PPA - Political Participation Module Overview

Political Participation

Introduction Political Parties Interest Groups and Media

Governing is achieved directly through citizen participation and indirectly through institutions (e.g., political parties, interest groups, and mass media) that inform, organize, and mobilize support to influence government and politics, resulting in many venues for citizen influence on policymaking.

 

Key Terms

  • Two-party SystemA political system in which only two parties have a realistic opportunity to compete effectively for control.
  • Party RealignmentThe point in history when a new party supplants the ruling party, becoming in turn the dominant political force. In the United States, this has tended to occur roughly every 30 years.
  • DealignmentWeakening of partisan preference that points to a rejection of both major parties and a rise in the number of Independents.
  • Proportional RepresentationA multiple-member district system that allows each political party representation in proportion to its percentage of the total vote.
  • CaucusA normally closed political party business meeting of citizens or lawmakers to select candidates, elect officers, plan strategy, or make decisions regarding legislative matters.
  • Party PlatformPolitical party's statement of its goals and policies for the next four years. The platform is drafted prior to the party convention by a committee whose members are chosen in rough proportion to each candidate's strength. It is the best formal statement of a party's beliefs.
  • Primary ElectionsElections are held to select a party's candidate for the general election.
  • ReferendumThe practice of referring a proposed law passed by a legislature to the vote of the electorate for approval or rejection.
  • RecallA procedure to allow voters to remove state officials from office before their terms expire by circulating petitions to call a vote.
  • RedistrictingThe process of redrawing election districts and redistributing legislative representatives. This happens every 10 years to reflect shifts in population or in response to legal challenges to existing districts.
  • Electoral CollegeThe presidential electors from each state who meet after the popular election to cast ballots for president and vice president.
  • Coattail EffectThe result of voters casting their ballot for president or governor and "automatically" voting for the remainder of the party's ticket.
  • Winner-take-all-systemTerm used to describe single-member district and at large election systems that award seats to the highest vote-getters without ensuring fair representation for minority groups
  • DelegateA representative who votes according to the preferences of his or her constituency.
  • Super DelegateA convention delegate position, in Democratic conventions, reserved for party officials.
  • Soft MoneyMoney contributed directly to political parties and other organizations for political activities that is not regulated by federal campaign spending laws. In 2002 federal law prohibited unregulated donations to national party committees.
  • Interest GroupIndividuals who organize to influence the government's programs and policies.
  • Public Interest Groups: Groups that claim they serve the general good rather than only their own particular interest.
  • PACs: A private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns.
  • Policy Agenda: Televised pictures showing nothing more than individuals speaking.
  • Social MediaComputer facilitated tools that allow people to create and exchange information in virtual networks.
  • Press ConferencesAn interview given to journalists by a prominent person in order to make an announcement or answer questions.
  • Trial BalloonsInformation sent out to the media in order to observe the reaction of an audience.
  • Broadcast MediaTelevision, radio, or other media that transmit audio and or video content to the public.
  • High-tech PoliticsPolitics in which the behavior of citizens and policymakers and the agenda itself are shaped by technology.
  • Policy EntrepreneursAn individual who identifies a problem as a political issue and brings a policy proposal into the political agenda.
  • Mass MediaAll forms of communication that transmit information to the general public.
  • Political efficacyBelief that your vote will make a difference.
  • Winner take allWhen a candidate receives the majority of popular votes in a state, the candidate gets all the electoral votes for that state.
  • Independent candidateCandidate who supports specific issues and doesn't have loyalty to a certain political party.
  • Party coalitionA political alliance to support a common political agenda.
  • Single-Issue groupGroups that have a narrow focus on a single issue.
  • Political realignmentOccurs when voting patterns shift and new coalitions of party supporters form.
  • Incumbency advantage phenomenonThe increasing occurrence of incumbents being re-elected into office.
  • Open primaryVoters may vote for candidates of either party
  • Closed primaryOnly voters who are registered in the party may vote to choose the candidate for that party.
  • Media BiasThe perceived bias of journalists and how they report certain events.
  • Investigative journalismWhen reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest.

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