Shared Flashcard Set

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Amer Gov
Chap 6 And 7
32
History
Undergraduate 4
03/28/2011

Additional History Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Mass Media
Definition
The means employed in mass communications, often divided into print media and broadcast media
Term
Attentive policy elites
Definition
leaders who follow news in specific policy areas
Term
Two step flow of communication
Definition
the process in which a few policy elites gather information and then inform their more numerous followers, mobilizing them to apply pressure to the government
Term
Blog
Definition
a form of newsletter, journal or "log" of thoughts for public reading, usually devoted to social or political issues and often updated daily. The term derives from weblog
Term
Newsworthiness
Definition
the degree to which a news story is important t0 be covered in the mass media
Term
Market-Driven Journalism
Definition
both reporting news and running commercials geared toward a target audience defined by demographic characteristics
Term
Infotainment
Definition
A mix of information and diversion oriented to personalities or celebrities, not linked to the days events and usually unrelated to public affairs or policy; often called "soft news"
Term
Federal Communications Commission
Definition
An independent federal agency that regulates interstate and international communication by radio, television, telephone, telegraph, cable and satellite
Term
Gatekeepers
Definition
Media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who direct the flow of news
Term
Horse race journalism
Definition
Election coverage by the mass media that focuses on which candidate is ahead rather than on national issues
Term
Media Event
Definition
a situation that is so "newsworthy" that the mass media are compelled to cover it. Candidates in elections often create such situations to garner media attention.
Term
Television Hypothesis
Definition
the belief that television is to blame for the low level of citizens' knowledge about public affairs
Term
Political Agenda
Definition
A list of issues that need government attention
Term
Going Public
Definition
A strategy whereby a president seeks to influence policy elites and media coverage by appealing directly to the American people
Term
Watchdog Journalism
Definition
Journalism that scrutinizes public and business institutions and publicizes perceived misconduct
Term
Political Participation
Definition
Actions of private citizens by which they seek to influence or support government and politics
Term
Conventional Participation
Definition
Relatively routine political behavior that uses institutional channels and is acceptable to the dominant culture
Term
unconventional participation
Definition
Relatively uncommon political behavior that challenges or defies established institutions and dominant norms
Term
Terrorism
Definition
Premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine agents
Term
Direct action
Definition
unconventional participation that involves assembling crowds to confront businesses and local governments to demand a hearing
Term
Supportive Behavior
Definition
Action that expresses allegiance to government and country
Term
Influencing behavior
Definition
behavior that seeks to modify or reverse government policy to serve political interests
Term
Class Action Suit
Definition
a legal action brought by a person or group on behalf of a number of people in similar circumstances
Term
Voter Turnout
Definition
The percentage of eligible citizens who actually vote in a given election
Term
Suffrage
Definition
the right to vote. Also called the franchise
Term
Franchise
Definition
The right to vote also called Suffrage
Term
Progressivism
Definition
a philosophy of political reform based on the goodness and wisdom of the individual citizen as opposed to special interests and political institutions
Term
Direct Primary
Definition
a preliminary election, run by the state government, in which the voters choose each party's candidates for the general election
Term
Recall
Definition
The process for removing an elected official from office
Term
referendum
Definition
an election on a policy issue
Term
initiative
Definition
a procedure by which voters can propose an issue to be decided by the legislature or by the people in a referendum. It requires gathering a specified number of signatures and submitting a petition to a designated agency
Term
Standard Socioeconomic model
Definition
A relationship between socioeconomic status and conventional political involvement: people with higher status and more education are more likely to participate than those with lower status
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