Ch. 5 and 9 Focus Questions

  1. What are political parties, and how do they function in our two-party system?
  2. How do political parties help to unify the American people?
  3. Do you think political parties are a valid source of information about candidates and their views? Why or why not?
  4. How has the two-party system affected the history of American government?
  5. Do you think one-party rule or divided government comes closer to the ideal the Framers had when they envisioned a government without political parties?
  6. What role have minor parties played in American politics?
  7. How do ideological parties differ from single-issue parties?
  8. Describe the place of the presidency in national party organization.
  9. Describe the role of the congressional campaign committees for each party.
  10. What are interest groups and how do they attempt to shape public policy?
  11. How do interest groups raise awareness of public affairs?
  12. What factor distinguishes an interest group from other associations or organizations?
  13. What is a public-interest group, and how does it differ from other types of interest groups?
  14. How do direct and indirect approaches to lobbying differ?
  15. What is a lobbyist?
  16. At what levels of government does lobbying take place?
  17. How do interest groups use the media and propaganda to influence the public?

Ch. 5 and 9 Focus Questions

  1. What are political parties, and how do they function in our two-party system?
  2. How do political parties help to unify the American people?
  3. Do you think political parties are a valid source of information about candidates and their views? Why or why not?
  4. How has the two-party system affected the history of American government?
  5. Do you think one-party rule or divided government comes closer to the ideal the Framers had when they envisioned a government without political parties?
  6. What role have minor parties played in American politics?
  7. How do ideological parties differ from single-issue parties?
  8. Describe the place of the presidency in national party organization.
  9. Describe the role of the congressional campaign committees for each party.
  10. What are interest groups and how do they attempt to shape public policy?
  11. How do interest groups raise awareness of public affairs?
  12. What factor distinguishes an interest group from other associations or organizations?
  13. What is a public-interest group, and how does it differ from other types of interest groups?
  14. How do direct and indirect approaches to lobbying differ?
  15. What is a lobbyist?
  16. At what levels of government does lobbying take place?
  17. How do interest groups use the media and propaganda to influence the public?