Parties, Interest Groups, & Media

Unit 3: Political Parties, Interest Groups, & Mass Media

Description: Students should become familiar with the workings of the electoral process. They should understand the variety of ways people organize to make their opinions known. Special attention will be given to the impact of money, the media and special interest groups on campaigns. Elections laws and systems at each level of government will be studied.

Topics:

• Political parties and elections
• The differences between Democrats and Republicans
• The middle ground and third parties
• Role of political parties in government
• Selection of candidates
• Role of parties, interest groups and PACs in elections
• Campaign finance reform
• Role of the media in elections
• Media influence on the American voter
• Electoral College

Essential Questions
• What options are available beyond Republican and Democrat?
• Political parties and interest groups are not mentioned in the Constitution; do they enhance or hinder our Democracy?
• What are our current campaign finance laws? Do they violate the 1st Amendment?
• What is the history & future of third party candidates in our country?
• Should the Electoral College be changed?
• How do interest groups affect campaigns?
• Is our current campaign process the best for our nation? How might it change in the future?
• How much influence do the media have on campaigns?
• What makes a poll a valid indicator of public opinion?

POWERPOINTS:

Political Parties
Interest Groups
Media

VOCABULARY:

Civil service laws Coalition Coattail effect Direct primary Dualist Theory Governmental Party Issue-oriented politics	Machine National party convention National party platform One-partyism Organizational party Party Identification Party in the electorate	Patronage Political consultant Political party Proportional representation Spoils system Third-partyism Ticket-split
Blanket primary Closed primary Critical election Crossover voting Elector Electoral college Electorate Front-loading General election Gerrymandering	Incumbent Initiative Mandate Nonpartisan primary Off-year election Open primary Party realignment Primary election Prospective judgment Raiding	Recall Redistricting Referendum Regional primary Retrospective judgment Runoff primary Secular realignment Superdelegate Ticket-splitting Turnout Unit rule
Campaign manager Candidate debates Contrast as Direct mailer Finance chair Free media General election campaign Get-out-the-vote (GOTV)	Hard money Inoculation advertising Matching funds Media consultant Negative ad Nomination campaign Organizational campaign Paid media	Personal campaign Political action committee (PAC) Political consultant Pollster Positive ad Public funds Soft money Spot ad Voter canvass
Affiliates Content regulation Deep background electronic media equal time rule fairness doctrine media effects	muckracking network New York Times(Co.) v. Sullivan(1964) Off the record On background On the record	Press briefing Press conference Press release Print press Wire service Yellow Journalism
Collective good Disturbance theory Economic interest group Free rider	Interest group Lobbying Lobbyist Patron	Public interest group Trade association Know a variety of different Interest Groups