...The United States has such a low voters turnout because voters are not forced to vote. The countries with a high voter turnout have strictly enforced laws. In American you have to register to vote but in other countries if you are a citizen, you are automatically registered. If the United States changes the voting system a little, it could increase voter’s turnout. Americans need to be more educated and know each candidate’s platforms. Voter’s turnout could increase if voters did not have to work on Election Day. If America followed some of the guidelines other countries use, the United States would have a higher voters turnout. Countries with a high voter turnout are due to the countries strictly enforced voting laws. In some countries you can be fined if you do not show up to the polls to vote. America does not have strict voting laws so it is not mandatory to show up and vote. In other countries if you are a citizen of the country you are automatically considered a registered voter. The United States is one of the only countries to hold Election Day during the week. Countries with high voters turnout have Election Day on the weekend. Voters in America do not want to...
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...today’s society voting in elections is an essential component of every form of democracy. Widespread involvement of citizens in political processes is the cornerstone of democracy. Voting should be viewed as a freedom, which consists of a certain amount of responsibility. When a person votes, voting makes a major impact on every piece of daily lives from free access to education to homeland security and financial solidity. When the people vote they are making their voices heard and expressing judgment on how they feel the government should function. The individuals who do not exercise their free right or franchise, by default they let others to make choices for them. Those citizens have to live with the judgment of the small minority...
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...Voting Problem in America Voting Problem in America Numerous studies have been steered to support with observing for influences that will demonstration by public do not contribute in voting. It has remained a mounting difficulties with appropriate voters not registering and object their ballot. Over the decades, Americans have vanished trace with the antiquity of voting. Voting for in determinations supports in providing underpinning on why society do not participate in voting. Analyses provide tangible influences with why societies do not vote with illustration clusters support. Discovery of behaviors will show the unabridged development with the existing system supports with the American community. The 2008 elections enquiry provides awareness with the diverse motives from highest to lowest. Giving some understanding on the origin of the unruly and outcome resolutions to battle these problems. Examination can transform that are currently in domicile and assuring voting contributions on the ability to speak on the issues and distresses. Observing at other countries for potential solutions to the problem can be one riposte for the United States voting delinquent. Using tads and shards can support with altering he existing classification that does not work. Without transformation, the voting contribution will endure to diminish. The history behind the voting in America helps wonder why this pass civil liberty has fallen to many Americans waist side in today’s world. As America...
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...importance of voting Name: Course: Instructor: Date: “Your vote is your voice as an American citizen. It's your opportunity to be heard, to hold elected officials accountable for their elections and to have a say in important issues that affect your community. On Election Day, every vote matters”. Anonymous Introduction Election Day is a standout amongst the most energizing days of the year. Our country meets up to choose a leader who will speak to us on the worldwide stage for the following four years. We will choose a leader that will remain for our rights as natives, students, representatives and businesses. We will choose a leader that will ideally stay faithful to their obligations. It is a major choice, and this race denotes an important point in our country's history. As of now, there are two extremely particular ways our nation will look over and it is more essential than any other time in recent memory to make a choice in this race. I wish I could vote, and in the event that you were not anticipating heading off to the surveys this race, let me offer you some assistance with reversing that choice. Every year, numerous students like you turn 18 and cast their first poll on Election Day, satisfying the most fundamental activity in a vote based society. Voting is a basic process that keeps our arrangement of government working. Through races, subjects can choose who speaks to them in government, be it a nearby authority, a state or national...
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...attitudes will band together to form political parties. 3. What are linkage institutions? -the means by which individuals can express preferences regarding the development of public policy. Some examples: political parties, special interest groups, and the media. 4. Political parties looked like? -can be viewed as an organization, the relationship with the electorate, and a role in government. 5.What is party realignment? -the shift of party loyalty, occurred in 1932 after the country experienced the Great Depression. 6. What are the basic characteristics of political parties since 1990? -era of divided government. ? 7. How do most Americans participate in the political process? - discussing politics, registering to vote, voting in local/state/national elections, joining a specific political party, making contact with politicians, attending political meetings, contributing to political campaigns, working in a campaign, soliciting funds, and running for office. 8. What does someone running for office seek from a political party? -they seek for their aid in getting elected. Political parties should help with publicity, funding, and events/speeches. Basically, they will endorse their nominee’s campaign. 9. What is political spin? - The art or science of establishing and promoting a favorable relationship with the public. 10. What is a caucus? -party regulars meeting in small...
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...Running Head: Mass Media in Elections Mass Media’s Affect on Voting Trends Arthur Gibford California State University California In today’s world, the news media reaches and affects every person in the United States. The question now is does mass media such as newspapers, television, and the internet affect the voting trends of the voters? The ownership of the media (Djankov, Nenova, McLiesh, & Shleifer, 2003), targeting specific demographics (Clinton & Lapinski, 2004), the implications of the internet (DiMaggio, Hargittai, Neuman, & Robinson, 2003) and how candidates use media (Aarts & Semetko, 2003) are all important aspects in determining whether a potential bias exists (Eveland & Shah, 2003) on the part of the news media. It is hypothesized that when the mass media displays certain biases leaning towards one party over the other, the populace tends to vote in the direction of the media. The following five scholarly literature reviews will attempt to demonstrate and support the hypothesis. According to Eveland and Shah (Eveland & Shah, 2003, p. 101)there is “a large percentage of the public (that) believes that the news media are biased, and the majority of these individuals consider the direction of bias to be against their own viewpoint”. This drives the question this paper attempts to answer. This article looks at media’s credibility and integrity in the eyes of individual people. The author’s give several hypothesis to provide multiple...
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...PRO Resolved: On balance, the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is undemocratic. We affirm. To better the round, we clarify the following: First, the definition of “election process” ELECTIONS are based on three organizing concepts: equal respect, free choice, and popular sovereignty are the building blocks of fair and just elections. The democratic process should treat all citizens as free and equal persons. As applied to the electoral process this requires that each citizen equal opportunity to have his or her vote equally counted. Contention 1: Super PACs decrease voter turnout Subpoint A: Voter turnout is a pre-requisite to the election process A flourishing democracy presupposes citizens who care, who are willing to take part, and who are capable of helping to shape the common agenda of a society. Participation through the act of voting, is always seen as an essential prerequisite of stable democracy. Subpoint B: Super PACs decrease voter turnout by 25% “Unlimited spending by supposedly independent super PACs is creating widespread perceptions of corruption and undermining public confidence that elected officials serve in the public interest, The perception that super PACs are corrupting government is making Americans disillusioned, and an alarming number say they are less likely to vote this year. Americans say they are less likely to vote because big donors to super PACs have so much more influence over elected officials...
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...Federalism, nominating B. Organization at the National Level 1. convention 2. chairperson C. State and Local Organization 1. election, caucuses 2. wards Prereading and Vocabulary 2 1. should cut back on expensive government programs Sample definition: Conservatives believe in cutting costs and government programs. 2. came to vote Sample definition: The electorate is the group of people who are allowed to vote. 3. voted at the polling place, elementary school Sample definition: A precinct is a small area from which all the residents report to vote at one location. 4. wards 5. bipartisan 6. nominate 7. Liberals 8. resign CHAPTER 5 Section 1 Reading Comprehension 3 1. Answers for rankings will vary. Historical basis: The two-party system is rooted in the beginnings of the U.S., when the ratification of the Constitution gave rise to the first two parties. Tradition: Most Americans accept the idea of a two-party system simply because there has always been one. Electoral system: Since only one winner per office comes out of each election, voters have only two viable choices—the candidate of the party holding office or the candidate with the best chance of replacing the current officeholder. Voters tend to think of a vote for a minor party candidate as a wasted vote. Republicans and Democrats work together in a bipartisan way to write election laws to make it hard for a minor party or independent candidate to win elective office. Ideological...
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...The Electoral College: The Fear of Mobocracy Katherine Kinert Olympic College, Bremerton Abstract The Electoral College is a very important part of the United States Electoral System. However, very few Americans actually understand how it works. The lack of political efficacy in this country is a large reason of why some people do not think the Electoral College should be abolished. However, as Eric Black (2012) stated in an article on PBS News Hour, “Polls for many years have reliably shown that a majority of Americans would prefer a straightforward popular vote for the presidency.” Originally the Electoral College was established to prevent majority factions from having too much power causing mobocracy to occur. However, this system is outdated and the conditions that prompted the founding fathers to institute this precaution no longer exist today. Also, the fact that almost all the states use a winner-take-all system to determine which candidate gets all of the electoral votes for the state. Will abolishing the Electoral College rid the United States from mobocracy? Introduction The Electoral College is outdated and does not follow the true spirit of American Democracy. David Stewart (2013), a lawyer in Washington, D.C., states that, “Because most people knew little about public events or leaders from distant states, the convention delegates reasoned, they would not make a wise choice between presidential candidates.” Today, people have access to information through TV...
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...How does technology affect political participation Introduction 3 Evolution of social media since 2000 3 Use of social media during Arab Spring 4 Hong Kong Protest 5 Use of Social Media During the Quebec Student Strikes in 2012 6 Social Media in 2015 Political Campaigns & Using Technology to Increase Voter Turnout 8 Conclusion : Does social media actually affect political participation Yes or No. 11 Appendix A 12 Appendix B 13 References 14 Introduction Social media is a part of the lives of the majority of the population today. Developed countries and developing countries alike have a variety of uses and applications that aid in day-to-day activities and communications. In this paper, we focus on the use of social media and the effects it has on political participation. We will look at popular social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and explore how their evolution is affecting political participation. Using the historical examples of Arab Spring, the Hong Kong protest of 2014, the Quebec student strikes of 2012, and the recent Canadian Federal Election, we will highlight the importance of social media and its uses to influence and encourage political participation during each event. Evolution of social media since 2000 The expansion of the Internet during the 21st century, as well as the development and spread of mobile phone technology, has enabled and promoted the unprecedented...
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...Northern Consortium United Kingdom – Politics Past paper questions for June exam < Module 1 > Section A 1a What are the differences between Public Bills Committees and Select Committees? [5] Public Bills Committee is part of legislative process, whereas Select Committee is part of scrutiny process. In the former committee, the bill is examined by line by line to ensure that its wording and language is clear to allow any amendments on the bill. In the latter committee, there are two departments – governmental and non-governmental. They examine government departments’ expeditures , policies and policies. There are between 16 to 50 members in the PBC who are selected by Committee of Selection whose 7 out 9 members are ships. On the other hand, there are 11 members in the SCs and to eliminate “the conflict of interest, all the members are backbench members who are elected using the Alternative vote system. 2a What are the main functions of Parliament and how well does it perform them? [5] < This question is a 20-mark question > 3a What are the differences between direct and representative democracy? [5] In direct democracy, people are directly involved in decision-making processes, whereas in representative democracy, people elect MPs who will represent and form a government in Parliament. For instance, some qualified members of Athenian society were involved in decision-making and a referendum is a limited form of direct democracy. Also general elections...
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...------------------------------------------------- Technical Support * ------------------------------------------------- Announcements * ------------------------------------------------- Other Courses * ------------------------------------------------- Logoff * ------------------------------------------------- Web 2.0 Tools | | | Exam: 04.20 Midterm Exam52Score: 52 of 100 pointsInstructions: You are about to enter a TIMED EXAM! You have 50 minutes to complete this exam. One point will be deducted for each minute you go over the allotted time. Once you enter the exam, you cannot stop the clock.Answer Key------------------------------------------------- Top of FormQuestion 1 (Worth 2 points)Which of the following statements about states� ratification of the Constitution is best supported by the information in the graph?------------------------------------------------- New Jersey had the most delegates reject the Constitution.------------------------------------------------- Pennsylvania delegates tend to reject more often than Delaware delegates.------------------------------------------------- In 1787, the maximum number of delegates to reject the Constitution was...
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...Flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances (¨living document¨) * Widely perceived as legitimate by ¨we the people¨ * A representative democracy * Elected representatives –not ¨we the people¨-- make national law and policy (no referenda, recall, or ballot initiative) * The rule of law * Power of government over citizens explicitly limited (bill of rights) * The judiciary (federal courts) is on independent brunch of government whose members are protected by interference * All the elected are subjected to the law * Appointed officials are accountable to elected officials and to the courts * Institutional characteristics * /Separation of power/ divides political power and governmental authority among three branches having distinctive powers * Checks and balances allows each branch to offset the powers of the others * A powerful bicameral legislature with a meaningful upper house * A presidential system with an (indirectly) elected chief executive and administration independent of the legislature * Autonomous courts exercising judicial review * /Federalism/ shares sovereignty between national and state government * Existence and prerogatives of states protected * The senate represents the three states as such and equally in the legislative process *...
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...written by James Madison, it addresses the question of how to guard against “factions”, or groups of citizens, with interests’ contrary to the rights of others or the interests of the whole community. Scholars cite the whole series of Federalist Papers and jurists to mean the Founding Fathers did not intend the United States government to be partisan (Wikipedia n.d.). The 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is the direct popular election of U.S. Senators via a statewide vote and Representatives via congressional district voting. This demonstrates effective and successful popular voting that has occurred for decades. A disadvantage of the Electoral College is the idea of voter suppression since each State is entitled to the same number of electoral votes regardless of voter turnout – this provides no incentive for voters to be highly participative during presidential elections. The popular vote is not reflected with the Electoral College – instead, the Electoral College electors are determined by the number of members the state has in the House plus the number of members the state has in the Senate. These electors are typically appointed based on the winning outcome of the state elections, thus have pre-disposed alliances to their political...
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...regardless of membership? 6. union shop- anyone working for the company has to join the union or at least pay a part of the dues to cover cost of negotiating contracts 7. right-to-work laws- outlaw union shop contracts 8. benefits for group membership: solidarity- make people feel good for joining a group and working with others to make the world a better place. 9. Material- include things like discounts on goods or services, or low cost life or auto insurance. 10. Information- provide members with information that they find interesting and useful. 11. “Federalist Number 10”- how the new government created by the Constitution would help deal with the problem of factions. 12. Faction- He lumps parties and interest groups togetheras including both large groups (majority factions)and small groups (minority factions) ofpassionate people who are united bysome interest. 13. democratic pluralism- checking and balancing 14. lobbying- those activities in which people contact public officials to try and influence public policy 15. lobbyists- Those who do this work 1. legislative lobbying- aimed at Congress, or at legislatures on the state level 2. bureaucratic lobbying- contacts with the bureaucracy in an effort to affect how bureaucracy enforces laws and administers programs 3. The Federal Register- All regulations must...
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