ch 8 political parties (test) Flashcards
what are political parties?
represent the people so that their interest, values and ideology play a role in government
purpose of political parties?
to win elections and control the gov
what are the 3 heads in the political party?
party in the electorate, party as an organization and party in gov
is it easy to become a member of a political party?
yes, you dont have to pay dues and no need to register
who makes up the party organization?
partys national, state and local offices and their staffs, budgets and rules
are elected officials required to vote with their partys?
no, they do not have to vote for their party and many vote for the opposite
what is the difference between an interest group and a political party?
an interest group has particular interest in one problem and a political party wins elections
functions of political parties?
get candidates
organize and run elections
responsibility for operating government
policymaking
what is the rational choice theory?
assumptions that public officials /candidates are rational and make rational decisions
what is the two-party system?
a system in which only the candidate of two major political parties have any real chance of being elected to office
what is the institutional theory?
nations election system that creates a two party system
the structure of a political party?
national,state and local
what is the national convention?
a national meeting of party delegates held every 4 yrs in which candidates for president and vice president are nominated
what is the national committee?
the executive committee of each political party
what is the national chair?
heads the national commitee
