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Citizens United v. FEC

Nonprofit group Citizens United produced a critical movie about Hillary Clinton and intended to broadcast it within 30 days of the 2008 democratic primaries; they argued that BCRA (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002) violated their first amendment right to free speech for prohibiting corporations from using their general treasury funds for ads

The Court held 5-4 that the first amendment prohibits the government from restricting independent political expenditures by groups; restricting spending is unconstitutional, but BCRA’s mandate that groups identify who paid for their advertisements still stands

This case created Super PACs, a surge in political spending, and the rise of dark money

BCRA

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002; law that limits the ability of corporations to use their funds for political advertisements.

Super PACs

Political action committees that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money on political candidates.

Shelby County v. Holder

Supreme Court case that invalidated the formula used for preclearance under the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

preclearance

Requirement for jurisdictions with histories of racial discrimination to seek federal approval before changing voting laws.

Buckley v. Valeo

Supreme Court case that allowed contributions to candidates to be limited, but expenditures could not be limited.

money is speech

The idea that spending money is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.

Linkage institutions

Channels through which individuals can communicate their preferences to policy-makers.

14th Amendment

Constitutional amendment granting citizenship to all born or naturalized in the U.S. and ensuring equal protection under the law.

15th Amendment

Constitutional amendment that prohibits the government from denying a citizen the right to vote based on race or color.

17th Amendment

Constitutional amendment that established the direct election of U.S. senators by the public.

19th Amendment

Constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote.

24th Amendment

Constitutional amendment that banned poll taxes in federal elections.

26th Amendment

Constitutional amendment that lowered the voting age to 18 years.

Rational choice voting

Voting behavior where individuals make decisions based on perceived best interest.

Retrospective voting

Voting behavior based on an evaluation of an incumbent's past performance.

Prospective voting

Voting behavior based on predictions of future performance by candidates.

Straight ticket voting

Voting for all candidates from one political party on the ballot.

Participatory democracy

A model of democracy emphasizing broad participation by citizens in politics.

Pluralist democracy

A model of democracy emphasizing group-based activism by various interests.

Elite democracy

A model of democracy where political power is held by a select group of wealthy or educated individuals.

Federalist 10

Essay arguing that a large republic helps control factions.

Brutus 1

Essay arguing that a strong central government threatens personal liberty.

Mobilization and education of voters

Key function of political parties to inform and encourage participation in elections.

Party platforms

Statements of a political party's beliefs and policy goals.

Candidate recruitment

The process of political parties selecting individuals to run for office.

Campaign management

Strategies employed by political parties, including fundraising and media relations.

Linkage institutions

Organizations that connect citizens to their government and help articulate their interests.

Candidate-centered campaigns

Campaigns focused on an individual candidate rather than their political party.

Critical elections

Major elections that result in long-term shifts in party dominance.

Proportional representation

Electoral systems where parties gain seats based on the percentage of votes received.

Single-member districts

Electoral districts where only one candidate can win a seat.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Legislation aimed at eliminating racial discrimination in voting.

Incumbency advantage

The advantages experienced by incumbents when running for re-election.

Primary election

An election where parties select their candidates for the general election.

Closed primary

A primary election limited to registered party members.

Open primary

A primary election allowing any registered voter to participate.

Caucus

A meeting of party members to discuss and select candidates.

National party convention

A large meeting where a party officially nominates its presidential candidate.

Run-off election

A second election conducted when no candidate achieves a majority in the first round.

Balancing the ticket

Selecting a vice-presidential candidate that complements the presidential nominee.

Dealignment

A trend where voters increasingly do not strongly identify with a political party.

Turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who participate in an election.

Midterm elections

Elections held midway through a presidential term.

Divided government

A situation where different parties control the presidency and Congress.

Safe seat

A legislative seat that is very likely to be won by the incumbent.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another.

Coattail effect

The influence a popular candidate has on the success of other candidates from the same party.

Lame duck

An official still in office after losing a re-election bid.

Interest group

Organizations seeking to influence public policy and political decisions.

Amicus curiae briefs

Legal documents submitted to a court by non-litigants to offer information about a case.

Party coalitions

Groups of voters who support a political party, often sharing specific interests.

Iron triangles

Stable relationships between government agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups.

Issue networks

Coalitions of interest groups and individuals that collaborate around specific policy issues.

AARP

Interest group representing Americans aged 50 and older.

Free rider

Individuals who benefit from an interest group's efforts without contributing to it.

Grassroots

Political movements initiated by the general public or ordinary citizens.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Organizations that collect and distribute contributions to candidates, subject to limits.

527 group

Political organizations that raise and spend money on political activities without directly advocating for candidates.

501(c) groups

Nonprofit organizations that can engage in some political activities without disclosing donors.

Super PACs

Political action committees that may raise unlimited funds but cannot coordinate directly with candidates.

Dark money

Political spending by organizations that are not required to disclose their donors.

Independent expenditures

Spending by PACs to advocate for or against a candidate without coordinating with their campaign.

Issue advocacy

Political advertising focused on promoting policy issues rather than specific candidates.

Electioneering

The process of actively campaigning for candidates or influencing the outcome of elections.

Quid pro quo

A favor or advantage granted in exchange for something; often associated with bribery.

Soft money

Unregulated contributions to political parties for party-building activities.

Federal Election Campaign Act

Legislation regulating political campaign spending and financing.

FEC

Federal Election Commission; responsible for enforcing campaign finance laws.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

Legislation aimed at limiting soft money contributions in federal elections.

Stand by your ad provision

Requirement that candidates state their approval of political advertisements.

Disclosure requirements

Regulations mandating certain organizations to disclose contributions.

Participatory Democracy Theory

Theory that emphasizes direct citizen involvement in policy-making.

Pluralist Democracy Theory

Theory asserting that power is dispersed among various groups competing for influence.

Elite Democracy Theory

Theory suggesting that a small group of elites holds the most power in political decisions.

Horse race journalism

Media coverage that focuses on who is winning or losing rather than substantive issues.

Agenda setting

The media's role in determining which issues are prioritized in public discourse.

Media as watchdog

The function of the media to monitor and hold accountable powerful entities.