Unit 5 Political Parties/Interests Groups/Media

Amicus curiae brief

“friend of the court” brief filed by an organization (interest groups or government), which is not an actual party to the case, but wish to influence the outcome of a case. The most common arena for amici curiae is in cases that are under appeal and where issues of public interest—such as social questions or civil liberties—are being debated.

Dealingment

contention that parties are less meaningful to voters, who have abandoned the parties in greater numbers to become independents.

Divided government

government in which one party controls the presidency while another party controls the Congress. In the recent past, typically there are Republican presidents and Democratic controlled Congresses.

Elite theory

theory that upper class elites exercise great influence over public policy.

Factions

term used by Madison in Federalist 10 to denote what we now call interest groups, or could also apply to political parties.

Feeding frenzy

Just as sharks engage in a feeding frenzy when they sense blood in the water, the media “attack” when they sense wrongdoing or scandal in government, and devote great amounts of coverage to such stories.

Free rider problem

the problem faced by interest groups when citizens can reap the benefits of interest group action without actually joining, participating in, or contributing money to such groups.

Horse race coverage

the tendency of the media to report on an election campaign as if it were a horse race, i.e., who is ahead, who is behind, who is gaining ground, rather than focusing on policy or issues.

Iron triangle

an informal association of federal bureaucratic agency, congressional committee, and an interest group that is said to have heavy influence over policy making.

Litigation

the act or process of carrying out a lawsuit.

Lobbying

attempting to influence policy makers.

Narrowcasting

aiming media content at specific segments of the public.

Nonpartisan elections

elections in which candidates are not identified by party membership on the ballot.

Office bloc ballot

ballot in which candidates are arranged by office rather than party.  Encourages split ticket voting.

Party column ballot

ballot in which candidates are arranged by party rather than office.  Encourages straight ticket voting.

Pluralism

theory that policy making is the result of interest group competition.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

an organization set up by a corporation, union, or interest group that raises and spends money from voluntary donations. PACs raise hard money – contributions are limited by law to $5,000. Growth of PACs as a result of FECA (1974).

Patronage

appointing loyal party members to government positions. While it still exists especially in appointed positions, but at most levels in the bureaucracy, workers are hired by the merit system (as implemented by the Pendleton Act 1883).

Revolving door

the cycle in which a person alternately works for the public sector and private sector, thus creating a potential conflict of interest. Federal and state governments typically require a “cooling off” period of 2-5 years before lobbying after leaving public office.

Selective exposure

the practice of selectively choosing media sources which are reaffirm one’s own beliefs, i.e. confirmation bias

Selective perception

the practice of perceiving media messages the way one wants to.

Sound bite

a short, pithy comment that is likely to attract media attention, e.g., Ronald Reagan saying, “A recession is when your neighbor loses his job, a depression is when you lose your job, and recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his job.”

Spin control

placing a certain slant on a story to deflect negative public attention against a candidate or office holder.

SuperPAC

an organization set up by a corporation, union, interest group, or individual that accepts unlimited contributions to spend on solely on independent expenditures that cannot be coordinated with a campaign. Growth of SuperPACs as a result of Citizens United v. FEC.

Trial balloon

when government officials deliberately leak policy decisions to the public via the media in order to test the public’s reaction

501(c)(3)

nonprofit groups that may address political matters, but many not lobby or campaign. Donations are tax deductible.

501(c)(4)

nonprofit groups that are permitted to lobby and campaign. Donations are not tax deductible.