Studied by 6 people
527s
Tax-exempt organizations created primarily to influence the nomination, election, appointment, or defeat of candidates for public office.
Actual group
The part of the potential group consisting of members who actually join.
Amicus curiae briefs
Legal briefs submitted by a 'friend of the court' to present additional viewpoints not covered by formal parties.
Baker v. Carr
'One person, one vote' standard, requiring equal weighting of individuals in legislative apportionment.
Beats
Specific locations from which news frequently originates, such as Congress or the White House.
Broadcast media
Television, radio, and the Internet.
Census
An 'actual enumeration' conducted every 10 years per the Constitution to determine House representation.
Chains
Newspapers published by massive media conglomerates controlling much of the nation’s print and broadcast media.
Civil disobedience
A form of political participation involving breaking laws considered immoral and accepting the consequences.
Class action suits
Lawsuits permitting a small number of people to sue on behalf of others similarly affected.
Collective good
Something valuable that cannot be withheld from group members.
Conservative
Prefers less government regulation of the economy, privatized healthcare, lower taxes, higher military spending, and reduced social welfare.
Demography
The science of population changes.
Electioneering
Direct group involvement in the electoral process, such as funding campaigns and recruiting volunteers.
Exit poll
Public opinion surveys used by media pollsters to predict election winners quickly.
Federal Communications Commission
Government agency regulating radio and television broadcasting.
Free-rider problem
When people benefit from an interest group's efforts without officially joining.
Gender gap
The consistent pattern of women being more likely to support liberal or Democratic candidates than men.
Gerrymandering
Manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one party or group.
George Gallup
Developed the science of public opinion polling.
Grassroots lobbying
Interest groups appealing directly to the public to influence policymakers.
Group benefit voters
Voters who support parties based on their perceived benefits for specific groups.
High-tech politics
Politics increasingly influenced by technology.
Ideologues
Voters who make decisions based on a consistent political ideology.
Interest group
An organization seeking to influence public policy to benefit its members.
Investigative journalism
In-depth reporting to uncover scandals, sometimes placing journalists in opposition to politicians.
Iron triangles
Networks of interest groups, government agencies, and congressional committees that dominate policy-making.
Liberal
Favors government intervention in the economy, social programs, civil rights, and progressive taxation.
Litigation
Engaging in legal proceedings.
Lobbying
Interest groups influencing policymakers through communication and advocacy.
Mass media
Television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and the Internet as means of popular communication.
Media events
Events staged for media coverage that appear spontaneous.
Melting pot
The mixing of cultures, ideas, and people shaping the U.S.
Minority majority
The emerging trend of non-Caucasian populations outnumbering White, Anglo-Saxon groups.
Narrowcasting
Media programming focused on a specific topic and audience.
Nature of the times voters
Voters who support a party based on its association with good times.
No issue content
Voters choosing candidates based on personality rather than issues or ideology.
Political Action Committees
Organizations funding campaigns and political activities under FEC regulations.
Policy entrepreneurs
Individuals investing their political influence in advancing an issue.
Political culture
A set of widely shared societal values.
Political efficacy
A citizen’s belief in their ability to influence political events.
Political ideology
A consistent set of beliefs about politics, policies, and public purposes.
Political socialization
The process by which individuals develop political beliefs.
Political tolerance
The democratic value of respecting different political opinions and actions.
Press conferences
Meetings between public officials and reporters.
Print media
Newspapers and magazines.
Protest
A form of political participation using dramatic tactics to demand policy change.
Public opinion
The distribution of people’s political and policy beliefs.
Random-digit dialing
Polling method using randomly generated phone numbers.
Random sampling
A survey technique ensuring equal selection probability for all participants.
Reapportionment
The redistribution of House seats based on census results every 10 years.
Redistricting
The redrawing of electoral district lines by state legislatures following reapportionment.
Revolving door
Government officials leaving their positions to become lobbyists or consultants.
Right-to-work laws
State laws prohibiting mandatory union membership for employment.
Sample
A small, representative group surveyed to reflect a larger population.
Sampling error
The level of confidence in a poll’s results.
Selective benefits
Incentives offered to encourage group membership.
Simpson-Mazzoli Act
Law requiring employers to verify employee immigration status.
Sound bites
Short video clips featuring political messages.
Spin doctor
A campaign staffer who presents events favorably for a candidate.
Straw poll
An unofficial survey gauging public opinion on an issue.
Subgovernments
Informal groups (iron triangles) that influence policy in specific areas.
Talking head
A direct shot of a person speaking into the camera.
Trial balloons
Intentional news leaks used to gauge public reaction to a potential policy.
Union shop
A workplace requiring employees to join a union after being hired.
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Flashcard (33)