Lesson 26: Intensity

  Voter intensity in politics monitors whether or not a person will vote.  Someone with high voter intensity will likely participate in voting frequently, while someone with low intensity will choose not to vote for some reason or another.
  When people feel more connected to the government they are more likely to participate in voting.
Some people don't believe they will make a difference and will refrain from voting.  Its up to the government and those who are running for elections to educate the people on how much of a difference they can make.

Lesson 25: Demographics

  Demography is the study of what human characteristics will influence the voting process.
Demographic studies also answers the question of why some people vote for different parties instead of others.
  Political scientists usually study these demographics of people:

• Age, 
• Gender, 
• Race, 
• Education, 
• and Socio-economic status.

  These demographics have a heavy influence on how the people being studied will vote.

Lesson 24: Party Realignment and Dealignment

  Party realignment is when the minor party becomes more powerful than the major party of the time.  This usually happens when the minority wins an important election.  The realignment of parties can be seen as eras in the history of America:

• Federalist Era- Federalist Party weakened and disolved by disorganization.
• Jacksonian Era- Democratic-Republican Party grew strong and formed today's Democratic Party.
• Republican Era- Republican Party gains the support of industry, former slaves, and farmers.  
• New Deal Era- Democratic Party emerges to take the power after the Great Depression. 
• Divided Government Era- Neither Party (or third party) has dominated the government since these eras.  

 

Lesson 23: Factors that lead to Party Identification

   Political parties gain followers by taking certain stances on a few major issues that the population may agree with.  Race and gender also play a role in party identification.
  A person's identification with a political pary usually lasts their entire lives, unless the party changes a stance on a major issue.  "Catholic population used to be loyal Democrats" until the democratic party changed its stance on different ideas that conflicted with the catholic beliefs.
  Education, age, and economy can influence a person's identification with a political party.  Its really just a matter of what the person wants in a leadership, they find a group of people that best identifies with their beliefs and then join them in an attempt to gain a tighter grip on the government in order to have the country more conformed their own opinions.

Lesson 22: Organization of Parties

  The same thing as the last lesson.  No changes in the writing.

Lesson 21: The Function of Parties in America

  Political parties attempt to get the candidate for presidency that best suits their purposes in office so that they can run the government.  Political parties seek to join different groups of people with common concerns for government.
  Political parties also help to spread the philosophies of their candidates so that the people voting understand what they are voting for.  They keep people excited about the coming elections and also are in charge of making sure that the president elected will keep his/her promises for the people.