AP Gov't Ch. 8

Question 1

Party Competition

Answer 1

The battle of parties for control of public offices.

Question 2

Political Party

Answer 2

According to Anthony Downs, a “team of men [and women] seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election.”

Question 3

Linkage Institutions

Answer 3

The channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the government’s policy agenda.

Question 4

Rational-Choice Theory

Answer 4

A popular theory in political science to explain the actions of voters as well as politicians. It assumes that individuals act in their own best interest, carefully weighing the cost and benefits of possible alternatives.

Question 5

Party Image

Answer 5

The voter’s perception of what the Republicans or Democrats stand for, such as conservatism or liberalism.

Question 6

Party Identification

Answer 6

A citizen’s self-proclaimed preference for one party or another.

Question 7

Ticket-Splitting

Answer 7

Voting with one party for one office and with another party for other offices.

Question 8

Party Machine

Answer 8

A type of political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements, such as patronage, to win votes and to govern.

Question 9

Patronage

Answer 9

One of the key inducements used by party machines. A patronage job is one that is given

Question 10

Closed Primaries

Answer 10

Elections to select party nominees in which only people who have registered in advanced with the party can vote for that party’s candidates.

Question 11

Open Primaries

Answer 11

Elections to select party nominees in which voters can decide on Election Day whether they want to participate in the Democratic of Republic contests.

Question 12

National Convention

Answer 12

The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party’s platform.

Question 13

National Committee

Answer 13

One of the institutions that keeps the party operating between conventions. The National Committee is composed of reps from the states and territories.

Question 14

National Chairperson

Answer 14

The national chairperson is responsible for the day-to-day activities of the party and is usually handpicked by the presidential nominee.

Question 15

Coalition

Answer 15

A group of individuals with common interest on which every political party depends.

Question 16

Party Eras

Answer 16

Historical periods in which a majority of voters cling to the party in power, which tends to win a majority of the elections.

Question 17

Critical Election

Answer 17

An electoral “earthquake” where issues emerge, new coalitions replace old ones, and the majority party is often displaced by the minority party. THese periods are sometimes marked by a national crisis and may require more than one election to bring about a new party era.

Question 18

Party Realignment

Answer 18

The displacement of the majority party by the minority party, usually during a critical election period.

Question 19

New Deal Coalition

Answer 19

A coalition formed by the Democrats, who dominated politics from the 30’s to the 60’s. It’s basic elements were the urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics and Jews, the poor, Southerners, African Americans, and intellectuals.

Question 20

Party Dealignment

Answer 20

The gradual disengagement of people from the parties, as seen in part by shrinking party identification.

Question 21

Third Parties

Answer 21

Electoral Contenders other than the two major parties. American third parties are not unusual, but they rarely win elections.

Question 22

Winner-Take-All System

Answer 22

An electoral system in which legislative seats are awarded only to the candidates who come in first in their constituencies.

Question 23

Proportional Representation

Answer 23

An electoral system used throughout most of Europe that awards legislative seats to political parties in proportion to the number of votes won in an election.

Question 24

Coalition Government

Answer 24

When two or more parties join together to form a majority in a national legislature. THis form of government is quite common in the multiparty systems of Europe.

Question 25

Responsible Party Model

Answer 25

A view about how parties should work, held by some political scientists. According to the model, parties should offer clear choices to the voters, who can then use those choices as cues to their own preferences of candidates. Once in office, parties would carry out their campaign promises.

Question 26

Blue Dog Democrats

Answer 26

Fiscally conservative Democrats who are mostly from the South and/or rural parts of the U.S.