Unit 4B: Political Parties & Influencing Elections

two-party system

as in the United States, the political system is run by only two rival groups

bipartisan

both parties working together

prior restraint

censorship before publication

ward

several precincts together

precinct

smallest political geographic area

open primary

voters choose a party's nominee even if they are not members of that party

nonpartisan

not involving political parties

propaganda

ideas that lead or mislead individuals to a certain conclusion

public agenda

most significant issues considered by government officials

platform

a party's positions on the issues

third party

a political party that is not one of the two main parties

plank

a single issue in a party's platform

pollster

a specialist whose job is to conduct polls

political machine

a strong party organization that can control political appointments and guarantee votes

leak

discrete release of information to see how people will respond

interest groups

group of people who share a point of view and unite to promote their beliefs

political party

large interest group with broad interests

political action committee (PAC)

large organization that raises money to contribute to candidates

caucus

meeting of party members to choose the their nominee for president

closed primary

members of the political party choose their nominee for president

direct primary

method by which people vote directly to nominate a party's candidate

public opinion

people's ideas and attitudes towards political issues

multi-party system

political system where there are many rival parties

one-party system

political system where there are no rival parties

lobbyist

representative of an interest group sent to meet with members of Congress