U.S. Government Unit 5 Quiz Review

Vandegrift High School U.S. Government Unit 5 Quiz Vocab Study Guide (McGraw Hill United States Government and Civics Unit 5 Vocab Terms)

Political Party

A group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy

Patronage

The practice of granting favors to reward party loyalty

One-Party System

A system in which only one political party exists, often because the government tolerates no other opposition

Two-Party System

A system in which two major parties compete for power, although minor parties may exist

Coalition Government

A government formed by several parties who combine forces to obtain a majority

Third Party

Any political party other than one of the two major parties

Single-Issue Party

A political party that focuses exclusively on one major social, economic, or moral issue (like the Legal Marijuana Now Party)

Ideological Party

A political party that has a particular set of ideas about how to change society overall rather than focusing on a single issue

Splinter Party

A political party that splits away from a major party because of some disagreement

Single Member District

An electoral district in which only one candidate is elected to each office

Proportional Representation

A system in which several officials are elected to represent the same area in proportion to the votes each party's candidates receives

Platform

A statement of a political party's principles, beliefs, and positions on vital issues

Liberal

The left; the belief that the proper role of government is to actively promote health, education, and justice (the Democratic Party)

Conservative

The right; the belief that the government should play a limited role in citizens' lives and the belief in "traditional family values" and what is viewed as a moral lifestyle (the Republican Party)

Moderate

The belief in both liberal and conservative viewpoints

Independent

A voter who does not support a particular party

Centrist

A person whose views tend to be moderate

Election

An orderly process for making group decisions

Voting

Making a choice among alternatives in an election

Suffrage

The right to vote

Disenfranchise

To deprive of the right to vote

Grandfather Clause

An exemption in a law for a certain group based on previous conditions

Literacy Test

A test based on a person's ability to read or write

Poll Tax

Money paid in order to vote

Gerrymandering

To draw a district's boundaries to gain an advantage in elections

Mid-term Election

A congressional election that takes place halfway through the president's term in office

Legislative Referendum

A special election in which the legislature refers a measure to the voters for their approval

Popular Referendum

A special election in which voters can vote to approve or repeal the laws passed by the legislature

Initiative

A method by which citizens propose a constitutional law or amendment

Cross Pressured Voter

A voter who is caught between conflicting elements in his or her identity

Straight Party Ticket

A ticket where a voter has selected candidates of his or her own party only

Campaign Managers

The person responsible for the overall strategy and planning of a campaign

Propaganda

The use of ideas, information, or rumors to influence opinion

Political Socialization

A process by which individuals learn their political beliefs and attitudes from family, school, friends, coworkers, and other sources

Peer Groups

Social groups consisting of individuals who share similar interests, age, or social status, and who significantly influence one another's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors

Mass Media

Means of communication that can reach large, widely dispersed audiences simultaneously

Political Culture

A set of basic values and beliefs about a nation and its government that most citizens share

Political Efficacy

A person’s belief that he or she can have an impact on government and policy

Interest Groups

Organizations that seek to achieve some of their goals by influencing government decision making

Public Opinion

The ideas and attitudes that a significant number of Americans hold about government and political issues

Straw Polls

Unscientific attempts to measure public opinion

Biased Sample

A group selected for a survey or study that doesn't accurately represent the larger population

Representative Sample

A small group of people who are typical of the larger group (universe) whose opinion is being measured

Universe

The entire group whose opinions a poll seeks to measure

Random Sampling

A method to survey a small, representative part of a large population where everyone has an equal chance of being picked

Push Polling

Manipulative polls designed to influence voters by spreading negative or false information about an opponent

Exit Polls

Interviewing voters as they leave the polling place and asking them who they voted for

Civil Society

The network of voluntary associations and nongovernmental organizations that are independent of the state and the market

Public Interest Groups

A non-profit organization advocating for broad societal benefits

Mass Media

All the means for communicating information to the general public such as television or the internet

News Release

A ready-made story prepared by officials for members of the press (a.k.a. press release)

News Briefing

A media communication during which a government official makes an announcement or explains a policy, decision, or action

Press Conference

The news media's questioning of a high-level government official

Leaks

The release of secret information to the media by anonymous government officials

Media Event

A visually interesting event designed to reinforce a politician's position on some issue

Freedom of Information Act (1966)

Requires federal agencies to release files to the public, unless the material falls into certain exceptions for national security or other confidential information

Shield Laws

A state law that protects reporters from having to reveal their sources