PS 100 Lecture 9: 12
19 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
Recently, elections demonstrated increased party-line voting more polarized overtime. They remain the central organizing instrument of government. Contribute to democratic politics in many ways. Two of the most prominent stand in contrast. Burke (eighteenth century) -- a body of men united for promoting by their joint endeavors the national interest, upon some particular principle in which they are all agreed. Downs (twentieth century) -- a team of men seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election. If you gain access to office, you gain access to power. An organized interest focuses on a niched issue for a specific group/issue (ex: social security, nra, aarp) A political party focuses on a handful of issues. Unify: bring people together, get a common base on a particular issue (ex: where do we stand on abortion, environmental issues, etc. ) Educate: inform about midterms, when elections are, how to vote, how to protest.
