AP Government- Vocab 19

Reinforcing cleavages

Divisions within society that reinforce one another, making groups more homogenous or similar.

Cross-cutting cleavages

Divisions within society that cut across demographic categories to produce groups that are more heterogeneous or different.

Faction

A term the founders used to refer to political parties and special interests or interest groups.

Interest group

A collection of people who share a common interest or attitude and seek to influence government for specific ends. Interest groups usually work within the framework of government and try to achieve their goals through tactics such as lobbying.

Movement

A large body of people interested in a common issue, idea, or concern that is of continuing significance and who are willing to take action. Movements seek to change attitudes or institutions, not just policies.

Open shop

A company with a labor agreement under which union membership cannot be required as a condition of employment.

Closed shop

A company with a labor agreement under which union membership can be a condition of employment.

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.

Nongovernmental organization (NGO)

A nonprofit association or group operating outside of government that advocates and pursues policy objectives.

Collective action

How groups form and organize to pursue their goals or objectives, including how to get individuals and groups to participate and to cooperate.

Federal Register

An official document, published every weekday, which lists the new and proposed regulations of executive departments and regulatory agencies.

Lobbyist

A person who is employed by and acts for an organized interest group or corporation to try to influence policy decisions and positions in the executive and legislative branches.

Lobbying

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

Revolving door

Employment cycle in which individuals who work for governmental agencies that regulate interests eventually end up working for interest groups or businesses with the same policy concern.

Issue network

Relationships among interest groups, congressional committees and subcommittees, and the government agencies that share a common policy concern.

Quid pro quo

Something given with the expectation of receiving something in return.

Economic sanctions

Denial of export, import, or financial relations with the target country in an effort to change that nation's policies.

Labor injunction

A court order forbidding specific individuals or groups from performing certain acts (such as striking) that the court considers harmful to the rights and property of an employer or community.

Collective bargaining

Method whereby representatives of the union and employer determine wages, hours, and other conditions of employment through direct negotiation.

National debt

The total amount of money the Federal government has borrowed to finance deficit spending over the years.