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Government > Chapter 11: Political Parties Test > Flashcards

Chapter 11: Political Parties Test Flashcards

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1
Q

Politics

A

The job of holding a position of power in the government.

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2
Q

Political Ideology

A

Opinions or beliefs on the role of government in a person’s life.

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3
Q

What are the 3 views of political ideology?

A
  1. Conservative: Limited role of the government in a person’s life
  2. Libertarians: Government has almost no role in a person’s life
  3. Liberals: Government has a large role is someone’s life
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4
Q

Political Party

A

group of people who seek to control the government by winning of elections and holding public office.

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5
Q

Political parties are…

A

**Election-oriented (Democrats and Republicans)

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6
Q

What is the main goal of a political party?**

A

To WIN and control government.**

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7
Q

What is the purpose of a political party?

A

To serve as a “vital link” between the people and the government

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8
Q

What are the 5 major duties/functions of a political party?

A
  1. Nominating Function: choose candidates
  2. Informer/Stimulator Function: inform people of the issues and stimulate them to vote
  3. Bonding Agent Function: guarantee their candidate is worthy of the office “seal of approval”
  4. Governing Function: ensures the cooperation between the legislative and the executive branches.
  5. Watchdog Function: the party out of power keeps an eye on the party in power.
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9
Q

What are the 3 systems of governing in the world?

A
  1. Two-Party System: 2 major parties and several minor parties
  2. Multi-party System: Several major parties and several minor parties
  3. One party system: is really a no party system
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10
Q

What are the 4 reasons the USA has a 2 party system?

A
  • 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)
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11
Q

What is the multi-party system based on?

A
  • Religion
  • Economic Class
  • Political Ideology (beliefs)
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12
Q

What is an ADVANTAGE of the multi party system?

A

More choices

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13
Q

What is a DISADVANTAGE of the multi party system?

A

Less stability

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14
Q

What is the multi party system forced to do?

A

Forced to form a coalition: an alliance of 2 or more parties to rule/run the government

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15
Q

What are the similarities between the 2 major parties?

A
  • They never take a major stand on a controversial issue
  • Always take a “middle of the road” (moderate) stance on issues
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16
Q

Bipartisan**

A

Means that both parties support

17
Q

Consensus**

A

A general agreement among groups

18
Q

What are the 7 factors that cause people to identify with a party?

A
  • FAMILY
  • Major events
  • Gender
  • Eduation
  • Age
  • type of work (blue collar or white collar)
  • Economic Status
19
Q

What is the KEY MAJOR difference between the Democrats and Republicans?

A
  • Democrats: More government involvement
  • Republicans: Less government involvement
20
Q

What is the Democrat’s platform? (Like what things do they favor) (9)

A
  • 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
21
Q

Which groups tend to align with the Democrats? (10)

A
  • African Americans
  • Hispanics
  • Catholics and Jews
  • “Blue Collar” workers
  • Over 60 (older)
  • Less educated/lower income
  • Urban (city)
  • *Women (young)
  • College Students
  • Homosexuals
22
Q

What percent of the population do the Democrats take?

A

36% percent

23
Q

What percent of the population do the Republicans take?

A

**33% percent

24
Q

What is the Republican’s platform? (What things do they favor) (8)

A
  • 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)
25
Q

Which groups tend to align with the Republicans?(8)

A

-Caucasians (white people)
- Protestants
- “White Collar” workers
- Private business owners
- Young adults
- Higher Educated/ higher income
- Rural (country)
- Asians

26
Q

What is a platform?

A

A public statement of the party’s main beliefs and guiding principles. (What the party supports and/or stands for)

27
Q

What are independents?

A

Vote based on issues rather than ideologies - They belong to no particular party.

28
Q

What percent of the population do INDEPENDENTS take?

A

31% of the population

29
Q

What is a safe state?

A

A state that almost always votes for the same party.

30
Q

What is a Swing State? “Battleground”

A

A state that could be won by either party.

31
Q

What does the election come down to?

A

Who gets the independent vote

32
Q

What are the three components of the/a party?

A
  1. Party organization (leaders)
  2. Party electorate (members)
  3. Party government (office holders)
33
Q

What is partisanship?

A

Allegiance to a particular party

34
Q

Who opposed political parties and why?

A

George Washington, because he feared it would divide the country (*ENEMIES OF GOVERNMENT)

35
Q

What are minor parties?

A

A less widely supported party

36
Q

Minor parties are..

A

**Principle/issue oriented: focuses on principles/issues rather than winning elections.

37
Q

What are the four types of minor parties?

A
  1. Ideological: based on a set of political beliefs- oldest- (communist/libertarians)
  2. Single Issue: based on one issue (free soul (anti slavery))
  3. Economic Protest: based on economic discontent (**Green Party- pro environment)
  4. Splinter: when some famous person breaks away from a main party (Reform - Ross Perot)
38
Q

What are the 5 reasons that minor parties are important/what is their purpose?

A
  1. Represent alternative/ideologies
  2. Promote alternative policies/ideas
  3. Serve as “protests” for dissatisfied voters
  4. Serve as critics to the major parties
    5.Play the spoiler role in some elections

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