political socialization the process by which we develop our political values and opinions throughout our lives -begins

in childhood: parents, schools -generates participation

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agents of socialization the individuals, organizations and institutions that facilitate the acquisition of political views 1. family 2. media (social norms, core values, national agenda) 3. schools (patriotism) 4. churches 5. peers and group norms 6. political leaders (their priorities=ours) 7. demographic characteristics
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gender gap the measurable difference in the way women and men vote for candidates and in the way they view political issues
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generational effect the impact of an important external event in shaping the views of a generation
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public opinion the public's expressed views about an issue at a specific point in time -linked to ideology
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public opinion poll a survey of a given population's opinion on an issue or a candidate at a particular point in time
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straw poll a poll conducted in an unscientific manner, used to predict election outcomes by Library Digest -error of the casual mind -Gallup miscalculated Dewey and Truman presidency outcomes
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population in a poll, the group of people whose opinions are of interest and or about whom information is desired
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random sampling a scientific method of selection for a poll in which each member of the population has equal chance at being included in the sample -quota sampling- a method by which pollsters structure a sample so that it is representative of the characteristic of the target population -stratified sampling- a process of random sampling in which the national population is divided into fourts and certain areas within these regions are selected as a representative of national population (Best Way)
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sampling error "Margin of Error" statistical calculation of the difference in results between a poll of randomly drawn sample and a poll of the entire population

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tracking poll polls that measure changes in public opinion over the court of days, weeks or months by repeatedly asking respondents the same questions and measuring changes in their responses
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push polls a special type of poll that both provides information to campaigns about candidate strength and weaknesses and attempts to skew public opinion about a candidate -show voter priorities
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exit polls polls conducted at polling places on Election Day to project the winner of an election before polls close -explain why voters voted the way they did
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interest groups organizations that seek to achieve some of their goals by influencing government decision making
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social capital the many ways in which our lives are improved by social connections -relationships that improve our lives by giving us social connections, which solves common problems -Putman: improves life, happiness, health, communities= efficacy increases= gov't officials respond= more likely to influence again
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pluralist theory a theory that holds that policy making is a competition among diverse interest groups that ensure the representation of individual interests. -importance of large numbers of diverse groups that rep. a variety of views -interest groups essential to democracy/ structure for political participation
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elite theory a theory that holds that a group of wealthy, educated individuals wields most political power -elites use power to protect economic interests -elites control major policies -can attain power through education (elites hold power, but are checked by interest groups)
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interests groups... 1. educate public about issues 2. provide citizens with access to activism 3. mobilize citizens and stimulate participation 4. perform electoral functions 5. provide info. and expertise to policy makers 6. integral part of gov'ts checks and balances
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"quasi public" -political party tax payers don't own political parties but they have to justify what they do, and must answer votes
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disturbance theory groups form when relationships get disturbed -individuals (Mother's against drunk driving) -diversity of society (groups form for interests) -threatened interests (neighborhood watch after someone breaks in)
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economic interest group groups with economic/ business interests EX: Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau
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citizen interest groups groups that form around an interests not related to their profession (working for common good) EX: women's rights, ACLU, NRA, charities
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professional interest groups forms around interests relating to members profession EX: Medical Association, Bar Association *white collar
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labor unions groups that form to protect the interests of workers EX: UFCW, CTA, Auto Workers *blue collar
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government interest groups units of government who lobby other parts of government EX: SANDAG and mayors council in SD
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interest groups... 1. provide benefits (purposive, solidary, material) 2. influence behavior 3. influence elections (independent expenditures, bundling, endorsements)
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purposive (interest groups) relating to a reason group exists (ex. labor unions get laborers more $) -minimum benefits
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solidary (interest groups) social standing/ street credit for being associated with an interest group
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material (interest groups)

tangible and financial benefits (ex. discounts, free shirt) -leads to free-riders
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independent expeditures making their own commercials for candidates so that money amount doesn't have to be regulated *eliminates donation limit
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bundling piling or collecting all donations at one time so that candidates recognizes a "Big stack" of checks -makes candidate recognize group more= answer their needs
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endorsements people approve or promote candidates at little or no cost Ex: blog

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solidary incentives motivation to join an interest group based on the companionship and satisfaction derived from socializing with others that it offers
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purposive incentives motivation to join an interest group based on the belief in the group's cause from an ideological or a moral standpoint
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economic incentives motivation to join an interest group because the group works for policies that will provide members with material benefits
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political action committee a group that raises and spends money to influence the outcome of an election
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umbrella organization interest groups that represent collective groups or corporations

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collective goods outcomes shared by the general public "public goods"

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free rider problem the phenomenon of someone deriving benefits from others' actions
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rational choice theory the idea that from an economic perspective it is not rational for people to participate in collective action when they can secure the collective good without participating
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lobby to communicate directly with policy makers on an interest group's behalf

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issue network the fluid web of connections among those concerned about a policy and those who create and administer the policy
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iron triangle the interaction of mutual interests among members of Congress, executive agencies, and organized interests during policy making
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climate control the practice of using public outreach to build favorable public opinion of an organization
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electioneering working to influence the elections of candidates who support the organization's issues
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political party an organization that recruits, nominates, and elects party members to office in order to control the government
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platform the formal statements of a party's principles and policy objectives

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grassroots organizing tasks that involve direct contact with voters or potential voters
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responsible party model political scientists' view that a function of a party is to offer a clear choice to voters by establishing priorities or policy stances different from those of rival parties
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party in the electorate individuals who identify with or tend to support a party
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party identifiers individuals who identify themselves as member of one party or the other