Key Concepts

more subtle forms of discrimination that exist without a legal basis why is this important? Today Americans argue about whether it actually exists and how much.

Discrimination established by laws

A requirement that voters be literate why important it was a form of legal discrimination

The system of racial segregation in the U>S south that lasted from 1890 to 1965 and that was often violently enforced

The standard by which courts judge any legislation that singles out race or ethnicity

A measure of public support for a political figure or institution

shorthand for the sheer volume of information and noise generated by online sources. It can be a disincentive to participate politically.

participating outside of normal political and social channels through civil disobedience, demonstrations and even riots

The tendency among a small group[ of decision makers to converge on a shared set of views. It can limit creative thinking or solutions to policy problems.

is the study of the forces that shape public opinion

A media company grows, aquires other companies and threatens to dominate the market

The way an issue is defined, every issue has many possible frames. EAch with a slightly diffrernt tilt in describing the problem and highlighting solutions

The blurred line between news and entertainment

media coverage that alerts the public when a problem arises in politics or society

A short clip of speech taken from a longer piece of audio, Often refers to a brief excerpt from a speech by a candidate or politician.

redrawing an election distric in a way that gives the advantage to one party.

The tendency for memebers of congress to win re election in overhwelming numbers.

When the part of the president loses seats in congress during the midterm elections. This has occured in almost all midterm elections.

running for office by attacking the opponent

organizations that are permitted to raise and spend unlimited amounts for issue advocacy but are forbidden to cordinate their efforts with any candidate or campaign and their adds cannot mention a candidate favorable or unfavorably