Political Participation Glossary
8 essential terms — because precise language is the foundation of clear thinking in Political Participation.
Showing 8 of 8 terms
Political spending by nonprofit organizations that are not required to publicly disclose their donors, allowing anonymous influence on elections through issue ads and other expenditures.
The political science observation that winner-take-all single-member district elections tend to produce two-party systems, while proportional representation tends to produce multiparty systems.
Constitutional system for electing the president through state-level electoral votes rather than the national popular vote. Each state receives electors equal to its total congressional representation, and most states use winner-take-all allocation.
The practice of attempting to influence government decisions through direct contact with legislators and officials, providing information and expertise, organizing campaign contributions, and mobilizing grassroots support.
A citizen's belief that political participation can make a difference. Internal efficacy is confidence in personal political competence; external efficacy is belief in government responsiveness.
An election in which voters select a political party's nominee for the general election. Open primaries allow any voter to participate; closed primaries restrict voting to registered party members.
An independent expenditure-only political action committee that can raise unlimited funds from individuals, corporations, and unions but cannot contribute directly to candidates or coordinate with their campaigns.
The percentage of eligible voters who cast ballots in an election. U.S. turnout is typically 55-65% in presidential elections and 35-45% in midterms, lower than most established democracies.