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