Mastery Project
Essential Questions
1. In modern times, Democrats and Republicans fall on opposite sides of the political spectrum for a few reasons. Democrats tend to be socially and fiscally liberal while Republicans tend to be socially and fiscally conservative.
2. Third parties are important because they bring about changes in the two major parties. While no third party has ever been a serious contender, their opinions are louder than those who do not belong. The major parties pander to that to gain more votes.
3. George Washington made a point of warning Americans against political parties. The purpose of a party, in times past and today, was to provide a platform for runners up. Without assistance, the financial burden of a political campaign would be too much for a candidate.
4. In a perverse sense, they do serve our democracy. Perhaps the influences of parties leads to group think, ugly rhetoric and downright ‘knucklehead’ actions, but they do play a key role in organizing our political process and providing the oomph to get Americans to vote. Somewhat.
5. Interest groups often spend the big bucks in order to sway public opinion, and therefore policy making. If the people have a negative view, its likely because their media outlets fed them stories and information to that effect.
6. Media attention makes or breaks a candidate because that is where most people get to know a candidate. With the wrong sort of attention, voters will decide that a candidate is no good. This leads to huge outlays of spending on political campaigns, and the agenda of a certain media outlet determines its followers. When Republican tilted outlets harp on Obama all day and leave out the good things he does, it polarizes their audience.
1. In modern times, Democrats and Republicans fall on opposite sides of the political spectrum for a few reasons. Democrats tend to be socially and fiscally liberal while Republicans tend to be socially and fiscally conservative.
2. Third parties are important because they bring about changes in the two major parties. While no third party has ever been a serious contender, their opinions are louder than those who do not belong. The major parties pander to that to gain more votes.
3. George Washington made a point of warning Americans against political parties. The purpose of a party, in times past and today, was to provide a platform for runners up. Without assistance, the financial burden of a political campaign would be too much for a candidate.
4. In a perverse sense, they do serve our democracy. Perhaps the influences of parties leads to group think, ugly rhetoric and downright ‘knucklehead’ actions, but they do play a key role in organizing our political process and providing the oomph to get Americans to vote. Somewhat.
5. Interest groups often spend the big bucks in order to sway public opinion, and therefore policy making. If the people have a negative view, its likely because their media outlets fed them stories and information to that effect.
6. Media attention makes or breaks a candidate because that is where most people get to know a candidate. With the wrong sort of attention, voters will decide that a candidate is no good. This leads to huge outlays of spending on political campaigns, and the agenda of a certain media outlet determines its followers. When Republican tilted outlets harp on Obama all day and leave out the good things he does, it polarizes their audience.