US Democracy and Participation

campaign finance

all funds raised to promote candidates, political parties or policy initiatives and their agendas during an election

factions

the groups that make up political parties - ideological wings concerned about particular issues

invisible primary

the period between when a candidate announces their bid for public office and when the actual primaries take place

primary action committee (PAC)

this raises and spends moneyin oder to elect/defeat electoral candidates, with a donation limit of $5000 per candidate per election

party system

the number of parties that have a realistic chance of forming government with a political system

policy group

a group that attempts to influence a whole policy area

professional group

a group that represents the economic interests of its members

single interest group

a group that advocates policy surrounding a small specific issue

soft/hard money

• hard money = when cash is contributed directly to a political candidate

• soft money = when cash is contributed to a political party with no limits attached to the amount that can be received

super PACs

raises and spends unlimited amounts of money to support or oppose political candidates but without directly donating or co-ordinately with these candidates

religious right

an ultraconservative religious response to the sexual revolution and an attempt to translate this into policy promoting family values, opposing abortion, same-sex marriage, civil partnerships, non-discrimination laws