what is known as the free-rider problem.  People enjoy the benefits of group activity without bearing any of the costs.

Overcome by: coercion, social movement, increase perceived impact, selective benefits, political entrepreneur

Idealized subgovernment works hand in hand with thtree collective actors to dominate policy making in some specific policy area:

1. congressional commitee-provides exectutive agency w/program authorization and budgetary support
2. executive agency-produces outcome favored by an IG constituency.
3. Interest group- provides members of congressional commitee w/campaign contributions and votes

Jeffersonian Era (1790-1820)

Demo-Reps v Federalists

Creation of Nat. Bank and protection against tariffs

7/1

Jacksonian Era/Democracy (1830-1860)

Democrats v Whigs

"corrupt bargain," nat. convention, big v small gov't, patronage and spoils system-elected in echange for support

6/2

Civil War & Reconstruction -1860-1890

Republican dominance

Very competitive, slavery, states rights, nullification-states can delcare acts of congress unconstitutional, party machines, start of "populist" movement

Industrial Republicans 1896-1930

Reps v Dems

Al Smith (D)- first catholic to run for Pres.

"Era of reforms"- direct primaries, secret ballots, civil service test, recalls, referendum-law or amendment approved by people

7/2

New Deal Era (1930-1964)

Dems v. Reps

Shift in political identity, Great Depression, WWII, New deal, Cold War, racial issues, regional party differences

7/2

Era of Divided Gov't (1968-present)- branches of gov't controlled by multiple parties

Reps. v Dems.

Ticket splitting, North v South, Social Issues, US v UN, Vietnam War, Cold War, Fall of communism

Two party dominance- Proportional representation v winner takes all

1. Convicts (in prison)
2. Non-Americans
3. Mentally handicapped
4. Under age 18
5. REGISTERED

Suffrage- the right to vote

15th-1870- Black men can vote

17th-1913- direct election of senators

19th-1920-women can vote

22nd-1951- 2 term presidency

23rd-1961-residents of D.C. get (3) votes in electoral college

24th-1964- prohibits poll taxes

26th-1971- 18-21 yr olds can vote

Senate- 6 year terms

House- 2 year terms

Redrawing of district/congressional lines- product of reapportionment

Westbury v Sanders-1964- each district in house must have virtually same # of residents

Drawing district lines to give advantage to certain group (racial, partisan, etc.).  Political careers depend on which voters get placed in which districts.  

1. Popular vote based on delegation (D v R)- Safe Seat
2. Incumbancy advantage- statistically benefits candidate
3. Party decline- opposing party decline leaves open votes
4. Member resources- what congress is capable of (socially, economically, etc.)
5. Fundraising advantage- $=advantage, less time fundraising=more time to spend on campaign

1. More competition- 100 seats, social and economic diversity provide basis for better party competition
2. Better challengers-few safe seats-"upper chamber of gov't"- 33-34 seats up for re-ellection
3. Level of info available- fewer members than in house, more accessible, media coverage
4. Step before presidency

1. Delegates approaching elections w/more national issues in mind
2. Coat tails- Stronger party on ticket gives advatange to same party in lower seats
3. Economy- US v Nat. economy
4. Political Parties
5. Campaign finance reform

Presidential Primaries- delegate selection directly tied to the presidential preference vote cast in the primaries

Caucuses- meetings of candidate supporters who choose delegates to a state or national convention

Superdelegates- members of House, Senate, Govenors, members of Nat. commitee- automatic delegates- account for 1/6 of vote

Pre 1974- no regulation on financial spending in campaigns

Federal Election Campaign Act 1974- 5 features

1. Contribution limits-increased every 2 years
2. Matching funds- public $ paid out of the federal treasury
3. Spending limits-if accepting matching funds
4. Self-financing- candidates do not have limits and do not accept matching funds
5. Disclosure requirements-financial records