Public Opinion, Political Parties, Campaigns, and Media

Vocabulary flashcards of key terms related to American government and politics.

Public Opinion

Individuals attitudes on different issues, leaders, events, or institutions regarding government and politics. It affects what governments do and influences government decisions.

Political Socialization

The process through which underlying political beliefs are formed, shaped by life experiences.

Ideology

Consistent set of beliefs and ideas through which we understand and interpret politics.

Contemporary Conservatism

Involves opposition to government intervention. Supports individual liberty, private sector decisions, and stronger military power.

Contemporary Liberalism

Involves support of government intervention to protect individuals, ensure equality, and expand social services. Supports international cooperation.

Political Knowledge

The measure of having informed citizens who are better able to form opinions and defend their interests, associated with political efficacy and trust in government.

Political Efficacy

The belief that one’s actions can influence government policies.

Political Party

Organized groups that attempt to influence government by electing their members to important government offices.

Interest Group

Organized groups who want to influence government policies, not necessarily trying to get their own people into positions of power.

U.S. Party System

A two-party system (Democrats and Republicans) due to winner-takes-all single-member congressional districts.

Polarization (Political)

The division of political parties on issues, leading to voting along party lines.

Affective Polarization

Growing emotional dislike of members of the other political party.

501(c)(3) Non-Profit

Non-profits that cannot explicitly campaign or fundraise for a candidate but can participate through GOTV and raising awareness.

501(c)(4) Non-Profit

Can explicitly campaign or fundraise for a candidate as long as their political activities do not constitute the organization's primary purpose (less than 50%).

PAC (Political Action Committee)

An organization which explicitly deals with political activities; can contribute $5,000 directly to a candidate.

Super PAC

Independent expenditure-only committees that may raise unlimited funds from individuals, corporations, and unions but CANNOT contribute directly to candidate campaigns or parties.

Freeriding

Benefiting from an interest group's actions without helping or joining the group.

Public Policy

The decisions, rules, and regulations produced by government to influence behavior.

Fiscal Policy

Taxing and spending powers used by the government to influence the economy.

Monetary Policy

Government efforts to influence the economy by manipulating the supply of money and credit, particularly through the Federal Reserve (e.g., interest rates)

Entitlement Program

Provide benefits to recipients who qualify by meeting certain requirements (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid).

Contributory Program

Financed in part by taxes or other mandatory contributions by their present or future recipients (e.g., Social Security).

Non-contributory program

Provide assistance to people based on need rather than contributions they have made

Primary Election

Used to narrow down candidates before the general election.

Open Primary

Anyone can vote, regardless of party.

Top-Two (Blanket) Primary

All candidates on one ballot; top two (any party) move to general.

General Election

Voters choose among final candidates to fill offices.

Media

Means of communication that reaches a large audience.

Agenda Setting

How the media draws attention to problems and prioritizes issues.

Framing

How the media influences how the public interprets events and politics; defines cause-and-effect relationships.

Priming

Calling attention to some matters as opposed to others, causing the public to evaluate politicians and politics in a certain way.