Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media

A group of citizens who organize to win elections, hold public offices, operate govts. , and determine public policy.

The winning cnadidate is the person who receives more votes than anyone else, but less than half the total.

An electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office. This type of electoral system typically leads to legislatures dominated by two political parties.

An historical period dominated by one political party.

An election when significant groups of voters change their traditional patterns of party loylaty.

The majority party is displaced by the minority party, thus ushering in a new party era.

A govt. in which one party contros the presidency while another party controls Congress.

An organizations of people whose members share views on specific interests and attempt to influence public policy to their benefit.

A committee formed by business, labor, or other interest groups to raise money and make contributions to the campaigns of political candidates whom they support.

People who benefit from an interest group without making any constributions.

The theory that a small number of very wealthy individuals, powerful corporate interst groups, and large inancial instituions dominate key policy areas.

The theory that many interest groups compete for power in a large number of policy areas.

The theory that govt. policy is weakened and often contradictory because there are so many competing interst groups.

Means of communication such as newspapers, radio, television, and the Internet that can reach large, widely dispersed audiences.

Institutions that connect citizens to govt. Examps include the mass media, interest groups, and political parties.