AP US Government: Key Concepts in Political Culture, Media, and Interest Groups

Political Culture

A set of values widely shared within a society.

Demography

The science of population changes.

Census

A valuable tool for understanding population changes, required every 10 years.

Reapportionment

The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years based on census results.

Political Ideology

A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and public purpose.

RINO (Republican In Name Only)

A term for Republicans whose political views are seen as insufficiently conservative.

DINO (Democrat In Name Only)

A term for Democrats whose political views are seen as insufficiently liberal.

Political Socialization

The process through which an individual acquires his or her political orientation.

Random Sampling

A survey technique where everyone has an equal probability of being selected.

Representative Sample

A sample that accurately reflects all groups in the population.

Sampling Error

The level of confidence in a poll's findings (e.g., ±3%).

Exit Polls

Polls taken as people leave polling places, used to predict election outcomes.

Policy Agenda

Issues that government officials and the public believe must be addressed.

Political Participation

All activities used by citizens to influence political leaders or policies.

Protest

A form of political participation using dramatic, unconventional tactics to achieve change.

Civil Disobedience

Political participation where individuals break laws considered immoral and accept the consequences.

Linkage Institution

Structures (media, parties, elections, interest groups) that connect citizens to government.

Mass Media

Television, radio, newspapers, magazines, the Internet, and other forms of communication.

High-Tech Politics

Politics increasingly shaped by technology and mass media.

Media Event

Events staged for media coverage but designed to look spontaneous.

Investigative Journalism

In-depth reporting aimed at uncovering scandals, scams, and schemes.

Media Consolidation

When a few corporations control most media outlets.

Broadcast Media

Television and radio (not cable or satellite).

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Government agency that regulates broadcasting, prevents monopolies, and oversees licensing.

Narrowcasting

Media programming focused on a specific topic or audience (e.g., ESPN, MTV).

Sound Bites

Short video clips of about 15 seconds or less, often used in news.

Beat

Specific locations from which news often originates (e.g., Congress, White House).

Trial Balloon

Intentional news leak to test political reaction.

Policy Entrepreneurs

People who invest political influence or 'capital' in an issue.

Interest Group

Organization of people with shared policy goals that enters the political process.

Pluralism

Theory that politics is competition among groups with no one dominating all the time.

Elitism

Theory that society is divided along class lines and the wealthy elite dominate politics.

Iron Triangles

Policy-making alliances among congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups.

Issue Networks

Broader, more fluid coalitions around specific policy issues.

Free-Rider Problem

When individuals benefit from an interest group's actions without joining or contributing.

Single-Issue Groups

Interest groups focused on a narrow issue, often uncompromising and passionate.

Lobbying

Communication with policymakers by someone representing an interest group to influence decisions.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Organizations that donate money directly to candidates on behalf of corporations, unions, or groups.

527s / 501(c)(3)s

Nonprofit groups that raise money for political purposes, often via independent expenditures.

Amicus Curiae Brief

"Friend of the court" brief filed by someone not in a case but with an interest in its outcome.

Class Action Lawsuit

A case brought by a small group representing many with similar claims.

Grassroots Lobbying

Interest groups mobilizing members to advocate directly with policymakers.

Conventional Participation

Traditional political activities (voting, campaign work, letter writing).

Unconventional Participation

Nontraditional political activities (boycotts, marches, sit-ins, protests).