Vocabulary

Amicus curiae brief

A ‘friend of the court’ brief filed by an interest group to influence a Supreme Court decision.

Dealignment argument

Contention that parties are less meaningful to voters, who have abandoned the parties in greater numbers to become independents.

Divided government

Government in which one party controls the presidency while another party controls Congress.

Elite theory

Theory that upper class elites exercise great influence over public policy.

Factions

Term used by Madison to denote what we now call interest groups.

Fairness Doctrine

FCC rule (no longer in effect) that required broadcasters to air a variety of viewpoints on their programs.

Feeding frenzy

The media’s intense coverage when they sense wrongdoing or scandal in government.

Free rider problem

The problem faced by interest groups when citizens can benefit without joining, participating, or contributing.

Horse race coverage

Media reporting on an election campaign as if it were a horse race, focusing on standings.

Iron triangle

An informal association of a federal agency, congressional committee, and interest group influencing policy.

Litigation

The act or process of carrying out a lawsuit.

Lobbying

Attempting to influence policymakers.

Nonpartisan elections

Elections where candidates are not identified by party membership on the ballot.

Office column ballot

Ballot in which candidates are arranged by office rather than party, encouraging split ticket voting.

Party column ballot

Ballot in which candidates are arranged by party rather than office, encouraging straight ticket voting.

Photo opportunity

A staged campaign event designed to attract favorable visual media coverage.

Pluralism

Theory that policy making is the result of interest group competition.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

An interest group that raises funds and donates to election campaigns.

Patronage

Appointing loyal party members to government positions.

Revolving door

The cycle in which a person alternates between public and private sector work.

Selective exposure

Choosing media sources that align with one’s own beliefs.

Selective perception

Interpreting media messages according to one’s own beliefs.

Sound bite

A short, catchy comment likely to attract media attention.

Spin control

Placing a slant on a story to deflect negative attention from a candidate.

Unit rule

An abandoned rule of the Democratic Party national convention where a candidate with the most delegates won all of a state's votes.