Unit 5: Participation and Linkage Institutions

Overview: We have studied the formation and institutions of American government (Units 1-2). Then
we covered the liberties, rights, values, ideologies, and opinions of the American people (Units 3-4).
Now it is time to connect, or link, those past chapters. The linkage institutions, known by the acronym
PIGME (parties, interest groups, media, and elections) shape the relationship between our government
and the people (or how people participate). We will learn why two parties dominate our politics, as well
as their history and how governing coalitions have changed. Interest groups are often blamed for trying to
exert too much control on the government (often by adding the word “special” before “interest”), but they
may well capture Federalist 10’s ideal of a pluralist country. Media has evolved dramatically since the
founding of our nation, moving from irregular and infrequent papers to 24-7 cable and social media
driven by profit. Finally, elections are the cornerstone of our democratic republic. In theory, elections
allow the American people to have their voices heard, but many critics argue that the modern electoral
system, including campaign finance and voter registration requirements, effectively disenfranchise many.

Essential Knowledge: These phrases come from the framework established by College Board. For each
sub-heading, students should be able to provide a description or explanation prior to an assessment.

1. Ideology, efficacy, structural barriers, and demographics influence political participation.

a. Describe the voting rights protections in the Constitution and in legislation.
b. Describe different models of voting behavior
c. Explain the roles that individual choice and state laws play in voter turnout.
2. Linkage institutions provide opportunities for participation and influence how people relate
to government and policy-makers.
Parties
a. Explain the function and impact of political parties on the electorate and government.
b. Explain why and how political parties change and adapt
c. Explain how structural barriers impact third-party and independent candidate success
Interest Groups
d. Explain the benefits and problems of interest-group influence on elections and policy making
e. Explain how variation in types and resources of interest groups affects their influence
 Elections
f. Explain how the processes involved in electing a president (primaries, caucuses, and the
Electoral College) facilitate or hinder democracy
g. Explain how campaign organizations, finances, and strategies affect the election process
Media
h. Explain how increasingly diverse choices of media influence political institutions and behavior
Vocabulary: These terms, listed in non-alphabetical order, are either specifically mentioned in the
framework established by College Board or are necessary to understand the required vocabulary’s
complexity of meaning and the course content.

Political efficacy Recruitment Two-party system PACs

Structural barrier
Mobilization “free rider problem” Soft money
Registration
Platform Lobbying 527s
Mid-term
Campaign management Grassroots FECA
Motor-Voter
Fundraising Issue network Broadcasting
Engagement
Candidate-centered Open/Closed Primary Social media
Rational choice
Coalition Caucus Investigative journalism
Retrospective
Critical election Convention “horse race”
Prospective
Realignment National Popular vote Bias
Party-line
Data management Electoral College Consolidation
Linkage institutions
Outreach Election cycle Watchdog
Voter education
Proportional voting BCRA Gatekeeper

Required Documents: These documents are required reading in the framework established by the
College Board. Flashcards/casebriefs will be required for each
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission
Key Dates:
 Unit 5 Test December 16th
UNIT 5: Political Participation (20-27% of exam)
5.1 Voting Rights and Models of Behavior

1. Define suffrage.

2. For each of the following amendments, define it and explain how it expanded the
opportunity for political participation.
Amendment Definition

15th
Amendment

17th
Amendment

19th
Amendment

24th
Amendment

26th
Amendment

3. Define rational choice voting behavior.

4. Define retrospective voting behavior.

5. Define prospective voting behavior.

6. Define party-line voting behavior.

5.2 Voter Turnout

7. Describe current structural barriers that impact voter turnout in the U.S. other than
registration
8. Describe how voter registration laws are an example of federalism AND how they
can serve as a barrier.

9. Describe how voting incentives/penalties/fines can impact voter turnout.

10.Describe how election type (mid-term or presidential) can impact voter turnout.

11.Describe 3 demographic characteristics used to predict the likelihood of whether an

individual will vote.

12.Define political efficacy.

13.Describe how party identification and ideological orientation impact who a voter
chooses to vote for.

14.Describe how candidate characteristics impact who a voter chooses to vote for.

15.Describe how religious beliefs/affiliation mpact who a voter chooses to vote for.

16.Describe how gender impacts who a voter chooses to vote for.

17.Describe how race and ethnicity impact who a voter chooses to vote for.
5.3 Political Parties

18.Define linkage institutions, and name the four major ones.

19.Define political party.

20.Describe the functions of political parties for the electorate (voters).

21.Describe the function of political parties in government.

5.4 How and Why Political Parties Change and Adapt

22.Describe how parties have adapted to candidate-centered campaigns.

23.Describe how parties modified their policies and messaging to appeal to various
demographic coalitions.

24.Describe the structure of a major party

25.Define Convention and Platform

26.Describe how parties use voter data management to enhance outreach and
mobilization

27.Define critical election.

28.Define realignment.
 29.Describe how critical elections and realignments have caused changes in political
parties over time.
5.5 Third-Party Politics

30.Define winner-take-all system.

31.Define proportional system.

32.Describe how the winner-take-all system is a barrier for third parties (and
independent candidates).

5.6 Interest Groups Influencing Policy Making

33.Define interest group. Give an example.

34.How are interest groups similar to parties? How are they different?

35.What foundational document is most relevant to interest groups and parties?

36.Describe lobbying and the impact it has on policy.

37.What’s the difference between iron triangles and issue networks

38. Describe how interest groups use electioneering/grassroots to achieve their goals.

39.Describe how interest groups use litigation to achieve their goal.

40.Explain how variations in the types and resources of interest groups affects their
influence
 41.Define the “free-rider problem” and potential solutions

5.8 Electing a President

42.What is a primary? What is the difference between open + closed primaries?

43.Define caucus.

44.Define frontloading

45.Describe how the national convention has become more democratic over the years.

46.Describe how the national election leads to the decisions made by the Electoral
College.

47.Describe how the Electoral College was a compromise for the Founding Fathers.

48.Describe how the Electoral College represents federalism, and provide an example

49.Describe how the Electoral College is an example of majoritarianism.

50.Describe how the Electoral College facilitates democracy (as opposed to a straight
popular vote).

51.Describe how the Electoral College impedes democracy (as opposed to a straight
popular vote).
 52.How are battleground and swing states different?

5.10 Modern Campaigns

53.Describe the structure of modern, professional campaigns, including key staff

positions

54.Define election cycle

55.Describe the impact of social media on campaign communications and fundraising

5.11 Campaign Finance

56.What is the purpose of campaign finance laws?

57.Identify the bureaucratic entity in charge of regulating campaign finance laws.

58.Describe the intent/major provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002.

59.Describe the facts, clause, and holding of Citizens United v. Federal Election
Commission 2010.

60.Describe who is limited in their contribution to candidate campaigns.

61.Describe who is unlimited in their outside spending on an election.

62.Define PAC and SuperPAC, and state the difference

5.12 The Media

63.Define media

64.Define investigative/watch-dog journalism

65.Define horse race journalism

66.Describe how the media’s use of polling impacts elections

67.Describe how the media can act as a gatekeeper/agenda-setter more generally

68.Define media bias

69.Define media consolidation

70.Contrast broadcasting and narrowcasting.