AP Gov. Unit 5
Caucuses
a meeting of political party members to select candidates to represent their party in the general election
Protest Movements
A group that brings attention to a social problem through public demonstrations or other forms of direct action
Big Tent
A political party that seeks to attract people with a broad spectrum of viewpoints and place them under one banner
19th Amendment
Gave women the right to vote
Single Issue Groups
Groups that have a narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics
Linkage Institutions
Institutions that connect citizens to government. The mass media, interest groups, and political parties are the three main linkage institutions
Unequal access to decision makers
Leads to the revolving door (former government officials become lobbyists for interests with who they formerly dealt in their official capacity)
26th Amendment
Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Made sure that state and local governments could no longer pass laws or policies that denied the right to vote based on race
Party Convention
Meet every 4 years to nominate and write platform
Closed Primary
Only declared party members can vote
Interest Groups
Organizations of people with common political interests and aim to influence public policy by entering the political process
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin
Free Rider Problem
People benefit from interest groups without making a contribution
Incumbency Advantage
Person who holds office already usually has an advantage over challenger
Ideological/Social Movements
If an ideological/social movement becomes popular that could magnify the interest group's influence if they are associated with that movement...or the other way around it is unpopular
17th Amendment
U.S. Senators are elected directly by voters in each state
Factors that decrease turnout
Voter registration, decline in efficacy, weekday/non-holiday voting, elections (voting fatigue)
Governing of Elections - State Gov.
-Certifies election results days/weeks after -Set times/locations/dates -Creates rules/procedures for voter registration -Draws congressional district lines -Chooses format of ballots
Governing of Elections - Federal Gov.
-Enforces relevant civil rights legislation -Sets dates for federal, general elections -Administers/enforces campaign finance rules -Addresses suffrage in constitutional amendments
Interest Groups vs. Political Parties
-Interest Groups are focused on one idea that all members believe in, endorse candidates -Political Parties are very general, will take anyone, nominate candidates
24th Amendment
Abolishes poll taxes
Electorate
All of the people entitled to vote in a given election
Motor Voter Law
Allowed people to register to vote while they renewed their license. The thought was that most people renew their license and thus it would give them a chance to register at the same time
Open Primary
Any qualified voter can take part
Lobbying
Attempting to influence elected or appointed officials through persuasion, data/information, and meetings
Grandfather Clause
Banned any person from voting if their ancestor did not vote before 1867
Demographics
Characteristics of a population often used to determine voting patterns (ex. older, larger income, more education people are more likely to vote)
15th Amendment
Citizens cannot be denied the right to vote because of race, color, or precious condition of servitude
Party-Line Voting
Describes consistently voting for candidates of the same political party at all levels of government
Prospective Voting
Describes voting based on how a citizen thinks a candidate will act and perform if elected to office
Retrospective Voting
Describes voting based on the recent record in office of a candidate or others in their party
Revolving Door
Employment cycle in which individuals who work for governmental agencies that regulate interests eventually end up working for interest groups or businesses with the same policy concern
Political Efficacy
The belief that one's political participation really matters - that one's vote can actually make a difference
Political Participation
The many ways the people take part in politics and government (ex. politcal party, debate, voting)
Inequality of political and economic resources
The more resources you have the more voice you have
White Primary
The practice of preventing voting for black citizens through intimidation
"Free Rider" problem
The result of relying on others to contribute to a collective effort while failing to participate on one's own behalf, yet still benefitting from the group's success
Iron Triangle
The three-way alliance among legislators/congressional staffs, bureaucrats, and interest groups to make or preserve policies that benefit their respective interests
Rational-Choice Voting
describes someone voting in their best interest, supporting the candidate whose platform will give them the most favorable outcomes