Free press - Answers Guaranteed by the First Amendment, foundational freedom
Watchdog - Answers Role of the media in monitoring and holding accountable those in power
Agenda setting - Answers Media's influence on what the public pays attention to
Framing - Answers Media's influence on how the public interprets issues through language, tone, and
imagery
Priming - Answers Media's influence on the standards the public uses to judge national leaders
Regulation - Answers Narrow regulation of media content and ownership to protect competition
First Amendment - Answers Guarantee of free speech and press, limited regulation
FCC - Answers Federal Communications Commission, regulates content, fairness, and ownership
Equal Time Rule - Answers Requirement for equal airtime for political candidates
Right of rebuttal - Answers Opportunity for individuals to respond to criticism
Campaign finance reform rules - Answers Restrictions on political advertising before elections
Oligopoly - Answers Concentration of media ownership leading to profit-focused journalism
Pluralism - Answers Competition between groups produces moderation and reduces risk of tyranny of
the majority
Interest group - Answers Association of individuals who combine influence to advance policy agenda
Political party - Answers Runs candidates, has broader range of issues, greater focus on who is elected
Ideological drift - Answers Parties change their beliefs to get their people elected
Business interest group - Answers NFIB, Farm Bureau
Labor interest group - Answers Unions with interest group functions
Professional association - Answers a group of people in a specialized occupation that works to
improve the working conditions, skill levels, and public perceptions of the profession
Public interest group - Answers an organization that seeks a collective good that will not selectively
and materially benefit group members
Ideological interest group - Answers political organizations that attract members by appealing to their
political convictions or principles
Public sector interest group - Answers Public universities, local governments (National League of
Cities)
Demographic interest group - Answers AARP, NAACP, NOW
Growth in numbers & influence - Answers More government, domino effect, growth in activism
Lobbying - Answers Direct exertion of pressure on legislators, personal contact, gifts, information
provision
Litigation - Answers the process of taking legal action
Amicus curiae briefs - Answers Briefs submitted to court by non-litigants with interest in the case
Campaign contributions - Answers Lobbyists contribute money to political campaigns
Client interaction - Answers Lobbyists interact with clients
Legislative activity - Answers Writing, researching, analyzing
Implementation activity - Answers Commenting on regulations, preparing amicus briefs
Electoral activities - Answers Campaign contributions, informal meetings, dealing with media, office
work
Iron Triangle - Answers Cycle of influence between Congress, government agencies, and interest
groups
Capture - Answers When regulated interests gain control over regulatory agencies
Interest group theory - Answers Why some groups organize and others don't based on
concentrated/diffuse benefits/costs
Selective benefits - Answers Material, policy, solidarity, informational benefits
Collective action - Answers Joining forces with others to exert influence over government
Factionalism - Answers Citizens united by common impulse of passion or interest adverse to rights of
others
Republican system - Answers Control effects of faction through representative democracy
General Election - Answers Election where the focus is on the presidential race
Congressional Elections - Answers Elections for members of Congress
Campaigning - Answers Activities carried out by candidates to promote themselves and their agenda
Campaign Finance - Answers Funding of election campaigns
Bundling - Answers Representation of a bundle of policy positions by a candidate