6. Political parties Flashcards
political party
An organization that spon- sors candidates for political office under the organiza- tion’s name.
nomination
Designation as an official can- didate of a political party.
electoral college
A body of electors chosen by voters to cast ballots for president and vice president.
caucus
A closed meeting of the members of a political party to decide questions of policy and the selection
of candidates for office.
national convention/nominating convention
A gathering of delegates of a single political party from across the country to choose candidates for president and vice president and to adopt a party platform.
two-party system
A political system in which two major political parties compete for control of the government. Candidates from a third party have little chance of winning office.
party identification
A voter’s sense of psycholog- ical attachment to a party.
Federalist Party
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Anti-federalist Party
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Democratic-Republican Party
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National Republican Party
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Whig Party
A coalition made up of former National Republicans, Anti-Masons, and Jack- son haters formed the Whig Party in 1834. The name referred to the English Whigs, who opposed the powers of the British throne; the implication was that Jackson was governing like a king.
Democratic Party
Democratic Party, founded in 1828 but with roots reaching back to the late 1700s, has a strong claim to being the oldest party in existence.
Republican Party
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third parties
Parties that operate on the periphery of the two-party system. Minor parties form primarily to express some vot- ers’ discontent with choices offered by the major parties and to work for their own objectives within the electoral system.
