Political Participation, Political Parties, and Interest Groups

Gender gap

A distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the differences in views between women and men. This is important because men and women think differently so people can shape their views to get either gender to support them.

Grass roots mobilization

A lobbying campaign in which a group mobilizes its membership to contact government officials in support of the group's position. Important so that the people get involved and it isn't always high placing officials.

Issue network

A loose network of elected leaders, public officials, activists, and interest groups drawn together by a specified policy issue. Important because it allows access to all of government because everything is interconnected.

National convention

A national party political institution that nominated the party's presidential and vice presidential candidates, establishes party rules, and writes and ratifies the party's platform. This is very important because it decides who will be that party's nominee for the presidency and can have serious impacts on voter turnout.

Caucus

A normally closed meeting of a political or legislative group to select candidates, plan strategy, or make decisions regarding legislative matters. This is important because it can change the course of an election.

Platform

A party document, written at a national convention, that contains party philosophy, principles, and positions on issues. This is important because it is essentially what attracts people to a certain party.

"New politics" movement

A political movement that began in the 1960s and '70s, made up of professionals and intellectuals for whom the civil rights and antiwar movements were formative experiences. The new politics movement strengthened public interest groups. Important so that people who may not be the upper class still have the opportunity to be a part of something they believe in.

Two party system

A political system in which only two parties have a realistic opportunity to compete effectively for control. This is significant because this basically means that only two groups ever have the ability to run the country which potentially leaves out a large number of the country.

Lobbying

A strategy by which organized interests seek to influence the passage of legislation by exerting direct pressure on members on the legislature. Important so that interests get represented in government although it may be corrupt.

Staff organization

A type of membership group in which a professional staff conducts most of the group's activities. Important so that the activities are done correctly and efficiently .

Traditional political participation

Activities designed to influence government including voting and face-to-face activities such as protesting or volunteering for a campaign. This is important to make sure that the public's opinion is indeed getting taken into account for big decisions.

Online political participation

Activities designed to influence government using the Internet, including visiting a candidate's website, organizing events online, or signing an online petition. Significant because it has mobilized many more people to become active in politics.

Institutional advertising

Advertising designed to create a positive image of an organization. Important so that interest groups are represented and they get support in other ways than lobbying.

AARP

American Association of Retired Persons, is a United States-based interest group with a mission to enhance the quality of life for all as they age. Important so that the elderly are still receiving help even though they can't get it themselves.

Party identification

An individual voter's psychological ties to one party or another. This is important because it can affect how a person feels about issues and how they vote.

Policy entrepreneur

An individual who identifies a problem as a political issue and brings a policy proposal into the political agenda. This is important because they can bring forward an issue that may never have gotten much attention.

Membership association

An organized group in which members actually play a substantial role, sitting on commutes and engaging in group projects. This is important so it isn't just important officials calling all the shots.

Collective goods

Benefits, sought by groups, that are broadly available and cannot be denied to nonmembers. Important so that even if you can't be part of a group you want to be for some reason you still get the benefits they provide.

Public interest group

Groups that claim they serve the general good rather than only their own particular interest. Important so that the people are represented not just high placing officials and the wealthy.

Interest group

Individuals who organize to influence the government's programs and policies. Very important because they can affect what gets passed in government or elect their own into positions so their voice is heard.

Soft money

Money contributed directly to political parties and other organizations for political activities that is not regulated by federal campaign spending laws; in 2002 federal law prohibited unregulated donations to national party committees. This is important because they can still be getting money but no one would know it which is dangerous.

527 committees

Nonprofit independent groups that receive and disburse funds to influence the nomination, election, or defeat of candidates. Named after section 527 of the internal revenue code, which defines and grants tax-exempt status to nonprofit advocacy groups. Important because they influence elections and can change the course of an election either way they want it to go.

Political parties

Organized groups that attempt to influence the government by electing their members to important government offices. These are significant because they can seriously change the way government is run and who it helps and represents the most in society.

Protest

Participation that involves assembling crowds to confront a government or other official organization. This is significant so the government and officials can see what the people actually want.

Third parties

Parties that organize to compete against the two major American political parties. They are important because they typically bring important issues to the front line and force the other candidates to discuss them and they can also change the outcome of elections.

Party activists

Partisans contribute time, energy, and effort to support their party and its candidates. This is important because they get more people to support them which could affect results.

PACs

Political Action Committees-A private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns. Important so that the members aren't spending all their money and the groups have outside support.

Purposive benefits

Selective benefits of a group membership that emphasize the purpose and accomplishments of the group. Important so that the people in interest groups feel accomplished and good for joining.

Solidary benefits

Selective benefits of group membership that emphasize friendship, networking, and consciousness raising. Important so that the people in interest groups feel accomplished and good for joining.

Material benefits

Special goods, services, or money provided to members of groups to entice others to join. Important so that members gets rewarded in some way for their time and money and contribution to that interest.

Informational benfits

Special newsletters, periodicals, training programs, conferences, and other information provided to members of groups to entice others to join. Important so that the members have incentive to be there.

Socioeconomic status

Status in society based on a level of education, income, and occupational prestige. This is important because it can affect a person's views and how they vote of certain topics.

Machines

Strong party organizations in late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century American cities. These machines were led by "bosses" who controlled party nominations and patronage. These are important because they controlled everything that happened and the people essentially has no say.

Divided government

The condition in American government wherein the presidency in controlled by one party while the opposing party controls one or both houses of congress. This is important so government isn't completely controlled by one party and the other party has no say.

Party polarization

The division between the two major parties on most policy issues, with members of each party. Unified around their party's positions with little crossover. This is significant because it doesn't allow for much flexibility among the candidates and the people because its all or nothing to get their people into office.

Party organization

The formal structure of a political party, including its leadership, election committees, active members, and paid staff. This is important because it is how a party functions.

Early voting

The option in some states to cast a vote at a polling place or by mail before the election. This is important so people who may not be able to vote the day elections are held still get their ballot and right to vote.

Permanent absentee ballots

The option in some states to have a ballot sent automatically to your home for each election, rather than having to request an absentee ballot each time. This is important so that everyone eligible to vote still can without any difficulties or worrying about not being able to be present at their voting location.

Election-day registration

The option in some states to register on the day of the election, at the polling place, rather than in advance of the election. This is important for people who want to vote but didn't have the time to register so they can the day of and not have any issues.

Minority party

The party that holds a minority of legislative seats in either the house or the senate. This is significant because then this party may never get the legislation they want passed and would have to pull some favors to get their way.

Majority party

The party that holds the majority of legislature seats in either the house or the senate. This is important because they can seriously affect was does and doesn't get passed or approved.

Voter turnout

The percentage of eligible individuals who actually vote. This is significant because if not everyone comes to vote then elections can have a different result than what they should if they were to accurately represent the country.

Electoral realignment

The point in history when a new party supplants the ruling party, becoming in turn the dominant political force; in the United States, this has tended to occur roughly every 30 years. This is important because it can affect how people vote for the rest of their lives and potentially change how elections pan out.

Voter mobilization

The process by which large numbers of people are organized for a political activity. This is important because it can affect how many people show up or participate in a certain political activity which can change its outcome.

Nomination

The process by which political parties select their candidates for election to public office. This is important because this person is often representing a large number of people so it can have massive impact.

Patronage

The resources to higher officials, usually opportunities to make partisan appointments to offices and to confer grants, licenses, or special favor to supporters. This is important so people can get into higher offices and influence decisions more.

Suffrage

The right to vote; also called franchise. Very important so the government can be made up of people who represent the majority's interests.

Iron triangle

The stable, cooperative relationship that often develops among a congressional committee, an administrative agency, and or more supportive interest groups. Not all of these relationships are triangular, but the iron triangle is the most typical. Important because it allows access to private aspects of government through favors.

Pluralism

The theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government. The outdone of this competition is compromise and moderation. Important so that all interests can be equally represented and debated in government.