chapter 7: political parties Flashcards
An organization that seeks political power by electing people to office so that its positions and philosophy become public policy
Political party
5 political functions of political parties
1) Organize the competition
2) Unify the electorate
3) Organize the government
4) Transfer preferences into policy
5) Provide loyal opposition
A local or judicial election in which candidates are not supported by parties or party affiliation is not listed on the ballots
Nonpartisan elections
Why do parties deemphasize single issues in campaigns?
Diffuse conflict and unify the electorate
What purpose does candidates running under a particular party’s label serve?
Organizes the competition
The dispensing of government jobs to people who belong to the winning party
Patronage
What is the purpose of patronage?
Provides incentive to people to get along and helps push party agendas by having like minded people in power
Why doesn’t public policy change dramatically after every election?
The party in power has to moderate what it does in order to vye for reelection
Accountability in democracy comes from the party out of power closely monitoring the party in power
Loyal opposition
Period at the beginning of a new president’s term in which the president enjoys a generally positive relationship with Congress and the press.
Honeymoon
What factors generally determine the length of the honeymoon period? How long is it usually
Closeness of election, the leadership skills of the president, and how contentious the new administration’s agenda is. 6 months
A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide on the platform
Caucus
A meeting of party delegates to vote on matters of policy and in some cases to select party candidates for public office
Party convention
Which is more common, a caucus or convention?
Convention
Voting by a member of one party for a candidate of another party
Cross over voting
What states still use caucuses?
Iowa and Connecticut (though Conn. only does it if there is conflict over the candidate selected at the party convention)
What kind of party system do most democracies have? What kind does the US have?
Multiparty systems; a two party system
What purpose does the President have in parliamentary systems? Prime minister?
President: Head of the nation
Prime Minister: Head of the government
2 countries with multiparty systems
Israel and Italy
2 examples of minor parties created around charismatic candidates
FDR’s Bull Moose Party
Ross Perot’s Reform Party
What did the Reform Party (formed in 1955) center itself around
Ross Perot, national government reform, fiscal responsibility, and political accountability
BONUS STUDY CARD
Review the history of political parties. Go on, young grasshopper. Do it.
Theory that opposes governmental interference in economic affairs beyond what is necessary to protect life and property
Laissez-faire (literally, hands off)
Theory stating that government spending should increase during business slumps and be curbed during booms
Keynesian Economics
Politician who favored Keynesian Economics
FDR
Why do most Americans distrust parties today?
Corruption
Who is in charge of the party when it is not assembled in convention?
National Committee
Who sits at the top of each party? Who chooses that person?
Party chair sits at the top; chosen by the party’s presidential nominee
The act of declaring party affiliation
Party registration
Weakening of partisan preferences that points to a rejection of both major parties and a rise in the number of Independents
Dealignment
