APGOV Unit 5 Review

Flashcards for key vocabulary terms from the Unit 5 Heimler Review Guide.

Rational Choice Voting Model

A person votes based on their individual self-interest after carefully studying the issues and platforms.

Retrospective Voting Model

A person votes based on the previous track record of the politician in question.

Prospective Voting Model

A person votes based on the potential future promised by the politicians in question.

Party-Line Voting Model

A person votes based on the preferred candidates of their party.

Political Efficacy

A citizen’s sense of whether or not their vote can make a difference, which can then impact their voting behavior positively or negatively.

Linkage Institution

A structure (e.g., political parties, interest groups, elections, and media) that serves as a connection between the general public and the government or political process.

Political Party (as linkage institution)

An organization driven by ideological beliefs that nominates and supports candidates for elections, thereby influencing the selection of candidates and the drawing of legislative districts to favor their party’s candidates; provides leadership structures to coordinate party activities and campaigns.

Coalition (in politics)

How parties broaden their appeal and find success with voters by adjusting their proposals and platform to cater to the desires of specific demographic groups.

Party Realignment

When large groups of voters shift their support from one party to another, prompting parties to make changes.

Psychographic Analysis (in politics)

Provides insights into the inner motivations, aspirations, and desires of voters, allowing parties to tailor their policies, messaging, and candidate presentation to appeal to a wide base of voters.

Winner-Take-All Voting District

A system in which the candidate who secures the majority of the popular votes in a state is awarded all of that state’s electoral votes.

Third Party

A political organization or party that operates outside the two major parties (Democrats and Republicans) and seeks to challenge their dominance.

Proportional Voting

A system where seats in a legislative body are allocated to parties based on the percentage of votes they receive, allowing third parties a chance to be represented in proportion to their support.

Single-Member Districts

The candidate who receives the most votes wins, and there is only one winner.

Interest Group (as linkage institution)

Advocates for specific policy positions and represent the interests of a particular issue or demographic, aiming to influence policymakers and persuade them to pass legislation that aligns with the group’s interests.

Issue Network

A temporary cooperative network that forms among different interest groups when a specific issue intersects their concerns, allowing them to temporarily set aside differences and collaborate towards a common goal.

Lobbying

A strategy used by interest groups to achieve their goals by engaging in direct communication with lawmakers, providing expertise on policy matters, drafting legislation, working to educate the public, and seeking to influence policymakers.

Free Rider Problem (in interest groups)

Members of an interest group who benefit from the group’s efforts do not contribute or bear the costs associated with those efforts, thereby limiting the level of influence the interest group can exert.

Elections (as linkage institution)

Provide a mechanism for selecting political representatives and leaders, allowing citizens to participate in the democratic process by choosing their preferred candidates and shaping the composition of government.

Closed Primary

Voters must cast a ballot for a candidate which aligns with the voter’s declared party.

Open Primary

Voters can vote for a candidate representing any party regardless of the part reflected on their voter registration.

Caucus

A localized and public process where voters gather in meetings to openly express their support for candidates and engage in discussions before making their choices.

General Election

The phase of the electoral process in which candidates from different political parties compete for votes from the general public to secure the position of president.

Incumbency Advantage

The significant advantage that an incumbent candidate has in getting reelected, attributed to factors such as their existing familiarity, ability to use the presidential platform, access to financial contributors.

Faithless Elector

An electoral college member who casts a vote in contradiction to the popular vote outcome of their state.

Electoral College

A constitutional system in which each state appoints a number of electors, corresponding to its representation in Congress, who are responsible for officially electing the president.

Campaign Finance (as linkage institution)

Provides the necessary funds for candidates to run their campaigns effectively, allowing them to raise awareness, convey their messaging, and compete in elections.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Organizations that raise funds with the aim of influencing voters to support their preferred candidates in elections, making them a significant player in campaign financing.

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

Responsible for enforcing and regulating campaign finance laws, including setting limits on individual and PAC donations to political candidates, to ensure fair elections.

Hard Money (in campaign finance)

Funds that are directly donated to a candidate’s campaign and are subject to legal limits.

Soft Money (in campaign finance)

Funds donated to a party or interest group that can be used for purposes indirectly supporting a candidate, without being subject to the same regulations as hard money.

Media (as linkage institution)

Serves as a watchdog agency, holding the government accountable to the people by reporting on their actions and influencing citizen engagement in politics.

Investigative Journalism

Bringing to light important societal issues and prompting public outrage, which in turn has influenced legislative actions and reforms.

Media as Gatekeeper

Selectively choosing and highlighting certain issues, events, and political races, shaping the public’s perception and understanding of what is important and relevant in the realm of politics and elections.

Horse Race Journalism

Emphasizes the competition between political candidates, often focusing on their popularity, polling numbers, and chances of winning, rather than delving into the substantive policy issues they address.