Ap gov unit 4 & 5

Public Opinion

The distribution of individual attitudes and beliefs about politics, public policy, and public officials held by the general population.

Demography

The statistical study of human populations, including size, growth, density, and distribution, and how these characteristics affect politics.

Census

A constitutionally mandated population count conducted every ten years that determines representation in Congress and the allocation of federal funds.

Melting Pot

A concept describing how diverse cultures and ethnic groups blend together to form a single, unified national culture.

Minority Majority

A demographic condition in which groups that were once numerical minorities together make up a majority of the population.

Political Culture

The set of shared beliefs, values, and norms about politics and government held by a population.

Reapportionment

The redistribution of seats in the House of Representatives among the states based on population changes revealed by the census.

Political Socialization

The lifelong process through which individuals acquire political beliefs, values, and behaviors.

Sample

A subset of a population selected to represent the entire population in a survey or study.

Random Sampling

A method of selecting a sample in which every individual in the population has an equal chance of being chosen.

Sampling Error

The margin of error caused by studying a sample rather than the entire population.

Random-Digit Dialing

A polling method that uses randomly generated telephone numbers to reach both listed and unlisted numbers.

Exit Poll

A survey of voters conducted immediately after they leave a polling place, used to predict election outcomes and understand voter behavior.

Political Ideology

A consistent set of beliefs about the role of government and the purpose of politics.

Gender Gap

A measurable difference in political attitudes or voting behavior between men and women.

Political Participation

Any activity through which individuals seek to influence government or political outcomes, such as voting, campaigning, or protesting.

Protest

A form of political participation that involves public expression of opposition to government policies or actions.

Civil Disobedience

The deliberate refusal to obey laws or government commands as a nonviolent means of protest against unjust policies.

High-Tech Politics

A political environment in which campaigns and governing rely heavily on advanced technology, data analysis, and media strategies to influence public opinion.

Mass Media

Forms of communication, such as television, radio, newspapers, and the internet, that transmit information to large audiences.

Media Event

An event that is staged primarily for the purpose of being covered by the media and shaping public perception.

Press Conferences

Formal meetings in which government officials or political candidates respond to questions from journalists.

Investigative Journalism

In-depth reporting that uncovers information of public importance, often involving corruption, abuse of power, or wrongdoing.

Print Media

News sources that deliver information in printed form, including newspapers and magazines.

Electronic Media

News sources that use electronic technology to transmit information, such as television, radio, and online platforms.

Narrowcasting

Media programming or messaging targeted at a specific, defined audience rather than the general public.

Selective Exposure

The tendency of individuals to consume media and information that reinforces their existing beliefs and attitudes.

Chains

Groups of newspapers or media outlets owned by the same company, often sharing content and editorial direction.

Beats

Specialized areas or topics that journalists are assigned to cover on a regular basis.

Trial Balloons

Ideas or proposals intentionally leaked to the media to test public reaction before being formally announced.

Party Competition

The struggle among political parties to gain control of public offices and influence government policy.

Political Party

An organized group that seeks to win elections, hold public office, and influence government policy by nominating candidates who share common beliefs.

Linkage Institutions

Structures in a democracy that connect the people to the government, including political parties, elections, interest groups, and the media.

Rational-Choice Theory

The idea that individuals make political decisions based on a cost-benefit analysis to maximize personal advantage.

Party Image

The public's perception of a political party's positions, values, and leaders.

Party Identification

An individual's psychological attachment to a political party.

Ticket Splitting

Voting for candidates from different political parties in the same election.

Party Machines

Highly organized party organizations that provide services and benefits to voters in exchange for political support.

Patronage

The practice of awarding government jobs or favors to political supporters.

Closed Primaries

Primary elections in which only registered party members may vote.

Open Primaries

Primary elections in which voters may participate regardless of party affiliation.

National Party Convention

A meeting held every four years by a political party to nominate its presidential and vice-presidential candidates and adopt a party platform.

National Committee

The organization responsible for managing party affairs between national conventions.

National Chairperson

The leader of a political party's national committee, responsible for day-to-day operations and strategy.

Coalition

An alliance of diverse groups or interests that support a political party or candidate.

Party Eras

Periods of time in which the political party system is stable, with predictable patterns of party control and voter alignment.

Critical Election

An election that produces a significant and lasting change in party alignment and voter coalitions.

Party Realignment

A major shift in the political loyalties of voters that leads to a new party system.

New Deal Coalition

The alliance of voters, including labor unions, African Americans, urban residents, and ethnic minorities, that supported the Democratic Party beginning in the 1930s.

Party Dealignment

A trend in which voters become less loyal to political parties, often identifying as independents.

Third Parties

Political parties other than the two major parties that seek to influence policy or win elections.

Winner-Take-All System

An electoral system in which the candidate who receives the most votes wins the entire office or representation.

Proportional Representation

An electoral system in which parties receive legislative seats in proportion to the percentage of votes they earn.

Coalition Government

A government formed by multiple political parties that cooperate to achieve a majority.

Responsible Party Model

A view of political parties in which parties present clear policy choices to voters and hold elected officials accountable for implementing those policies.

Blue Dog Democrats

A group of fiscally conservative and moderate Democrats in the House of Representatives.

Interest Group

An organized group of individuals that seeks to influence public policy without running candidates for public office.

Pluralism

A theory of democracy that holds that political power is distributed among many competing interest groups.

Elitism

A theory that argues political power is concentrated in the hands of a small, wealthy, and influential elite.

Hyperpluralism

A theory that suggests there are so many interest groups competing for influence that government becomes ineffective and unable to act.

Iron Triangle

A close, mutually beneficial relationship among a congressional committee, a bureaucratic agency, and an interest group.

Potential Group

Individuals who share common interests but have not organized or taken action to pursue them politically.

Actual Group

A group of individuals who share common interests and are actively organized to influence public policy.

Collective Good

A benefit that is shared by all members of a group, regardless of whether they contributed to obtaining it.

Free-Rider Problem

The difficulty interest groups face when individuals benefit from collective goods without contributing to the group's efforts.

Selective Benefits

Incentives offered only to those who join or support an interest group to encourage participation.

Single-Issue Group

An interest group that focuses on one specific public policy issue.

Lobbying

Direct interaction with public officials to influence their decisions on legislation or policy.

Electioneering

Activities undertaken by interest groups to support or oppose political candidates.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Organizations that raise and distribute campaign funds to candidates who support the group's interests.

Union Shop

A workplace in which employees must join the labor union within a certain period after being hired.

Right-to-Work Laws

State laws that prohibit requiring union membership as a condition of employment.

Public Interest Lobbies

Interest groups that seek policies believed to benefit society as a whole rather than a specific economic interest.

Libertarian

One who believes in limited government interference in personal and economic liberties