Unit 4 Lecture Notes MONEY AND POLOTICS (AP GOV)

Interest Group

An organization of people whose members share policy views on specific issues and attempt to influence public policy.

Public Policy

The course of action the government takes in response to an issue.

Lobbying

How interest groups try to influence decisions of policymakers.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

An organization formed by interest groups to raise money and contribute to campaigns of political candidates who share their political and policy goals.

Hard Money

Direct contributions from PACs to candidates, limited by law to $5000 per candidate per election.

Super PAC

Independent expenditure-only committees that can raise unlimited amounts of money but cannot coordinate with candidates' campaigns.

Amicus Curiae Brief

A 'friend of the court' brief, written arguments supporting an interest group's side in a Supreme Court case.

Non-Discretionary Spending

Mandatory or uncontrollable spending that Congress and the President cannot directly change.

Entitlement Programs

Programs that guarantee a specific level of benefits to people who meet requirements set by law.

Balanced Budget

When expenditures equal revenues in a fiscal year.

Budget Deficit

When expenditures exceed revenues in a fiscal year.

Dark Money

Political spending meant to influence the decision of voters where the donors of money do not have to be disclosed.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA)

A 2002 law aimed at reducing the influence of soft money in campaigns and limiting attack ads.

Federal Reserve Board

The governing body of the Federal Reserve System, which regulates monetary policy.

Hyper-pluralist Theory

The theory that too many groups are trying to influence policy, leading to conflicting preferences and poor policy outcomes.

CBO (Congressional Budget Office)

A federal agency that provides economic data to Congress.

Progressive Tax

A tax that takes a larger percentage from high-income earners than from low-income individuals.

Regressive Tax

A tax that takes a larger percentage from low-income earners than from high-income individuals.

Campaign Finance

The fundraising and spending process of political candidates and parties.

Grassroots Organizing

Mobilizing members to contact their representatives about issues that impact their interest group.

Interest Group Types

Categories including economic groups, citizen groups, and governmental units engaged in policy advocacy.

Incorporation Doctrine

The legal concept that the Bill of Rights applies to state governments through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Pluralism

The idea that multiple groups compete for influence in policymaking, leading to moderation.

Soft Money

Funds raised by political parties that are not regulated by federal law.

Issue Advocacy

Communication intended to support or oppose an issue without explicitly advocating for a candidate.

goals of lobbying

The primary goals of lobbying include influencing legislation, shaping public policy, and representing the interests of specific groups or organizations to government officials.

how do you lobby through congress

Lobbying through Congress involves engaging with lawmakers, providing information and research to influence legislation, and mobilizing grassroots support to advocate for specific policies.

how do you lobby through the executive branch

Lobbying through the executive branch involves interacting with executive officials, providing them with information and expertise, and advocating for specific policies or regulations to influence executive decisions.

how do you lobby through the courts

Lobbying through the courts involves filing lawsuits, submitting amicus curiae briefs, and influencing judicial appointments to affect legal outcomes and interpretations of laws.

what makes a intrest group sucessful

A successful interest group typically has clear goals, strong leadership, adequate funding, and effective strategies for mobilizing members and influencing policymakers.

what is the FECA act

The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) regulates campaign financing in federal elections, requiring disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures, and setting limits on contributions to candidates.

what is buckley v valeo

A landmark Supreme Court case that upheld the constitutionality of limiting campaign contributions but struck down limits on independent expenditures.

what is independent expenditures

Expenditures made by individuals or groups to advocate for or against a candidate without direct coordination with the campaign.

what is the BCRA

The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) is a law that amended the FECA to regulate the financing of political campaigns, specifically addressing issues like soft money contributions and political advertising.

what is McConnele v FEC

A Supreme Court case that upheld the constitutionality of the BCRA, affirming limits on campaign contributions and expenditures.

what is the 501(C)4

A type of nonprofit organization that can engage in political activities and lobbying, but must primarily focus on social welfare.

what is citizens united v fec

A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts cannot be limited, under the First Amendment, leading to increased spending in elections.

what is the social security program

The Social Security program helps provide money to retirees and people with disabilities.

what is the budgetary process

The budgetary process is how governments plan and agree on their income and spending for a set time, usually a year.