Politics and Press: Parties, Elections, Interest Groups, and Mass Media

Answer the following questions in a word document and turn into the appropriate drop box.

1. What is a political party? What are the three political arenas within which a party may be found?

2. Describe the structure of the major political parties, making sure include the roles of the national committees, congressional committees, and the national chairmen.

3. In what ways are American political parties weaker than they used to be? (This is an extremely important point so be sure that you understand it and can explain all the reasons.)

4. Define what is meant when political scientists talk about “weak parties.” Now give four reasons why parties are weaker now than they were 50 years ago.

5. List six effects of week parties on American politics6. What are some explanations for the persistence of the two-party system?7. What has been the effect of TV on campaigns? List as many effects as you can.8. List five ways that the Internet has changed politics. 9. Explain the five advantages that incumbents have over challengers.10. List three reasons why minor parties have so much trouble winning elections today.11. List four differences between presidential and Congressional campaigns.12. Describe four effects of the campaign finance reforms on elections and campaigns.13. List three ways that Congress has tried to legislate limitations on the influence of interest

groups. 14. Make a list of as many intersections between the topic of interest groups and topics such

as Political Participation, Parties, Elections, Congress, Presidency, Bureaucracy, and the Judiciary. Explain how each is connected in some way (think Iron Triangle).

15. Define what an interest group is and what its purpose is. What are the differences between institutional interests and membership interests? Give examples of each.