1. Final Review Unit 3
Linkage Institutions

2. Linkage Institutions
Linkage institutions connect citizens to their government
In addition to media, other linkage institutions are political parties and interest groups

3. Political Parties
Not mentioned in the Constitution but developed immediately
Parties are election-focused and legislation-focused
US has a two-party (bipartisan) system (Democrats and Republicans)
Two-party system is reinforced by our electoral system—each race is for one seat
Also hard for third party candidate to make ballot

4. Political Party Characteristics
Parties serve as intermediaries between people and the government
Parties are made up of grassroots members, activist members and leadership
Parties are organized to
Raise money
Present positions on policy and
Get their candidate elected to office (this is most important party function)

5. Third / Minor Parties
Form to represent constituencies that feel disenfranchised from the major parties
Splinter parties-have split off from major parties; feel slighted by their major party
Ross Perot’s Reform Party is an example
Ideological parties (doctrinal)- Socialist or Libertarian Party
Single-issue parties-focus on one issue (Green party)
Third parties are NOT the same as independent candidates who run without party affiliation

6. Third / Minor Parties Why they fail: Why they are important:
American system is designed to support only two parties
Winner take all system discourages votes for a minor party (throw-away your vote)
Why they are important:
Serve as critic and innovator in American system—can suggest new approaches to problems and can take a clear stance on issues

7. Functions of Modern Political Parties
Parts of the Party
In Electorate—voters who support their party and candidates
In government—elected party office holders
Party organization– political professionals who recruit candidates and voters, organize campaigns and raise $
Functions of Party
Recruit and nominate candidates
Educate and mobilize voters
Provide campaign funds and support
Organize government activity
Provide checks and balance through opposition of two parties
Reduce conflict and tension in society by promoting compromise

8. Are Parties in Decline? Some cite the following as proof that they are
Since 1968, we have had divided government- executive branch is held by one party and legislative branch by the other; previously, one party dominated
Americans are voting split ticket more frequently
A rise in the number of voters registering as “independent” rather than Democrat or Republican

9. Party Coalitions Republican Coalition Democratic coalition
Religious conservatives
Cuban Americans
Pro-lifers, opponents of gay rights and affirmative action
Veterans’ groups / strong military types
Democratic coalition
Pro choice, environmentalists
African Americans, Jewish people
Intellectuals, urban dwellers
Lower incomes
Labor unions

10. Ideological Differences Between Parties
Republicans
Spend more on defense
Government aid to private or religious schools
Tax relief to everyone, including wealthy and corporations
Do NOT support spending on healthcare and social welfare
Do NOT favor gun control
Democrats
Spend less on defense
Spend more on social welfare, education, government-run health care
Tax relief to low income and middle class
Favor some gun control

11. Party Realignment
Realignment occurs when the coalitions within the two parties fall apart—such as when a group within a party moves to the other party
Examples include Black Southern voters moving from Republican to Democrat during the Civil Rights Movement
Realignment is signaled by a critical election—when a new party comes to dominate politics
Since 1960s we have been in era of divided gov’t
Dealignment - # of Democrats has decreased, # of Republicans has stayed stable, # of Independents has increased

12. Interest Groups and Lobbyists
Interest Groups are organizations dedicated to a particular political goal or to a set of unified goals.
Examples: Christian Coalition, NAACP, NRA
Similar to political parties in that they try to influence politics but different in that they’re ideologically focused rather than election focused
Lobbying- influencing legislators on a bill

13. How Interest Groups Influence Government
Direct lobbying- meet with elected officials
Testifying before Congress
Socializing- to meet and forge relationships
Endorsements
Court actions
Rallying their members
Propaganda

14. Limits on Lobbying
Several laws limit the scope of lobbying efforts but are largely ineffective
Stronger efforts to limit lobbying can violate the 1st Amendment right to free speech
Buckley v. Valeo, Federal limits on campaign donations upheld but also equated donations with free speech; Court says they shouldn’t be too limited

15. Political Action Committees (PACs)
Were created by the 1974 Federal Elections Campaign Act as a means of raising campaign funds that could be tracked.
May not donate more than $5000 per year to any single candidate
Must donate to at least 5 different candidates
Corporations, unions, trade associations make up PACs
May not exceed $108,200 to national parties

16. 527 Groups
Is a tax-exempt organization that promotes a political agenda but who can NOT advocate for a specific candidate
These political organizations are NOT regulated by the FEC or subject to PAC limits
Examples are Swift Boat veterans, College Republican National Committee
Mc-Cain-Feingold/Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 made 527s a more attractive option to get around hard money limits of the Act.

17. Campaign Finance Today
Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (2010)
Landmark Supreme Court case
Court rules that the 1st A prohibits gov’t from restricting independent political expenditures by corporations and unions.
Super PACs are now created to fund campaigns
Super PACs
Super PACs may not make contributions to candidate campaigns or parties
Must do any political spending independently of the campaigns.
Can raise funds from corporations, unions and other groups, and from individuals, without legal limits.