1. Goal 2
“The learner will analyze how the government established by the United States Constitution embodies the purposes, values, and principles of American democracy.”

2. RECOGNIZING POLITICAL LABELS
Radical
Liberal
Centrist
Conservative
Reactionary
Left Wing
Right Wing
Political Parties
Represent a particular viewpoint regarding social, economic, or political change
Views differ based on perceptions of the methods used to effect change, the degree of change that is needed, and the speed with which change should occur.
Terms used to identify views are relative and subject to change as widely held views of society are modified.

3. Centrist, Moderate, or Middle of the Road:
These are neither strongly liberal nor conservative.
Advocates desire no change and are satisfied with the way things are.

4. Conservatives:
Favor preserving the status quo, and they regard proposals for change with distrust.
Conservatives agree that change should occur slowly, carefully and peacefully.
Generally, they advocate a return of power to the state and local government levels and less concentration at the national level.
Conservatives stress fiscal responsibility and oppose most government regulation of the economy.

5. Reactionary:
The ideology stresses complete and drastic change to the right.
Advocates look back to an earlier more conservative system at some given time in the past.
They promote immediate social, political, or economic change whether peacefully or revolutionary.

6. Liberal: These desire considerable and quick change.
They favor non-revolutionary progress and reform at the hands of the government.
Generally, advocates promote increasing involvement of the government at the national and state level in bringing about social, economic, or political reforms.

7. Radicals: These advocate drastic and immediate change.
They promote new and untried methods in order to effect future change.
Advocates desire peaceful methods but support radical means in order to secure the desired social, economic, and political ends

8. Elections

9. What are Political Parties?
Powerful organizations that fight to get the government to act in ways they believe are best
Organized at all levels of government
Factions

10. Major Political Parties
Republicans and Democrats
Conservatives and Liberals
Third Parties
Form to bring attention to certain ideas or beliefs
Bull Moose Party
Green Party
Bull Moose Party – formally the Progressive party – Nominated Theodore Roosevelt for presidency – called for revision of the political nominating machinery and an aggressive program of social legislation – Bull Moose derived from the characteristics of strength and vigor often used to describe Roosevelt.
Green Party – environmentalism, grassroots democracy

11. Party Organization Precinct Captain County Committee State Committee
Organize local volunteers to work polls and endorse party candidates
County Committee
Responsible for organizing local fundraisers and appointing precinct captains
State Committee
Responsible for getting state level candidates elected
National Committee
Responsible for getting the Presidential candidate elected

12. Elections How do you become a candidate? Campaign
Declare and fill out paperwork
Campaign
Through fundraisers, pamphlets, or phone calls

13. Voting Qualifications
Must be 18 years old
A Citizen of the United States
Registered to vote in the State in which you live
Not convicted of a felony
Where to register
Online
With a party member
One-stop voting

14. What are the kinds of elections?

15. What are primary elections?
Choose the candidates to represent each party in the general election
North Carolina had close primaries
Voters can only vote for candidates of their party

16. What are general elections?
Voters choose the candidates for the various offices
Example: Presidential elections

17. What are special elections?
Recall elections – used to remove an official from office
Runoff elections – to determine a winner with no candidate gets a majority of the vote

18. Voting on issues Initiative Proposition Referendum
A way citizens can propose new laws or state constitutional amendments
Proposition
If an initiative receives enough votes, it is put on the ballot
Referendum
A way for citizens to approve or reject a state or local law

19. Casting your vote Types of ballots Electronic Paper Lever Machine
Scantron
Punch cards
Each county can use a
different voting method

20. Methods of voting On election day – in person Early voting Online
One-stop voting
Absentee

21. Who should you vote for? How should you figure out who to vote for?
Same political beliefs
Find out information about the candidates by watching news, listening to the radio, looking at their websites, reading their platform online

22. Special interest groups
Public
League of Women voters
Private
NRA, AARP
Goal
Influence public policy by creating PACs supporting certain candidates, lobbying lawmakers

23. Special Interest Groups
PAC: Political Action Committees
Collect money from members of their group to support some candidates and oppose others

24. How are elections paid for?
The Federal Election Commission
Regulates campaign finance at the federal level
Public funding
Taxpayer donations on tax formations
Private funding
Business funding

25. Propaganda

26. What is propaganda?
A way of getting information to voters

27. What are the different types of propaganda?

28. Name Calling

29. Endorsement

30. Glittering Generality

31. Bandwagon

32. Just Plain Folks

33. Card Stacking

34. Symbols