Poly sci chapters 7-12

Passionates

members of the public who are highly engaged with politics/gov't. Vote on a regular basis

Scorekeepers

Members of the public who are moderately aware of anf involved in politics/gov't. Vote in major polls but rarely get involved in politics themselves

Uninvolved

Members of the public who rarely attend the gov't/politics, sometimes vote in national elections and follow and issue or 2 that matters the most to them. 75% of ppl fall into this category

Electoral activities

public engagement in the form of voting, running for office, volunteering on a campaign, etc

Voter turnout

a measure of what proportion of eligible voters actually cast a legitimate ballot in a given election

Why our turnout is so low

Really frequent elections and ppl are usually busy working

civic voluntarianism

citizen participation in public life without gov't incentives or coercion

Public voice

exercising one's public rights, often through speaking out in protest in favor of some policy change

paradox of voting

the cost of voting outweighs the apparent benefits

social capital

relations bt ppl that build closer ties of trust and civic engagement yielding productive benefits for the larger society

political mobilization

efforts to encourage ppl to engage in the public sphere: to vote for a particular candidate or to get involved in pecific issues

issue advocacy

organized effort to advance or block a proposed public policy change

Cycles of public participation

Pattern of change in US history featuring regular surges in public engagement beginning roughly every 60 years and lasting for around a decade

public referendum

mechanism for placing policy questions directly on a state or local ballot for voters; a progressive innovation in the 1890s

What discourages political participation

age, wealth, education, alienation, motor voter law, complacency`

circle of non participation

resistance by political parties to mobilizing disengaged Americans to vote- bc their lack of involvement makes their allegiances to one of the other party suspect

digital divide

the gap bt those with ready access to the internet and those without

libertarian paternalism

govt policies that encourage public participation or certain behavior without coercing or formally requiring them

nudeocracy

informal name for a political system centered around libertarian paternalism

the bandwagon effect

general tendency of so many ppl to take up a practice or join cause bc others are doing so

anchoring

behavioral bias leading many ppl to rely too much on a single piece of info, often a number

default opinions

ppl will choose the simplest option

rational ignorance

the view where it makes sense to remain relatively uninformed about most political issues

Nonattitudes

the lack of a stable perspective in response to opinion surveys. answers may be self-contradictory or may display to ideological consistency

information shortcuts

cues about candidates and policies drawn from everyday life, party preferences, and significant figures

groupthink

the tendency among a small group of decision makers to converge on a shared set of views; can limit creative thinking or solutions to policy problems

If public opinion is to guide gov't, 3 conditions must be met

1. the ppl know what they want and guide gov't decisions 2. th public can clearly communicate its desires to political leaders 3. political leaders pay attention to public views and respond

mandate

political authority claimed by an election winner as reflecting the approval of the ppl

policy agenda

issues that the public considers important, the media covers, and politicians discuss. The first step in political action

survey research

a scientific measure of popular opinion

approval rating

a measure of public support for a political figure or institution

executive order

a presidential declaration w the force of law that issues instructions to the executive branch without any requirement for congressional action or approval

sampling frame

a designated group of ppl from whom a set of poll respondents is randomly selected

demographic groups

ppl sharing specific factors ex: race, religion, gender, etc.

likely voters

ppl that are most likely going to vote. Difficult to specify

framing effects

the way pollsters ask a question often influences the response

push poll

a form of negative telemarketing

weighting

a method of targeting specific groups of voters by assigning greater or lesser value to responses from those groups

margin of sampling error

the degree of inaccuracy in a poll.surveys involve a sample of respondents from a population, rather than every member

response bias

the tendency of poll respondents to misstate their views, frequently to avoid "shameful opinions (ex: sexism, racism)

types of polls

benchmark, straw, exit, brushfire

focus group

an extended discussion w a selected small group of ppl, run by a trained moderator.generally yields insights to participants political concerns

boomerang effect

the discrepancy between candidates high poll ratings and election performance, caused by supporters assumption that an easy win means they don't need to go out and vote

underdog effect

sympathy for a candidate behind in the polls, contributing to a higher-than-predicted vote total

sources that shape public opinion

friends, family, economic interests, demographics, party affiliation, view of political elites and defining events, like war

gender gap

patterned differences in political opinions bt men and women

political elites

individuals who control significant wealth, status, power, etc.

3 major changes mark the evolution of media and campaigning

1. The media delivers information faster 2. Today's media includes many more voices and formats 3. New media permits the public to be much more active

media

mass communication.Television, radio, newspapers, Internet search, blogs, Facebook, twitter, tumblr, etc.

new media

Television, radio, newspapers, Internet search, blogs, Facebook, twitter, tumblr, etc. Arose in the late 20th century

mass media

Info and entertainment for broad popular audiences- newspapers, radio, and television. Newspapers became the first mass media in the 1830's

personal presidency

The idea that the president has a personal link to the public. Made possible by 20th century media. Radios allowed media to offer a live connection bt elected leaders and the public

new visual era

TV

infotainment

the blurred line bt news and entertainment. Letterman, Daily Show

clicktivism

democracy enhanced through the click of a mouse

what does new media do?

Promotes active users, Links ppl to one another, Spreads the news collected by ordinary ppl, Permits citizens to bypass the talking heads and make their own comments, Offers politicians a powerful tool to mobilize, connect and connect

Watergate scandal

A failed effort by Republican operatives to break into Democratic Party headquarters in the Watergate office complex in DC, tapes revealed that President Nixon attempted to cover up the event - costing him the presidency

public ownership

a situation in which media outlets are run by the government and paid for by tax dollars

democratic nations organize their media in 3 ways

gov't ownership, regulation, and markets

fairness doctrine

regulation that required media outlets to devote equal time to opposite perspectives

Telecommunications act of 1966

the major congressional overhaul of communications law that opened the door to far more competition by permitting companies to compete in multiple media markets- radio, television, magazines, etc

loud signal

Media stories with very broad coverage and a unambiguous message

priming

Affecting voters' or poll respondents' perception candidates or public officials by raising issues that are perceived to enhance or diminish the candidates

issue framing

The way an issue is defined - every issue has many possible frames, each with a slightly different tilt in describing the problem and highlighting solutions

sound bite

a short clip of speech taken from a longer piece of audio. Often refers to a brief excerpt from a speech by a candidate or politician

2 main way elections are the core of american political life

1. symbolic- elections are an expression of legitimate democratic political authority 2. substantive- elections change public policy and sometimes national life

time, place and manner clause

The constitutional clause that delegates control of elections to the state governments

caucus

A local meeting at which registered members of a political party meet to select delegates representing presidential candidates

suffrage

the right to vote

bundling

A form of fundraising in which an individual persuades others to donate large amounts that are then delivered together to a candidate or campaign

PAC (Political Action Committee)

An organization of at least 50 people, affiliated with an interest group, that is permitted to make contributions to candidates for federal office

super PACs

Organizations that are permitted to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to promote a candidate or publicize a cause. However - they may not directly contribute to a candidate or coordinate with a campaign

527 groups

Organizations governed by Section 527 of the federal tax code; they are allowed to raise and spend unlimited amounts for "issue advocacy" - but are forbidden to coordinate their efforts with any candidate or campaign, and their ads cannot mention a candid

super tuesday

The date on the primary calendar when multiple states hold primaries and caucuses

winner take all

the electoral system used in the US general presidential as well as many primary and other elections. The candidate receiving a simple majority (or, among multiple candidates a plurality) receives all electoral votes or primary delegates. Sometimes also c

proportional representation

The allocation of votes or delegates on the basis of the percentage of the vote received; contrasts with the winner-take-all-system

electoral bounce

the spike in the polls that follows and event such as a party's national convention

three parts to an election

primaries, conventions and general election

election outcomes are influenced by...

economic performance, war and peace, demographics, adviser and organizations, candidates own personality and performance, domestic issues, accident and luck

restrictions on running for congress

age, citizenship and residence

incumbency advantage

the tendency for members of Congress to win reelection in overwhelming numbers

midterm elections

National elections held between presidential elections, involving all seats in the House of Representatives, one-third of those in the Senate, 36 governors, and other positions

gerrymander

Redrawing an election district in a way that gives the advantage to one party

state legislatures can carefully craft political boundaries by...

packing - placing all the like-minded voters into one district.
cracking- spreading them out so that they form minority in many districts

critical election

a dramatic election that realigns the political system by changing the relative strength of the 2 parties and has consequences for future elections

Candidate Centered Elections

A political system where individual candidates decide to run raise their own money and design their own strategy - as opposed to party systems, where political parties play these roles

contract with america

A conservative statement of principle (and 21 different action items) embraced by some Republican candidates during the 1994 midterm election

how to run for congress

1. money 2. organization 3. strategy 4. message

open seat

a seat in congress without an incumbent running for reelection

call list

a long list of potential donors whom candidates must phone

name recognition

an advantage possessed by a well-nown political figure, a political celebrity

negative campaigning

running for office by attacking the opponent. An unpopular tactic that is nevertheless very effective

partisanship

the quality of taking the side of a party, or espousing a viewpoint that reflects a political partys principles or position on an issue. Often criticized by those who wish the parties would work together

political parties essential purpose

a party is an organization, with a public following, established to win elections, generally by promoting a set of principles

Grand Old Party (GOP)

nickname for the republican party

what the parties do

select candidates, champion ideas, mobilize voters, organize governing activity after the election, help integrate new groups into the political process

nonpartisan elections

an election where candidates run as individuals, w/o any party affiliation. Many towns and cities have these types of elections

political socialization

education about how the gov't works and which policies one should support; provided by schools, party officials, etc.

party system

the broad organization of US politics, compromising the 2 main parties, coalition of supporters backing each, the positions they take on major issues, and each party's electoral achievements

2-party style advantages

predictable and stable. Each election is followed by negotiations among the parties trying to form a majority

2-party style disadvantages

less representative

party-in-gov't

Consists of elected politicians, their staffs, and affiliated political professionals, Promotes the party's issues and fights its policy issues in Congress and the executive branch

party organization

Provides support for a party's candidates and elected officials. Consists of party chairs, the national committees, and the state party leaders. Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee

party platform

the party's statement of purpose and its position on issues

party in the electorate

The largest and least organized component of a political party. Consists of the millions of ppl who identify with the party- registered voters and regular supporters

american parties are highly decentralized

State and local party leaders largely run their own organizations, independent of national headquarters

First Party System

1789-1828
? Pro-Constitution Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
? Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
? Reflected Americans' uneasiness with party politics
?Set a durable pattern: 2 main parties, fiercely contesting elections and building coalitions alon

Second party system

?1828-1860
?Andrew Jackson
?"Rise of the common man"
?Federalists vanished
?Democrats vs. Whigs
?Slavery

Third Party System

?1860-1896
?Republican Party formed with the help of Lincoln
*Anti-slavery
?Democrats split over slavery
?Rebuilding after the Civil War

Fourth Party System

?1896-1932
?Status quo, business, and pressures for political and economic equality
?Liquor- should it be prohibited?
?Republicans dominated

Fifth Party System

system emerging as result of Roosevelt's New Deal, lasted 40 years, 1932-1972. Democratic dominance under FDR. Grand coalition of urban dwellers, labor unions, Catholics, Jews, poor, South, blacks and farmers. Great Depression screwed up political parties

Sixth Party System

?1972-present
?Emphasis on small businesses and limited gov't
?Neither party dominates

party machines

- powerful political organizations often organized in an urban area to help integrate immigrants and minority groups into the political system. Most active during 3rd party system

party boss

the senior figure in a party machine

New Deal

Broad series of economic programs and reforms introduced b/t 1933-1936. Focused on jobs, infrastructure, Social Security, welfare, and new federal gov't agencies

Party Identification

Strong attachment to one political party, often established at an early Our powerful sense of Party ID is a result of many factors, including parental influence, political context, and personality type*Ethnicity.
party ID helps shape our voting patterns,

straight-ticket voter

one who votes for the same party for all offices on a ballot

split-ticket voter

one who votes for at least one candidate from each arty, dividing his ballot between two or more parties

base voters

Party members who tend to vote loyally for their party's candidates in most elections

republican factions

traditionalists, libertarians, neoconservatives, fiscal conservatives and moderates

democratic factions

include progressives, organized labor, deficit hawks, the Third Way and the civil rights caucus

party caucus

A meeting of all House or Senate members of one or the other main party, usually to discuss political and policy strategies

divided government

Periods during which at least one house of Congress is controlled by a party different from one occupying the White House

k street

A major street in downtown Washington, DC, that is home to the headquarters for many lobbying firms and advocacy groups - and thus synonymous with interest group lobbying

special interests

A pejorative term, often used to designate an interest group whose aims or issue preferences one does not like.

interest groups

Organization of people who share political, social or other goals; and agree to try to influence public policy to achieve those goals.

lobbyist

A person who contacts government officials on behalf of a particular cause or issue

membership group

An interest group primarily organized around voluntary members; often a nonprofit or public advocacy organization

AAPR

social security, benefits, help Americans over the age of 50

lobbying coalition

A collection of lobbyists working on related topics or a specific legislative proposal

What do groups do for members?

Inform members about political development, Communicate members' views to government officials and Mobilize the public

public interest lobbyist

A representative of an organization that seeks to benefit the population a large, not a specific client of a small collection of people

pluralism

An open participatory style of government in which many different interest are represented

Demo sclerosis

The collective effect of the sheer number of Washington lobbyists in slowing the process of American democratic policymaking

power elite theory

the view that a small handful of wealthy influential Americans exercises extensive control over government decisions

Federal Regulation of Lobbying Acts

The initial US statute spelling out requirements on lobbyists active in Congress, passed in 1946

Gift ban

a regulation that eliminates (or sharply reduces the dollar amount of) gifts from interest groups to lawmakers

advocacy explosion

A vast and relatively swift increase in interest groups active in Washington, DC beginning in the mid 1960s

The multiple roles of lobbyists

research political trends, attend congressional hearings, issue statements to the press, build coalitions, be outgoing, issue campaigns, and take care of clients routine policy needs.

issue campaigns

A concerted effort by interest groups to arouse popular support or opposition for a policy issue

astroturf lobbying

indirect lobbying efforts that manipulate or create public sentiment, "astroturf" being artificial grassroots

material benefits

Items distributed by public interest groups a incentives to sign up or remain a member

expressive benefits

Values or deeply held beliefs that inspire individuals to join a public interest group

solidary beliefs

The feeling of shared commitment and purpose experienced by individuals who join a public interest group

single firm lobbyists

A lobbying professional employed by a specific company ex: apple, exxon/mobil

trade association

A lobbying group that represents a collection of related businesses, like the American Petroleum Institute (oil and natural gas companies)

independant lobbyists

Sometimes called "hired guns", these individuals (usually seasons lobbyists or former high-profile government staffers) are paid by several different clients to promote their interests

iron triangles

mutually dependent relationship between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommittees. They dominate some areas of domestic policymaking.

issue network

Shifting alliances of public and private interest groups, lawmakers, and other stake holders all focused on the same policy area

intergovernmental lobbying

attempts by public officials in one part of the government to influence their counterparts elsewhere - in another branch or at a different (state or local) level

reverse lobbying

Attempts by government officials to influence interest groups on behalf of their preferred policies

revolving door

The tendency of Washington's most seasoned lobbyists to move from government work (ex. professional advisor) to lobbying