Chapter 17 - Political Parties Flashcards
(115 cards)
1
Q
Define “political party”
A
A group of people with broad common interests who:
1. Organize to win elections
2. Organize to control government
3. Influence government policies
2
Q
T or F: The Constitution does not mention political parties
A
True
3
Q
Name the functions of political parties
A
- Electing candidates
- Educating the public
- Involving people in the political process
- Operating the government
- Dispensing patronage
- Developing and Implementing policy
- Government watchdog
- Stability
4
Q
Functions of Political Parties
Electing Candidates
A
- Recruit
- Raise Money
- “Get out the vote”
- Transportation to the polls
5
Q
Functions of Political Parties
Educating the Public
A
Publishes positions on issues-candidates present views in speeches, television, etc.
6
Q
Functions of Political Parties
Involving People in the Political Process
A
- Registering voters
- Posting signs
- Donating money
7
Q
Functions of Political Parties
Operating the Government
A
Running and staffing executive and legislative branches of government
8
Q
Functions of Political Parties
Dispensing patronage
A
- Granting jobs to party members
- Giving contracts to party members
9
Q
Functions of Political Parties
Developing and Implementing Policy
A
Working to implement key policy initatives
10
Q
Functions of Political Parties
Government Watchdog
A
This is assumed by the party OUT of power
11
Q
Functions of Political Parties
Providing Stability
A
When one party loses control of the government, the transfer of power takes place peacefully
12
Q
What is “divided government?”
A
When one party controlls the White House and the other controls one or both houses of Congress.
13
Q
Define “patronage”
A
The practice of granting favors to reward party loyalty.
14
Q
Two-party or Multi-party system
Candidate gets 51% of the vote and represents the entire district
A
Two-party
15
Q
Two-party or Multi-party system
Parties are awarded seats in the legislature based on the percentage of votes they receive in each district.
A
Multi-party
16
Q
Two-party or Multi-party System
Allows for more points of view to be heard
A
Multi-party
17
Q
Two-party or Multi-party System
Promotes stability
A
Two-party
18
Q
Define “one-party system”
A
A system in which only one political party exists, often because the government tolerates no other opposition; usually in authoritarian governments.
19
Q
These are usually found in nations with authoritarian governments.
A
One-party system.
20
Q
List the features of a one-party system
A
- Party is the government.
- North Korea/Vietnam/Russia
- No opposition party tolerated
21
Q
What is a “two-party system”
A
A system in which two major parties compete for power, although minor parties may exist.
22
Q
Only about a dozen nations have this system
A
- Two-party system.
- I.E. United States
23
Q
What is the most common political system?
A
- Multi-party system
- France and Italy
24
Q
Define “coalition government”
A
One formed by several parties who combine forces to obtain a majority
25
Why do multi-party systems need coalition governments?
Because one party rarely gets enough support to control the government
26
What were the first two political parties in the United States?
1. Democratic-Republicans
2. Federalists
27
This party formed before the Civil War called for a strong central government.
Federalists
28
This party formed before the Civil War believed the States should have more power.
Democratic-Republicans
29
What did the Democratic-Republicans eventually split into?
1. Democrats
2. National Republicans, or Whigs
30
What party did the Whigs join which opposed slavery?
The Republican Party
31
After the Civil War, who did the Republicans represent?
The Northern States
32
After the Civil War, who did the Democrats represent?
The Southern States
33
Define "third party"
Any policital party other than one of the two major parties
34
Define "single issue party"
A political party that focuses exclusively on one major social, economic, or moral issue
35
Third parties are also called this ____
Minor parties
36
Minor parties fall into one of three categories:
1. Single issue parties
2. Ideological parties
3. Splinter parties
37
Define "ideological party"
A political party that has a particular set of ideas about how to change society overall rather than focusing on a single issue
38
Define "splinter party"
A political party that splites away from a major party because of some disagreement
39
Give examples of single issue parties
1. Liberty party and Free soil party-against slavery
2. Pirate party - wanted reformed copyright and patent laws.
40
Give examples of ideological parties
1. Socialist Labor Party and the Communist Party - want gov't ownership of factories.
2. Libertarian Party-smaller government
41
Give examples of splinter parties
1. Bull Moose Party
2. Dixiecrats
42
Name the most successful third party candidate in US history
Ross Perot. Won 19% of the popular vote.
43
Define "single-member district"
An electoral district in which only one candidate is elected to each office.
44
Define "proportional representation"
A system in which several officials are elected to represent the same area in proportion to the votes each party's candidates receives.
45
T or F. Single-member districts encourage minority parties.
False. Because most voters support a major party candidate, the winner will almost always be a Democrat or Republican.
46
Name some obstacles for third parties
1. Financing - don't qualify for public financing
2. Getting on the ballot
3. Prevelance of single-member districts
4. Lack of media coverage
5. Less campaign contributions - people don't want to donate b/c they think they can't win
47
What was Arkansas Educational Televison Commission v. Forbes about?
A third-party candidate sued to be alowed to participate in a televised debate between Republican and Democratic candidates in an election.
48
Define "ideology"
A set of basic beliefs about life, culture, government and society
49
Define "liberal"
The belief that the proper tole of government is to actively promote health, education and justice.
50
Define "conservative"
The belief that the government should play a limited role in citizens' lives; also the belief in "traditional family values" and what is viewed as a moral lifestyle.
51
Define "moderate"
The belief in both liberal and conservative viewpoints.
52
Generally, people on the "left" have a _______ ideolology.
Liberal
53
Generally, people on the right have a ______ ideology.
Conservative
54
This party is more associated with liberals and moderate-liberals
Democratic Party
55
This party is more associated with conservatives and moderate-conservatives.
Republican Party
56
This party is called the "Grand Old Party" (GOP), and is represented by the color RED and the ELEPHANT.
Republicans
57
This party is associated with the color BLUE and a DONKEY
Democrats
58
What shared values do the Democratic and Republican Parties have?
1. Mixed capalist economy
2. Support the Constiution and Bill of Rights
3. Value of private property
4. Emphasize individual achievment
59
Define "platform"
A statement of a party's beliefs on issues.
60
# Republican or Democrat?
Supports Individual Rights in opposition to large, intrusive government
Republican
61
# Republican or Democrat?
Gov't should not burden business with excessive regulation.
Republican
62
# Republican or Democrat?
Prefer lower taxes and opposed taxing wealthy at higher rates than the poor.
Republicans
63
# Republican or Democrat?
Support restrictions on public employee unions.
Republicans
64
# Republican or Democrat?
Marriage should be limited to one man and one woman
Republicans
65
# Republican or Democrat?
Opposed to abortion
Republicans
66
# Republican or Democrat?
Wants to replace Medicare with private health insurance plans
Republicans
67
# Republican or Democrat?
Believe environmental protection should be handled by private landowners, not the government
Republicans
68
# Republican or Democrat?
Generally advocate for coal, oil, and gas
Republicans
69
# Republican or Democrat?
Typically want federal lands oen for timber harvesting and mining
Republicans
70
What is "American Exceptionalism"
America occupies a uique place in human history and that it is America's resp. to take a significant role in world affairs.
71
# Republican or Democrat?
Believes in American Exceptionalism
Republicans
72
# Republican or Democrat?
Government should take a bigger role in providing social services and security to Americans.
Democrats
73
# Republican or Democrat?
Prefer to increase taxes on the wealthy and reduce taxes on poorer Americans.
Democrats
74
# Republican or Democrat?
Encourage a variety of government regulatios to protect consumers
Democrats
75
# Republican or Democrat?
Support an increase in minimum wage
Democrats
76
# Republican or Democrat?
Strong support for unions
Democrats
77
# Republican or Democrat?
Support same-sex marraiges
Democrats
78
# Republican or Democrat?
Support a women's right to access for reproductive services including abortion
Democrats
79
# Republican or Democrat?
Support legislation to ban discrimination against gay and lesbians
Democrats
80
# Republican or Democrat?
Believes climate change is a significant threat
Democrats
81
# Republican or Democrat?
Prefers to conserve publicly owned lands and limit resource extraction
Democrats
82
# Republican or Democrat?
83
# Republican or Democrat?
Less likely to want to become involved in military conflicts
Democrats
84
Want to reduce military spending
Democrats
85
Name the three most prominent third parties:
1. Green Party
2. Libertarian Party
3. Constitution Party
86
Features of the Green Party
* More liberal than Democratic party
* Founded to focus on environmental issues
87
Features of the Libertarian Party
* Believes in personal responsibility and minimal government intrusion into American's lives.
* Military should only be used in response to aggression.
88
Features of the Constituion party
* More conservative than Republicans
* Wants to abolish most federal taxes, including income tax
* Would make English the official language
* Would send social welfare
89
Define "party identification"
Measures a voter's sense of psychological attachment to a political party.
90
What is an "independent"?
A voter who does not support any particular party
91
This party tends to have more white, male, educated, religious members.
Republicans
92
This party tends to have more women, minorities, and young voters.
Democrats
93
This party tends to have more voters in cities.
Democrats
94
This party tends to be over-represented in the South and mountain West
Republicans
95
Define "polarized"
To divide into opposing groups
96
What is a "centrist?"
A person whose views tend to be moderate
97
What are "Tea Party" organizations
Conservative Americans dissatisfied with the positions of the major parties.
98
T or F. Americans are becoming more polarized.
True
99
One of the vital functions of political parties is to ______.
Nominate candidates for elected office.
100
Define "canvass"
To solicit votes and determine opinions
101
Define "petition"
An appeal
102
Define "caucus"
A private meeting of party leaders to choose candidates for office.
103
Name two ways a candidate can get on the ballot:
1. Pay a small filing fee
2. Petition - meaning collect enough signatures from people who live in the district.
104
What's the main function of a party at the state level
Main function is to help elect the party's candidates to state office
105
What's the national committee do?
1. Raises money for the party
2. touts it's achivements
3. promotes national, state, and reublicans have local party cooperation
106
T or F. Do most elections make you affiliate with a specific party
True. not every election but for the most part you have to have a party preferance
107
Describe regional cacuses
Regional chooses candidates for local and state office and delegates for states meetings
108
Describe state level caucuses
delegates choose candidates for state wide office and send delegates to go to the national convention
109
what kinds of primaries are there?
1. direct
2. open
3. closed
110
Define direct primary
an election in which party members select people to run in the general election
111
Define closed primary
an election in which only members of a political party can vote
112
Define open primary
an election in which all voters can participate
113
What happens if no candidate recieves a majority?
A runoff primary is held which is a primary between the two most voted candidates in the orginal primary
114
what are the critisicisms of the presidential primary?
It's a costly and exhausting process and very few people actually attend primarys and caucuses
115
What's the platform committee do?
Writes the party's platform, a statement of its principles, beliefs, and positions on vital issues
