378 GLoSSARy
party’s label and symbol. It emphasizes voting for
the party, rather than for the office or individual.
Party Identification Linking oneself to a particular
political party.
Party organization The formal structure and
leadership of a political party, including election
committees; local, state, and national executives;
and paid professional staff.
Party Platform A document drawn up at each
national convention, outlining the policies,
positions, and principles of the party.
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act A law
passed in 2010 that seeks, among other things,
to provide health-care insurance to all American
citizens. The act, nicknamed “Obamacare” by
opponents and journalists, is supplemented by the
Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act.
Patronage The practice of rewarding faithful party
workers and followers with government employment
and contracts.
Peer Group A group consisting of members who
share common social characteristics. Such groups
play an important part in the socialization process,
helping to shape attitudes and beliefs.
Pendleton Act (Civil Service Reform Act) An act
that established the principle of federal government
employment based on merit and created the Civil
Service Commission to administer the personnel
service.
Pluralism A theory that views politics as a conflict
among interest groups. Political decision making is
characterized by bargaining and compromise.
Plurality A number of votes cast for a candidate that
is greater than the number of votes for any other
candidate but not necessarily a majority.
Pocket Veto A special veto exercised by the chief
executive after a legislative body has adjourned.
Bills not signed by the chief executive die after a
specified period of time.
Police Power The authority to legislate for the
protection of the health, morals, safety, and welfare
of the people. In the United States, most police power
is reserved to the states.
Political Action Committee (PAC) A committee set
up by and representing a corporation, labor union,
or special interest group. PACs raise campaign
donations.
Political Consultant A paid professional hired
to devise a campaign strategy and manage a
campaign.
Political Culture The patterned set of ideas, values,
and ways of thinking about government and politics
that characterizes a people.O
obscenity Sexually offensive material. Obscenity
can be illegal if it is found to violate a four-part test
established by the United States Supreme Court.
office-Block, or Massachusetts, Ballot A form of
general election ballot in which candidates for
elective office are grouped together under the title
of each office. It emphasizes voting for the office and
the individual candidate, rather than for the party.
office of Management and Budget (oMB) A division
of the Executive Office of the President. The OMB
assists the president in preparing the annual
budget, clearing and coordinating departmental
agency budgets, and supervising the administration
of the federal budget.
ombudsperson A person who hears and
investigates complaints by private individuals
against public officials or agencies (from
the Swedish word ombudsman, meaning
“representative”).
open Primary A primary in which any voter can
vote in either party primary (but must vote for
candidates of only one party).
opinion A statement by a judge or a court of the
decision reached in a case. An opinion sets forth the
applicable law and details the reasoning on which
the ruling was based.
opinion Leader One who is able to influence the
opinions of others because of position, expertise, or
personality.
opinion Poll A method of systematically
questioning a small, selected sample of respondents
who are deemed representative of the total
population.
oral Arguments The arguments presented in
person by attorneys to an appellate court. Each
attorney presents reasons to the court why the court
should rule in her or his client’s favor.
order A state of peace and security. Maintaining
order by protecting members of society from
violence and criminal activity is the oldest purpose
of government.
oversight The process by which Congress follows
up on laws it has enacted to ensure that they
are being enforced and administered in the way
Congress intended.P
Pardon A release from the punishment for, or legal
consequences of, a crime. A pardon can be granted
by the president before or after a conviction.
Party-Column, or Indiana, Ballot A form of general
election ballot in which all of a party’s candidates for
elective office are arranged in one column under the9781285436388_em_glos_371-382.indd 378 10/22/13 7:04 AM
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