PoliSci 1050 1st Edition Exam 3 Study Guide Lectures 9 14 Lecture 9 Political Participation Political Parties What are political parties What are the historical party eras What about parties Political Party A team of men seeking control of the governing apparatus by gaining office during election Downs Model Rational choice theory Assumes that individuals act in their own best interest weighing the cost and benefits of possible alternatives Downs Model Voters maximize the costs and benefits of possible alternatives Parties want to win office Components of Parties Parties are separated into 3 parts party in electorate organization government Party in Electorate Voters in election are people who identify with a political party Party identification is which preference for one party or the other Ticket splitting is voting with one party for one office with another party for the other office Local Party Organizations Grass Root Organizations local people who work for the party Local parties Party Machines party organization that relies heavily on material inducements Patronage a job promotion or contract given for political reasons rather then merit National Convention The meeting of a party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket National committee party organization that keeps the party operating between conventions Coalition A group of individuals with a common interest upon which every political party depends Lecture 10 Political Parties Two Party System National versus state parties Why is the US party system a two party system What about third parties What is the responsible party model Party Systems An electoral arrangement in which two or more parties compete for support of the electorate and control of the government Two party System 1 Dualist theories continual duality of interests in the US leads to two parties 2 Cultural theories a culture of compromise encourages two parties 3 Social consensus general agreement on fundamental values disagreements are secondary 4 Duverger s law single member plurality electoral system Multimember districts with proportional representation leads to multiparty systems Third Parties Parties in a two party system that do not have a realistic chance of winning Rarely win elections may bring new groups May be competitive at presidential level Responsible Party Model A view of how parties should work 1 Parties have distinct comprehensive programs 2 Candidates are committed to the program 3 The majority party must carry out its program 4 The majority party must accept responsibility Summary Party systems and national and state party systems The US party system that limits third parties The responsibility party model Lecture 11 Texas Politics History Theories of Interest Groups Pluralist Theory Politics is a competition between groups each groups wanting their own policies Elite Theory Societies are divided by class lines where upper class rules Hyperpluralist theory groups are so strong that the government is weak This is an exaggeration of pluralism Pluralism Groups are the linkage between people and government Groups compete and no one group will become dominant Lobbying is open to all so there is no problem A linkage institution for all Elitism The largest corporations hold the most power and the power is held by few Other groups may win with smaller policy battle but when it comes to the big policies the elite will always win Lobbying is a problem because it benefits the few Linkage institution for the elite few Hyperpluralism Sub government has a network of groups that have mass power and over specify policy areas Also known as the iron triangle because of the interest groups government agencies and congressional committees Types of interest groups Economic Interests Environmental Equality Consumer and Public Interest Lobbies Collective Action Is good that once provided cannot be withheld from a non group member Lecture 12 Political Parties Elections and the Budget Income Tax Shares of individuals wages and corporate revenues Individual taxes provide the largest single revenue source for government Its progressive Social Programs Income security programs are the largest part of the budget The biggest is social security Budget Growth Some expenditures are uncontrollable which means more people eligible means more money than spent Many politicians spend money to buy votes Incentive to spend is same for both political parties REVIEW BLACKBOARD FOR VOCAB TO REVIEW UNDER EXAM 2 REVIEW