Ch.7 Flashcards
Concentrated Benefits and Dispersed Costs
The theory that minority benefiting from a government program will make a stronger effort to keep it than the majority will make to abolish it
Democratic Party
One of the two major American political parties evolving out of the Republican Party of Thomas Jefferson. It was formed in 1828
Direct Technique
An interest group technique that uses direct interaction with government officials to further the group’s goals
Divided Government
A situation in which one major political party controls the presidency and the other controls one or more chambers of Congress, or in which one party controls a state governorship and the other controls the state legislature
Free-Rider Problem
The difficulty that interest groups face in recruiting members when the benefits they achieve can be gained with out joining the group
GOP
A nickname for the Republican Party, which stands for “grand old party”
Independent
A voter or candidate who does not identify with a political party
Indirect Technique
An interest group technique that uses third parties to influence government officials
Interest Group
An organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policymakers
Labor Movement
The economic and political expression of working-class individuals
Lobbyist
An organization or individual who attempts to influence the passage, defeat, or content of legislation and the government’s administrative decisions
National Committee
A standing committee of a national political party established to direct and coordinate party activities between national party conventions
Party Identification
Linking oneself to a particular political party
Party Organization
The formal structure and leadership of a political party, including election committees, local, state, and national executives, and paid professional staff
Party Platform
A document drawn up at each national convention, outlining the policies, positions, and principle of the party
Patronage
The practice of rewarding faithful party workers and followers with government employment and contracts
Plurality
A number of votes cast for a candidate that is greater than the number of votes for any other candidate but is not necessarily a majority
Policy Demanders
Individuals or interest group members who participate in political parties with the intent to see that certain policies are adopted or specific groups favored
Political Party
A group of activists who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy
Public Interest
The best interests of the overall community, national good
Realignment
A large-scale, lasting change in the types of voters who support each of the major political parties
Republican Party
One of the two major American political parties. It emerged in the 1850’s as an antislavery party and consisted of former northern Whigs and antislavery Democrats
Service Sector
The sector of the economy that provides services-such as health care, banking, and education
Social Movement
A movement that represents the demands of a large segment f the public for political, economic, or social change
Splinter Party
A new party formed by a dissident faction within a major political party
State Central Committee
The principle organized structure of each political party within each state, responsible for carrying out policy decisions
Straight-Ticket Voting
Voting exclusively for the candidates of one party
Third Party
A political party other than the two major political parties
Two-Party System
A political system in which only two political parties have a reasonable chance of winning
unit Rule
A rue by which all of a state’s electoral votes are cast for the presidential candidate who receives a plurality of the votes in that state
Wave Election
An election in which voters display dissatisfaction with one of the major parties through a “wave” of support for the other
Whig Party
A major party in the U.S. during the first half of the 19th century, formally established in 1836, was anti-Jackson and advocated for spending on infrastructure
