Section 1
Iron triangle
Describes the close, stable relationships and mutual interests that develop between three key groups in the policymaking process:
Congressional Committees - These committees oversee specific policy areas (e.g., agriculture, defense) and rely on expertise from the other two corners of the triangle.
Bureaucratic Agencies - Government agencies implement policies related to the specific issues. They depend on Congress for funding and support, while providing information and executing policies that benefit interest groups.
Interest Groups - These are organizations or associations that advocate for specific policy outcomes that benefit their members. They provide valuable information and lobby both agencies and committees to influence policy to align with their goals.
Radical V. Reactionary
Radicals are extreme leftists who want more progressiveness and Reactionaries are extreme rights who want to go back to the past
Horserace journalism
a style of reporting that focuses on which candidates are ahead or behind in the race rather than on their policies, ideas, or qualifications.
Caucus
a meeting of party members or leaders to discuss policy, select candidates, or make decisions about legislative priorities.
Candidate-centered campaigns
when campaigns are focused on the candidate instead of the political party the candidates apart of
Civic duty
A mandatory task or activity that citizens must complete to have the ability to participate in society and benefit
Liberalism V. Conservatism
Liberalism supports socially progressive policies, individual rights, promote welfare, & civil liberties v. Conservatism supports preserving traditional values, emphasizing limited government intervention in economic affairs, and supporting individual liberties and free-market principles.
Gotcha journalism
a style of reporting that aims to catch politicians, public figures, or officials off guard with tricky or leading questions.
Political machines
a party organization, typically at the local level, that exerts control over political appointments and elections.
Critical election
an election that results in a significant and lasting shift in the political landscape, often altering party control, realigning voter bases, or changing the direction of national policies
Political socialization/trends of political socialization
The process of when people internalize and develop their political beliefs, values, ideas.
Soundbites
a short, catchy excerpt from a speech or statement by a politician or public figure.
Feeding frenzy
When the media intensely focuses on and aggressively covers a specific political figure or scandal.
winner-takes-all system
an electoral system where the candidate who receives the most votes wins all of a state's electoral votes or delegate votes
Party polarization
the increasing ideological division between political parties, particularly in terms of their policies, values, and approaches to governance.
Litigation
the process of taking legal action or bringing a lawsuit to court to resolve a dispute or enforce a law.
Watchdog
When the media investigates political personalities & stories & in so doing, helps expose potential scandals.
Critical Choice
a pivotal decision made by an individual, group, or government body that can significantly impact political outcomes or public policy.
Civil service laws
the body of laws and regulations that govern the rights, duties, and responsibilities of citizens within a country.
Interest Groups V. Political Parties
Political Parties aim to win elections and gain control of the government to implement their policies directly. They focus on selecting candidates, running campaigns, and mobilizing voters. Interest Groups, on the other hand, focus on influencing government policy on specific issues. They do not run candidates but work to sway policymakers from outside the formal election process, concentrating on issues important to their members.
What group of people had the highest number for realignment?
African Americans had the highest number for realignment from the Republican to Democratic party because of The New Deal.
Gatekeeper
When information is filtered and selected to be out in the public.
Open Primary V. Closed Primary
Open primary- An election where voters are not required to be registered members of a political party to vote for that party's candidates.
Closed primary- An election where only registered party members can vote to select their party's candidate for the general election.
Political efficacy
an individual's belief in their ability to influence or understand political processes.
Structural barriers
various institutional, procedural, or legal obstacles that can prevent or discourage certain groups of people from voting in elections.