Unit 5 - Political Participation

Glossary of key terms and concepts related to political participation.

Voting Rights

Legal rights that establish the ability of individuals to participate in elections.

Models of Voting Behavior

Theoretical frameworks that explain how and why individuals make voting choices.

Voter Turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who participate in an election.

Political Parties

Organized groups that seek to gain power by winning elections and influencing government. republican and democrat

Third-Party Politics

Political activities and ideologies supported by parties other than the two major parties.

Interest Groups

Organizations that seek to influence public policy based on specific interests or causes.

Gerrymandering

The practice of drawing district boundaries to favor a particular political party.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central government and state governments.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that government authority is derived from the consent of the governed.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to evaluate the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

Republicanism

the system by which the interests of the people are represented through elected leaders.

First Amendment

Protects the freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Fifteenth Amendment

Prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on race.

Seventeenth Amendment

Established the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote.

Nineteenth Amendment

Granted women the right to vote.

Twenty-Fourth Amendment

Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections. It was enacted to eliminate discriminatory voting barriers, particularly in the South, that disenfranchised low-income, primarily African American citizens

Rational Choice Voting

Voting behavior based on individuals' rational calculations of which candidate or policy will benefit them most.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on the past performance of a candidate or party.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on predictions of future performance by candidates or parties.

Party-line Voting

Voting exclusively for candidates of one political party.

Voter Demographics

Statistical data relating to the identity and characteristics of voters.

Linkage Institutions

Entities that connect citizens to their government, such as political parties, interest groups, and the media.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution responsible for electing the president.

Party Platforms

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

Campaign Committees

Organizations created by political parties to support candidates during elections.

Voter Mobilization

Efforts to encourage citizens to vote and participate in elections.

Lobbying

The act of attempting to influence government policy and decision-making, on behalf of a group, organization, or industry

Iron Triangles

The stable, mutually beneficial relationships between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees.

PACs

Political Action Committees that raise and distribute money to elect political candidates.

Super PACs

Independent expenditure-only committees that can raise unlimited funds from individuals and organizations.

Incumbency Advantage

The advantage held by current officeholders during reelection campaigns.

Closed Primary Election

A primary election where only registered party members can vote.

Open Primary Election

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

Caucus

A meeting of members of a political party to decide on candidates or policies.

Party Convention

A gathering of delegates to nominate candidates and establish party platforms.

General Elections

Elections held to choose among candidates for office.

Midterm Elections

Elections held halfway through a president's term, typically for congressional seats.

Referenda

A direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

A law aimed at regulating campaign financing and limiting the influence of soft money.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts cannot be limited.

FEC

Federal Election Commission; the agency responsible for enforcing campaign finance law.

The Role of Media

The function of media in informing the public and influencing political opinions.

Social Media

Platforms for social networking that have become significant in political communication and campaigning.