Unit 4 Essentials: Influencing Government Chapter 9: 1. Why are third parties important? What impact do they have on elections?

2. What is a party’s platform? What is a plank? Give an example.

3. Describe the history of the US as a two-party system & compare to 0ne-party & multi-party systems.

4. What are the differences between open primaries, caucuses and closed primaries?

5. When will you be part of the electorate?

6. What are political action committees and why are they formed?

7. Define precinct and polling place.

8. What is the difference between a primary election & a general election? When are they held?

9. What is meant by the grassroots level of our party structure?

Chapter 10 10. How has suffrage changed in our country? What specific amendments & laws caused the changes?

11. How a state’s number of electoral votes determined? How are they awarded? What happens if no candidate wins a majority?

12. What is a Political Action Committee & why are they formed?

13. What is an incumbent? Why do PACs give them more money?

14. Explain the laws and rules the FEC uses to control money & elections.

15. What are the requirements to register to vote in NC?

Chapter 11 16. What is the mass media? What are the two types? Give examples of each.

17. Explain the steps in constructing and conducting a scientific poll.

18. Define and give an example of each propaganda technique.

19. What is public opinion? What are 3 factors that influence it?

20. What are the 4 types of special interest groups? Identify one example for each type?

21. What are 3 ways special interest groups influence government?

22. How and why do the media play a watchdog role?

23. How does the FCC regulate the public airwaves? Give 2 ways.