PS 101 1st EditionExam # 2 Study Guide Lectures: 12-21Study StrategiesThe exam will take place in class on Wednesday, April 15th. Like the first exam, it will consist of 45 multiple choice questions, each worth 2 points, and 2 short answer questions, each worth 5 points. This review sheet is de-signed to help you organize your studying. In addition to reviewing the ma-terial here, you should also review your notes, the Bianco & Canon chap-ters, and the assigned readings for section. Items that are highlighted in this review sheet are particularly likely to appear on the exam (hint, hint), but all material covered in lecture and the readings is fair game. You will not be held responsible for dates, specific percentages, etc., but the ques-tions will tap your knowledge of the details of the material. Some sample questions are listed at the end of this study guide to give you an idea of what to expect. Discussion sections on April 10th will be devoted to review for the exam. Please bring any questions you may have. You may also ask any questions ofyour T.A. or Prof. Sulkin via e-mail. The caveats to keep in mind are that long questions are better handled in person than over e-mail and that we will not provide notes. If you were absent from one or more lectures or dis-cussions or have gaps in your notes, please make sure to get the notes from a classmate. Also, if you need clarification or further details on any of the concepts, re-reading the appropriate sections of the textbook is a good first step. Finally, your TAs will hold additional office hours the Wednesday of theexam from 9:00-10:30 in DKH 410.Important Topics for StudyPolitical PartiesHistory of parties and definition of party systems and realignments-Pre-party period, development of parties (Federalists/Antifederalists),Party system, Entrenchment of parties, Realignments-Party systems: A period in which the names of the major political parties, their supporters, and the issues dividing them re-main relatively stable-Realignments: Mark switch from one party system to the next; Re-sults from change in size or composition of party coalitions or the nature of the is sues that divide the partiesFunctions of parties-They nominate candidates, they structure the vote choice in elec-tions, the propose alternative government programs, and they coordinate the ac tions of government officialsRules for joining a party-In the United States: Just decide and state which party you are a partof-In most other countries: Have to fill out an application, pay dues, etc.Roles of the DNC and RNC-DNC: It is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a plat-form every four years, but the central focus is on campaigning and political activity in support of Democratic Party candi-dates-RNC: It provides national leadership for the Republican Party. It is re-sponsible for developing and promoting the Republican politi-cal platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is also organizes and runs the Democratic Na-tional Convention.Party in the electorate, party as organization, party in government-Party in the electorate: Levels of affiliation include—-Identifiers (think about themselves as being a part of a party)-Supporters (usually vote and are active)-Activists (go door to door and campaign/donate money)-Party as organization: -National Committee (principle body in each party)-State and local organizations (run day-to-day operations, re-cruit candidates, raise money, build consensus on issues)- Other affiliated groups (DNC, RNC)-Party in government: -Elected officials holding national, state and local offices-The public face of the party-Democrats meet in caucus and Republicans meet in conference to de bate and strategize Reasons for the existence of a two-party system in the U.S.-Reason #1: Our Electoral System: single winners chosen by simple plurality vote-Reason #2: Importance of the Presidency: gives incentive to coalesceinto the same two parties within each state/district -Minor parties cannot succeed on a national level, but they matter in close elections and can sometimes force major parties to take up some of their issuesThe responsible party government model-Parties should present clear and coherent programs to voters-Voters should choose candidates on the basis of party programs-The winning party should carry out its programs once in office-Voters should hold the governing party responsible at the next elec-tionCampaigns and ElectionsPrimary elections vs. caucuses-Primaries: most common method, Democratic primaries typically use proportional division, Republican primaries traditionally use winner-take-allTypes of primaries-Closed primary: Only people who are registered members of a party may vote-Open primary: Anyone may vote in a party’s primary (but can only vote in one)-Modified open/closed: Rules for partisans vs independentsThe nomination process for president and Congress-President: A mix of primaries, caucuses, and party conventions-Congress: Candidates are selected via a primary election; If there is an incum bent candidate running, primaries are often uncontested; If it is an open seat, often very hard foughtParty conventions--what are they? what do they do?-Delegates select parties’ nominees-Nominee formally accepts and the fall campaigns kick off-In recent years, we can predict the outcome and the convention is more of a coronationThe "invisible" primary-Not yet the primary season, but candidates are deciding about run-ning, fundraising, and testing out whether or not they will be successful Workings of the Electoral College-Each state is given one electoral vote for each of its representatives and sena tors (DC gets three)-Some states assign these proportionally, but most use winner-take-all -Electors are those chosen to actually vote -Electors could technically vote for whomever they wanted, but this is not doneComponents of candidate strategies-Build name recognition-Highlight priorities and positions that appeal to enough individuals towin a majority-Mobilize likely supporter-Confront your opponent-Put strategy into actionDifferences in the campaigns of incumbents and non incumbents-Incumbents: Campaign on their accomplishments and run relatively positive campaigns-Non-incumbents: Point out problems and how they will solve them, in addition to criticizing the incumbent and his/her partyThe Downsian model and median voter theory-Named after Anthony