US key terms 5: Democracy & Participation

Question 1

INVISIBLE PRIMARY

Answer 1

Period between when candidate announces their bid for office AND when the actual primaries take place
>’money primary’ - candidates spend most time in this period raising money to show pol. strength

Question 2

POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES (PACs)

Answer 2

Raises & spends money to elect/ defeat electoral candidates
~donation limit per election = $5,000

Question 3

POLICY GROUP

Answer 3

Attempts to influence a whole policy area
~e.g. American Israeli PAC (AIPAC)

Question 4

PROFESSIONAL GROUP

Answer 4

Represents economic interests of its members
~e.g. American Medical Association (AMA)

Question 5

SINGLE INTEREST GROUP

Answer 5

Advocates policy surrounding a small specific issue
~e.g. National Rifle Association (NRA)

Question 6

SOFT/HARD MONEY

Answer 6

> ‘Soft money’ contribution = cash contributed to pol. party with no limits attached to amount it can receive
‘Hard money’ contribution = Cash contributed directly to political candidate, may come only from an individual or a PAC

Question 7

SUPER PACs

Answer 7

Raises & spends unlimited amounts of money to support or oppose political candidates
>WITHOUT directly donating or co-ordinating with these candidates
~result of Citizens United vs FEC 2010