AP Exam ch 5 Flashcards
Study of the characteristics of a population
Demographics
A characteristic of individuals that is predictive of political behavior
Political predisposition
Divisions within society that cut across demographic categories to produce groups that are more heterogenous or different
Cross-cutting cleavages
Divisions within a society that reinforces one another, making groups more homogenous or similar
Reinforcing cleavages
A notion held by 19th century Americans that the US was destined to rule the continent, from Atlantic to pacific
Manifest destiny
Grouping of humans with distinct characteristics determined by genetic inheritance
Race
Social division based on national origin, religion, language, and often race
Ethnicity
Difference between political opinions of men and women
Gender gap
Conservative Christians who have become more active in politics and were influential in the 2000 presidential election
Fundamentalists
Founders used this term to refer to political parties/interest groups
Factions
Theory that open, multiple, and competing groups can check the asserted power by any one group
Pluralism
Collection of people who share a common interest/attitude and seek to influence government for specific ends
Interest group
Large body of people interested in a common issue, idea or concern that is of continuing significance (i.e. Pro-life movement)
Movement
Company with a labor agreement under which Union membership cannot be required
Open shop
Company with a labor agreement under which Union membership can be a condition of employment/required to get the job
Closed shop
Nonprofit group operation outside of government that advocated and pursues policy objective
NGO (nongovernmental organizations)
How groups form and organize to pursue their goals or objectives
Collective action
Official document which lists the new and proposed regulations of executive departments and regulatory agencies
Federal Register
“Friend of the court” brief; filed by an organization or individual to present arguments in addition to those present by the immediate party
Amicus curiae brief
Person who is employed by and acts for an organized interest group to influence policy decisions and positions
Lobbyist
Engaging in activities aimed at influencing public officials
Lobbying
Employment cycle in which individuals who work for governmental agencies that regulate interests eventually end up working for interest groups
Revolving door
The political side of an interest group that is legally entitled to raise funds on a voluntary bases to contribute funds to candidates or political parties
PAC (political action committee)
PAC formed by an officeholder that collects contributions to make contributions to other candidates or political parties
Leadership PAC
Tactic in which PACs collect contributions from like-minded individuals, and present them to a candidate/political party as a “bundle,” increasing influence of the PAC
Bundling
Something given with the expectation of receiving something in return
Quid pro quo
Process by which we develop our political attitudes, values, and beliefs
Political socialization
