Elections and Linkage Institutions

liberal

One who favors more government regulation of business and support for social welfare but less regulation of private social conduct

conservative

One who favors more limited and local government, less government regulation of markets, and more social conformity to traditional norms and values

linkage institutions

Institutions that connect citizens to government. The mass media, interest groups, and political parties are the three main linkage institutions.

political party

A group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy

third party

A political party organized in opposition to the major parties in a two-party system

two-party system

A political system dominated by two major parties

independent

A voter or candidate who does not identify with a political party.

Republican Party

also called the Grand Old Party (GOP), generally associated with conservative values and policies, such as limited government intervention in the economy, traditional social values, and a strong national defense.

Democratic Party

generally associated with liberal values and policies, such as support for social welfare programs, government intervention in the economy, and social equality

party platform

A political party's statement of its goals and policies for the next four years. The platform is drafted prior to the party convention by a committee whose members are chosen in rough proportion to each candidate's strength. It is the best formal statement of a party's beliefs.

political machine

a tightly organized group that commands political influence through the manipulation of votes and often involves corruption such as bribery

partisan

Devoted to or biased in support of a party, group, or cause

caucus

A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform.

primary

A ballot vote in which citizens select a party's nominee for the general election

midterm election

The congressional election that occurs midway through the president's term of office

general election

election in which voters decide which candidates will actually fill elective public offices; presidential election held every 4 years

electoral college

a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president

elector

person appointed to vote in presidential elections for the major candidates

faithless elector

An elector who votes for someone other than the candidate who won the most votes in the state

special interest groups

private organizations who advocate for public policies that would benefit their members

through a variety of ways

Lobbying

Engaging in activities aimed at influencing public officials, especially legislators, and the policies they enact

PAC

a political action committee; an organization that collects money from campaign contributors and

then gives to candidates or uses it to campaign on their behalf

Super PAC

a type of independent political action committee which may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, and individuals but is not permitted to contribute to or coordinate directly with parties or candidates.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

A 2010 landmark Supreme Court case that ruled that political spending by corporations, associations, and labor unions is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment and cannot be limited

propaganda

information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view

apathy

lack of interest