Study Guide for Chapters 15 & 16: AP Gov

Chapter 15: Interest Groups and Social Movements

1. Interest Groups:
   Groups that aim to influence public policy.
   Example: The NRA (National Rifle Association) is an interest group that promotes gun rights.
   Key Phrases: influence policy, advocate for causes, lobbying.
   

2. Social Movements:
   Large collective efforts seeking social or political change.
   Example: The Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.
   Key Phrases: collective action, grassroots, change.
   

3. Theory of Participatory Democracy:
   Democracy works best when citizens actively participate in political decisions, beyond voting.
   Example: Community town halls where citizens directly shape local policy.
   Key Phrases: active participation, direct democracy, citizen involvement.
   

4. Civil Society:
   Voluntary organizations separate from government that contribute to public life.
   Example: Religious groups and volunteer organizations.
   Key Phrases: non-governmental, voluntary organizations, public life.
   

5. Pluralist Theory:
   Democracy thrives when many interest groups compete, balancing influence.
   Example: Various advocacy groups (e.g., business lobbies, labor unions) influencing policy.
   Key Phrases: competition, multiple groups, democratic balance.
   

6. Elitist Theory:
   A small, wealthy group holds the real power in politics, not the general public.
   Example: Wealthy donors influencing elections and policy decisions.
   Key Phrases: small elite, unequal power, wealth-driven politics.
   

7. Policy Agenda:
   The set of issues policymakers prioritize for action.
   Example: Health care reform or climate change.
   Key Phrases: priority issues, public concern, political focus.
   

8. Collective Action:
   People working together to achieve a common goal.
   Example: Organizing protests for a cause.
   Key Phrases: teamwork, shared goals, group effort.
   

9. Collective Good:
   A benefit provided to all, even those who don’t participate in its creation.
   Example: Clean air or public parks.
   Key Phrases: public benefit, non-excludable, shared resources.
   

10. Free Riders:
    Individuals who benefit from collective efforts without contributing.
    Example: Not paying union dues but benefiting from union negotiations.
    Key Phrases: non-contributors, benefit without effort, public goods.
    

11. Selective Benefits:
    Benefits given only to group members to encourage participation.
    Example: Discounts for AARP members.
    Key Phrases: exclusive, membership perks, incentives.
    

12. Economic Interest Groups:
    Groups focused on promoting the economic interests of their members.
    Example: The American Farm Bureau Federation.
    Key Phrases: economic benefits, business interests, labor unions.
    

13. Public Interest Groups:
    Groups that advocate for the broader public good, not just their members.
    Example: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
    Key Phrases: public good, general welfare, advocacy.
    

14. Single-Issue Groups:
    Groups focused on one specific issue.
    Example: The National Right to Life Committee, which opposes abortion.
    Key Phrases: focused issue, narrow cause, activism.
    

15. Government Interest Groups:
    Groups representing the interests of government entities.
    Example: The National Governors Association.
    Key Phrases: government interests, lobbying, state or local concerns.
    

16. Lobbying:
    Efforts to influence government policy by persuading decision-makers.
    Example: Lobbyists from the pharmaceutical industry influencing drug regulation.
    Key Phrases: persuasion, policy influence, decision-makers.
    

17. Revolving Door:
    The movement of individuals between government positions and lobbying roles.
    Example: A former congressperson becomes a lobbyist.
    Key Phrases: career shift, government-lobbyist exchange, influence.
    

18. Amicus Curiae Brief:
    A brief submitted by a group offering information to the court in a case.
    Example: Interest groups submitting briefs to influence Supreme Court decisions.
    Key Phrases: legal influence, court case, outside input.
    

19. Iron Triangle:
    A close, mutually beneficial relationship between interest groups, government agencies, and congressional committees.
    Example: The relationship between defense contractors, the Department of Defense, and Congress.
    Key Phrases: mutually beneficial, close relationship, policy influence.
    

20. Issue Network:
    A broader group of individuals and organizations involved in policy-making on an issue, often changing over time.
    Example: Environmental groups, government agencies, and lawmakers working on climate policy.
    Key Phrases: broad coalition, dynamic, policy collaboration.
    

21. Grassroots Lobbying:
    Mobilizing ordinary people to influence political decisions by contacting their representatives.
    Example: Organizing calls to Congress on environmental policy.
    Key Phrases: public mobilization, citizen involvement, political pressure.
    

22. Protest:
    A public demonstration or action to express political or social views.
    Example: Protests advocating for women's rights.
    Key Phrases: public demonstration, activism, political action.
    

23. Civil Disobedience:
    Nonviolent resistance, breaking laws to protest perceived injustice.
    Example: Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus.
    Key Phrases: nonviolent, law-breaking, protest for justice.

Chapter 16: The Media

1. News Media:
   Organizations that gather and distribute news to the public.
   Example: CNN or The New York Times.
   Key Phrases: information dissemination, news outlets, journalism.
   

2. Social Media:
   Digital platforms for individuals and organizations to create and share content.
   Example: Twitter or Facebook.
   Key Phrases: digital platforms, interaction, content sharing.
   

3. Agenda Setting:
   The media's ability to influence which issues are seen as important.
   Example: Media coverage of climate change elevating its importance in political discourse.
   Key Phrases: issue prioritization, influence, public attention.
   

4. Mass Media:
   Traditional media that reaches large audiences.
   Example: ABC News or The Washington Post.
   Key Phrases: broad reach, traditional outlets, wide distribution.
   

5. Wire Service:
   A news agency providing news to multiple media outlets.
   Example: Associated Press (AP).
   Key Phrases: news distribution, national coverage, service provider.
   

6. Investigative Journalism:
   In-depth journalism focused on uncovering hidden truths or issues.
   Example: Watergate scandal reporting by The Washington Post.
   Key Phrases: in-depth, uncovering truth, public accountability.
   

7. Broadcast Media:
   Media platforms like television and radio that broadcast content.
   Example: NPR or CBS.
   Key Phrases: TV, radio, public broadcast.
   

8. Media Consolidation:
   When fewer companies control more of the media industry.
   Example: Disney owning ABC, ESPN, and other outlets.
   Key Phrases: fewer companies, media control, corporate influence.
   

9. Partisan Bias:
   Media that favors one political party or ideology.
   Example: Fox News (conservative) vs. MSNBC (liberal).
   Key Phrases: political bias, ideological slant, media influence.
   

10. Horse-Race Journalism:
    Focusing on the competitive aspects of elections rather than policy.
    Example: Coverage of who is "winning" in presidential polls, not the policies.
    Key Phrases: competition, race, polling focus.