The well being of American government depends on the informed and effective participation of citizens concerned with the preservation of individual rights and the promotion of the common good. If students want their voices to be heard, they need to know the avenues that are available to all citizens to participate in the politics of the nation. These avenues of participation literally serve as links between the citizen and the government. Thus, knowledge of these linkage institutions and how they operate within the political system is vital to a successful civic life.

Benchmarks & Indicators:

NOTE: Red Bolded content in the indicators is considered essential and must be taught in all classrooms. Content which is not bolded goes beyond the scope and sequence of the state standards.

Political Parties

Benchmark 2.1: Students will describe how political parties act as a link between citizens and the government.

2.1 Indicators:

Students reach this benchmark when they are able to:

1. Explain the two party system in the United States and the historic and contemporary role of third parties.
2. Describe the organization, role, constituencies, and ideologies of political parties in the United States.
3. Describe the role of political parties in channeling public opinion, allowing people to act jointly, nominating candidates, conducting campaigns, and training future leaders.

Campaigns and Elections

Benchmark 2.2: Students will describe how campaigns and elections act as a link between citizens and the government.

2.2 Indicators:

Students reach this benchmark when they are able to:

1. Describe the nomination process for federal, state and local offices, i.e., primaries, caucuses, and party conventions.
   
2. Evaluate the influence of various features of American political campaigns on the nominating and election processes, including:
   
   1. campaign funding and spending
      
   2. campaign advertising
      
   3. public opinion polls
      
   4. media coverage
      
   5. the role of political action committees (PACs)
3. Describe the varied types of elections, i.e., primary and general, local and state, congressional and presidential, initiative, referendum, and recall.

Media

Benchmark 2.3: Students will describe how the media act as a link between citizens and the government.

2.3 Indicators:

Students reach this benchmark when they are able to:

1. Evaluate the importance of freedom of the press and the role of television, radio, the print media, the Internet, and other emerging means of communication in American politics.
2. Explain how politicians use the media to communicate with the citizenry, influence the direction of public policy, and influence public opinion.
3. Evaluate historical and contemporary political communication (campaign advertisements and political cartoons) using such criteria as logical validity, factual accuracy, emotional appeal, distorted evidence, and appeals to bias or prejudice.

Interest Groups

Benchmark 2.4: Students will describe how various associations and groups act as a link between citizens and the government.

2.4 Indicators:

Students reach this benchmark when they are able to:

1. Explain how various groups and associations active in American politics today enhance citizen participation in the political process.
2. Identify and explain the structure, purpose, and goals of various types of interest groups and associations, e.g., single issue groups, professional associations, business and labor related interest groups, etc., and the strategies they use to achieve their goals.
3. Analyze the degree to which interest groups and associations have an impact on public policy.

Benchmark 2.5: Students will evaluate, take, and defend in writing, discussion, and debate a position on how effective linkage institutions are today at allowing citizens to exert influence on government.

2.5 Indicators:

Students reach this benchmark when they are able to:

1. Evaluate the strength of the two-party system in the United States today.
   
2. Evaluate current criticisms of campaigns and proposals for their reform.
   
3. Analyze voter turnout data using tables, charts, graphs, and spreadsheets.
   
4. Evaluate the positive and negative effects of media on the political process.
   
5. Analyze how interest groups identify problems related to their purposes and goals and prioritize solutions.
   

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