AP Government Review Week 1 Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key topics from AP Government Review Week 1, including linkage institutions, interest groups, democracy models, and governmental theories.

Linkage Institutions

Institutions that connect citizens to the government, including political parties, interest groups, elections, and the media.

Functions of Interest Groups

Four functions including influencing government policy, educating the public, providing information to policymakers, and mobilizing citizens around issues.

Litigation (Interest Groups)

A strategy where interest groups file lawsuits or submit amicus curiae briefs to influence court decisions and public policy.

Amicus Curiae Brief

A 'friend of the court' brief submitted by someone not directly involved in a case to provide information or arguments to influence the court.

Functions of Political Parties

Four functions including recruiting and nominating candidates, mobilizing voters, creating and promoting policy platforms, and organizing government to coordinate elected officials.

Functions of the Bureaucracy

Three functions including implementing and enforcing laws, creating and enforcing regulations, and providing government services and expertise.

Functions of the Media

Two functions including informing the public and setting the political agenda by deciding which issues receive attention.

Iron Triangle

A close relationship between interest groups, congressional committees/subcommittees, and bureaucratic agencies that work together to influence policy.

Roles in the Iron Triangle

Congress creates laws, controls funding, and oversees agencies; Bureaucracy implements policies and provides expertise; Interest groups provide political support, information, and lobbying.

Issue Network

A larger, more fluid group of people and organizations working on a specific issue, as opposed to a stable Iron Triangle.

Think Tanks

Organizations that research public policy and develop ideas and recommendations for policymakers and the public.

Pluralism

The idea that political power is distributed among many competing groups, allowing different interests to influence government.

Resources of Interest Groups

Three resources that make interest groups powerful: money, information/expertise, and members/grassroots support.

Resources of the Bureaucracy

Two resources that make the bureaucracy powerful: expertise and information, and the ability to implement and enforce laws and regulations.

Elite Theory

A political theory stating that a small, wealthy, or powerful elite controls major political decisions.

Bureaucratic Theory

A political theory stating that bureaucrats and government agencies have significant influence over policy.

Pluralist Theory

A political theory stating that many competing interest groups share political power.

Hyper-pluralism

A condition where too many competing interest groups make it difficult for government to make effective policy.

Direct Democracy

A government system characterized by citizens directly participating in making decisions, with examples including initiatives, referendums, and recalls.

Problems of Direct Democracy

Issues including complicated topics for citizens, majority rule threatening minority rights, voter influence by misinformation or emotional appeals, and excessive influence from wealthy interest groups.

Representative Democracy

A government system where citizens elect representatives who make laws and decisions on their behalf.

Problems of Representative Democracy

Issues including representatives not reflecting voters' views, politicians prioritizing donors or interest groups, less direct citizen control over individual policies, and low voter participation.