Unit 5: Linkage Institutions - Political Parties, Elections, Mass Media, Interest Groups

Linkage Institutions

Channels through which issues and people’s policy preferences get on the government’s policy agenda.

Political Party

An organized effort to control government and pursue common interests by gaining power through the electoral process.

Types of Linkage Institutions

Political Parties, Mass Media, Elections, Interest Groups.

Conventional Participation

Includes voting, joining a political party, campaigning, collecting signatures for petitions, and donating money to political candidates.

Unconventional Participation

Includes protesting, civil disobedience, and violence.

Third Parties in the US

Political parties that are not one of the two major parties, often face difficulties due to a winner-take-all electoral system.

Impact of Third Parties

Can raise new issues, shift major party platforms, and act as spoilers in elections.

National Committees

The central body in each political party responsible for recruiting candidates and raising money.

Primary Elections

Elections used to nominate candidates to run for office.

Electoral College

System where each state gets electoral votes based on its number of representatives and senators, totaling 538 electoral votes.

Voter ID Laws

Laws requiring voters to present identification at polling places.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

An organization that raises and spends money to elect political candidates or influence legislation.

Citizens United vs. FEC

A Supreme Court case ruling that restricted political communications by third parties violated the freedom of speech.

Rational-Choice Voting

Voting based on what is perceived to be in the citizen’s individual interest.

Investigative Journalism

Journalism that seeks to uncover the truth about government actions and policies.

Agenda Setting

The power of the media to focus public attention on specific issues that become priorities for government.

Interest Groups

Organizations of people with similar policy goals that attempt to influence government decisions.

Free-Rider Problem

When individuals benefit from a group's efforts without contributing, often seen in larger interest groups.

Mancur Olsen’s Law of Large Groups

As group size increases, the ability to provide collective goods decreases.