Government Chapter 5

Front 1

Amicus curiae briefs (friend of the court)

Back 1

A written brief in support of one of the parties in a legal dispute that attempts to influence the decision of the court.

Front 2

Independents

Back 2

a voter who does not identify with a political party.

Front 3

Interest group

Back 3

an organization of people who share certain attitudes and interest and try to affect the political system by shaping public opinion, opposing or supporting candidates for public office, and influencing the decisions of government officials, especially legislators and administrators.

Front 4

Lobbying

Back 4

attempting to influence government policy by persuading legislators to vote for or against a particular proposal or by convincing members of the executive branch of government that a particular program is or is not desirable. Lobbying is the primary method used by interest groups to affect public decisions.

Front 5

Minor party – a political party that lacks the power or resources to get its candidates elected but exists to oppose present policies and to advance its own ideas.

Back 5

– a political party that lacks the power or resources to get its candidates elected but exists to oppose present policies and to advance its own ideas.

Front 6

Multiparty system

Back 6

– a political system in where there are more that two major political parties.

Front 7

National chair

Back 7

– the top official in the national organization of a major political party, who acts as the party’s national spokesperson.

Front 8

National committee

Back 8

– the executive committee of the national party. Its members, who serve four-year terms, are formally elected by the national convention, but in reality are chosen by the state parties by such methods as direct primary or state convention, depending on state procedures.

Front 9

National convention

Back 9

– a national meeting, held by each major party every four ears, at which elected or appointed delegates nominate candidates for president and vice president.

Front 10

Party identification

Back 10

the loyalty of voters to a particular political party.

Front 11

Party unity vote

Back 11

– votes in Congress in which a majority of the members of one party vote on one side of an issue and the majority of members of the other party vote on the other side.

Front 12

Political action committee

Back 12

– a group created by labor unions, business corporations, or private individuals and groups to engage in political activities and campaign spending.

Front 13

Political party

Back 13

– an organization that attempts to influence the political system by gaining he support of voters and especially by getting its members elected or appointed to public office.

Front 14

Precinct

Back 14

– the basic unit of party organization in many states, corresponding to the small local area in which elections are administered.

Front 15

Professional associations

Back 15

– organizations of professionals- e.g., doctors, lawyers- that are primarily concerned with standards in their professions but also function as interest groups on some public issues

Front 16

Single-issue interest group

Back 16

– an interest group that is concerned with only one public issue.

Front 17

Trade associations

Back 17

– business interest groups organized on the basis of single industry, such as steel or coal.

Front 18

Two-party system

Back 18

– a political system in which only the candidates of two major political parties have any real chance of being elected to office.

Front 19

Ward

Back 19

– a small local unit of political party organization concerned primarily with campaigns and elections.