Studied by 9 people
Linkage Institutions
Structures within society that connect people to the government, including elections, media, political parties, and interest groups.
Political Parties
mobilize voters, recruit candidates, set platforms, and manage campaigns, fundraising, and nominations.
Critical Elections
Elections that signal a major realignment in the political system, often bringing new issues to the forefront and shifting party alliances.
Realigning Elections
Elections in which the balance of power between a country's political parties changes greatly, often leading to a new dominant party.
Third Parties/Minor Parties
Political parties outside the two major parties; in the U.S., third parties often focus on specific issues or ideologies and face structural challenges
Single-Issue Groups
Interest groups that focus on one specific issue, such as the NRA (gun rights) or PETA (animal rights).
Party Identification
An individual's psychological attachment to a political party, often shaping their voting behavior.
Candidate Centered Campaigns
Campaigns focused on individual personalities and qualifications rather than on party platforms
Issue-Centered Campaigns
Campaigns focused on specific issues rather than party loyalty or candidate personalities.
Free Rider Problem
When individuals benefit from resources or services without paying for them, common in large public goods like national defense.
First Past the Post/Winner-Takes-All
Electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins, often disadvantaging third parties.
Incumbency Advantage
The electoral edge afforded to those already in office, often due to name recognition and access to campaign finance.
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Flashcard (23)