III. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and the Mass Media
A. Political parties and elections
1. Functions
2. Organization
3. Development
4. Effects on the political process
5. Electoral laws and systems
B. Interest groups, including political action committees (PACs)
1. The range of interests represented
2. The activities of interest groups
3. The effects of interest groups on the political process
4. The unique characteristics and roles of PACs in the political process
C. The mass media
1. The functions and structures of the news media
2. The impacts of the news media on politics
3. The news media industry and its consequences
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Political Parties, Interest Groups and the Mass Media (10-20%)
- Political Parties and Elections
- Functions
- Mobilizing Support and Gathering Power
- A Force For Stability and Moderation
- Unity, Linkage, and Accountability
- Electioneering
- Voting and Issue Cue
- Policy Formulation and Promotion
- Maintenance of Two Party System
- Winner Take All v. Proportional System
- Organization
- National Committees
- Leadership
- National Conventions
- States and Localities
- Informal Groups
- Interest Groups
- Think Tanks
- Development
- Early Parties Rise and Fall
- Civil War Produces Modern Two Party System
- Golden Age
- 1874-1912
- Political machines
- The Modern Era
- Weakening of Parties
- Direct Primaries
- Civil Service
- Issue Oriented Politics
- Candidate Centered Politics
- Ticket Splitting
- Divided Government
- Critical Elections
- Realignment, Dealignment, and Secular Alignment
- Effects on the Political Process
- Party In Government
- Congress
- Leadership and Committees
- President
- Divided Government
- Triangulation
- The Judiciary
- State Governments
- Party In The Electorate
- Party Identification
- Group Affiliations
- Geographic Region
- Gender
- Race and Ethnicity
- Age
- Socioeconomic
- Religion
- Marital Status
- Ideology
- Electoral Laws and Systems
- Interest Groups Including Political Action Committees (PACs)
- The Range of Interests Represented
- A Nation of Interests
- The Mischief of Faction
- James Madison
- Federalist 10
- Unequal distribution of property
- Types of Groups
- Social movements sometimes lead to formation of interest groups
- Environmental
- Civil Rights
- Feminist
- Economic
- Business/Corporate
- Trade and Other Associations
- Labor
- Professional Associations
- Ideological or Single Issue Groups
- Public Interest Groups
- Foreign Policy Interest Groups
- Government Interest groups
- Free Rider Problem
- The Activities of Interest Groups
- Generally based on their characteristics (size, resources, cohesiveness, and leadership) and power interest groups will employ a variety of techniques in order to achieve their goals
- Techniques
- Publicity and Mass Media Appeals
- Mass Mailing
- Influence on Rule Making
- Litigation
- Bring suit
- Amicus curiae briefs
- Election Activities
- Independent Expenditures
- 527 groups
- Endorsement and monetary support for candidates
- Forming a political party
- Cooperative lobbying
- The Effects of Interest Groups on the Political Process
- The Presence and Influence of Lobbyists
- Try to influence policy decisions and positions in the executive and especially the legislative branch
- Revolving door
- Provide money and information to congressmen
- Iron Triangles
- Interest groups, congressional committees, and government agencies
- Encourages Pork
- Encourages spending
- Money
- Campaigns
- Influence policy makers
- Corruption (see Decline and Fall)
- Reform
- Federal Elections Campaign Act (FECA) 1971 and 1974
- Limits contributions but lead to proliferation of Interest Groups and PACs
- Soft money loophole
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- The Unique Characteristics and Roles of PACs in the Political Process
- PACs link two techniques of influence
- Giving money and other political aid to politicians
- Persuading officeholders to act or vote "the right way" on issues
- PACs are categorized by the type of interest they represent
- The growth of PACs
- Revolution in growth since the 1970s as a result of post Watergate reforms
- Corporate and Trade associations make up the majority of PACs
- The Mass Media
- The Functions and Structures of the Media
- Evolution of the News Media in the United States
- Print Media
- Partisan
- Penny Press
- Yellow Journalism
- Muckraking
- Radio
- Fireside Chats
- AM conservative Talk Radio
- Watergate
- TV News
- Network news
- Debates
- 24 Hour Cable
- Entertainment
- Leno, Letterman, SNL
- Daily Show and Colbert Report
- The New Media
- Internet and Blogs
- Print and Broadcast Media Websites
- Current Media Trends
- The Influence of Media Giants and Media Consolidation
- Increasing Use of Experts
- Narrowcasting
- Public Discontent With Media
- New Technologies
- Rules Governing the Media
- First Amendment Protection
- Journalistic Standards
- Government Regulation of Electronic Media
- Cable and Internet v. Broadcast
- Telecommunications Act of 1996
- Deregulation
- Digital Mandate
- FCC Reforms of 2003
- More Media Consolidation
- Congressional Reaction Slowed Trend
- Content Regulation of Electronic Media
- Equal Time
- Sell Air Time Equally if Any
- Debate Exception For Minor Candidates
- Since 2000 No longer Required To Give Opportunity To Respond To Attacks
- Fairness Doctrine
- FCC Regulation From 1949-1985
- Required Broadcasters To Be "Fair" In Their Coverage Of News Events
- Are ISPs Subject To First Amendment Limitations?
- The Impact of Media on Politics
- How The Press And Public Figures Interact
- Press Release, Press Briefing, and Press Conference
- Background, Deep Background, Off and On the Record
- Pentagon Papers
- NY Times v. Sullivan (1964)
- WikiLeaks
- Covering the Three Branches Differently
- The News Media Industry and its Consequences
- Media Effects
- Agenda Setting
- Issue Framing
- Media Bias
- Yes, But What Kind and What is the Effect?
- Reading Assignments
- The Journal
- My Poli Sci Lab
Sabato
- Chapter 13 - Voting and Elections
- Chapter 14 - The Campaign Process
- Chapter 15 - The News Media
- Chapter 12 - Political Parties
- Chapter 16 - Interest Groups
Woll
Other
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Entries From This Unit
- Evaluation of Jack Stanton character from Primary Colors
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