Chapter 4 Political Parties

Question 1

Political Party

Answer 1

An organization devoted to winning public office in elections, and thus exercising control over public policy

Question 2

Ideology

Answer 2

A system of beliefs and values about the nature of he good life an the good society, and the part to be played by government in achieving them

Question 3

Conservatism

Answer 3

Is a political ideology that believes in reduced government spending, personal responsibility, traditional moral values, and a strong national defense

Question 4

Liberalism

Answer 4

A political ideology that believes in cultural diversity, government programs, public intervention in the economy, and individual moral choices

Question 5

Political Socialization

Answer 5

The process by which we learn information, values, attitudes, and habits of behavior about politics and government

Question 6

Interest

Answer 6

Something of value or some personal characteristic that people share and that is affected by government activity; interests are important both because they form the basis of interest groups and because parties attempt to form many interests into an electoral coalition

Question 7

Coalition

Answer 7

A group of interests and individuals supporting a party or a candidate for office

Question 8

One-party System

Answer 8

A state that is dominated by a single political party, characterized by an absence of party competition, inadequate debate of public policy, low voter turnout, and usually conservative public policy

Question 9

realignment

Answer 9

A change in the standing decision to support one party or another by a significant proportion of the electorate, resulting in a change in which party has a “normal” majority on election day

Question 10

Faction

Answer 10

A group of citizens within a political party who differ on some important issues from the members of other groups within the same party

Question 11

Populism

Answer 11

The political belief or mass movement based on faith in the wisdom and the virtue of the common people, and on the conviction that they are being cheated by elites

Question 12

Third Parties

Answer 12

A minor political party that fails to achieve permanence but frequently influences the major parties and, through them, public policy

Question 13

Permanent Party Organization

Answer 13

The small, fixed organization that handles the routine business of a political party

Question 14

Temporary Party Organization

Answer 14

The organization formed to mobilize the party’s potential electorate and win an election