CH. 8 - SEC. 1

Mass Media and Public Opinion

 The Formation of Public Opinion
You no doubt have opinions on a variety of issues, from school prayer to which political party should be in power. Several factors help shape your opinions. The two most important factors are family and education.

CH. 7 - SEC. 3

The Electoral Process

  Money and Elections
Money is an indispensable campaign resource. Yet money also poses a variety of problems in the election process. That's why the use of money is regulated in today's elections.

CH. 7 - SEC. 2

The Electoral Process

 Elections
The election process lies at the very heart of the democratic concept. Indeed, it is impossible to picture a democratic government in which popular elections are not held.

CH. 7 - SEC. 1

The Electoral Process

  The Nominating Process
The nominating process narrows the field of possible candidates for office. It is thus an essential part of an election. The caucus and convention were important nominating methods in the past. The direct primary has largely replaced them. Self-announcements and petitions are also used today as nominating devices.

CH. 6 - SEC. 4

Voters and Voter Behavior

 Voter Behavior

Low voter turnout is a serious problem in this country. Among those who do vote, sociological and psychological factors to work together influence voter behavior over time and in particular elections.

CH. 6 - SEC. 3

Voters and Voter Behavior

Suffrage and Civil Rights

The 15th Amendment declared that the right to vote cannot be denied on account of race. Nevertheless, a variety of tactics were used in southern States to disenfranchise African Americans. The Supreme Court struck down a number of these efforts, and, beginning in the 1950s, Congress passed laws to protect minority voting rights.

CH. 6 - SEC. 2

Voters and Voter Behavior

Voter Qualifications

All States have citizenship, residence, and age requirements for voting. Other voting qualifications differ from State to State. Some requirements - especially those that were used to disenfranchise certain groups - have been eliminated over time.

CH. 6 - SEC. 1

Voters and Voter Behavior

The Right to Vote

Democratic government can succeed only if its citizens are willing to vote. The history of the United States has been marked by a steady expansion of the electorate through the eliminations of restrictions on voting qualifications.

CH. 5 - SEC. 5

Political Parties

Party Organization

The major parties of the United States have a decentralized structure, and the different parts and elements work together primarily during national elections. The parties themselves have been in decline, or losing influence, since the 1960s.

CH. 5 - SEC. 4

Political Parties

The Minor Parties
Many minor parties have been active in American politics. They provide alternatives to the positions of the major parties, and sometimes have affected particular elections and shaped public policies.