Ch. 11 Political Parties and Interest Groups

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

party organization

the official structure that conducts the political business of parties

party in government

all of the elected and appointed officials who identify with a political party

party in the electorate

the voters who consider themselves allied or associated with the party

party ideology

a party's philosophy about the proper role of government and its set of positions on major issues

two-party system

A political system dominated by two major parties

Roles of the Party

-linkage institutions: for people to communicate with the government, Pick candidates: voted on by the people in the states in a *primary", Run campaigns: can help candidates, gives cues to voters: allows voters to know what a candidate's views are, Articulates policies: helps officials to explain policies, Coordinate policymaking

third party

a party that challenges the two major parties

Democrat platform

pro-choice/women's right to choose, reduction to military spending, supports LGBTQ rights, environmental concerns, larger government, gun restrictions

Republican Platform

flat rate taxes, antiabortion, less government control/influence, pro military

interest group

An organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy

Types of Interest Groups

Business and labor groups, idea groups, economic groups, groups that address needs of individuals

Lobbying

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

indirect methods of interest groups

website, flyers, postcards, rallies

free rider problem

For a group, the problem of people not joining because they can benefit from the group's activities without joining.

Incentives to join interest groups

solidarity, material, and purposive