AP GoPo Chapter 10,12,14

Core values

Basic beliefs that shape the way Americans behave and view the role of government in their lives.

Equality of opportunity

The equal chance for all people to realize their potential.

Free enterprise

An economic system based on competition among businesses with limited government involvement.

Ideological polarization

Sharp differences in Americans’ overall ideas of the size and scope of government.

Individualism

The autonomy of individuals to manage the course of their own lives without government interference.

Latent opinion

An opinion formed on the spot, when it is needed (as distinct from a deeply held opinion that is stable over time).

Liberal or conservative ideology

A way of describing political beliefs in terms of a position on the spectrum running from liberal to moderate to conservative.

Limited government

A political system in which the powers of the government are restricted to prevent tyranny by protecting property and individual rights.

Mass survey

A way to measure public opinion by interviewing a relatively small sample of a large population.

Policy mood

The level of public support for expanding the government’s role in society; whether the public wants government action on a specific issue.

Political socialization

The process by which an individual’s political opinions are shaped by other people and the surrounding culture.

Population

The group of people whom a researcher or pollster wants to study, such as evangelicals, senior citizens, or Americans.

Public opinion

Citizens’ views on politics and government actions.

Random sample

A subsection of a population chosen to participate in a survey through a selection process in which every member of the population has an equal chance of being chosen.

Rule of law

The authority of law to restrict people’s behavior equally for the common good.

Sample

Within a population, the group of people surveyed in order to gauge the whole population’s opinion.

Sampling error

The predicted difference between the average opinion expressed by survey respondents and the average opinion in the population.

Astroturf lobbying

Any lobbying method initiated by an interest group that is designed to look like the spontaneous, independent participation of many individuals.

Centralized groups

Interest groups that have a headquarters, usually in Washington, D.C., with members and field offices throughout the country.

Coercion

A method of eliminating nonparticipation or free riding by potential group members by requiring participation.

Collective action problem

A situation in which the members of a group would benefit by working together to produce some outcome, but each individual is better off refusing to cooperate.

Confederations

Interest groups made up of several independent local organizations that provide much of their funding and hold most of the power.

Direct lobbying

Attempts by interest groups staff to influence policy by speaking with elected officials or bureaucrats.

527 organization

A tax-exempt group formed primarily to influence elections through voter mobilization efforts and issue ads.

Free riding

Relying on others to contribute to a collective effort while failing to participate on one’s own behalf.

Grassroots lobbying

A lobbying strategy that relies on participation by group members, such as a protest or a letter-writing campaign.

Initiative

A direct vote by citizens on a policy change proposed by fellow citizens or organized groups outside government.

Inside strategies

The tactics employed within Washington, D.C., by interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goals.

Interest group

An organization of people who share common political interests and aim to influence public policy.

Interest group state

A government in which most policy decisions are determined by the influence of interest groups.

Iron triangle

An informal alliance between elected officials, bureaucrats, and interest groups to dominate the policymaking process.

Issue network

Informal organization of interest groups and individuals who work together to lobby government for policy change.

Linkage institutions

Institutions such as political parties, interest groups, the media, and elections that channel communication between individuals and policy makers.

Lobbying

Efforts to influence public policy through contact with public officials on behalf of an interest group.

Mass associations

Interest groups that have a large number of dues-paying individuals as members.

Material benefits

Benefits provided to individuals for joining a group, such as merchandise.

Outside strategies

The tactics employed outside Washington, D.C., by interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goals.

Peak associations

Interest groups whose members are businesses or other organizations rather than individuals.

Political action committees (PAC)

An interest group or a division that can raise money to contribute to campaigns or ads in support of candidates.

Purposive benefits

Satisfaction derived from the experience of working toward a desired policy goal.

Referendum

A direct vote by citizens on a policy change proposed by a legislature.

Revolving door

The movement of individuals from government positions to jobs with interest groups or lobbying firms.

Salience

The level of familiarity with an interest group’s goals in the general population.

Selective incentives

Benefits that can motivate participation in a group effort because they are available only to those who participate.

Solidary benefits

Satisfaction derived from the experience of working with likeminded people.

Attack journalism

A type of media coverage focused on political scandals and controversies.

Broadcast media

Communications technologies, like television and radio, that transmit information over airwaves.

By-product theory

The idea that many Americans acquire political information unintentionally.

Equal time provision

An FCC regulation requiring equal air time for all candidates on non-news programming.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

A government agency created to regulate American radio stations and later expanded to other broadcast media.

Filtering

The influence on public opinion from journalists’ and editors’ decisions about which news stories to report.

Framing

The influence on public opinion caused by how a story is presented, including details and context.

Hard news

Media coverage focused on facts and important issues surrounding a campaign.

Horse race

Election coverage that focuses more on poll results than on substantive differences between candidates.

Hostile media effect

The tendency of people to see neutral media coverage as biased against their point of view.

Leaking

When someone in government provides nonpublic information to a reporter.

Linkage institutions

Institutions that channel communication between individuals and policy makers.

Mass media

Sources that provide information to the average citizen, like newspapers and television networks.

Media conglomerates

Companies that control a large number of media sources across various outlets.

Media effects

The influence of media coverage on average citizens’ opinions and actions.

On background or Off the record

Comments made to the press that can only be reported if not attributed to the politician.

Soft news

Media coverage that aims to entertain or shock, often through sensationalized reporting.

Yellow journalism

A style of reporting popular in the late 1800s featuring sensationalized stories.