Unit 2 Vocabulary

Question 1

Political Ideology

Answer 1

A political ideology is a set of related beliefs about political theory and policy held by an individual, group of individuals or a particular social class.

Question 2

Grassroots

Answer 2

the common or ordinary people, especially as contrasted with the leadership or elite of a political party, social organization, etc.; the rank and file.

Question 3

Precinct

Answer 3

a district, as of a city, marked out for governmental or administrative purposes, or for police protection.

Question 4

Coattail Effect

Answer 4

The tendency for a popular political party leader to attract votes for other candidates of the same party in an election. For example, the party of a victorious presidential candidate will often win many seats in Congress as well; these congressmen are voted into office “on the coattails” of the president.

Question 5

Incumbent

Answer 5

holding an indicated position, role, office, etc., currently:

Question 6

Electorate

Answer 6

the body of persons entitled to vote in an election.

Question 7

Liberal/Conservative

Answer 7

• of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism, especially the freedom of the individual and governmental guarantees of individual rights and liberties.
• disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change.

Question 8

Caucus

Answer 8

a meeting of party members within a legislative body to select leaders and determine strategy.

Question 9

Hard Money vs Soft Money

Answer 9

In the simplest terms, “hard money” is from political donations that are regulated by law through the Federal Election Commission. “Soft money” is money donated to political parties in a way that leaves the contribution unregulated.

Question 10

Australian Ballot

Answer 10

an official ballot printed at public expense on which the names of all the candidates and proposals appear and which is distributed only at the polling place and marked in secret.

Question 11

Bipartisan vs Partisan

Answer 11

• of or involving the agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each other’s policies.
• a strong supporter of a party, cause, or person.

Question 12

Closed Primary vs Open Primary

Answer 12

The distinction simply changes which party’s primary registered voters are allowed to vote in. An open primary allows any registered voter to cast her ballot in either party’s primary, while a closed primary mandates that voters registered with a party vote in that party’s primary.

Question 13

Suffrage

Answer 13

Suffrage is the right to vote in public elections. Universal suffrage means everyone gets to vote, as opposed to only men, or property holders. Suffrage has nothing to do with “suffering,” unless the wrong person is elected.

Question 14

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Answer 14

an organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, especially at the federal level.

Question 15

Coalition

Answer 15

A coalition government is a cabinet of a parliamentary government in which several political parties cooperate, reducing the dominance of any one party within that coalition. The usual reason given for this arrangement is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament.

Question 16

Public Agenda

Answer 16

Public Agenda is a nonprofit organization that helps diverse leaders and citizens navigate divisive and complex issues. Through nonpartisan research and engagement, it provides people with insights and support they need to arrive at workable solutions on critical issues, regardless of their differences.

Question 17

Nomination

Answer 17

an act or instance of nominating, especially to office: The floor is open for nomination of candidates for the presidency.

Question 18

Ideologies

Answer 18

a system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.

Question 19

National Convention

Answer 19

a convention of a political party usually composed of delegates chosen by state primaries or conventions and meeting primarily to nominate candidates for president and vice-president and to adopt a platform

Question 20

Public Opinion

Answer 20

the collective opinion of many people on some issue, problem, etc., especially as a guide to action, decision, or the like.

Question 21

Mass Media

Answer 21

Mass media means technology that is intended to reach a mass audience. It is the primary means of communication used to reach the vast majority of the general public. The most common platforms for mass media are newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and the Internet.

Question 22

Political Socialization

Answer 22

Political socialization is the process by which people form their ideas about politics. This lesson explains political socialization and discusses the means through which Americans form their political values.

Question 23

General Election

Answer 23

a regularly scheduled local, state, or national election in which voters elect officeholders.

Question 24

Political Party

Answer 24

A political party is defined as an organised group of people with at least roughly similar political aims and opinions, that seeks to influence public policy by getting its candidates elected to public office.