American Parties Today Flashcards
Who are the leaders of parties when not assembled in conventions? What
National Committee with national chair who does president’s bidding.
What are national chairs important for?
Re-election of a president already in office.
How do state and local parties operate?
Similarly to the National Government. The two major parties are decentralized. Under state parties are county committees.
All states have different party roles. One thing parties are important for is legislature, govern ship, or mayoralty.
Judicial selection is partisan.
What role do parties have in legislative branch?
The chairs of all standing committees in Congress come from the majority party as do the presiding officials of both chambers. Can bridge separation of powers between Congress and the president and unify Congress.
What role do parties have in executive branch?
Presidents normally select staff that will work under them from their own
What role do parties play in the judicial branch?
Appointment process is the only partisan aspect.
What is party registration?
Act of declaring party affiliation. Required by some states when registered to vote.
What is party identification?
Affiliation with political party that most people acquire during childhood.
What are party activists?
Invest time and effort in political parties.
What are party regulars?
Parties are priority and winning for that party is most important to these people.
What are candidate activists?
Follow a particular candidate and see party as means to elect their candidate.
What are issue activists?
Push parties towards a particular direction on specific issues.
What is dealignment?
Weakening of partisan preferences, rejecting both major parties, and rise in number of independents.
