LO 4.B.1: Explain the media’s role in providing citizens with political information
The media as a whole serves to inform the public about anything relevant happening either locally, or internationally. This includes politics. More recently, media has turned to a more entertainment-oriented outlet for news, which may be a good or bad thing depending on an individual’s own perspective. Some media outlets are more biased towards certain political agendas.
LO 4.B.2: Analyze the development, implications, and consequences of increasingly diverse numbers of media and political communication outlets.
Democratic societies rely on diversity of viewpoints in the media as well as the Republicans. This is particularly important during this current era of globalization and critical public issues that require public engagement. At the same time people all over the world are receiving more and more of their information from the mass media which is becoming precipitously less diverse. The control of much of the world's media is becomingly increasingly concentrated in a handful of giant corporations.
LO 4.C.1: Explain the functions and impact of political parties with regard to the electorate and the government.
Groups, individuals, and organizations may donate money to campaigns, contributions to campaigns have been the subject of much scrutiny. Many laws and regulations impose on contributions. Campaigns are expensive and sufficient financial resources are needed
LO 4.C.2: Analyze why political parties change and adapt to political realities.
The people have ready made alternative group capable, ready, and informed enough for the country to move to when they disagree with the government previously elected
LO 4.C.3: Explain structural barriers to third party and independent candidate success.
The United States maintained the two part tradition due to its historical roots. The British heritage of the federalists and anti-federalists supported the two party system. The electoral system has single member districts which means that only one representative is chosen from each district since there is one winner per office. Election laws makes it difficult for minor parties to get on the ballot in many states.
LO 4.C.4: Analyze the benefits and potential problems of interest group influence on elections and policy making.
Different political parties bring different issues to light and bring a new perspective along with fresh politicians. However, with a divided government, not a whole lot gets accomplished
LO 4.C.5: Analyze the reasons for and impact of social movements and protest politics.
Many of the reasons for social movements and protest politics stem from the concern of the people and major issues that affect many people. For example, the March at Selma and the Vietnam War protests were both movements that affected a large population of the United States and the conviction of the majority can lead and influence very quick legislative change. The impacts of the March on Selma as well as other protests during the 1960's lead to the change in civil rights that allowed for the equal treatment of all races. The Vietnam War Protests indirectly brought on the 26th amendment that allowed 18 year old's the right to vote.
LO 4.C.6: Assess the impact of elections, public opinion, interest groups, and political parties on policy outcomes.
The effect of elections on policy outcomes depends on the makeup of the Senate, House of Representatives, and the Executive Branch. If one party controls both branches, then many policies will be passed because one party will be able to cooperate with the president and use their majority advantage to pass legislation. The effect of public opinion and interests groups on policy is that they will lobby for issues that within their respective districts or states. Some ways that political parties have an effect on policies is that if they control the majority of the Congress, they can cooperate together to pass legislation more quickly.
LO 4.E.2: Explain changes in the structure and function of election campaigns since 1972.
The Federal Election Campaign Act that passed in 1972 required candidates to disclose sources of campaign contributions and campaign expenditures. It also restricted to influence of wealthy people by placing a limit of $1000 for individual donations and $5000 for donations by political action committees. This affected the structure of campaign elections because candidates could no longer receive donations from "anonymous" companies toward their election which changed the that new candidates could get into office.
LO 4.E.3: Evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of candidate-centered campaigns in the 21st century.
Benefits of candidate-centered campaigns include the fact that such a styled campaign allows the public to gain a closer look at who is representing what party. While such campaigns can form closer connections between voters and the candidates on which they vote, they leave out vital stances of the party as a whole, and the overall cohesiveness and agreeability of the party on views as a whole.
LO 4.E.4: Analyze the relative importance of money and democratic principles in elections.
A campaign within an election that lacks monetary support is a doomed campaign. Without it, no staff is able to be hired, and no appearances and tours are able to be scheduled, ruining the outreach efforts a candidate must take to reach the people with their principles. Essentially, money is the platform on which an election is built. The necessity of money within elections doesn’t end there; there is also a great necessity for democratic principles. Despite candidates priding themselves on their upholding of said principes, though, they often are put on the backburner when dealing with their opponents.
LO 4.E.5: Analyze whether the Electoral College facilitates or impedes democracy.
The Electoral College impedes democracy because electing officials to their positions is not based on a direct vote but rather on a system that gives a bigger number of votes to the states that have the biggest population. This is causes many candidates to only focus on the big states rather than many small states that have smaller populations. However, it also facilitates democracy because it gives an easier system for citizens to vote while creating set of rules that govern specifically how a president is elected.
The media as a whole serves to inform the public about anything relevant happening either locally, or internationally. This includes politics. More recently, media has turned to a more entertainment-oriented outlet for news, which may be a good or bad thing depending on an individual’s own perspective. Some media outlets are more biased towards certain political agendas.
LO 4.B.2: Analyze the development, implications, and consequences of increasingly diverse numbers of media and political communication outlets.
Democratic societies rely on diversity of viewpoints in the media as well as the Republicans. This is particularly important during this current era of globalization and critical public issues that require public engagement. At the same time people all over the world are receiving more and more of their information from the mass media which is becoming precipitously less diverse. The control of much of the world's media is becomingly increasingly concentrated in a handful of giant corporations.
LO 4.C.1: Explain the functions and impact of political parties with regard to the electorate and the government.
Groups, individuals, and organizations may donate money to campaigns, contributions to campaigns have been the subject of much scrutiny. Many laws and regulations impose on contributions. Campaigns are expensive and sufficient financial resources are needed
LO 4.C.2: Analyze why political parties change and adapt to political realities.
The people have ready made alternative group capable, ready, and informed enough for the country to move to when they disagree with the government previously elected
LO 4.C.3: Explain structural barriers to third party and independent candidate success.
The United States maintained the two part tradition due to its historical roots. The British heritage of the federalists and anti-federalists supported the two party system. The electoral system has single member districts which means that only one representative is chosen from each district since there is one winner per office. Election laws makes it difficult for minor parties to get on the ballot in many states.
LO 4.C.4: Analyze the benefits and potential problems of interest group influence on elections and policy making.
Different political parties bring different issues to light and bring a new perspective along with fresh politicians. However, with a divided government, not a whole lot gets accomplished
LO 4.C.5: Analyze the reasons for and impact of social movements and protest politics.
Many of the reasons for social movements and protest politics stem from the concern of the people and major issues that affect many people. For example, the March at Selma and the Vietnam War protests were both movements that affected a large population of the United States and the conviction of the majority can lead and influence very quick legislative change. The impacts of the March on Selma as well as other protests during the 1960's lead to the change in civil rights that allowed for the equal treatment of all races. The Vietnam War Protests indirectly brought on the 26th amendment that allowed 18 year old's the right to vote.
LO 4.C.6: Assess the impact of elections, public opinion, interest groups, and political parties on policy outcomes.
The effect of elections on policy outcomes depends on the makeup of the Senate, House of Representatives, and the Executive Branch. If one party controls both branches, then many policies will be passed because one party will be able to cooperate with the president and use their majority advantage to pass legislation. The effect of public opinion and interests groups on policy is that they will lobby for issues that within their respective districts or states. Some ways that political parties have an effect on policies is that if they control the majority of the Congress, they can cooperate together to pass legislation more quickly.
LO 4.E.2: Explain changes in the structure and function of election campaigns since 1972.
The Federal Election Campaign Act that passed in 1972 required candidates to disclose sources of campaign contributions and campaign expenditures. It also restricted to influence of wealthy people by placing a limit of $1000 for individual donations and $5000 for donations by political action committees. This affected the structure of campaign elections because candidates could no longer receive donations from "anonymous" companies toward their election which changed the that new candidates could get into office.
LO 4.E.3: Evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of candidate-centered campaigns in the 21st century.
Benefits of candidate-centered campaigns include the fact that such a styled campaign allows the public to gain a closer look at who is representing what party. While such campaigns can form closer connections between voters and the candidates on which they vote, they leave out vital stances of the party as a whole, and the overall cohesiveness and agreeability of the party on views as a whole.
LO 4.E.4: Analyze the relative importance of money and democratic principles in elections.
A campaign within an election that lacks monetary support is a doomed campaign. Without it, no staff is able to be hired, and no appearances and tours are able to be scheduled, ruining the outreach efforts a candidate must take to reach the people with their principles. Essentially, money is the platform on which an election is built. The necessity of money within elections doesn’t end there; there is also a great necessity for democratic principles. Despite candidates priding themselves on their upholding of said principes, though, they often are put on the backburner when dealing with their opponents.
LO 4.E.5: Analyze whether the Electoral College facilitates or impedes democracy.
The Electoral College impedes democracy because electing officials to their positions is not based on a direct vote but rather on a system that gives a bigger number of votes to the states that have the biggest population. This is causes many candidates to only focus on the big states rather than many small states that have smaller populations. However, it also facilitates democracy because it gives an easier system for citizens to vote while creating set of rules that govern specifically how a president is elected.