Unit 6 Vocab

Question 1

A recommendation about how the Supreme Court should rule on a case; filed by an interest group, president, state government, or anyone who takes an interest in the case

Answer 1

Amicus curiae brief

Question 2

Candidates must publicly announce who is contributing to their campaign, and how much; keeps them honest

Answer 2

Campaign disclosure rules

Question 3

Breaking an unjust law (and willingly accepting the consequences) in order to call attention to a cause

Answer 3

Civil disobidience

Question 4

A Congressional directive – written into a bill or committee notes – that funds should be spent on a specific project in a specific state

Answer 4

Earmark

Question 5

Interest group’s method of informing their members so that they call or write to members of Congress in significant numbers; puts pressure on Congress because they want to be reelected by voters

Answer 5

Grassroots lobbying (grassroot mobilization)

Question 6

An organization of people whose members share views on specific issues and attempt to influence public policy to their benefit; unlike political parties, they do not elect people to office

Answer 6

Interest group

Question 6

The process of taking legal action in the courts, such as lawsuits

Answer 6

Litigation

Question 7

The process of trying to influence a government official on a particular issue

Answer 7

Lobbying

Question 8

Lobbyists must register themselves and publicly announce the issues they are working on, who they are meeting with and how much money they are spending; meant to keep them honest

Answer 8

Lobbyist disclosure requirement

Question 9

An organization formed by business, labor or other interest groups to raise money and make contributions (up to $5000) to the campaigns of political candidates whom they support

Answer 9

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Question 10

Movement of personnel (and cozy relationship) between the legislative branch (and staff), the executive branch (and staff), the regulatory agencies, the industries that they regulate, and the interest groups that they are affiliated with

Answer 10

Revolving door

Question 11

Lobbyists may not give money, dinner, or other items of value to members of Congress

Answer 11

Lobbyist gift ban

Question 12

Lobbyists may not pay for the travel expenses of lawmakers (too much like bribery)

Answer 12

Travel ban

Question 13

The media has the power to choose newsworthy stories that get the attention of policy makers

Answer 13

Agenda setting

Question 14

When reporting on elections, the media focuses more on polling data (who’s winning) and the daily operations of each campaign, rather than the beliefs and policy differences of the candidates

Answer 14

Horse-race journalism

Question 15

A trend that the newspapers, TV and radio stations, and other media outlets are increasingly owned by just a few companies

Answer 15

Media conglomerate

Question 16

Means of mass communication using digital technologies such as the Internet

Answer 16

New media

Question 17

Traditional means of mass communication that existed until the advent of the Internet

Answer 17

Old media

Question 18

The president has an easier time getting his/her message onto the news because he/she is just one person, rather than 535 members of Congress

Answer 18

Presidential media advantage

Question 19

The government’s suppression of speech or other information which may be considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, politically incorrect or inconvenient

Answer 19

Censorship

Question 20

A tentative statement made by the president or White House Staff to see how a new policy will be received

Answer 20

Trial balloon

Question 21

Bolstered freedom of the press by banning prior restraint (censorship) unless there is a “clear and present danger” (imminent threat to national security)

Answer 21

New York Times v United States