Political parties 10 01 2013 III B Longitudinal Explanation variation across elections 1 Reform Era Decline in Turnout 1880s 1920s a State Reforms Australian Ballot 1890s anonymous voting Registration Requirements 1900s b National Reforms Women s Suffrage 19th Amendment 1920 voter turnout rate declines b c women can now vote but it is socially unacceptable 2 Modern Era Rise in Turnout 1920s 1960s socio economic effects a Rising Education Levels b Rising Income Levels c Aging Population III B 3 Modern Era Decline in Turnout 1960s 1996 mix of positive and negative effects net negative a Factors Increasing Turnout easier registration laws growing education b Factors Decreasing Turnout younger electorate weakening social involvement weakening partisanship decline in party mobilization efforts 4 New Era Return to Mobilization 2000 present Parties renew mobilization efforts States adopt early voting rules States adopt restrictive voter id rules could affect 5 million in 2012 Political Interest Groups 10 01 2013 Definiton An organized group that seeks to advance its interests through the government Why do they form Disturbance Theory when people see a threat to their interests they form groups to respond to that threat like a chemical reaction o Forms automatically Problem free rider problem 1 Interest groups seek a collective good a service or policy that is nonexclusive 2 Cannot be provided through individual effort one person wont make a difference 3 Joining is irrational benefits are negligible and if the group succeeds then I will enjoy the benefits anyways Solutions to the free rider criticism 1 Recruit members with selective goods distribution is exclusive only you can have it based on your effort a Material benefits lower prices more info b Solidary benefits social interactions with members c Expressive benefits intrinsic to taking a position 2 Solicit Support from a sponsor when starting group A Nonprofit foundations B Corporations show public midedness C Gov agencies need to receive public input D Existing political interest groups E Wealthy individuals How political interest groups exert influence Influence selection of officeholders o When officeholders share a group s views gov naturally makes decisions that the group supports a Legislature president included campaign contributions endorsements campaign ads mobilize volunteers b Bureaucracy appointments support presidents election expect appointments as a reward c Courts appointments lower courts only Supreme court and courts of appeal unlikely District courts more likely through senators senatorial courtesy Lobbying officeholders providing info o Legislature seek access policy research draft bills testify before committees grassroots lobbying o Bureaucracy provide info about cases 10 01 2013