Parties And Interest Groups

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PLURALIST DEMOCRACY

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a theory of democracy that holds that citizen membership in groups is the key to political power.

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POLITICAL PARTY

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a group of citizens united by ideology and seeking control of government in order to promote their ideas and policies.

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PARTISANSHIP

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loyalty to a political clause or party.

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PARTY ORGANIZATION

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the official structure that conducts the political business of parties.

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ELECTIONEERING

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the process of getting a person elected to public office.

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NOMINATING CONVENTION

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formal party gathering to choose candidates.

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PARTY-IN-GOVERNMENT

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members of the party who have been elected to serve in government.

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GOVERNING

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activities directed toward controlling the distribution of political resources by providing executive/legislative leadership, enacting agendas, mobilizing support, and building coalitions.

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PARTY-IN-THE-ELECTORATE

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ordinary citizens who identify with the party.

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PARTY IDENTIFICATION

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voter affiliation with a political party.

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PARTY BASE

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members of a political party who consistently vote for that party's candidates.

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RESPONSIBLE PARTY MODEL

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party government when four conditions are met: clear choice of ideologies, candidates pledged to implement ideas, party held accountable by voters, party control over members.

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PARTY MACHINE

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mass-based party system in which parties provided services and resources to voters in exchange for votes.

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PARTY BOSS

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party leader, usually in an urban district, who exercised tight control over electioneering and patronage.

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PATRONAGE

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a system in which successful paty candidates reward supporters with jobs or favors.

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PARTY PRIMARY

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nomination of party candidates by registered party members rather than party bosses.

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PARTY ERA

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extended period of relative political stability in which one party tends to control both the presidency and Congress.

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CRITICAL ELECTION

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an election signaling the significant change in popular allegiance from one party to another.

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REALIGNMENT

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substantial and long-term shift in party allegiance by individuals and groups, usually resulting in a change in policy direction.

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DEALIGNMENT

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a trend among voters to identify themselves as independents rather than as members of major party.

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PARTY ACTIVISTS

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the "party faithful" ; the rank-and-file members who actually carry out the party's electioneering efforts.

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SPLINTER PARTY

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a third party that breaks off from one of the major political parties.

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FACTION

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a group of citizens united by some common passion or interest and opposed to the rights of other citizens or to the interests of the whole community.

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INTEREST GROUP

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an organization of individuals who share a common political goal and unite for the purpose of influencing government decisions.

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LOBBYING

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interest group activities aimed at persuading policymakers to support the group's positions.

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FREE RIDER PROBLEM

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the difficulty groups face in recruiting when potential members can gain the benefits of the group's actions whether they join or not.

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COLLECTIVE GOOD

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a good or service that, by its very nature, cannot be denied to anyone who wants to consume it.

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SELECTIVE INCENTIVE

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a benefit that is available only to group members as an inducement to get them to join.

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MATERIAL BENEFIT

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a selective incentive in the form of a tangiable reward.

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SOLIDARY BENEFIT

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a selective incentive related to the interaction and bonding among group members.

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EXPRESSIVE BENEFIT

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a selective incentive that derives from the opportunity to express values and beliefs and to be committed to a greater cause

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ECONOMIC INTEREST GROUP

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a group that organizes to influence government policy for the economic benefit of its members.

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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INTEREST GROUP

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a group that organizes to promote the civil and economic rights of underrepresented or disadvantaged groups.

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PUBLIC INTEREST GROUP

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a group that organizes to influence government to produce collective goods or services that benefit the general public.

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DIRECT LOBBYING

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direct interaction with public officials for the purpose of influencing policy decisions.

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INDIRECT LOBBYING

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attempt to influence government policymakers by encouraging the general public to put pressure on them.

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REVOLVING DOOR

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the tendency of public officials, journalists, and lobbyists to move between public and private sector (media, lobbying) jobs.

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POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

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the fundraising arm of an interest group.

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ISSUE ADVOCACY ADS

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advertisements that support issues or candidates without telling constituents how to vote.

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SOCIAL PROTEST

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public activities designed to bring attention to political causes, usually generated by those without access to conventional means of expressing their views.

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GRASSROOTS LOBBYING

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indirect lobbying efforts that spring from widespread public concern.

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ASTROTURF LOBBYING

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indirect lobbying efforts that manipulate or create public sentiment.

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INTEREST GROUP ENTREPRENEUR

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an effective group leader, who is likely to have organized the group and can effectively promote its interests among members and the public.