The fourth branch of the government; all means of popular communication
What is media
100
An organized group of individuals that seeks to influence public policy.
What is an interest group
100
A general plan of action adopted by the government to solve a social problem, counter a threat, or pursue an objective
What is public policy
100
elections to select party nominees in which voters must register in advance with a certain political party
what are closed primaries
100
the list of subjects or problems to which the government officials are paying some serious attention at any given time
What is a policy agenda
200
Communicates information through the publication of words and pictures on a page
What is print media
200
An organization that pools campaign contributions from group members and donates those funds to candidates for political office.
What is a political action committee (PAC)
200
the voter's perception of what the Replublicans or Democrats stand for
what is party image
200
the meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party platform
What is a national convention
200
the three major categories that government spends money on
What are entitlements, defense and the national debt
300
the use of detective-like reporting to unearth scandals, putting reporters in adversarial relationships with political leaders
What is investigative journalism
300
Claims that interest groups benefit American democracy by bringing representation to all
What is the pluralist theory
300
the process of identifying one's own political ideology and voting preferences
political socialization
300
an electoral "earthquake" where new issues emerge and/or new coalitions are formed
What is a critical election
300
Censorship before publication
What is prior restraint
400
Studies have shown that those who rely on this for their news score lower on tests of public knowledge than those who read print media
What is television
400
Public interest groups particularly depend on these grants, funds established usually by prominent families or corporations for philanthropy
What are foundation grants
400
the coalition formed by Franklin D. Roosevelt that included labor unions, urban poor, and (for the first time) African-Americans
what is the New Deal coalition
400
an electoral system in which legislative seats are awarded political parties based on the percentage of votes won in an election
What is proportional representation
400
Argues that just a few interest groups have most of the power
What is the elitist theory
500
an intentional news leak for the purpose of assessing the political reaction
what is a trial balloon
500
These factors contribute to the effectiveness of an interest group
What is size, intensity, and financial resources
500
the third party candidate for President in 1992 and 1996 who won 19% of the popular vote but no electoral votes
who is Ross Perot
500
voting for one party for one office and with another party for other offices. the new norm in American voting behavior.
What is ticket-splitting
500
Through this practice, government officials - both in Congress and executive agencies quit their jobs to take positions as lobbyists or consultants to businesses