Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

US Government > Chapter 17 - Political Parties > Flashcards

Chapter 17 - Political Parties Flashcards

1
Q

Define “political party”

A

A group of people with broad common interests who:
1. Organize to win elections
2. Organize to control government
3. Influence government policies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

T or F: The Constitution does not mention political parties

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Name the functions of political parties

A
  1. Electing candidates
  2. Educating the public
  3. Involving people in the political process
  4. Operating the government
  5. Dispensing patronage
  6. Developing and Implementing policy
  7. Government watchdog
  8. Stability
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Functions of Political Parties

Electing Candidates

A
  1. Recruit
  2. Raise Money
  3. “Get out the vote”
  4. Transportation to the polls
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Functions of Political Parties

Educating the Public

A

Publishes positions on issues-candidates present views in speeches, television, etc.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Functions of Political Parties

Involving People in the Political Process

A
  1. Registering voters
  2. Posting signs
  3. Donating money
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Functions of Political Parties

Operating the Government

A

Running and staffing executive and legislative branches of government

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Functions of Political Parties

Dispensing patronage

A
  1. Granting jobs to party members
  2. Giving contracts to party members
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Functions of Political Parties

Developing and Implementing Policy

A

Working to implement key policy initatives

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Functions of Political Parties

Government Watchdog

A

This is assumed by the party OUT of power

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Functions of Political Parties

Providing Stability

A

When one party loses control of the government, the transfer of power takes place peacefully

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is “divided government?”

A

When one party controlls the White House and the other controls one or both houses of Congress.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Define “patronage”

A

The practice of granting favors to reward party loyalty.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Two-party or Multi-party system

Candidate gets 51% of the vote and represents the entire district

A

Two-party

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Two-party or Multi-party system

Parties are awarded seats in the legislature based on the percentage of votes they receive in each district.

A

Multi-party

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Two-party or Multi-party System

Allows for more points of view to be heard

A

Multi-party

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Two-party or Multi-party System

Promotes stability

A

Two-party

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Define “one-party system”

A

A system in which only one political party exists, often because the government tolerates no other opposition; usually in authoritarian governments.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

These are usually found in nations with authoritarian governments.

A

One-party system.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

List the features of a one-party system

A
  1. Party is the government.
  2. North Korea/Vietnam/Russia
  3. No opposition party tolerated
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is a “two-party system”

A

A system in which two major parties compete for power, although minor parties may exist.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Only about a dozen nations have this system

A
  • Two-party system.
  • I.E. United States
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the most common political system?

A
  • Multi-party system
  • France and Italy
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Define “coalition government”

A

One formed by several parties who combine forces to obtain a majority

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Why do multi-party systems need coalition governments?

A

Because one party rarely gets enough support to control the government

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What were the first two political parties in the United States?

A
  1. Democratic-Republicans
  2. Federalists
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

This party formed before the Civil War called for a strong central government.

A

Federalists

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

This party formed before the Civil War believed the States should have more power.

A

Democratic-Republicans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What did the Democratic-Republicans eventually split into?

A
  1. Democrats
  2. National Republicans, or Whigs
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What party did the Whigs join which opposed slavery?

A

The Republican Party

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

After the Civil War, who did the Republicans represent?

A

The Northern States

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

After the Civil War, who did the Democrats represent?

A

The Southern States

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Define “third party”

A

Any policital party other than one of the two major parties

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Define “single issue party”

A

A political party that focuses exclusively on one major social, economic, or moral issue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Third parties are also called this ____

A

Minor parties

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Minor parties fall into one of three categories:

A
  1. Single issue parties
  2. Ideological parties
  3. Splinter parties
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Define “ideological party”

A

A political party that has a particular set of ideas about how to change society overall rather than focusing on a single issue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Define “splinter party”

A

A political party that splites away from a major party because of some disagreement

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Give examples of single issue parties

A
  1. Liberty party and Free soil party-against slavery
  2. Pirate party - wanted reformed copyright and patent laws.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Give examples of ideological parties

A
  1. Socialist Labor Party and the Communist Party - want gov’t ownership of factories.
  2. Libertarian Party-smaller government
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

Give examples of splinter parties

A
  1. Bull Moose Party
  2. Dixiecrats
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

Name the most successful third party candidate in US history

A

Ross Perot. Won 19% of the popular vote.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

Define “single-member district”

A

An electoral district in which only one candidate is elected to each office.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

Define “proportional representation”

A

A system in which several officials are elected to represent the same area in proportion to the votes each party’s candidates receives.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

T or F. Single-member districts encourage minority parties.

A

False. Because most voters support a major party candidate, the winner will almost always be a Democrat or Republican.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

Name some obstacles for third parties

A
  1. Financing - don’t qualify for public financing
  2. Getting on the ballot
  3. Prevelance of single-member districts
  4. Lack of media coverage
  5. Less campaign contributions - people don’t want to donate b/c they think they can’t win
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

What was Arkansas Educational Televison Commission v. Forbes about?

A

A third-party candidate sued to be alowed to participate in a televised debate between Republican and Democratic candidates in an election.

48
Q

Define “ideology”

A

A set of basic beliefs about life, culture, government and society

49
Q

Define “liberal”

A

The belief that the proper tole of government is to actively promote health, education and justice.

50
Q

Define “conservative”

A

The belief that the government should play a limited role in citizens’ lives; also the belief in “traditional family values” and what is viewed as a moral lifestyle.

51
Q

Define “moderate”

A

The belief in both liberal and conservative viewpoints.

52
Q

Generally, people on the “left” have a _______ ideolology.

53
Q

Generally, people on the right have a ______ ideology.

A

Conservative

54
Q

This party is more associated with liberals and moderate-liberals

A

Democratic Party

55
Q

This party is more associated with conservatives and moderate-conservatives.

A

Republican Party

56
Q

This party is called the “Grand Old Party” (GOP), and is represented by the color RED and the ELEPHANT.

A

Republicans

57
Q

This party is associated with the color BLUE and a DONKEY

58
Q

What shared values do the Democratic and Republican Parties have?

A
  1. Mixed capalist economy
  2. Support the Constiution and Bill of Rights
  3. Value of private property
  4. Emphasize individual achievment
59
Q

Define “platform”

A

A statement of a party’s beliefs on issues.

60
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Supports Individual Rights in opposition to large, intrusive government

A

Republican

61
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Gov’t should not burden business with excessive regulation.

A

Republican

62
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Prefer lower taxes and opposed taxing wealthy at higher rates than the poor.

A

Republicans

63
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Support restrictions on public employee unions.

A

Republicans

64
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Marriage should be limited to one man and one woman

A

Republicans

65
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Opposed to abortion

A

Republicans

66
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Wants to replace Medicare with private health insurance plans

A

Republicans

67
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Believe environmental protection should be handled by private landowners, not the government

A

Republicans

68
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Generally advocate for coal, oil, and gas

A

Republicans

69
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Typically want federal lands oen for timber harvesting and mining

A

Republicans

70
Q

What is “American Exceptionalism”

A

America occupies a uique place in human history and that it is America’s resp. to take a significant role in world affairs.

71
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Believes in American Exceptionalism

A

Republicans

72
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Government should take a bigger role in providing social services and security to Americans.

73
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Prefer to increase taxes on the wealthy and reduce taxes on poorer Americans.

74
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Encourage a variety of government regulatios to protect consumers

75
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Support an increase in minimum wage

76
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Strong support for unions

77
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Support same-sex marraiges

78
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Support a women’s right to access for reproductive services including abortion

79
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Support legislation to ban discrimination against gay and lesbians

80
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Believes climate change is a significant threat

81
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Prefers to conserve publicly owned lands and limit resource extraction

82
Q

Republican or Democrat?

83
Q

Republican or Democrat?

Less likely to want to become involved in military conflicts

84
Q

Want to reduce military spending

85
Q

Name the three most prominent third parties:

A
  1. Green Party
  2. Libertarian Party
  3. Constitution Party
86
Q

Features of the Green Party

A
  • More liberal than Democratic party
  • Founded to focus on environmental issues
87
Q

Features of the Libertarian Party

A
  • Believes in personal responsibility and minimal government intrusion into American’s lives.
  • Military should only be used in response to aggression.
88
Q

Features of the Constituion party

A
  • More conservative than Republicans
  • Wants to abolish most federal taxes, including income tax
  • Would make English the official language
  • Would send social welfare
89
Q

Define “party identification”

A

Measures a voter’s sense of psychological attachment to a political party.

90
Q

What is an “independent”?

A

A voter who does not support any particular party

91
Q

This party tends to have more white, male, educated, religious members.

A

Republicans

92
Q

This party tends to have more women, minorities, and young voters.

93
Q

This party tends to have more voters in cities.

94
Q

This party tends to be over-represented in the South and mountain West

A

Republicans

95
Q

Define “polarized”

A

To divide into opposing groups

96
Q

What is a “centrist?”

A

A person whose views tend to be moderate

97
Q

What are “Tea Party” organizations

A

Conservative Americans dissatisfied with the positions of the major parties.

98
Q

T or F. Americans are becoming more polarized.

99
Q

One of the vital functions of political parties is to ______.

A

Nominate candidates for elected office.

100
Q

Define “canvass”

A

To solicit votes and determine opinions

101
Q

Define “petition”

102
Q

Define “caucus”

A

A private meeting of party leaders to choose candidates for office.

103
Q

Name two ways a candidate can get on the ballot:

A
  1. Pay a small filing fee
  2. Petition - meaning collect enough signatures from people who live in the district.
104
Q

What’s the main function of a party at the state level

A

Main function is to help elect the party’s candidates to state office

105
Q

What’s the national committee do?

A
  1. Raises money for the party
  2. touts it’s achivements
  3. promotes national, state, and reublicans have local party cooperation
106
Q

T or F. Do most elections make you affiliate with a specific party

A

True. not every election but for the most part you have to have a party preferance

107
Q

Describe regional cacuses

A

Regional chooses candidates for local and state office and delegates for states meetings

108
Q

Describe state level caucuses

A

delegates choose candidates for state wide office and send delegates to go to the national convention

109
Q

what kinds of primaries are there?

A
  1. direct
  2. open
  3. closed
110
Q

Define direct primary

A

an election in which party members select people to run in the general election

111
Q

Define closed primary

A

an election in which only members of a political party can vote

112
Q

Define open primary

A

an election in which all voters can participate

113
Q

What happens if no candidate recieves a majority?

A

A runoff primary is held which is a primary between the two most voted candidates in the orginal primary

114
Q

what are the critisicisms of the presidential primary?

A

It’s a costly and exhausting process and very few people actually attend primarys and caucuses

115
Q

What’s the platform committee do?

A

Writes the party’s platform, a statement of its principles, beliefs, and positions on vital issues

US Government (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions