Ap Gov Vocab 2

Front 1

agents of political socialization

Back 1

sources of information about politics; include parents, peers, schools, the media, political leaders, and the community

Front 2

Bible belt

Back 2

A term used to describe portions of the south and Midwest that were strongly influenced by Protestant fundamentalists.

Front 3

Bradley effect

Back 3

A discrepancy in polls and actual voting that overestimates the white vote for black candidates because some white voters might falsely report that they intend to vote for an African American candidate.

Front 4

conservative

Back 4

A person who believes that the domestic role of government should be minimized and that individuals are responsible for their own well-being.

Front 5

crafted talk

Back 5

A way of packaging policies that caters to a specific base while appearing to remain mainstream.

Front 6

exit polls

Back 6

Election-day polls of voters leaving the polling places, conducted mainly by television networks and major newspapers.

Front 7

focus groups

Back 7

A group of a dozen or so average men and women brought together by political consultants and pollsters to share their feelings and reactions to different things in an effort to develop a campaign strategy that will attract voters to or away from a particular candidate.

Front 8

political socialization

Back 8

the process through which people learn and develop opinions about government and politics; influenced by peers, school, parents, media, etc.

Front 9

public opinion

Back 9

the collection of individual opinions about issues, candidates, officeholders, and events of general interest - all of which concern a significant body of people

Front 10

push polls

Back 10

opinion polls that use persuasive language (particularly negatively worded questions) to sway public opinion away from certain candidates

Front 11

sample

Back 11

a large enough portion of the population is polled in order to accurately predict the entire population's opinion

Front 12

social issues

Back 12

most often are personal issues such as birth/pregnancy rights; discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.; welfare and healthcare; and other common issues

Front 13

straw polls

Back 13

unscientific public opinion polls (i.e. FOX News asks its viewers to respond to TV or internet polls - we all know that the fan base there will have different opinions from that of MSNBC)

Front 14

tracking polls

Back 14

opinion polls in which individuals are polled over the course of a campaign in order to track changes in candidate support

Front 15

liberal

Back 15

A person who believes in government activism to help individuals and communities in such areas as health, education, and welfare.

Front 16

Adversarial relationship

Back 16

A negative relationship between politicians and the media. They fight each other.

Front 17

Broadcast

Back 17

Appealing to the overall audience. This is what major networks do.

Front 18

Commercial bias

Back 18

Media coverage of politics that benefits one party or another

Front 19

Fireside chats

Back 19

Radio talks used by FDR to advocate his policies and reassure his listeners during the Depression

Front 20

Game orientation

Back 20

There is an assumption that politics is a game. The players seek victory for themselves. Journalists capitalize on this way of thinking, focusing more on politicians' strategies and tactics than on the impact of their proposals and policies.

Front 21

Horse race coverage

Back 21

During elections, the game orientation is shifted to mimic a horse race, describing candidates as "front-runners," "dark horses," and "also-rans."

Front 22

Infotainment

Back 22

Some people describe television news as "infotainment" because networks try to make the everyday world seem exciting so as to draw their viewers in.

Front 23

Leaks

Back 23

Disclosures of information that officials want to keep secret. However, they can be advantageous.

Front 24

Narrowcast

Back 24

Appealing to small segments of the audience. Cable television can do this because of its abundance of channels.

Front 25

photo op

Back 25

An opportunity that allows the politician to be seen in an act/place that represents his message or platform, and gives correlation to the viewers about the place and person

Front 26

political bias

Back 26

The agenda or leanings of a press’s creators or owners. Bias affects the news published by framing facts in a light that is designed to make the viewer assume a certain position.

Front 27

practice of objectivity

Back 27

using facts instead of opinions in press reporting, and not taking a stance themselves on an issue

Front 28

presidential press conference

Back 28

An occasion at which the press gathers to pose questions to the president, which he will then answer, or refuse to answer, illustrates the symbiotic nature of the presidency and the press, the press gets headlines and news, and the president gets his message out

Front 29

scoops

Back 29

are leaks or leads that let reporters break stories before their competitors . These leaks are vied for, especially in presidential elections and political dealings, sometimes leaks are planned by politicians

Front 30

spin

Back 30

because politicians dislike having facts get in the way of their agendas and goals, often they ‘shade the truth’ to the media, this contributes to animosity between politicians and reporters

Front 31

symbiotic relationship

Back 31

a relationship in which both entities, in this case the presidency and press, can benefit from each other

Front 32

527 organizations

Back 32

A 527 organization is designed to influence elections. These organizations are named this because of the US tax code that authorizes them. They are of interest because they are unregulated by the Federal Election Commission, and thus they can receive money and spend it freely to influence elections

Front 33

checkbook members

Back 33

People who "join" interest groups by donating money

Front 34

Christian right

Back 34

Evangelical Protestant denominations that came together as a political movement to forward their conservative agenda, usually through the Republican Party

Front 35

Civil disobedience

Back 35

Peaceful but illegal protest activity in which those involved allow themselves to be arrested and charged

Front 36

Coalition

Back 36

A network of interest groups with similar concerns that combine forces to pursue a common goal; may be short-lived or permanent

Front 37

Free-rider problems

Back 37

The problem created when individuals benefit from actions of groups they are not a part of, such as workers who raises are influenced by union pressure but who are not members of unions.

Front 38

Gaining access

Back 38

the ability of lobbyists to reach policy makers to make their case

Front 39

Political Efficacy

Back 39

Belief that one's political participation really matters- that one vote can actually make a difference

Front 40

Private Interest Groups

Back 40

Organizations w/ some tangible stake-usually an economic one-that they wish to protect or advance by means of government action or inaction ex: business groups, labor groups, agricultural groups, trade and professional groups.

Front 41

Pro Choice Group

Back 41

Groups that support the right of a woman to have an abortion

Front 42

Pro-Life Groups

Back 42

Against abortion - believed life begins at conception

Front 43

Public Interest Groups

Back 43

Groups that organize to influence government to produce collective goods or services that benefit the general public

Front 44

Sierra Club

Back 44

American environmental organization. Helped promote the protection of the environment and nature.

Front 45

Single Issue Groups

Back 45

Groups that have a narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics.