GOVT 2305 Political Definitions and Explanations assignment
Humanities
The Media, Parties, Elections, and Interest Groups (Chapters 7, 8, 9 in Essentials)
Conceptual Definitions: Pick ten (10) terms from the list below and provide a conceptual definition. A conceptual definition identifies/defines the term and then provides an example or application of the term.
Ex. Electoral College: Article II of the US Constitution outlines that the President of the United States must be chosen by the Electoral College. The number of votes for the Electoral College is equal to the number of members of Congress each state sends.
- Yellow Journalism
- Mass Media
- Wire Service
- equal time provision
- Federal Comm Commission
- Fairness Doctrine
- Prior Restraint/Censorship
- Being on the Record
- Shield Laws
- Priming/Framing
- Party in Government
- Party ID / Party
- Spoils System
- Political Machine
- Party Platform
- Party Realignment
- Political Action Committee
- 527 organization
- Primary Election
- Nominating Convention
- divided government
- Duverger’s Law
- Plurality Voting
- Majority Voting
- Runoff Election
- Open Primary
- Closed Primary
- Issue Voting
- Lobbying
- collective action problem
- free riding
- purposive benefits
- inside strategies for lobbying
Application Questions: Complete these two short answer questions (using your textbook. Make sure to cite any pages you use). Pick two (2) questions from the list below.
1.) Describe three differences between the “inside” and “outside” strategies for interest groups. (Interest Group Chapter)
2.) What is party realignment? Identify the most recent realignment in American Politics. (Parties Chapter)
3.) Describe four reasons people vote the way they do? (Elections Chapter)
4.) What is the difference between plurality voting and majority voting ? (Elections)
