Unit 5: Participation and Linkage Institutions
Overview: We have studied the formation and institutions of American government (Units 1-2). Then
we covered the liberties, rights, values, ideologies, and opinions of the American people (Units 3-4).
Now it is time to connect, or link, those past chapters. The linkage institutions, known by the acronym
PIGME (parties, interest groups, media, and elections) shape the relationship between our government
and the people (or how people participate). We will learn why two parties dominate our politics, as well
as their history and how governing coalitions have changed. Interest groups are often blamed for trying to
exert too much control on the government (often by adding the word “special” before “interest”), but they
may well capture Federalist 10’s ideal of a pluralist country. Media has evolved dramatically since the
founding of our nation, moving from irregular and infrequent papers to 24-7 cable and social media
driven by profit. Finally, elections are the cornerstone of our democratic republic. In theory, elections
allow the American people to have their voices heard, but many critics argue that the modern electoral
system, including campaign finance and voter registration requirements, effectively disenfranchise many.
Essential Knowledge: These phrases come from the framework established by College Board. For each
sub-heading, students should be able to provide a description or explanation prior to an assessment.
1. Ideology, efficacy, structural barriers, and demographics influence political participation.
a. Describe the voting rights protections in the Constitution and in legislation.
b. Describe different models of voting behavior
c. Explain the roles that individual choice and state laws play in voter turnout.
2. Linkage institutions provide opportunities for participation and influence how people relate
to government and policy-makers.
Parties
a. Explain the function and impact of political parties on the electorate and government.
b. Explain why and how political parties change and adapt
c. Explain how structural barriers impact third-party and independent candidate success
Interest Groups
d. Explain the benefits and problems of interest-group influence on elections and policy making
e. Explain how variation in types and resources of interest groups affects their influence
Elections
f. Explain how the processes involved in electing a president (primaries, caucuses, and the
Electoral College) facilitate or hinder democracy
g. Explain how campaign organizations, finances, and strategies affect the election process
Media
h. Explain how increasingly diverse choices of media influence political institutions and behavior
Vocabulary: These terms, listed in non-alphabetical order, are either specifically mentioned in the
framework established by College Board or are necessary to understand the required vocabulary’s
complexity of meaning and the course content.
Political efficacy Recruitment Two-party system PACs
Structural barrier
Mobilization “free rider problem” Soft money
Registration
Platform Lobbying 527s
Mid-term
Campaign management Grassroots FECA
Motor-Voter
Fundraising Issue network Broadcasting
Engagement
Candidate-centered Open/Closed Primary Social media
Rational choice
Coalition Caucus Investigative journalism
Retrospective
Critical election Convention “horse race”
Prospective
Realignment National Popular vote Bias
Party-line
Data management Electoral College Consolidation
Linkage institutions
Outreach Election cycle Watchdog
Voter education
Proportional voting BCRA Gatekeeper
Required Documents: These documents are required reading in the framework established by the
College Board. Flashcards/casebriefs will be required for each
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission
Key Dates:
Unit 5 Test December 16th
UNIT 5: Political Participation (20-27% of exam)
5.1 Voting Rights and Models of Behavior
1. Define suffrage.
2. For each of the following amendments, define it and explain how it expanded the
opportunity for political participation.
Amendment Definition
15th
Amendment
17th
Amendment
19th
Amendment
24th
Amendment
26th
Amendment
3. Define rational choice voting behavior.
4. Define retrospective voting behavior.
5. Define prospective voting behavior.
6. Define party-line voting behavior.
5.2 Voter Turnout
7. Describe current structural barriers that impact voter turnout in the U.S. other than
registration
8. Describe how voter registration laws are an example of federalism AND how they
can serve as a barrier.
9. Describe how voting incentives/penalties/fines can impact voter turnout.
[Link] how election type (mid-term or presidential) can impact voter turnout.
[Link] 3 demographic characteristics used to predict the likelihood of whether an
individual will vote.
[Link] political efficacy.
[Link] how party identification and ideological orientation impact who a voter
chooses to vote for.
[Link] how candidate characteristics impact who a voter chooses to vote for.
[Link] how religious beliefs/affiliation mpact who a voter chooses to vote for.
[Link] how gender impacts who a voter chooses to vote for.
[Link] how race and ethnicity impact who a voter chooses to vote for.
5.3 Political Parties
[Link] linkage institutions, and name the four major ones.
[Link] political party.
[Link] the functions of political parties for the electorate (voters).
[Link] the function of political parties in government.
5.4 How and Why Political Parties Change and Adapt
[Link] how parties have adapted to candidate-centered campaigns.
[Link] how parties modified their policies and messaging to appeal to various
demographic coalitions.
[Link] the structure of a major party
[Link] Convention and Platform
[Link] how parties use voter data management to enhance outreach and
mobilization
[Link] critical election.
[Link] realignment.
[Link] how critical elections and realignments have caused changes in political
parties over time.
5.5 Third-Party Politics
[Link] winner-take-all system.
[Link] proportional system.
[Link] how the winner-take-all system is a barrier for third parties (and
independent candidates).
5.6 Interest Groups Influencing Policy Making
[Link] interest group. Give an example.
[Link] are interest groups similar to parties? How are they different?
[Link] foundational document is most relevant to interest groups and parties?
[Link] lobbying and the impact it has on policy.
[Link]’s the difference between iron triangles and issue networks
38. Describe how interest groups use electioneering/grassroots to achieve their goals.
[Link] how interest groups use litigation to achieve their goal.
[Link] how variations in the types and resources of interest groups affects their
influence
[Link] the “free-rider problem” and potential solutions
5.8 Electing a President
[Link] is a primary? What is the difference between open + closed primaries?
[Link] caucus.
[Link] frontloading
[Link] how the national convention has become more democratic over the years.
[Link] how the national election leads to the decisions made by the Electoral
College.
[Link] how the Electoral College was a compromise for the Founding Fathers.
[Link] how the Electoral College represents federalism, and provide an example
[Link] how the Electoral College is an example of majoritarianism.
[Link] how the Electoral College facilitates democracy (as opposed to a straight
popular vote).
[Link] how the Electoral College impedes democracy (as opposed to a straight
popular vote).
[Link] are battleground and swing states different?
5.10 Modern Campaigns
[Link] the structure of modern, professional campaigns, including key staff
positions
[Link] election cycle
[Link] the impact of social media on campaign communications and fundraising
5.11 Campaign Finance
[Link] is the purpose of campaign finance laws?
[Link] the bureaucratic entity in charge of regulating campaign finance laws.
[Link] the intent/major provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002.
[Link] the facts, clause, and holding of Citizens United v. Federal Election
Commission 2010.
[Link] who is limited in their contribution to candidate campaigns.
[Link] who is unlimited in their outside spending on an election.
[Link] PAC and SuperPAC, and state the difference
5.12 The Media
[Link] media
[Link] investigative/watch-dog journalism
[Link] horse race journalism
[Link] how the media’s use of polling impacts elections
[Link] how the media can act as a gatekeeper/agenda-setter more generally
[Link] media bias
[Link] media consolidation
[Link] broadcasting and narrowcasting.