AP GOV UNIT 5: Political Participation

multi-party system

systems where there are multiple parties competing for government cotnrols

proportional representation

vote for the political party and not an individual candidate

realignment

switching of party loyalty by important voting groups

critical elections

major and lasting realignments

dealignment

voters that are detaching from all political parties and becoming independent

one person one vote

a principle that asserts each individual's vote should carry equal weight in the electoral process, ensuring fairness and equality in democratic representation

plurality system 

an electoral system in which the candidate who receives the most votes wins, regardless of whether they have obtained an absolute majority.

agents of innovation

adopt positions that are not mainstream and out there that later be adopted

spoiler effect

the idea that minor/third party candidates can pull votes from major candidates and influence the outcome of an election

interest groups

groups of people who come together to advance common cause; common interest; specific cause

labor based interest group

interest group focused on fair working conditions

profession based interest group

interest group that looks out for specific professions such as lawyers and doctors and policies concerning them

agricultural based interest group

interest group focused on protecting interest of farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness

environmental based interest group

interest group focused on ecological threats

consumer based interest group

interest group focused on consumer protection and food safety 

single issue groups

very specific to one issue (Mothers against drunk driving)

lobbying

how interest groups influence the government through financial support, endorsing, lawsuits, education, and legislation

free riders

the idea that sometimes the work of an interest group will benefit people who are not part of that interest gorup

purpose incentives

rewards of ethical and moral behavior

solidarity incentives

social rewards

material incentives

tangible benefits