CHpt15

political party

a group that seeks to elect candidates to public office

straight ticket voting

practice of voting for candidates of only one party in an election

split-ticket voting

the practice of voting for the candidates of more than one party in an election

party platform

the statement of policies of a national political party

Realignment Election

critical elections where a new coalition party takes over and becomes dominant for a time

party coalition

the groups and interests that support a party

critical election

an election that signals a party realignment through voter polarization around new issues and personalities

era of divided government

a trend since 1969, in which one party controls one or both houses of Congress and the president is from the opposing party

delegate

A person appointed or elected to represent others

primary election

an election held to choose candidates for office

open primary election

a party-nominating election in which any qualified voter can take part

closed primary election

only voters registered for a party vote for that party

caucus

a private meeting of party leaders to choose candidates for office

super delegate

an unelected delegate who is free to support any candidate for the presidential nomination at the party's national convention.

national convention

The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party's platform.

proportional representation

an electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them.

single member plurality system

an election system for choosing members of the legislature where the winner is the candidate who receives the most votes, even if the candidate does not receive a majority of the votes

third-party

A political party organized in opposition to the major parties in a two-party system

interest groups

Groups of people who work together for similar interests or goals

policy agenda

the list of issues that the federal government pays attention to

collective action

An action taken by a group of like-minded individuals to achieve a common goal.

collective good

something of value that cannot be withheld from a nonmember of a group, for example, a tax write-off or a better environment

free rider

An individual who does not to join a group representing his or her interests yet receives the benefit of the group's influence.

selective benefits

goods that a group can restrict to those who actually join

single issue groups

associations focusing on one specific area of public policy, often a moral issue about which they are unwilling to compromise

lobbying

Engaging in activities aimed at influencing public officials, especially legislators, and the policies they enact.

revolving door

the tendency of public officials, journalists, and lobbyists to move between public and private sector (media, lobbying) jobs

amicus curae briefs

"Friend of the court." A brief filed in a lawsuit by an individual or group that is not party to the lawsuit but that has an interest in the outcome.

Iron Triangle

A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

Issue Network

webs of influence between interest groups, policymakers, and policy advocates

Grassroots lobbying

indirect lobbying efforts that spring from widespread public concern

Civil Disobedience

A nonviolent, public refusal to obey allegedly unjust laws.