Finals Chapter 10-11 Flashcards
Interest groups
any formal association of individuals or organizations that attempt to influence government decision-making and the making of public policy
Public + Private
Free riders
those not taking action in a group
Grassroots movement
organizations that start from the ground up with only a few members; most interest groups
Changes to US Interest groups
Increase in the number and types of groups
-specialization + fragmentation of groups
-Increase of professionalism
Lobbying Disclosure Act 1995
defined who can and cannot lobby, and requires lobbyists and interest groups to register with the federal government
Honest Leadership & Open Government Act 2007
further increased the restrictions on lobbying
Functions of Congress (5)
- represent the views of constituents
-be of service to constituents
-provide oversight of the actions of president/admin
-provide public education + programs, set policy
-find solutions to problems
Bicameralism
the practice of having 2 legislative chambers (Senate + House of Representatives)
- have to pass identical bills
Gerrymandering
manipulative dividing of election boundaries to give the majority advantage to one party
Congressional apportionment
uses a mathematical formula to allocate seats based on U.S Census Bureau population data
- achieved thru equal proportions method
Super PAC
cannot give money directly to a candidate/party, but can spend and raise unlimited funds
2002 McCain-Feingold Act
placed limits on total contributions to policitcla parties, prohibited coordination between candidates and PAC
Delegate model
refers to representative who seems him/herself empowered merely to enact the wishes of, and to make decisions on behalf of the constituent
Politico model
member of congress who acts as a trustee/delegate, based on rational political calculations about how the nation is best being served
Descriptive model
representative who is rooted in his or her own race, gender, sexuality, identity