Interest Groups/Political Parties Big Review

Independents

In adulthood, people whose party identification differs from their parents' usually call themselves...

Few Americans are either far left or far right of the political spectrum.

The transfer of political beliefs from generation to generation does not appear in large national studies of political attitudes because...

The United States

The oldest political parties in the world are currently found in...

Interest Group

An organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals.

Political parties fight election battles;

interest groups do not field candidates for office but may choose sides

Specialists

Interest groups are policy

political parties are policy

Generalists

Pluralists

Competition among groups trying to get their preferred policies.

Elite Theory

Upper-class holds most of the power and run government.

Hyperpluralism

Groups are so strong that government is weakened.

Potential group

People who might be group members because they share some common interest.

Actual group

Potential group members who actually join group.

Collective good

Something of value that cannot be withheld from a potential group member.

Free Rider

Problem of people not joining because they can benefit from the group's activities without joining.

Goods that a group can restrict to those who actually join.

Selective Benefits

Lobbying

Communication to a governmental decision maker with the hope of influencing his or her decision.

Electioneering

Direct group involvement in the electoral process by helping to fund campaigns, getting members to work for candidates, and forming political action committees

Written arguments submitted to the courts in support of one side of a case.

Amicus Curiae Briefs

Class Action Lawsuits

Enable a group of people in a similar situation to combine their common grievances into a single suit.

Grassroots Pressures

influence brought to bear upon public officials by members of an interest group or the public at large, often using very basic measures such as letters, phone calls, or emails

Think Tanks

These research institutions are also interest groups. They promote their policy goals in many media outlets.

indirect Approach

involves building public support through grass-roots measures, shaping public opinion, using propaganda, and trying to influence the outcome of elections.

Revolving Door

movement of personnel between roles as legislators and regulators and the industries affected by the legislation and regulation

Three headed Monster

3 parts of a political party

Party in the Electorate

are individuals who perceive themselves as party members; many voters have a party identification that guides and influences their votes.

Party as an Organization

has a national office, a full-time staff, rules and bylaws, and budgets. Party activists keep the party running between elections and make its rules

Party in Government

consists of elected officials who call themselves members of the party

Rational Choice Theory

People act in their own best interest, weighing the costs and benefits of possible alternatives

Downs Model

Voters want policies they favor adopted by government, and (2) parties want to win elected office.

Party Identification

A citizen's self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other.

oting with one party for one office and with another party for other offices.

Ticket Splitting

Party Machines

Political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements to win votes and to govern.

Patronage

A job, promotion or contract given for political reasons rather than merit; used by party machines.

Critical Election

Electoral "earthquake" where new issues and new coalitions emerge

Party Realignment

Displacement of majority party by the minority party, usually during a critical election.

1796-1824: The First Party System

Democratic-Republican Party; Federalist Party

1828-1856:

Jackson and the Democrats Versus the Whigs

1860-1928:

The Two Republican Eras

1932-1964:

New Deal Coalition

1968-Present:

Southern Realignment and the Era of Divided Party Government

Party dealignment

The gradual disengagement of people from the parties, as seen in part by shrinking party identification.

Responsible party model

Party should offer clear choices to the voters, who can then use those choices as cues to their own preferences of candidates.

Democratic Party

One of the two major U.S political party;founded in 1828 by Andrew Jackson to support a decentralized government and state's rights

Republican Party

Political party that believed in the non-expansion of slavery & consisted of Whigs, N. Democrats, & Free-Soilers in defiance to the Slave Powers

Libertarian Party

A minor party that believes in extremely limited government. They call for a free market system, expanded individual liberties such as drug legalization, and a foreign policy of nonintervention, free trade, and open immigration.

Green Party

A minor party dedicated to the environment, social justice, nonviolence, and the foreign policy of nonintervention. Ralph Nader ran as the Green party's nominee in 2000.

Progressive Party (Bull Moose Party)

an early 20th century reform movement seeking to return control of the government to the people, to restore economic opportunities, and to correct injustices in American life

Socialist Party of America

This party was dedicated to the welfare of the working class. The platform called for more radical reforms such as public ownership of the RRs, utilities, and even of major industries such as oil and steel.

Communist Party

a political party that believes the government should control all production and distribution of goods and working people should control their own lives and destinies

Transhumanist Party

•politically-centric

•believe science and technology can solve most of the world's problems

•Seek to reach immortality

Constitution Party

political party that recognized no political principles other than the constitution, the union, and enforcement of the laws

American Medical Association

in 1901, when many doctors who considered themselves trained professionals the began forming local associations and societies such as this one, which was organized into a national professional society, including nearly 2/3 of all doctor, they called for strict scientific standards in practicing medicine.

National Rifle Association (NRA)

interest group defend rights of gun owners and defeat efforts at gun control

Emily's List

a PAC that help elect pro choice democratic female candidates to office

Sierra Club

American environmental organization. Helped promote the protection of the environment and nature.