Unit 3 Flashcards
mass media
the entire array of organizations through which information is collected and disseminated to the general public
muckracking
a form of journalism devoted to exploring misconduct by government businesses and individual politicians
yellow journalism
a form of newspaper publishing that featured pictures, comics, color and sensationalized news coverage
narrowcasting
targeting media programming at specific populations within society
press conference
meetings of public officials with reporters
policy agenda
the issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people actively involved in politics
policy entrepreneurs
people who invest their political capital in an issue to get it placed higher on the government agenda by using media to raise awareness
civic virture
the tendency to form small-scale associations for the public good
interest group
a collection of people or organizations that tries to influence public policy
disturbance theory
theory that interest groups form as a result of changes in the political system
transactions theory
public policies are the result of narrowly defined exchanges among political actors
collective good
something of value that cannot be withheld from a nonmember of a group; tax write-off or better environment
public interest group
an organization that seeks a collective good that will not selectively and materially benefit the members of the group
economic interest group
primary purpose of promoting the financial interests of its members
earmark
funds that an appropriations bill designates for specific projects within a state or congressional district
political action committee
a legal entity formed expressly for the purpose of contributing money to candidates and influencing electoral outcomes.
lobbyist
interest group representative who seeks to influence legislation that will benefit his or her organization or client through political or financial persuasion
lobbying
the activities of a group or organization that seek to persuade political leaders to support a group’s position
direct sponsorship
resources to shepard a case through the judicial system
elite theory
society is divided along class lines and upper class elite rules regardless of formal niceties of government organization
pluralist theory
the theory that political power is distributed among a wide array of diverse and competing interest groups
hyperpluralist theory
the theory that says too many groups are getting too much of what they want, resulting in a government policy that is often contradictory and lacking in direction
free-rider
people who don’t join because they benefit without joining
popular press
material written for the general public
sound bite
a short extract from a recorded interview
party press
when news editors receive money from political parties
press briefing
a relatively restricted session between a press secretary or aide and the press
Federal Communications Commission
independent regulatory agency
press release
a document offering an official comment or position
political agenda
a set of issues and policies
political movement
a social group that operates together to obtain a political goal
direct mail
unsolicited advertising sent to prospective customers through the mail
grassroots lobbying
influencing government decision makers though indirect pressure (usually in the form of letters, emails, phone calls) from large numbers of constituents. This is also called indirect lobbying.
amicus curiae
“friend of the court” briefs filed by interest groups to inform the court of their position and to state how their welfare would be affected by a ruling
AFL-CIO
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations
NEA
National Education Association; teachers
Chamber of Commerce
furthers the interests of businesses (economic)
NAM
National Association of Manufacturers; represents industrial companies (economic)
AMA
American Medical Association; sets standards and advocates for physicians
ACLU
American Civil Liberties Union; defends rights of people in court
NRA
National Rifle Association; promotion of second amendment rights (single issue)
AARP
American Association of Retired Persons; benefits and rights for senior citizens
NAACP
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; rights of colored people
League of Women Voters
encourages informed and active participation of citizens in government
MADD
Mother’s Against Drunk Driving
Sierra Club
environmental organization (public)
NOW
National Organization for Women; feminist organization (ideological)
movement
a large body of people interested in a common issue, idea, or concern that is of continuing significance and who are willing to take action; movements seek to change attitudes or institutions, not just policies
litigation
interest groups use lawsuits to change policies that have already gone through the legislation process
