SOCIAL STUDIES HIGH SCHOOL

1
SOCIAL STUDIESHIGH SCHOOL CIVICS
Vocabulary Political party Caucus Nominate Registr
ation Platform Election Planks Bias Canvass Propag
anda Liberal Incumbent Conservative Issue Precinct
s Public policy Patronage Voting Primary Reactiona
ry Radical Moderate Anarchy Sound
bite Convention Electoral college Candidate Delega
te Pundit PAC Interest groups Lobbyist Lobby
Extent of American Political Spectrum
Liberal and Conservative Viewpoints
Unit 2--The American Political System
American Beliefs, Values, and Political Ideologies
Role of Political Parties in Government
Factors Impacting Voting

• Essential Learning Concepts
• The political spectrum encompasses views ranging
  from radical on the left to reactionary on the
  right
• Political parties are organized around groups of
  people with similar political philosophies
• Political parties assist government by selecting
  candidates, setting goals, providing leadership,
  serving as watchdogs, and giving citizens a voice
  in government
• The history of political parties in the United
  States is based on the involvement of two major
  parties and the influence of the third parties in
  our democracy
• Political elections offer citizens an opportunity
  to participate in the political process by
  campaigning for candidates and voting
• Organizations ranging from media, lobbyists,
  interest groups, and campaigns utilize propaganda
  techniques to influence the electorate