Political Science Terms

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Policy Agenda

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Problems that have the attention of the government and the public

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Horse Race Journalism

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The tendency of the media to focus on which candidate is ahead in the polls rather than focusing on the issues

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Issue Network (Iron Triangle)

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A relationship between interest groups, agencies, and congressional committees in a certain policy area

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Political Party

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A group of individuals who organize to run candidates for office

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Party Polarization

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When political parties move farther away from each other ideologically and also move away from the center

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Interest Group

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An organization that advocates for policies through lobbying, electioneering, grassroots mobilization and protesting

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Pluralism

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A theory of government in which many groups compete for policy

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Hyperpluralism

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A state in which many groups or factions are so strong that a government is unable to function.

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Lobbying

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Efforts by an interest group or individual to contact a member of Congress and advocate for a particular policy

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Grassroots Lobbying

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Ordinary citizens raising awareness for a cause and pushing the government to adopt a particular policy.