chapter 7-10 Flashcards
Party organization
the structure of national, state, and local parties, including party leaders and workers.
party in government
is made up of the politicians who are elected as candidates of the party
Party in the electorate
includes all the citizens who identify with the party
party system
this term is used to describe periods when the major parties names, their groups of supporters, and the issues dividing them have all been constant
party principle
the idea that a party is not just a group of elected officials but an organization that exists apart from its candidates
spoils system
the practice of rewarding supporters with benefits like federal government positions
realignment
a change in one or more of the factors that define a party system
national committee
consists of reps from state party organizations usually one man and one woman per state
political action committees (PACs)
an interest group or a division of an interest group that can raise money to contribute to campaigns or to spend on ads in support of candidates. the amount a PAC can receive from each of its donors and the amount it can spend on federal electioneering are strictly limited
caucus
the organizations of Democrats within the house and senate that meets to discuss and debate the party’s positions on various issues in order to reach a consensus and assign leadership roles
conference
the organization of Republicans within the house and senate that meets to discuss and debate the party’s positions on various issues in order to reach a consensus and assign leadership roles
party identification
a citizens loyalty to a specific political party
party coalitions
the groups that identify with a political party usually described in demographic terms such as African American Democrats or evangelical republicans
issue ownership
the theory that voters associate certain issues or issue positions with certain parties (like Democrats and support for government-provided health insurance)
primary election
A ballot vote in which citizens select a party’s nominee for the general election.
caucus (electoral)
A local meeting in which party members select a party’s nominee for the general election. (page 217)
nominating convention
A meeting held by each party every four years at which states’ delegates select the party’s presidential and vice-presidential nominees and approve the party platform.
party platform
A set of objectives outlining the party’s issue positions and priorities. Candidates are not required to support their party’s platform
unified government
A situation in which one party holds a majority of seats in the House and Senate and the president is a member of that same party
divided government
A situation in which the House, Senate, and presidency are not controlled by the same party—for example, when Democrats hold the majority of House and Senate seats and the president is a Republican
incumbent
A politician running for reelection to the office he or she currently holds.
primary
A ballot vote in which citizens select a party’s nominee for the general election.
open primary
A primary election in which any registered voter can participate in the contest, regardless of party affiliation.
closed primary
A primary election in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote.
general election
The election in which voters cast ballots for House members, senators, and (every four years) a president and vice president
plurality voting
A voting system in which the candidate who receives the most votes within a geographic area wins the election, regardless of whether that candidate wins a majority (more than half) of the votes.
majority voting
A voting system in which a candidate must win more than 50 percent of votes to win the election. If no candidate wins enough votes to take office, a runoff election is held between the top two vote-getters.
runoff election
Under a majority voting system, a second election is held only if no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first general election. Only the top two vote-getters in the first election compete in the runoff
proportional allocation
candidate based on the percentage of the popular vote cast for each candidate. All Democratic primaries and caucuses use this system, as do some states’ Republican primaries and caucuses
winner-take-all
During the presidential primaries, the practice of assigning all of a given state’s delegates to the candidate who receives the most popular votes. Some states’ Republican primaries and caucuses use this system
popular vote
The votes cast by citizens in an election
electoral college
The body that votes to select America’s president and vice president based on the popular vote in each state. Each candidate nominates a slate of electors who are selected to attend the meeting of the college if their candidate wins the most votes in a state or district.
electoral votes
Votes cast by members of the electoral college; after a presidential candidate wins the popular vote in a given state, that candidate’s slate of electors casts electoral votes for the candidate on behalf of that state
election cycle
The two-year period between general elections
open seat
An elected position for which there is no incumbent
GOTV (“get out the vote”) or the ground game
A campaign’s efforts to “get out the vote” or make sure its supporters vote on Election Day.
federal election commision
The government agency that enforces and regulates election laws; made up of six presidential appointees, of whom no more than three can be members of the same party.
hard money
Donations that are used to help elect or defeat a specific candidate.
soft money
Contributions that can be used for voter mobilization or to promote a policy proposal or point of view as long as these efforts are not tied to supporting or opposing a particular candidate
paradox of voting
The question of why citizens vote even though their individual votes stand little chance of changing the election outcome.
voting cues
Pieces of information about a candidate that are readily available, easy to interpret, and lead a citizen to decide to vote for a particular candidate.
coattails
The ability of a popular president to generate additional support for candidates affiliated with his or her party. Coattails are weak or nonexistent in most American elections.
split ticket
A ballot on which a voter selects candidates from more than one political party.
straight ticket
A ballot on which a voter selects candidates from only one political party.
interest group
An organization of people who share common political interests and aim to influence public policy by electioneering and lobbying
lobbying
Efforts to influence public policy through contact with public officials on behalf of an interest group
centralized groups
Interest groups that have a headquarters, usually in Washington, D.C., as well as members and field offices throughout the country. In general, these groups’ lobbying decisions are made at headquarters by the group leaders
confederations
Interest groups made up of several independent, local organizations that provide much of their funding and hold most of the power.
mass associations
Interest groups that have a large number of dues-paying individuals as members.
peak associations
Interest groups whose members are businesses or other organizations rather than individuals.
free riding
Relying on others to contribute to a collective effort while failing to participate on one’s own behalf, yet still benefiting from the group’s successes
selective incentives
Benefits that can motivate participation in a group effort because they are available only to those who participate, such as member services offered by interest groups
solidary benefits
Satisfaction derived from the experience of working with like-minded people, even if the group’s efforts do not achieve the desired impact
purposive benefits
Satisfaction derived from the experience of working toward a desired policy goal, even if the goal is not achieved
coercion
A method of eliminating nonparticipation or free riding by potential group members by requiring participation, as in many labor unions.
material benefits
Benefits that are provided to individuals for joining a group, such as a coffee mug or a t-shirt, that are distinct from the collective benefits provided by the group.
material benefits
Benefits that are provided to individuals for joining a group, such as a coffee mug or a t-shirt, that are distinct from the collective benefits provided by the group.
revolving door
The movement of individuals from government positions to jobs with interest groups or lobbying firms, and vice versa.
inside strategies
The tactics employed within Washington, D.C., by interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goals.
outside strategies
The tactics employed outside Washington, D.C., by interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goals
direct lobbying
Attempts by interest group staff to influence policy by speaking with elected officials or bureaucrats.
grassroots lobbying
A lobbying strategy that relies on participation by group members, such as a protest or a letter-writing campaign
Astroturf lobbying
Any lobbying method initiated by an interest group that is designed to look like the spontaneous, independent participation of many individuals.
political action committee (PAC)
An interest group or a division of an interest group that can raise money to contribute to campaigns or to spend on ads in support of candidates. The amount a PAC can receive from each of its donors and the amount it can spend on federal campaigning are strictly limited.
527 organization
A tax-exempt group formed primarily to influence elections through voter mobilization efforts and issue ads that do not directly endorse or oppose a candidate. Unlike PACs, 527s are not subject to contribution limits and spending caps
