AP Gov Unit 4

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.