POLITICAL BEHAVIORS

agenda setting

determining which public-policy questions will be debated or considered

amicus curiae brief

literally, a "friend of the court" brief, filed by an individual or organization to present arguments in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case

blanket primary

a primary election in which each voter may vote for candidates from both parties

caucus

a meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform

closed primary

a primary in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote

coalition lobbying

several interest groups with common goals join together to influence policymakers

coattail effect

the boost that candidates may get in an election because of the popularity of candidates above them on the ballot, especially the president

divided government

governance divided between the parties, especially when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress

Electoral College

a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president

Federal Election Commission

a six-member bipartisan agency created by the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974; administers and enforces campaign finance laws

free rider problem

the problem faced by interest groups when citizens can reap the benefits of interest group action without actually joining, participating in, or contributing money to such groups

gatekeeper

the media can influence what subjects become national political issues and for how long

general election

an election held to choose which candidate will hold office

gerrymandering

process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power

grassroots

lobbying activities performed interest group members (citizens)...going door-to-door, phone calls, etc

hard money

political contributions given to a party, candidate, or interest group that are limited in amount and fully disclosed

horserace journalism

media focuses on who's ahead and by how much instead of a debate on substantive issues

incumbency advantage

the electoral edge afforded to those already in office

initiative

a procedure by which voters can propose a law or a constitutional amendment

interest group

an organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy

litigation

the process of taking legal action

lobbying

engaging in activities aimed at influencing public officials, especially legislators, and the policies they enact (grassroots, direct, coalition)

mass media

television, radio, newspapers, magazines, the Internet, and other means of popular communication

open primary

a primary election in which voters may choose in which party to vote as they enter the polling place

partisan gridlock

the result of political parties refusing to compromise causing a stalemate in Congress

party-line voting

process in which voters select candidates by their party affiliation

policy agenda

the issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people actively involved in politics at the time

political action committee

a committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations

political efficacy

the belief that one's political participation really matters - that one's vote can actually make a difference

political participation

the many different ways that people take part in politics and government (vote, lobby, protest, petition, write, etc.)

prospective voting

voting for a candidate because you favor his or her ideas for handling issues

rational-choice voting

assumes that political actors will make decisions based on their own benefit, carefully weighing all choices

recall

procedure whereby voters can remove an elected official from office

referendum

a legislative act is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate

retrospective voting

voting based on the past performance of a candidate

soft money

campaign contributions unregulated by federal or state law, usually given to parties and party committees to help fund general party activities

split-ticket voting

casting votes for candidates of one's own party and for candidates of opposing parties, e.g., voting for a Republican presidential candidate and a Democratic congressional candidate

straight-ticket voting

practice of voting for candidates of only one party in an election

Super PAC

a type of independent political action committee which may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, and individuals but can't contribute to, or coordinate directly with, parties or candidates

trial balloon

information leaked to the media to test public reaction to a possible policy

two-party system

an electoral system with two dominant parties that compete in national elections

political party

a group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy

party-line voting

process in which voters select candidates by their party affiliation

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

a decision by the United States Supreme Court holding that corporate independent expenditures are free speech and so can't be limited by federal law

electioneering

direct group involvement in the electoral process. Groups can help fund campaigns, endorse candidates, and get members to work for candidates, and some form Political Action Committees (PACs)

litigation

the process of taking legal action

national convention

the meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party's platform

Super delegate

person guaranteed a vote at the national convention that is not tied to the results of the caucus/primary within the state (element of elitism)