Introduction to American Government (POS 2041) - Political Parties and Interest Groups

A collection of flashcards covering key vocabulary related to political parties and interest groups in American government.

Political Parties

Organizations that seek to elect their members to office and organize voters to support their candidates.

Interest Groups

Organized groups that attempt to influence policymakers from outside the government.

Nomination

The process by which parties select their candidates to run for office.

Primary Election

An election where registered party members choose the nominee for their party.

Closed Primary

A primary election where only registered party members can vote to select the nominee.

Open Primary

A primary election where voters can decide on the day of the primary which party's ballot to choose.

Caucus

A gathering of local party members to register their preferences for candidates.

Party Platform

A distinct set of policies set forth by a political party based on its ideology.

Hyperpartisanship

A strong commitment to a party that transcends other commitments, including to the national interest.

Free-Rider Problem

The issue where individuals benefit from a group's efforts without participating or contributing.

Insider Strategies

Tactics used by interest groups to influence policy through direct interaction with government officials.

Outsider Strategies

Tactics used by interest groups to influence policy from outside the bounds of government, often through public pressure.

Lobbying

An attempt by a group to influence the policy process through persuasion of government officials.

Revolving Door

The movement of individuals between positions in the public and private sectors, often leading to conflicts of interest.

Regulations on Lobbying

Laws governing the activities of lobbyists, including requirements to report spending and register as lobbyists.

Median Voter Theorem

A theory that suggests parties converge toward the center to appeal to the preferences of the median voter.