Voting and Interest Groups

pluralist theory

Groups of individuals try to maximize their interests

purposive incentives

Selective benefits of group membership that emphasize the purpose and accomplishments of the group

issue network

an alliance of various interest groups and individuals who unite in order to promote a single issue in government policy

party polarization

an individual's stance on a given issue, policy, or person is more likely to be strictly defined by their identification with a particular political party or the division between the two parties

interest group

any association of individuals or organizations, usually formally organized, that, on the basis of one or more shared concerns, attempts to influence public policy in its favor

iron triangle

comprises the policy-making relationship among the congressional committees, the bureaucracy, and interest groups

valance issues

issues that most voters will support a higher level of (government transparency for example)

Free rider problem

people take advantage of being able to use a common resource, or collective good, or benefit from something they didn't contribute to or work towards

Lobbying

seek to influence (a politician or public official) on an issue.

solidary benefit

selective benefits of group membership that emphasize friendship, networking, and consciousness-raising

elite theory

small minority, consisting of members of the policy-planning networks, holds the most power and that this power is independent of a state's democratic elections process.

material benefit

special goods, services, or money provided to members of groups to entice others to join

electioneering

take part actively and energetically in the activities of an election campaign.

Litigation

the process of taking legal action.

spatial issues

those for which there is a range of possible options or choices (not just two sides)

prospective voter

voters decide what the government will do in the near future by choosing a certain political party with distinct stances on issues.

retrospective voter

voting made after taking into consideration factors like the performance of a political party, an officeholder, and/or the administration.