A Matter of Opinion
General agreement among the citizenry on an issue; general tacit agreement in a group dynamic.
What is Consensus?
An organization or individual (generally paid) who attempts to influence legislation and the administrative decisions of government.
What is a Lobbyist / Lobbying Firm?
A voter or candidate who does not identify with any political party.
What is an Independent?
The most local level of party organization within a state. It represents the local voting district and is typically associated with a specific polling place.
What is a Party Precinct?
A situation where a substantial number of members of one party switch allegiance to the other party or its candidates.
What is Realignment?
The process by which people acquire political beliefs and attitudes.
What is Political Socialization?
Public policy interests that are not recognized or addressed by a group at a particular time.
What are Latent Interests?
A group of political activists who organize to win elections, operate the government, and control public policy.
What is a Political Party?
The method of electing the President and Vice-president of the U.S. under the U.S. Constitution.
What is the Electoral College?
Voters who frequently switch their support from one party to another.
What are Swing Voters?
Information generated and distributed by the government in such a manner as to give government interests credence and priority over candor and honesty.
What is Managed News?
The reason / motive to join and support a group and its activities based on the desire to associate with others of like-minded interests and concerns.
What is Solidarity Incentive?
Those individuals who are represented by an elected official – who live in his/her home state and/or district.
Who are Constituents?
The highest number of popular vote received by a leading candidate, but not necessarily a majority vote (i.e. greater than 50%).
What is a Plurality / Plurality Vote?
A new party formed by dissident or disaffected members of one of the major parties.
What is a Splinter Party?
A long-standing effect of the events of a particular era on the political opinions, attitudes and behavior of those who “came of political age” during that time period.
What is the Generational Effect?
A reason / motive for joining a group and supporting its activities based on the specific goals and objectives of the group.
What is Purposive Incentive?
The officially stated positions of a political party on a variety of public policy issues.
What is the Party Platform?
A rule by which all of the state’s Electoral Votes are cast for the candidate who receives a plurality of the popular vote in the state.
What is the Unit Rule?
This occurs when one of the major parties adopts or endorses the position of a Third Party on a key issue, and thereby lures its supporters to their party.
What is "Stealing Their Thunder"?
A method of systematically questioning a small, select sample of respondents who are deemed representative of the actual population.
What is an Opinion Poll?
The use of public relations techniques and strategies to generate favorable public opinion toward an interest group, industry or corporation.
What is Climate Control?
Voting on a ballot for all of the candidates of one specific political party.
What is Straight-Ticket Voting?
A district that consistently returns a legislator or party candidate to office with 55% or higher of the vote.
What is a "Safe Seat"?
A phenomenon which occurs when a group becomes large enough to tip the balance of an election in a district, state or country.
What is Tipping?