AP Government - Linkage Institutions & Fiscal

Linkage Institution

An organization or system that connects the public to the government, such as political parties, elections, media, and interest groups.

Political Party

An organized group that seeks to influence government policy by getting candidates elected to office.

Caucus

A meeting of party members to select candidates or decide policy.

Open Primary

A primary election where any registered voter can participate, regardless of party affiliation.

Closed Primary

A primary election where only registered party members can vote in their party’s primary.

Blanket Primary

A primary election where voters can choose candidates from any party for each office.

Pledged Delegate

A delegate assigned to support a specific candidate based on primary or caucus results.

Superdelegate

A party leader or elected official who has the freedom to support any candidate at the national convention.

Front-Loading

The tendency of states to schedule primaries and caucuses earlier in the election cycle to gain influence.

Horse Race Journalism

Media coverage that focuses on polling and political competition rather than policy issues.

Bandwagon Effect

The tendency for people to support a candidate or cause because it appears popular.

National Convention

A meeting where a political party officially nominates its presidential candidate and establishes its platform.

Political Platform

A formal set of principles and policy goals adopted by a political party.

Planks

Individual policy positions that make up a party’s platform.

Keynote Address

A major speech at a national convention that sets the tone and theme for the event.

Springboard

An event or experience that helps a politician gain national recognition or higher office.

Electoral College

The system used to elect the U.S. president, where each state’s electors vote based on the popular vote in their state.

Electors

Individuals chosen to cast a state’s electoral votes for president.

Safe States

States that consistently support one political party in presidential elections.

Swing States

States where election outcomes are uncertain, making them key battlegrounds.

Party Polarization

The growing ideological divide between political parties.

Dealignment

A decline in party loyalty, leading more voters to identify as independents.

Realignment

A shift in party support, often due to major events or crises, leading to new political coalitions.

Critical Elections

Elections that result in a significant shift in political power or realignment of party support.

Interest Group

An organization that seeks to influence public policy without directly running candidates for office.

Citizen Action Group

A grassroots organization that advocates for political or social causes.

Single-Issue Group

An interest group focused on one specific policy concern (e.g., gun rights, abortion).

Multi-Issue Group

An interest group that advocates for multiple policy issues (e.g., AARP).

527 Organization

A tax-exempt group that raises money for political activities but cannot coordinate directly with candidates.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

An organization that raises and donates money to political candidates and campaigns.

Super PAC

A type of PAC that can raise unlimited funds for political ads but cannot coordinate with candidates.

Hard Money

Political donations that are regulated and directly given to candidates.

Soft Money (Independent Expenditure)

Unregulated political spending by outside groups to influence elections.

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

The government agency that enforces campaign finance laws.

Electioneering

Direct efforts to influence election outcomes, such as campaign ads and endorsements.

Lobbying

Attempting to influence government policy by contacting lawmakers.

Grassroots Mobilization

Encouraging the general public to take political action, such as protests or letter-writing campaigns.

Litigation

Using lawsuits to influence public policy.

Amicus Curiae Briefs

"Friend of the court" briefs submitted by outside groups to influence court decisions.

Revolving Door

The movement of individuals between government positions and lobbying or private sector jobs.

Pluralism

The idea that multiple competing interest groups balance power in politics.

Hyperpluralism

The theory that too many competing interest groups weaken government effectiveness.

Free Rider Problem

When people benefit from interest group efforts without actively participating.

Citizens United v. FEC

A Supreme Court case that allowed unlimited political spending by corporations and unions.

Buckley v. Valeo

A Supreme Court case that ruled spending money on one’s own campaign is a form of free speech.

McCain-Feingold Act (Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act)

A law that attempted to limit soft money contributions and political ads.

Gatekeeper

The media’s role in determining which issues and stories receive attention.

Scorekeeper

The media’s role in tracking political successes and failures.

Watchdog

The media’s role in exposing corruption and holding government accountable.

Sound Bite

A short, catchy excerpt from a speech or statement used in media coverage.

Talking Points

Pre-planned messages used by politicians to communicate their stance on issues.

Media Conglomeration

The ownership of multiple media outlets by a few large corporations.

Fiscal Policy

Government policies on taxation and spending to influence the economy.

Domestic Policy

Government actions and laws affecting internal issues like healthcare and education.

Federal Budget

The government’s annual plan for revenue and spending.

Mandatory Spending

Spending required by law, such as Social Security and Medicare.

Discretionary Spending

Spending that must be approved annually by Congress, such as defense and education funding.

Entitlement Spending

Government spending on programs that provide benefits to eligible individuals.

Entitlement Program

A government program that guarantees certain benefits to specific groups (e.g., Medicaid).

Social Security

A government program providing retirement and disability benefits.

Net Interest

The cost of interest on the national debt.

Bond

A government-issued debt security that raises funds for public spending.

Budget Deficit

When government spending exceeds revenue in a given year.

Budget Surplus

When government revenue exceeds spending in a given year.

OMB (Office of Management and Budget)

The executive agency that prepares the president’s budget proposal.

CBO (Congressional Budget Office)

A nonpartisan agency that analyzes the economic impact of government spending and policies.

Omnibus Legislation

A large bill that covers multiple policy areas and is often used to pass complex legislation.

Impoundment

The president’s refusal to spend money appropriated by Congress.

Government Shutdown

A closure of non-essential government operations due to lack of funding.

Progressive Tax Structure

A tax system where higher-income individuals pay a higher percentage in taxes.

Monetary Policy

Government control of the money supply and interest rates to regulate the economy.

Federal Reserve Board

The central bank of the U.S. that manages monetary policy.

Interest Rate

The cost of borrowing money, set in part by the Federal Reserve.

Reserve Rate

The percentage of deposits banks must hold in reserve.

Money Supply

The total amount of money circulating in the economy.

Inflation

A general increase in prices and decrease in the purchasing power of money.

Deflation

A decrease in prices and increase in the value of money.