AP US Government and Politics
pluralism
a multitude of views that ultimately result in a consensus on some issues
lobbying
applying pressure to influence govt. not only in DC but also every state capital-indirect (sway policymakers by shaping public opinion around a policy objective) and
ex.An officer of the University writes to a Member of Congress urging him to vote against an amendment that will be offered during the debate on a bill.
free-rider problem
groups that push for a collective benefit for a large group inevitably have these, this problem limits groups potential because not all that are benefiting are helping to pay the bill
iron triangles
the bonds among an agency, a Congressional committee, and a interest group
the three entities established relationship that benefit them all
Bureaucrats benefit by cooperating with
congressional members who fund and oversee them. Committee members
benefit by listening to interest groups that reward them with campaign donations.
issue networks
collectives with similar goals to iron triangles but they have come together to support a specific issue and usually do not have the longer terms relationships like iron triangles
direct lobbying
through communication with a member or employee of a legislative body
lobbyist
professional advocates that work to influence political decisions on behalf of individuals and organizations
-talk to politicians-members of govt. -write about issues and formulate plans to correct them -help with legislation drafting -etc.
activities of lobbyist to exert influence
-insider strats=quietly persuading through exclusive acsses
-outsider strats=public efforts-lawsuits-getoutthevote
-client interaction=informing clients
-legislation activity=providing info-research-drafting bills
-social media=monitoring Congressional activity-target outreach
-implementation=testifying on bills
-electoral activity=advertising-PAC donations
-other=meetings business development, media
501c3
organizations such as churchās and certain hospitals receive tax deductions for charitable donations-can influence govt.-canāt lobby govt. officials to donate to campaigns
501c4
groups such as certain social welfare org. can lobby and campaign but can't spend more than half expenditures on political issue (I.e the NRA)
endorsement
a public expression of support-can influence the voting public
grassroots lobbying
when an interest group tries to inform, persuade, and mobilize large numbers of people, generally an outsider technique (I.e students marching against Vietnam)
grasstops campaigning
more limited approach to shaping opinion, when you focus your outreach efforts narrowly on opinion leaders and folks who have strong connections to elected officials.
a top-down strategy
free press
an inhibited institution that places an additional check on govt. to maintain honesty, ethics, and transparency, later enshrined in first amendment
news bureaus
during the associated presses first year it covered national stories and established this, it is offices beyond a newspapers HQ.
investigative reporting
reporters dig deep into stories to expose corruption in govt. and other institutions
radio
first appeared shortly after WWI-important for getting word out about fact based reporting + campaigns
broadcast network
concept of broadcasting from one central location to several smaller stations called affiliates
affiliates
smaller stations of a broad cast network
big three networks
ABC, CBS, NBC set tone for television journalism since its larger intro in the 1950s
cables news network
CNN-first to do national 24 hour news
horse-race journalism
leads reportes to overly discuss who is leading and who is falling behind in a campaign
-before an election reporters update people nonstop on the ups and downs of candidates
scorekeeper
role media takes when they use horse race journalism and causes media to over-emphasize public opinion polls, numbers change day to day
gatekeeper
what news media acts as, much more is happening in the world than what is shown in a 30 min broadcast-setting own agendas by determining what is newsworthy and deciding what info the public will receive
watchdog
keeping an eye on govt. or industry is a part of the presses functions as this
adversarial press
the media skepticism that grew out of these events solidified what has become this -reportes continuingly question govt. officials-their motives-their effectiveness
political reporting
just the facts stories
sound bites
shows reporters own bias, short excerpts editing from a longer remark that are especially vivid in presenting an issue
C-Span
the cable satellite public affairs network-privately funded non profit public service -broadcasts house and Senate floor debates
poltical anaylsis
a form of journalistic expression that explores and provides and opinions on topic in depth
editorals
opinionated articles that reveal the publications view
op-eds
opinionated articles with an author listed appear on the opposing page to allow other opinions also appear online
commentary
throughout vast majority of straight news-this is stated by newscasters with discretion on screen
-meaning opinion and interpretation rather than just the facts
narrowcasting
concept of demand for media content encourages growth of media outlets with a specific political agenda and a targeted audience-
fairness doctrine
a former federal policy that required radio and TV broadcasters to present alternative viewpoints -lifted in 1987
talk radio
syndicated political shows that air at stations coast to coast
FCC
federal communications commission-regulates electronic media and it has authority over the content of radio, TV, wire, and satellite broadcast
Fox News Chanel
FNC-under media empire of Murdoch
reshaped terrain-conservative
- 1996
mainstream media
collection of traditional news org. that still operate an objective news model-liberal media bias?
confirmation bias
the tendency to seek out and interpret information if it confirms what you already believe
consumer driven media
meda whose content is influenced by the actions and needs of the consumers-business and profit driven
trade assc.
interest groups made of business within a specific industry
progressive era amendments
16th=empowered Congress to tax individuals incomes
-17th=empowered citizens to elect us senators directly
-19th=woman right to vote
intergovernmental lobby
an interest group made up of mayors, governors, and other state and local officials who lobby the federal government for more money with less strings.
professional assoc
represent white collar professions -AMA
think tanks
research institutions that often have specific ideological goals
purposive incentives
interest group incentive to join-promise to give the joiner some philosophical satisfaction
solidary incentive
incentive of allowing people of mind to gather on occasion
material incentive
incentive offered such as travel discounts, and subscriptions to magazines
upper class bias
-interest group membership has this bias
-most interest group members have higher income
public interest groups
geared to improve life or government for the masses
single issue groups
interest group focused on just one topicāof note are the National Rifle
Association (NRA)
ideological groups
āinterest groups formed around a political ideology.
bundling
raising large sums from multiple donors for a candidate.
members must report info on this according to the HLOGA
revolving door
āthe movement from the job of legislator to a job within an industry affected by the laws or regulations. Many officials leave their jobs on Capitol Hill or in the executive branch to lobby the government they departed.