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