Parties, Policy, and Persuasion

Political parties

organized groups that attempt to influence the government by electing their members to important government offices

Public policy

the course of action the government takes in response to an issue or problem or how they shape laws to address the problem

Interest groups

organization of people who share political, social or other goals; and agree to try to influence public policy to achieve those goals.

Lobbyists

people hired by private groups to influence government decision makers and lawmakers

Lobbying

Engaging in activities aimed at influencing public officials, especially legislators, and the policies they enact.

Public opinion

what the public thinks about a particular issue or set of issues at any point in time

Polls

surveys of people's opinions

Political Action Committees (PACs)

A committee set up by a corporation or interest group that raises and spends campaign money on their chosen candidate from voluntary donations

Propaganda

Ideas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause.

Referendum

a general vote by the citizens on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision.

Voting rights

no state can deny the right to vote based on race, color, or sex

Civil disobedience

A nonviolent, public refusal to obey allegedly unjust laws.

Boycotts

Protests in which people refuse to buy from or work for a person, nation, or business.

Voter turnout

the number of eligible voters who participate in an election as a percentage of the total number of eligible voters

Voter burnout

Citizens are unsure of which candidate is best suited for the position and likely do not vote as a result