Political Parties, Interest Groups, And Mass Media Flashcards
Plurality election
Person who received more votes than anyone else but less than half the total
Political party
Group of citizens who organize to win elections, hold public office, operate governments and determine public policy
Single member district
Electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office
Party era
Historical period dominated by one political party
Critical election
Significant groups of voters change their traditional patterns of party loyalty
Party realignment
Majority party is displaced by the minority’s party
Ushering a new party era
Divided government
Government in which one party controls the presidency while another party controls congress
Interest group
Organization of people whose members share views on specific interests and attempt to influence public policy to their benefit
Do not elect people to office
Political action committee (PAC)
Committee formed by business, labor, or other interest groups to raise money and make contributions to the campaigns of political candidates whom they support
Free riders
People who benefit from interest groups without making contributions
Power elite theory
Small number of very wealthy individuals, powerful corporate interest groups, and large financial institutions dominate key policy areas
Pluralist theory
Many interest groups compete for power in a large number of policy areas
Hyperpluralist theory
Theory that government policy is weakened and often contradictory because there are so many competing interest groups
Mass media
Means of communication that can reach large dispersed audiences
Linkage institutions
Connects citizens to government
ex mass media, interest groups, and political parties
