Interest Groups
What are interest groups?
What is media sometimes referred to?
The 4th branch of the government.
What is soft money?
Political donations given to the party that can avoid government regulations.
The electoral college elects this person into position of power.
What are political parties?
A group of people who seek to control the government through winning elections.
How can they affect public policymaking?
Through lobbying, electioneering, litigation, and gaining public support.
What are media events?
Events that are staged by a political candidate primarily for the purpose of being covered - are often scripted and limited in what they will report.
What is hard money?
Money given directly to candidates where limits and regulations apply.
Winner of the popular vote isn't guaranteed to win election, Constitution doesn't force electors to vote the was of the popular vote, and if no candidate receives 270 then the House of Representatives make the decision.
What are the major flaws?
What are 5 functions political parties serve?
Nominating Candidates, Informing and Activating Supporters, Bonding Agent, Governing, Watch dog.
What is the difference between political parties and interest groups?
Political parties work to get candidates elected and interest groups work to get laws passed.
What are Sound Bites?
30 second sound clips used on TV to convey the message of an entire speech.
What is the limit on contribution for individual donations?
$1,000
Who votes if state representatives can't agree on their one vote?
The House of Representatives.
What is Bonding Agent?
Helps ensure a good performance of its candidate. They do background checks and ensures quality of candidate.
Name three things interest groups do.
Bring lawsuits against the government, make donations to candidates, and influence lawmakers.
Media is a [blank] between the people and policymakers.
Key Linkage Institution
What is the limit on expenditures for individual donations?
What is the District Plan?
States would have two electors to represent the state as a whole. Each district in the state would also have an elector to represent them.
What do watchdogs do?
Criticizes political party in power and provides scrutiny and criticism about ruing politicians who differ from their party.
What group spends the most on lobbying?
US Chamber of Commerce.
Why does media have a profound effect on public policy?
Because most people rely on the information from the media to make their choices in an election.
What does PACs stand for?
Political Action Committee.
What is the Proportional Plan?
Each candidate gets the same percentage of electoral votes as popular votes.
What is governing?
Candidates are usually selected based on what party they represent. Most appointed positions are based on Partisanship-selection based only on party.