Vocabulary
any collection of individuals who organize in order to advocate for something in public policy
What are interest groups?
This linkage institution is the easiest method of communicating voter preferences
What are elections?
What are two ways in which political parties seek to mobilize and educate voters?
Why do candidates highlight certain issues during debates?
To appeal to certain subsets of voters
How do special interest groups influence members of Congress?
donations; getting members to vote for particular candidates
when interest groups meet with elected officials and government agencies to present their views and promote their agenda
What is lobbying?
In what way are special interest groups able to increase voter turnout and influence election outcomes?
By telling their members to vote a particular way on certain issues or for candidates that best align with their group's goals
How do political parties act as traffic cops when there are multiple candidates?
Sponsoring debates and offering general support until a candidate is chosen
Which group’s shift to supporting Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Democratic Party during his presidency was considered one of the most significant political realignments?
Black voters
How are third parties successful despite not holding major public office?
connections or channels where citizens and government communicate with one another
What are linkage institutions?
Voter mobilization, education, candidate recruitment, and writing of party platforms is how this group acts as a linkage institution.
What are political parties?
Assisting with funding, media strategy, voter engagement, and organizing volunteers is the primary responsibility of this individual
What is a campaign manager?
Increased voter engagement; increased candidate diversity
What is one reason why third parties have not held major political office in the U.S.?
Due to a winner-take-all system; Democrats & Republicans incorporate third party beliefs into their platforms
when a large number of voters switch their allegiance from one party to another
What is party realignment?
In what ways does the government utilize media as a linkage institution?
Keep public informed, shape public opinion on various issues, potentially influence election outcomes
Explain how the political party in the majority has all the power.
Determine what bills are brought to committee and to the floor to be voted on; determine leadership roles of committees
What has caused campaigns to be more candidate-centered over time?
Media
How do Congress and bureaucracies influence special interest groups?
low regulations; special favors (contracts); implementation of laws/policies that benefit that interest group