Unit 3 IDs Flashcards
Median voter theorem
The theory that parties in a two-party system can maximize their vote by locating themselves at the position of the median voter, the voter whose preferences are exactly in the middle
Single member districts
The form of representation in which only the candidate who gets the most votes in a district wins office
Party coalition
The groups and interests that support a political party
Divided government
When one party controls the executive branch and the other party controls one or both houses of congress
Gridlock
When opposing parties and interests often block each other’s proposals, creating a political stale,ate or inaction between the executive and legislative branches of government
Types of third parties
There are four types, ideological, splinter/personality/factional, single issue, and protest
Reform (minor) party
A minor party that bases its appeal on the claim that the major parties are having a corrupting influence on government and policy
Single-issue (minor) party
A minor party formed around a single issue of overriding interest to its followers
Ideological (minor) party
A minor party characterized by its ideological commitment to a broad and noncentrist philosophical position
Factional (minor) party
A minor party created when a faction within one of the major parties breaks away to form its own party
National convention
The party’s national voice, party delegates meet in the summer of every fourth year to select the party’s candidate for President and Vice President; also responsible for writing and adopting the party’s platform, describing the party’s policy beliefs
National committee
Manages the political party’s business between conventions. They are responsible for selecting the convention site, establishing the rules, publishing and distributing party literature, and helping the party raise campaign contributions
National chairperson
Appointed by a committee as head of a party
Superdelegates
A democratic or republican delegate that was not chosen for in the party’s primary, but chosen for their status; they are free to support any candidate
Political machine
A political organization that commands the support of corporations and businesses. They rely on the workers to get out to vote on election day
Soft money
Money distributed to a national political party organization that was not regulated by law
Interest group
Any organization that actively seeks to influence public policy
Free-rider problem
The situation in which the benefits offered by a group to its members are also available to nonmembers. The incentive to join the group and to promote its cause is reduced because free-riders receive the benefits without having to pay any of the groups cost
Political Action Committees (PACs)
The organization through which an interest group raises and distributes funds for election purposes. By law, the funds must be raised through voluntary contributions
Lobbying
Attempting to influence policymakers through a variety of methods
Inside lobbying
A form of lobbying where people develop contacts with legislators and executives, provide information and policy proposals to key officials, and form coalitions with other groups
Outside lobbying
A form of lobbying in which an interest group seeks to use public pressure as a means of influencing officials
Grassroots lobbying
A form of lobbying designed to persuade officials that a group’s policy position has strong constituent support
Mass media
All forms of communication that reach a large portion of the population
Objective journalism
A model of news reporting that is based on the communication of “facts” rather than opinions and is “fair” in that it presents all sides of partisan debate
Agenda setting
The power of the media through news coverage to focus the public’s attention and concern on particular events, problems, issues, personalities, and so on
Priming
E process by which a communicated message, because of its content, activates certain opinions but not others
Framing
The process by which the media play up certain aspects of a situation while downplaying other aspects, thereby providing a particular interpretation of the situation
Sound bite
The length of time within a television story that candidate speaks without interruption
Equal time rule
Requires a station selling time for a candidate for office to make the same amount of time available for his or her opponent
Gatekeepers
Media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who decide what news to present and how it will be presented
News release
Prepared texts to be used exactly as written
News briefing
Announcements and daily questioning of the press secretary about news releases
News conferences
Questioning of high-level officials, often rehearsed
Leaks
Information released by officials who are guaranteed anonymity; may be intentional to interfere with opposition or to “float” an idea and measure reaction
On the record
The official may be quoted by name
Off the record
What the official says cannot be printed
On background
What the official says can printed but may not be attributed to the official by name
On deep background
What the official says can be printed, but it cannot be attributed to anybody
