AP GOV'T UNIT V, LIST III

Pluralist theory

the theory that political power is distributed among a wide array of diverse and competing interest groups

Social movement

large groups of citizens organizing for political change (Civil Rights Movement)

Participatory democracy

a theory of democracy that holds that citizens should actively and directly control all aspects of their lives

Elitist theory

a theory that the wealthy elite class has a disproportionate amount of economic and political power

Interest groups

organization of people who share political, social or other goals; and agree to try to influence public policy to achieve those goals (ex) NRA)

Policy agenda

The issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people actively involved in politics at the time.

Free rider

An individual who does not to join a group representing his or her interests yet receives the benefit of the group's influence.

Selective benefits

Goods (such as information publications, travel discounts, and group insurance rates) that a group can restrict to those who pay their annual dues. They're designed to solve the "free rider problem"

Lobbying

A strategy by which organized interests seek to influence the passage of legislation by exerting direct pressure on members of the legislature.

Amicus curiae brief

Literally, a "friend of the court" brief, filed by an individual or organization to present arguments in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case.

Iron triangle

The three-way alliance among legislators, bureaucrats, and interest groups to make or preserve policies that benefit their respective interests.

Social network

the web of relationships and communication among people, organizations, and institutions that share information and influence policy decisions

Investigative journalism

the use of detective-like reporting methods to unearth scandals.

Horse race journalism

news coverage that focuses on who is ahead rather than on the issues

Partisan bias

the slanting of political news coverage in support of a particular political party or ideology

How do linkage institutions can affect the policy agenda?

Linkage institutions — such as political parties, interest groups, elections, and the media — connect citizens to the government and play a key role in shaping the policy agenda, which is the list of issues that the government pays attention to.