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Unit_5_Review

Unit 5 focuses on political participation, emphasizing the role of citizen engagement and institutions in influencing government and policy. It covers voting rights, voter turnout, political parties, interest groups, and the electoral process, including campaign finance and media influence. Key documents and Supreme Court cases are highlighted to illustrate foundational concepts in American politics.

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376 views

Unit_5_Review

Unit 5 focuses on political participation, emphasizing the role of citizen engagement and institutions in influencing government and policy. It covers voting rights, voter turnout, political parties, interest groups, and the electoral process, including campaign finance and media influence. Key documents and Supreme Court cases are highlighted to illustrate foundational concepts in American politics.

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jakebin01
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UNIT 5: Political Participation (20-27% of exam)

Governing is achieved directly through citizen participation and indirectly through institutions
(e.g. political parties, interest groups, and mass media) that inform, organize, and mobilize
support to influence government and politics, resulting in many venues for citizen influence on
policy making.

Required Foundational Documents: The Constitution (Amendments: 1, 15, 17, 19, 24, 26),
Federalist 10
Required SCOTUS Cases: Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

5.1 Voting Rights and Models of Behavior


1. Define suffrage.

2. For each of the following amendments, define it and explain how it expanded the
opportunity for political participation.
Amendment Definitio Expanded opportunity for political
n participation by...

15th
Amendment

17th
Amendment

19th
Amendment

24th
Amendment
26th
Amendment

3. Define rational choice voting behavior.

4. Define retrospective voting behavior.

5. Define prospective voting behavior.

6. Define party-line voting behavior.

5.2 Voter Turnout


7. Describe current structural barriers that impact voter turnout in the U.S.

8. Describe how voter registration laws and procedures is an example of federalism and how
they can serve as a barrier.

9. Describe how voting incentives/penalties/fines can impact voter turnout.

10.Describe how election type (mid-term or presidential) can impact voter turnout.

11.Describe demographic characteristics that can be used to predict the likelihood of whether
an individual will vote.

12.Define political efficacy.

13.Describe how political efficacy can be used to predict the likelihood of whether an
individual will vote.
14.Describe how party identification and ideological orientation impact who a voter chooses
to vote for.

15.Describe how candidate characteristics impact who a voter chooses to vote for.

16.Describe how religious beliefs/affiliation impact who a voter chooses to vote for.

17.Describe how gender impacts who a voter chooses to vote for.

18.Describe how race and ethnicity impact who a voter chooses to vote for.

5.3 Political Parties


19.Define linkage institution. Include three examples of linkage institutions in your definition.

20.Define political party.

21.Describe the function of political parties for the electorate (voters).

22.Describe the function of political parties in government.

5.4 How and Why Political Parties Change and Adapt


23.Describe how parties have adapted to candidate-centered campaigns.

24.Describe how parties have modified their policies and messaging to appeal to various
demographic coalitions.

25.Define critical election.

26.Define realignment.

27.Describe how these two things have caused changes in political parties over time.
5.5 Third-Party Politics
28.Define winner-take-all system.

29.Define proportional system.

30.Describe how the winner-take-all system is a barrier for third parties (and independent
candidates).

31.Describe the purpose of third parties in American politics.

5.6 Interest Groups Influencing Policy Making


32.Define interest group. Give an example.

33.Describe how interest groups provide education for voters and office holders.

34.Describe lobbying and the impact it has on policy.

35.Describe how interest groups use electioneering to achieve their goal.

36.Define political action committee (PAC).

37.Describe how interest groups use litigation to achieve their goal.

38.Define iron triangle - give an example.

39.Define issue network.

40.Explain the benefits and potential problems of interest group influence on elections and
policy making.

5.7 Groups Influencing Policy Outcomes


41.Explain how variation in types and resources of interest groups affects their ability to
influence elections and policy making.
5.8 Electing a President
42.Describe the incumbency advantage.

43.Define open primary.

44.Define closed primary.

45.Define caucus.

46.Describe the purpose of the presidential primary/caucus.

47.Describe the purpose behind the national convention.

48.Describe how the national convention has become more democratic over the years.

49.Describe how the national election leads to the decisions made by the Electoral College.

50.Describe how the Electoral College was a compromise for the Founding Fathers.

51.Describe how the American electoral system represents federalism.

52.Describe how a state’s electoral count is calculated.

53.Describe how a state’s electoral votes are awarded.

54.Describe how the Electoral College is an example of majoritarianism. (Hint: how many
votes do you need to win)
55.Describe how the Electoral College facilitates democracy (as opposed to a straight popular
vote).

56.Describe how the Electoral College impedes democracy (as opposed to a straight popular
vote).

5.9 Congressional Elections - see Presidential Elections (with the exception of national
convention + Electoral College)

5.10 Modern Campaigns


57.Explain how campaign organizations and strategies affect the election process.

5.11 Campaign Finance


58.Describe why campaign finance laws were put in place.

59.Identify the federal commission in charge of regulating campaign finance laws.

60.Describe the intent/major provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002.

61.Describe the facts and holding of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission 2010.

62.Describe who is limited in their contribution to candidate campaigns.

63.Describe who is unlimited in their outside spending on an election.

64.Define super PAC.


5.12 The Media
65.Explain the media’s role as a linkage institution (think how has media influenced how
citizens acquire political information).

5.13 Changing Media


66.Define horse race journalism.

67.Describe how the media’s use of polling impacts elections.

68.Describe how media can influence political participation.

69.Describe how the following have impacted the level of political knowledge among citizens:
a. Increased media choices

b. Ideologically oriented programming

c. Consumer-driven media outlets/emerging technologies that reinforce existing


beliefs

d. Uncertainty over the credibility of news sources/information

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