Compassionate conservative
Strand of conservative philosophy that takes more active role in welfare, education and immigration
Libertarian
Someone who advocates minimal state intervention
Liberal
Someone who advocates state intervention to create an equal society
Conservative
Someone who opposes radical change to the structure of society
The solid south
Democratic party’s solid political and electoral control of Southern states between 1860s and 1960s
National committee
Party structure at national level (DNC & RNC). Fairly weak and only really play a role during elections
State-level organisation
Stronger party structures with distinct regional ideologies. Candidates elected at state level in primaries
50 party system
No two state parties are the same as they are organisationally autonomous and ideologically varied
No party system
Candidates are more important than parties; split ticket voting is common
Party decline
View that parties were declining in terms of membership, functions and importance in 1970s and 1980s
Party renewal
Theory that parties are vital in fundraising and campaigning
Tea Party movement
Faction of libertarian Republicans which emerged around the time of 2008 election
