the dominant parties in the political landscape; current ones are Democratic and Republican
major parties
groups that advance certain political goals and gains power by winning elections
political parties
smaller political parties usually organized around a particular issue
minor parties
also called minor parties
third parties
to name candidates for public office
nominate
strong devotion to a political party
partisanship
a political system dominated by two major parties
two-party system
legislative districts from which only one representative is chosen
single member district
the largest number of votes cast for a candidate or a bill
plurality
two major parties working together to support an issue
bipartisan
formal statement of a party’s position on current issues; drafted at a party’s national convention
party platform
a political philosophy that seeks through government action to change the political, economic, and social status quo and to encourage the development and well-being of the individual
liberal
a political philosophy that defends against major changes by the government to the political, economic, and social institutions of society, but rather seeks non-bureaucratic solutions to political issues
conservative
political system in which several parties compete for public office and majority support
multiparty system
a temporary alliance of several groups
coalition
an assembly of political party representatives at the national, state, or country level for the purpose of establishing a platform, electing party leadership, and nominating candidates
convention
historically, the representatives at the Constitutional convention; party representatives
delegates
a small meeting of a political party’s top leaders and legislators in congress to select part nominees
caucus
the practice of giving government jobs to friends and supporters
patronage
also called patronage
spoils system
organized effort by a political party of candidate to attract voter support in an election
political campaign
an electrion prior to the general election in which voters select the cndidates who will run on each party’s ticket
primary
a state-run or state-regulated election for the purpose of selecting the party nominee for most local, state, and national offices
nominating primary
a primary election in which voters indicate their preference for their party’s presidential candidate and elect state party delegates to represent their choice at the national convention
presidential primary
government system in which only one political party is allowed and a select few from that party rule the country using a centralized bureaucracy and an effective police force
one-party system
generally concentrates on strengthening national ties to the state organizations and thereby building a more unified party
Republican National Committee (RNC)
places more emphasis on presidential politics and has been less effective at building strong state organizations
Democratic National Committee (DNC)
units into which cities are often divided for city council elections and then further divided into precincts
wards
smallest units of election districts and party administration
precinct
a group of individuals that share like opinions on a political issue or group of issues and that unite in some organization to influence government officials and further their views; also known as pressure groups
interest groups
voters who have no party affiliation
independent voters
voting for candidates of both parties for different offices
ticket splitting
the behaviors and policies of the party in power are carefully watched over and reported on
watchdogs
Who were the two first political parties in America?
Federalists and Anti-Federalists (Republicans)
From the time of Andrew Jackson to the Civil war, which two political parties were in power?
Whigs (elites) and the Democratic-Republicans
Who are the two major parties that are in power from the Civil War to today?
Democrats and Republicans
DT commented that people with opposing viewpoints could separate into political parties or what else?
separate nations
DT stated that the type of political parties he finds more successful are ones that cling to ____________, rather than to consequences.
principles
DT noted that political parties who strive toward noble ideals are willing to speak in what manner?
“to general, and not to especial cases; to ideas and not to men”
(to general ideas and not to special cases)
DT noted that minor parties are deficient in what area?
political faith
After the War of Independence from England, DT noted that the two political parties were not violent toward one another and that both agreed upon what two moral principles of high order?
independence (liberty) and equality
DT stated that the party that desired to limit the power of the people and which endeavored to apply its doctrines more especially to the Constitution was known as the _______________ party.
Federalist
DT stated that the party that affected to be exclusively attached to the cause of liberty was known as the ___________.
Republican
Which of the two parties that DT noted that were “always in the minority” but could “reckon on their side almost all of the great men whom the War of Independence has produces” and thus benefitted with American leaderahip for the first twelve years?
Federalists
In 1801, the other party gained control of the presidency under whom?
Thomas Jefferson
What did DT state was the lasting monument of the original ruling party?
The Constitution
Did DT believe there were great parties in the US at the time of his writing?
No
DT stated that the parties he witnessed while travelling in America were not based upon principles, but rather upon what?
temporal interests
DT stated that there were two great divisions which have always existed in free communities, what are the two divisions?
to limit and to extend the popular authority (liberty and equality)
DT stated that there were two chief weapons used by parties in order to obtain success, what were the two weapons?
the public press & the formation of associations
What is the three-step process that a political aspirant will go through in order to usher in the new party into the political world?
- by discerning his own interests
- by calculating upon those interests which may be collected around and amalgamated with it
- by contriving to find some doctrine that may suit the purposes of the new association
What type of system is common among European democracies?
multiparty system
What is another name for minor party?
third party
What party has won most of the presidential elections since 1954?
Republican
Voting for candidates from both parties is called what?
ticket splitting
Political parties are distinguished from groups in that political parties gain power by doing what?
winning elections
What is the major purpose of a political party?
to nominate
Legislative districts from which only one representative is chosen are called…
single-member district
What is two major parties working together to support an issue?
bipartisanship
A temporary alliance of several groups to gain a majority is called…
coalition
T or F: The major political parties tend to be a moderating force in American politics.
True
T or F: The power of he two major parties has always been well balanced.
False
T or F: Usually political candidates try to moderate their position to please the most voters.
True
T or F: The Democratic party is more liberal than the Reoublican party.
True
T or F: Some minor political parties arise one particular issue.
True
“Parties are a necessary ____________ in free governments; but they have not at all times the same ______________ and the same propensities.” -Alexis de Tocqueville
evil, character
