linkage institutions

policy agenda

issues, problems, and subjects that are viewed as important by government officials

prior restraint

censorship of the government before it happens

libel

a false factual assertion about someone that damaes the person's reputation

right of reply rule

a rule of the FCC that if a person is attacked on a broadcast that person has the right to reply over that same situation

equal time doctrine (1927-today)

broadcast stations must provide an equivalent opportunity to any opposing political candidates who request it

fairness doctrine (1949-2011)

required broadcasters to devote some of their airtime to discussing controversial matters of public interests and contrasting views

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

an independent regulatory commission that regulates the obscenity, indecency, and, profanity of radio, TV, internet, etc.

narrowcasting

radio or televised programming aimed at a narrowly defined audience (usually paid)

agenda setter (function of media)

coverage of issues, bolsters, opinions that the topic is important

score keeper (function of media)

track the political successes and failures of campaigns in elections

gatekeeper (function of media)

controls the flow of information to the public and government leaders

government “watchdog” (function of media)

investigative reports reveal government abuses

horse race journalism

reporting who is leading/who is behind in a campaign

muckraking

investigative reporting on problems in society; focuses on problems in government and lack of concern from politicians

yellow journalism

sensationalized news stories, not real facts

the news media

media that includes print sources, movies, radio, internet, tv

hyperpluralism

when multiple competing interests develop can result in gridlock

what groups make up the iron triangle?

Congressional committees (Congress), special interest groups, and bureaucratic agencies.

iron triangle

policy making between 3 groups; public has very little influence or knowledge

revolving door

the movement from the job of legislator or regulator to a job within an industry affected by laws and regulations

Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007

banned all gifts to members of Congress or their staff

Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995

stricter definition of who can register as a lobbyist, and made lobbyist report their clients

amicus curiae briefs

"friend of the court" offers more information or perspective about a case

political action committee (PAC)

group formed for the purpose of contributing money to the campaigns of federal politicians or to support politicians' campaigns indirectly

expertise

lobbyist are researchers and knowledgeable in matters of public policy

ideological interest groups

groups that form around a particular belief

single issue interest groups

formed to address a narrow area of concerns or simply focus on one topic

material incentives

members contribute to recieve specific benefits such as discounts or other complimentary items

solidary incentives

members contribute because the organization allows individuals to have gatherings with other like-minded individuals

purposive incentives

members contribute because they believe they are supporting a worthy cause

free-riders

when groups seek to change a law or policy and their efforts benefit everyone, not just their paying members

corporations

groups that represent businesses and large corporations

professional associations

groups that typically represent white-collar professions

intergovernmental

created due to the system of federalism that allows state and local government to receive federal funding

lobbyist

interest group representative who seeks to influence legislation that will benefit his or her organization

lobbying

main method of influence for interest groups

pluralism

numerous distinct ethnic, religious, and cultural groups represented/tolerated in society... leads to greater competition in policy

interest groups

organizations of people with similar policy goals that tries to influence political decisions/policy

taking of the third-party platform

the major party most closely aligned to the third party will "$uck up" the party platform ideas and use them for themselves.

single issue (type of third party)

focuses exclusively on specific area of public policy

splinter (type of third party)

broken away from existing party

economic protest (type of third party)

focuses on public dissatisfaction with the established economic system

ideological (type of third party)

organized around core set beliefs, full spectrum of issues addressed in party platform

Third Parties/ Minor Parties

a political party less widely supported

divided government

when the government presidency and the Congress are controlled by different parties

midterm curse

the president's party usually loses House seats, but not always loses seats for the Senate

“coattail effect”

tendency for a popular political party leader to attract votes for other candidates of the same party in an election

“party discipline”

members of a political party are expected to support their party's policies and decisions

gridlock

a situation where progress on policy is blocked due to a lack of agreement between political parties or branches of government

gerrymandering

process of manipulating the boundaries of electoral districts to favor one political party over another

party polarization

the increased ideological division among party lines because of extreme differences in beliefs

loyalty trends

having different viewpoints can fraction the party (ex: women, catholics, college students, married couples)

“party in the electorate”

mass potential of voters who identify with a specific party

national convention

major event that highlights the elections with a large tv audience

single-member political districts

one more vote than everyone else running against you to win

direct primaries

the current process by which voters choose their party's candidates for national office

candidate-centered campaigns

electoral strategies that focus on the individual candidate rather than the political party as a whole

party dealignment

a trend or process whereby a large portion of the electorate abandons its previous partisan affiliation without developing a new one to replace it

realignment

change in composition that happens in a party (ex: events, issues, personalities)

critical election/ political realignment

dramatic shifts in partisan preference that drastically alter the political landscape

politcal machines

a party organization with the goal of enriching party leaders, party workers, and citizen supporters through government contracts and jobs. a local party leader who builds loyalty by passing out perks and privileges.

what is the fundamental goal of a political party?

win elections

political parties

a group of officeholders, candidates, activists, and voters who identify with a group label and seek to elect public office

Political Participation

the ways that citizens get involved in the political process, influenced by a number of factors (political ideology, demographics, structural barriers)

Linkage Institution

connect people to the government, keeping people informed and trying to shape public policy