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Political Parties Flashcards

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1
Q

Politics

A

The job of holding a position of power in the government

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2
Q

Political Ideology

A

Opinions or beliefs on the role of the government in people’s lives

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3
Q

3 views on the role of the national government in a person’s life:

A
  1. Conservatives: limited role
  2. Libertarians: almost no role
  3. Liberals: large role
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4
Q

Political Party

A

A group of people who seek to control government by winning elections and holding public office

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5
Q

“Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing”

A

Vince Lombardi

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6
Q

How are democrats and republicans oriented?

A

Election-oriented!

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7
Q

Election oriented

A

Only worried about winning elections

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8
Q

Goal of a party is to

A

WIN and control the government

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9
Q

Purpose of the political party:

A

Serve as the “vital link” between the people and the government

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10
Q

5 functions of the political party: (specific roles)

A
  1. Nominating function
  2. Informer/Stimulator function:
  3. Bonding Agent function:
  4. Governing function:
  5. Watchdog function
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11
Q

nominating function

A

choosing candidates

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12
Q

informer/stimulator function

A

inform people of the issues and stimulate them to vote (Share w/ media and special interest groups)

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13
Q

Bonding Agent Function

A

guarantee their candidate is worthy of the office “seal of approval”

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14
Q

Governing Function

A

ensures the cooperation between the legislative and the executive branches

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15
Q

Watchdog Function

A

the party out of power keeps an eye on the party in power

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16
Q

3 systems of governing in the world:

A
  1. Two party system:
  2. Multi-Party System
  3. One party system
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17
Q

two party system

A

2 major parties and several minor parties

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18
Q

Why did the US choose the two party system: (4)

A
  1. Historical basis: started out with two parties (federalist and anti-federalists)
  2. Force of tradition: Always been that way! (British)
  3. Electoral system (single-member districts) our system encourages only two parties
  4. American ideological consensus: we share similar political/economic beliefs (Dem/Republic and Capitalism)
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19
Q

difference between plurality and majority:

A

Plurality is whoever gets the most votes, majority is over 50%

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20
Q

Multi Party system

A

several major and several minor parties

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21
Q

Parties in a multi party system are based on: (3)

A
  1. Religion
  2. Economic class
  3. Political ideology (beliefs)
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22
Q

Advantage of a multi-party system:

A

More choices

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23
Q

Disadvantages of a multi-party system: (2)

A
  • Less stability
  • Forced to form a coalition
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24
Q

Coalition

A

alliance of two or more parties to rule/run the government

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25
One party system
dictatorships – NO CHOICE
26
Examples of one party systems:
Communists/Nazis
27
“pluralistic society”
different cultures and ethnic groups but has similar political beliefs
28
How are both major parties similar?
Always take a “middle of the road” (moderate) stance on issues – never take a major stand on a controversial issue
29
Why do major parties always take a middle of the road stance on controversial issues?
Don’t want to lose a specific group of people
30
Bipartisan
both parties support
31
Consensus
general agreement among groups
32
Factors that cause people to identify with a party: (7)
1. Family 2. Major events 3. Gender 4. Education 5. Age 6. Type of work (blue collar or white collar) 7. Economic status
33
Major differences between the democrats and republicans:
Generalizations
34
Democrats
(left – liberals/progressives) open to change – 27% of our population
35
What do most democrats believe: (10)
- Favor big federal government - Health care – support universal healthcare run by government - Pro socialism - Favor high taxes - Anti-gun rights – restrictions/reforms - Increase minimum wage - Pro-gay marriage/Pro - LGBT rights - Pro choice/Pro-abortion -Support a small military - Pro Open borders - expand immigration
36
Which groups tend to align with the democrats? (10)
- African Americans - Hispanics - Catholics and Jews - “Blue Collar” workers (unions) - Over 60 (older) - Less educated/lower income - Urban (city) - Women - young - College students Homosexuals/Transgender
37
Republicans
(right-Conservatives) GOP (grand old party) – 27% of the population
38
What do most Republicans believe? (10)
- Favor small Federal government - Favors business – “Free Market” - Pro-Capitalism - Lower taxes - Pro individual rights – guns - Keep minimum wage low - Traditional family – anti gay marriage/LGBT - Pro-life/anti-abortion - Support a large military - Closed borders – limit immigration
39
Which groups tend to align with the Republicans (8)
- Caucasians - Protestants (Evangelical Christians) - White Collar Workers - Private business workers - Young adults - Higher educated/higher income - Rural (country) - Asians
40
Platform
a public statement of the party’s main beliefs and guiding principles
41
Three components/parts of the party:
- Party organization: leaders - Party electorate – constituency/members - Party government – office holders
42
Partisanship
the allegiance to a particular party
43
Where did the two party system come from? (history)
British: Whigs and Tories
44
Our nation’s two parties resulted from
the ratification of the Constitution 1789
45
opposed political parties – said they would divide the country! (Enemies of the government)
George Washington
46
Who led the federalists
led by Alexander Hamilton
47
Who led the anti-federalists
Thomas Jefferson
48
First two major US political parties
Federalists and Anti-federalists
49
History of the american party – 4 periods
1. 1800-1860 Democrats ruled – Civil War 2. 1860-1932 – Republicans ruled – Great Depression 3. 1932-1968 – Democrats ruled – Vietnam War 4. 1968-2008 – Republicans ruled - Iraq War/ Economic recession - Since “Divided Government”
50
Minor Parties (Third parties)
A less widely supported party
51
How are minor parties oriented
Principle/issue oriented:
52
Principe/issue oriented
focus on principles/issues rather than winning election
53
Four types of minor parties
1. Ideological 2. Single Issue 3. Economic protest party 4. Splinter
54
Ideological minor parties
Based on a set of political beliefs – oldest form of minor parties in the US
55
Examples of ideological minor parties (3)
Socialist, Communist, Libertarian
56
Single-Issue minor parties:
based on one issue
57
Examples of Single issue minor parties (4)
Free soil (anti-slavery), American party (anti immigrant), Right to life (anti-abortion), Prohibition party (anti-alcohol).
58
Economic protest party
based on economic discontent - most short lived
59
Examples of economic party (4)
Populist party (anti-big business), Greenback party (anti-gold), Green party (pro-environment), Tea Party (anti-government debt).
60
Splinter minor parties
When some famous person breaks away from a main party – most successful
61
Examples of splinter minor parties: (3)
Bull Moose Party (Theodore Roosevelt), Reform Party (Ross Perot), Rainbow Coalition (Jesse Jackson).
62
Why minor parties are important/purpose: (5)
- Represent alternative ideologies - Promote alternative policies/ideas - Serve as “protests” for dissatisfied voters - Serve as critic to the major parties - Play the spoiler role in some elections
63
Independents
Vote based on issues rather than ideologies! They belong to no particular party – 43% of the population
64

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