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.