Chapter 11: Political Parties Test Flashcards
Politics
The job of holding a position of power in the government.
Political Ideology
Opinions or beliefs on the role of government in a person’s life.
What are the 3 views of political ideology?
- Conservative: Limited role of the government in a person’s life
- Libertarians: Government has almost no role in a person’s life
- Liberals: Government has a large role is someone’s life
Political Party
group of people who seek to control the government by winning of elections and holding public office.
Political parties are…
**Election-oriented (Democrats and Republicans)
What is the main goal of a political party?**
To WIN and control government.**
What is the purpose of a political party?
To serve as a “vital link” between the people and the government
What are the 5 major duties/functions of a political party?
- Nominating Function: choose candidates
- Informer/Stimulator Function: inform people of the issues and stimulate them to vote
- Bonding Agent Function: guarantee their candidate is worthy of the office “seal of approval”
- Governing Function: ensures the cooperation between the legislative and the executive branches.
- Watchdog Function: the party out of power keeps an eye on the party in power.
What are the 3 systems of governing in the world?
- Two-Party System: 2 major parties and several minor parties
- Multi-party System: Several major parties and several minor parties
- One party system: is really a no party system
What are the 4 reasons the USA has a 2 party system?
- Historical Basis: started out with 2 parties (federalists/anti-federalists)
- Force of Traditions: Always been that way (thanks to the British)
- Electoral System: our system encourages only two parties. Plurality (the most) vs. Majority (over 50%)
- American Ideological Consensus: we share similar political/economic beliefs (Dem./Rep. and Capitalism)
What is the multi-party system based on?
- Religion
- Economic Class
- Political Ideology (beliefs)
What is an ADVANTAGE of the multi party system?
More choices
What is a DISADVANTAGE of the multi party system?
Less stability
What is the multi party system forced to do?
Forced to form a coalition: an alliance of 2 or more parties to rule/run the government
What are the similarities between the 2 major parties?
- They never take a major stand on a controversial issue
- Always take a “middle of the road” (moderate) stance on issues
Bipartisan**
Means that both parties support
Consensus**
A general agreement among groups
What are the 7 factors that cause people to identify with a party?
- FAMILY
- Major events
- Gender
- Eduation
- Age
- type of work (blue collar or white collar)
- Economic Status
What is the KEY MAJOR difference between the Democrats and Republicans?
- Democrats: More government involvement
- Republicans: Less government involvement
What is the Democrat’s platform? (Like what things do they favor) (9)
- Favor big federal government
- Favor Social programs
- Pro-Socialism
- Favor high taxes
- Anti-Gun rights
- Increase minimum wage
- Pro-Gay marriage/LGBTQ/Trans rights
- Pro-Abortion
- Support small military
- Pro open borders
Which groups tend to align with the Democrats? (10)
- African Americans
- Hispanics
- Catholics and Jews
- “Blue Collar” workers
- Over 60 (older)
- Less educated/lower income
- Urban (city)
- *Women (young)
- College Students
- Homosexuals
What percent of the population do the Democrats take?
36% percent
What percent of the population do the Republicans take?
**33% percent
What is the Republican’s platform? (What things do they favor) (8)
- Favor small federal government
- Pro capitalism
- Lower taxes
- Pro Individual Rights (guns)
- Keep minimum wage low
- Traditional family (anti gay marriage/LGBTQ Trans, etc.)
- Anti-Abortion
- Closed Borders (limit immigration)
Which groups tend to align with the Republicans?(8)
-Caucasians (white people)
- Protestants
- “White Collar” workers
- Private business owners
- Young adults
- Higher Educated/ higher income
- Rural (country)
- Asians
What is a platform?
A public statement of the party’s main beliefs and guiding principles. (What the party supports and/or stands for)
What are independents?
Vote based on issues rather than ideologies - They belong to no particular party.
What percent of the population do INDEPENDENTS take?
31% of the population
What is a safe state?
A state that almost always votes for the same party.
What is a Swing State? “Battleground”
A state that could be won by either party.
What does the election come down to?
Who gets the independent vote
What are the three components of the/a party?
- Party organization (leaders)
- Party electorate (members)
- Party government (office holders)
What is partisanship?
Allegiance to a particular party
Who opposed political parties and why?
George Washington, because he feared it would divide the country (*ENEMIES OF GOVERNMENT)
What are minor parties?
A less widely supported party
Minor parties are..
**Principle/issue oriented: focuses on principles/issues rather than winning elections.
What are the four types of minor parties?
- Ideological: based on a set of political beliefs- oldest- (communist/libertarians)
- Single Issue: based on one issue (free soul (anti slavery))
- Economic Protest: based on economic discontent (**Green Party- pro environment)
- Splinter: when some famous person breaks away from a main party (Reform - Ross Perot)
What are the 5 reasons that minor parties are important/what is their purpose?
- Represent alternative/ideologies
- Promote alternative policies/ideas
- Serve as “protests” for dissatisfied voters
- Serve as critics to the major parties
5.Play the spoiler role in some elections
