Chapter 7 Flashcards
Political Party
a group of individuals who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine policy
Realignment
a process in which the popular support for and relative strength of the parties shift and the parties are reestablished with different coalitions of supporters; permanent change from Republican to Democrat or vice versa
Dealignment
among voters, a growing detachment from both major political parties
Primary
a preliminary election held for the purpose of choosing a party’s final candidate
Minority Party
the political party that has fewer members in the legislature than the opposing party
Majority Party
the political party that has more members in the legislature than the opposing party
coalition
an alliance of individuals or groups with a variety of interests and opinions who join together to support all or part of a political party’s platform
Electorate
all of the citizens eligible to vote in a given election
Party Indentifier
a person who identifies himself or herself as being a supporter of a particular political party
Party Activists
a party member who helps to organize and oversee party functions and planning during and between campaigns and may even become a candidate for office
Solidarity
mutual agreement among the members of a particular group
Patronage
a system of rewarding the party faithful and workers with government jobs or contracts
Ward
a local unit of a political party’s organization, consisting of a division or district withing a city
Precinct
a political district within a city, such as a block or a neighborhood, or a rural portion of a country; the smallest voting district at the local level
National Convention
the meeting held by each major party every four years to select presidential and vice-presidential candidates, write a party platform, and conduct other party business
Party Ticket
a list of a political party’s candidates for various offices; in national elections, the party ticker consists of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates
Party Platform
the document drawn up by each party at its national convention that outlines the policies and positions of the party
National Party Convention
the political party leaders who direct party business during the four years between the national party conventions, organize the next national convention, and plan how to obtain a party victory in the next presidential election
National Party Chairperson
an individual who serves as a political party’s administrative head at the national level and directs the work of the party’s national committee
Two-Party System
a political system in which two strong and established parties compete for political office
Third Party
In the United States, any party other than one of the two major parties (Republican and Democratic)
Political Ideology
a system of political beliefs rooted in beliefs about human nature, society, and government
Out Party
a party that does not control Congress or a state legislature, or the presidency or a state governorship
