AP GoPo Unit 5: Political Participation

linkage institutions

the political channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the policy agenda

party in the organization

The formal structure and leadership of a political party, including election committees; local, state, and national executives; and paid professional staff.

party in the electorate

the voters who consider themselves allied or associated with the party

party in government

all of the elected and appointed officials who identify with a political party

critical election

An election when significant groups of voters change their traditional patterns of party loyalty.

realignment

substantial and long-term shift in party allegiance by individuals and groups, usually resulting in a change in policy direction

dealignment

A decline in party loyalties that reduces long-term party commitment.

candidate-centered campaigns

politics that focuses on the candidates, their particular issues, and character rather than party affiliation

split-ticket voting

voting for candidates of different parties for different offices at the same election

spoiler effect

When a 3rd party candidate takes enough votes away from one of the main party candidates to make him/her lose the election.

single member plurality

An electoral system based on districts that each have one representative, and in which the winner is the candidate with the most votes, but not necessarily a majority of those votes.

interest group

An organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy

lobbying

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

Political Action Committee (PAC)

A committee set up by a corporation or interest group to raise and funnels money to political candidates. Donation amounts to PACs are limited by FECA rules (hard money).

iron triangle

A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

revolving door

Employment cycle in which individuals who work for governmental agencies that regulate interests eventually end up working for interest groups or businesses with the same policy concern.

free rider problem

the problem faced by interest groups when citizens can reap the benefits of interest group action without actually joining, participating in, or contributing money to such groups.

social movement

a widely shared demand for change in some aspect of the social or political order

Federal Election Campaign Act

A law passed in 1974 for reforming campaign finances. The act created the Federal Election Commission (FEC), provided public financing for presidential primaries and general elections, limited presidential campaign spending, required disclosure, and attempted to limit contributions.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

Banned soft money donations to political parties (loophole from FECA); also imposed restrictions on 527 independent expenditures (issue ads only, not direct advocacy for a candidate). Declared unconstitutional by Citizens United case. Also known as McCain-Feingold Act.

527 groups

Independent groups that seek to influence the political process but are not subject to contribution restrictions because they do not directly advocate the election of a particular candidate.

Citizens United v. FEC

A 2010 decision by the United States Supreme Court holding that independent expenditures are free speech protected by the 1st Amendment and so cannot be limited by federal law. Leads to creation of SuperPACs & massive rise in amount of third party electioneering (Citizens for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow)

Super PACs

a type of independent political action committee which may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, and individuals but is not permitted to contribute to or coordinate directly with parties or candidates.

501(c) groups

Tax-exempt organizations that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to promote "social welfare." They may advocate for or against candidates, but political activities cannot become their primary purpose. They can keep their donors and names of members secret.

dark money

political money where the donors of the money do not have to be disclosed

15th Amendment

States cannot deny any person the right to vote because of race.

17th Amendment

Direct election of senators

19th Amendment

Women's suffrage

24th Amendment

Abolished poll taxes

26th Amendment

States cannot deny the right to vote based on age (18+)

Voting Rights Act of 1965

invalidated the use of any test or device to deny the vote and authorized federal examiners to register voters in states that had disenfranchised blacks

Preclearance

mandated by the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the prior approval by the Justice Department of changes to or new election laws by certain States

Motor Voter Act

A 1993 act that requires states to permit people to register to vote when they apply for a driver's license.

rational choice voting

Voting based on what is perceived to be in the citizen's individual interest

retrospective voting

voting for a candidate because you like his or her past actions in office

initiative

process that permits voters to put legislative measures directly on the ballot

referendum

a legislative act is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate

recall

procedure whereby voters can remove an elected official from office

primary

A ballot vote in which citizens select a party's nominee for the general election.

caucus

a meeting of party members to choose candidates for office

front-loading

The recent tendency of states to hold primaries early in the calendar in order to capitalize on media attention.

national party convention

A national meeting of delegates elected in primaries, caucuses, or state conventions who assemble once every four years to nominate candidates for president and vice president, ratify the party platform, elect officers, and adopt rules.

incumbency advantage

The electoral advantage a candidate enjoys by virtue of being an incumbent, over and above his or her other personal and political characteristics

casework

Activities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals; cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get people what they think they have a right to get

franking privilege

the ability of members to mail letters to their constituents free of charge by substituting their facsimile signature for postage

Electoral College

A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president

mass media

the entire array of organizations through which information is collected and disseminated to the general public

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

An independent federal agency that regulates interstate and international communication by radio, television, telephone, telegraph, cable, and satellite.

net neutrality

the principle that all Internet traffic should be treated equally by Internet Service Providers.

investigative journalism

the use of in-depth reporting to unearth scandals, scams, and schemes, at times putting reporters in adversarial relationships with political leaders

framing

the way an issue is posed; how an issue is framed can significantly affect decisions and judgments.

horse race journalism

news coverage that focuses on who is ahead rather than on the issues

fake news

content, articles, videos that present made up or false information

echo chambers

ideas amplified and reinforced in a closed social media system, competing views are censored or underrepresented