Chapter 12 Study Guide Flashcards
Rank and File
Ordinary members of an organization as opposed to the party’s leaders
Party Decline
Voters move away from political parties and focus more on issue oriented candidates
Individualistic Campaiging
When candidates make an effort to sell themselves, in regards to character and appearance; heavily influenced by the media
National Committee
Composed of state representative that keep their parties operating between conventions
National Party Platform
Party’s general policies and stance on current issues presented at the National Convention
National Convention
Televised event in which delegates rally, candidates give tons of speeches and the top candidates are announced
Divided Government
Our current government era in which the presidency is controlled by one party and Congress is controlled by another; occurs because of ticket splitting
Grass Roots
Focuses on the “common people” to help prioritize issues and platforms; lowest level of organization that has the most influence
Straight Ticket Voting
Voting for the same party on one ballot
Plurality
Number of votes for the candidate receiving the greatest number
Candidate Centered Politics
Politics focusing directly on the candidates and their platform and character, rather than party affiliation
Direct Primary
A primary where voters directly select the candidates who will run for office
Party Platform
Political party’s statement of its goals and policies for the next four years
Party Machine
A party organization that uses incentives, such as employment, to get people to vote for them
Patronage
Act of paying wealthy and credible people into office in return for political support; “puppet jobs”
