Mastery Project

Unit 2
MARY OSEGUERA

LO 3.A.1: Explain the core American beliefs,

values, and norms that define the
relationship between citizens and
government and citizens with each other.

Majority/Minority Rules
Democracy is based on the greater majority votes,

however, minorities must not be overlooked or under

represented. Everyone must be validated

Equality
Everyone is equal in the eyes of the law.
This includes equality of opportunity, meaning

everyone must be treated the same and given the

same opportunities, no matter of gender, race or
religion.

Private Property
Law protects the ownership of property by citizens
Is supported by capitalism
Businesses are included

Individual Freedoms
The law protects rights of citizens
Includes free enterprise: companies are able to work

under their own rules, and compete against each

other.

Compromises
Benefiting society best through agreeing and coming

to terms with disagreements.

Not allowing the government to be shut down.

Limited Government
The government is for and by the will of the people.

Laws passed must be to benefit, serve, and protect

citizens.

LO 3.A.2: Evaluate the influence of various

factors in political attitudes and
socialization.

Family
Parents influence their children on voting.
Children learn social, moral, religious, and economic

values from parents.

Children grow up in the same religion, so 50% are
the same political party as their parents.
Churches are taught to be more important than
politics.

School
Elementary school aged kids are taught to respect

authority, have patriotism, and conform to group

norms.
In high school there are more cynical views and
participation.
In college, there are liberal tendencies to question
authority, interact with different people, which can
changes views.

Peers
In a homogeneous community, theres pressure to

conform to the majorit party.

In college, there is more support for change of
thought and liberal tendencies.

Media
Media informs the public about happenings, and has

influence over change in public/political agendas

Opinion leaders will state opinions and the public
will take them into consideration.

LO 4.A.1: Evaluate the impact that public

opinion and scientific polling have on
elections and policy debates.

Public Opinion
Impact On Elections

Policy Debates

Candidates change stances or reword things

to gain their votes.

It places boundaries on policies that will

be made.

Scientific Polling
Elections

Policy debates

Elections and candidates strive to fill public

desires.

Affects the process to make the decision.

Officials will now have scientific

evidence to go with or against policies.

LO 3.A.3: Analyze the relationship between

21st century globalization and American
political, social and cultural values.

Political values, such as speeches and debates, have

been publicized through television and national

broadcasting services.
Social values have changed to become more liberal.
Through social media, views have become more
mobilized.
Culturally, due to immigration and the social media
wave, people have generally become more accepting
and tolerant of different and diverse cultures.

LO 3.B.1: Analyze how political culture

influences the formation, goals, and
implementation of public policy.

Everything politicians do is influenced by the people

and what they want to have done.

LO 3.C.1: Compare how political ideologies

vary on the role of government in regulating
the marketplace.

Liberalism

Conservativism

Liberals believe that government regulation

should be instilled for the benefit of the

market and consumers.

Conservatives want a laissez faire

marketplace, with capitalism running its

course naturally.

LO 3.C.2: Compare how political ideologies

vary with regard to the role of government in
addressing social issues.

Liberals want to create a society where government

intervenes for social good. They prefer freedom over

order.
Conservatives want less government participation
and for people to work for themselves. They prefer
freedom over equality.

LO 4.D.1: Summarize the voting rights

protections in the Constitution and in
legislation.

The 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th amendments all protect

voter rights.
The Voting Rights Act (1965) guaranteed voting for
everyone of any race and gender over the age of 18.

LO 4.D.2: Analyze the roles that individual

choice and state laws play in voter turnout in
elections.

Voter ID Laws can make citizens feel like the

government is corrupt, and cause them to not vote,

though their purpose is to clarify registration.
State registration laws also uninspire voters to go out
and vote.
This can lower voter turnout.
Motor Voter law (1993) tried to encourage voting,
but did not work.

LO 4.D.3: Analyze U.S. voter turnout and

compare it with that in other democracies

America has a low voter turnout because of the large

amount of younger adults who simply do not go out

and vote, bringing the overall average down.
Type of elections: primaries vs general, also play a
factor in turnout (less people at the primaries)

LO 4.D.4: Explain the factors that influence

voter choices.

Voter choices are influenced by: background, socio-

economic class, education, and political party.

Everyone votes in their self interest.
Minorities, people who are more educated, and
women tend to be more liberal.

LO 4.D.5: Compare different models of

voting behavior.

Voters usually stick to candidates in their own

parties, and for the candidates who campaign on

changes that are favorable to the voter.
Most voters only participate in presidential/national
elections.