AP gov chapter 8 political parties

Question 1

plurality system

Answer 1

an electoral system in which the winner is the person who gets the most votes, even if he or she does not receive a majority: used in almost all american elections

Question 2

deallignment

Answer 2

a decline in party loyalties that reduces long-term party commitment

Question 3

divided government

Answer 3

a government in which one party controls the white house and another party either controls one or both houses of congress

Question 4

political machine

Answer 4

well organized political organization that controls election results by awarding jobs and other favors in exchange for votes

Question 5

electoral college

Answer 5

A group selected by the states to elect the president and the vice-president, in which each state’s number of electors is equal to the number of its senators and representatives in Congress

Question 6

political party

Answer 6

a group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy

Question 7

Era of Good Feelings

Answer 7

the years from 1817 to 1825, when James Monroe was president and had no political opposition. also known as the era of personal politics

Question 8

Independent

Answer 8

a voter or candidate who does not identify with a political party

Question 9

reallignment

Answer 9

a process in which substantial groups of voters switches party allegiance, producing a long-term change in the political landscape

Question 10

reverse-income effect

Answer 10

a tendency for wealthier states or regions to favor the democrats and the less wealthy states or regions to favor the republicans. The effect appears paradoxical because it reverses traditional patterns of support.

Question 11

second-party system

Answer 11

The Second Party System is a name for the political party system in the United States during the 1800s. It is a phrase used by historians and political scientists to describe the time period between 1828 and 1854. People quickly became more interested in voting starting in 1828.

Question 12

National Committee

Answer 12

a standing committee of a national political party established to direct and coordinate party activities between national party conventions.

Question 13

split-ticket voting

Answer 13

voting for candidates of two or more parties for different offices. For example, a voter splits her ticket if she votes for a republican presidential candidate but a democrat congressional candidate.

Question 14

National Convention

Answer 14

the meeting held every four years by each major party to select presidential and vice presidential candidates, to write a platform to choose a national committee and to conduct party business

Question 15

splinter party

Answer 15

a new party formed by a dissident faction within a major political party. often, splinter parties have emerged when a particular personality was at odds with a major party

Question 16

nonpartisan election

Answer 16

an election when no declaration of political party allegiance, affiliation or affinity is allowed by the jurisdiction holding the election.

Question 17

swing voters

Answer 17

voters who frequently swing their support from one party to another