Civics EOC State Exam Review Part III

Mr. Raymond's Social Studies Academy15 minutes read

America operates under a two-party system with Democrats favoring large government programs and Republicans advocating for smaller government. Third parties offer alternative political ideologies, and candidates with relevant experience are preferred, while debates and media play key roles in influencing politics and government decisions.

Insights

  • The American political landscape is primarily dominated by the Democrats and Republicans, with Democrats advocating for a larger federal government and programs like healthcare, while Republicans push for smaller government and state-run initiatives. Third parties like Libertarians offer an alternative ideology of minimal government involvement in citizens' lives.
  • Public office qualifications, including requirements for the President, Senators, and House Representatives, vary, emphasizing the importance of prior experience in similar positions. Party platforms outline the core goals and ideas of political parties, while debates, political advertisements, interest groups, and media play significant roles in influencing voters and government decisions.

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Recent questions

  • What are the main political parties in America?

    Democrats and Republicans dominate the two-party system.

  • What are the qualifications for the US President?

    The President must be 35 years old, a US resident for 14 years, and a natural-born citizen.

  • How do interest groups influence lawmakers?

    Interest groups use lobbyists to influence lawmakers.

  • What is the role of the media in politics?

    The media informs the public and influences government decisions.

  • How does the US government handle international conflicts?

    The US government uses diplomacy, alliances, and military action in response to international conflicts.

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Summary

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US Political System, Parties, and Policies Explained

  • America operates under a two-party system dominated by the Democrats and Republicans, with Democrats favoring a larger federal government providing programs like health care, while Republicans advocate for smaller government and state-run programs.
  • Third parties like the Libertarians, Socialists, and Communists offer alternative political ideologies, with Libertarians advocating for minimal government involvement in citizens' lives.
  • Qualifications for public office vary, with the President needing to be 35 years old, a US resident for 14 years, and a natural-born citizen, while Senators and House Representatives have their own age and residency requirements.
  • Candidates with prior experience in similar positions are preferred, and party platforms outline the main goals and ideas of political parties.
  • Debates serve as discussions to help voters decide on candidates, while political advertisements, interest groups, and the media influence politics and government decisions.
  • Interest groups use lobbyists to influence lawmakers, while the media plays a crucial role in informing the public and keeping an eye on the government.
  • Propaganda, biased information that appeals to emotions, is used by the government to persuade people, especially during times of war.
  • Media bias can influence voters, with different news outlets supporting specific political parties, and understanding the levels of government helps in identifying which handles various policies.
  • Domestic policies focus on issues within the country, while foreign policies deal with international relations, with the President and Congress setting foreign policy and participating in international organizations like NATO and the United Nations.
  • The US government reacts to international conflicts through diplomacy, alliances, and, in extreme cases, war, with sanctions and embargoes being used as measures before resorting to military action.

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US Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

  • America has engaged in two wars with Iraq, the Gulf War known as Operation Desert Storm and the war on terror post-9/11, leading to conflicts in the Middle East, including the removal of Saddam Hussein in Iraq and the ongoing war in Afghanistan where 9/11 terrorists were trained, such as Osama bin Laden. The war on terror persists with incidents like the attacks in Paris.
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