Civics & Economics Unit 3 Study Guide– Name: ______

Political Parties: Be the Change

*This study guide will be collected on test day!

America’s Two-Party System
FP.C&G.2.8 Analyze America’s two-party system in terms of the political and economic views that led to its emergence and the role that political parties play in American politics.
1. What is the purpose of a political party?
2. Ideology
3. Two-party system
4. Republicans
5. Conservative
6. Democrats
7. Liberal
8. 3rd parties/minor parties
9. How can 3rd party candidates influence elections?
10. Watch-dog role
Influences on Laws
FP.C&G.3.6 Explain ways laws have been influenced by political parties, constituents, interest groups, lobbyists, the media and public opinion.
10. Constituent
11. Explain how constituents/voters can influence elected officials?
12. Party platform
13. Interest group
14. How can interest groups influence elected officials?
15. PAC
16. Lobbyist
17. How can lobbyists influence elected officials?
18. Propaganda
19. How can public opinion be influenced by propaganda?
Propaganda Techniques
20. Bandwagon
21. Name-calling
22. Endorsement
23. Stacked cards
24. Glittering generality
25. Just plain folks
26. Transfer
27. Statistics
The Election Process
FP.C&G.5.1 Analyze the election process at the national, state and local levels in terms of the checks and balances provided by qualifications and procedures for voting.
28. Grass roots
29. Voting Rights Act
30. National Voter Registration Act
31. Absentee ballot
32. At large voting
33. Initiatives/Propositions
34. Referendums
35. What is the purpose of a caucus or primary?
36. National convention
37. Why is each party’s nomination for president generally known before the party’s convention?
38. General election
39. Exit Poll
40. Recall election
41. Why would some support campaign finance reform? What are the challenges of campaign finance reform?
42. Electoral College
43. Should the United States change from the Electoral College to a direct election process? Why?
Opposing ARguments
FP.C&G.5.5 Analyze the development and implementation of domestic and foreign policy by outlining opposing arguments on major issues and their efforts toward resolutions.
44. How do Republicans and Democrats differ on ideas about foreign intervention?
45. How do Republicans and Democrats differ on ideas about national security and right to privacy (i.e., PATRIOT Act)?
46. How do Republicans and Democrats differ on ideas about the government’s role in healthcare (i.e., Affordable Care Act)?

Students will understand that…

  • A nation’s political systems are often comprised of adversarial groups which must find ways to resolve conflict and balance competing interests.
  • The dominant political parties and platforms in the United States and their distinguishing characteristics, as well as how these parties and platform may have changed over time.
  • Alternative political parties play an important role in the debate over policy and government.
  • Laws and policies are often motivated and influenced by factors other than the public interest, common good, and the protection of individual rights.
  • Elected leaders are expected to represent the interests of the electorate.
  • Elections may allow citizens to guide the direction of public policy and limit the power of government.
  • The processes and procedures of democratic elections are often established to ensure the integrity of the electoral system and the participation of qualified citizens.
  • Expansion of suffrage has reshaped voting population and political parties’ platforms.
  • Exercising your right to vote is essential to influence government and politics.
  • Contemporary political developments across the globe can have significant political, demographic, and environmental implications for the decisions a nation makes for its domestic and foreign policy.
  • Opposing views concerning domestic and foreign policies, issues, and decisions may pose obstacles to the effective resolution of political and economic national concerns.