Chapter 8

Question 0

Democratic Party

Answer 0

One of the two major American political parties evolving out of the Republican Party of Thomas Jefferson.

Question 1

Dealignment

Answer 1

A decline in party loyalties that reduces long-term party commitment.

Question 2

Divided Government

Answer 2

A situation in which one major political party controls the presidency and the other controls one or more chambers of Congress or in which one party controls a state governorship and the other controls part or all of the state legislature.

Question 3

Electoral College

Answer 3

A group of persons called electors who are selected by the voters in each state and Washington, D.C. This group officially elects the president and vice president of the United States.

Question 4

Era of Good Feelings

Answer 4

The years from 1817 to 1825, when James Monroe was president and there was, in effect, no political opposition.

Question 5

Faction

Answer 5

faction

A group or bloc in a legislature or political party that is trying to obtain power or benefits.

Question 6

Independent

Answer 6

independent

A voter or candidate who does not identify with a political party.

Question 7

National Committee

Answer 7

A standing committee of a national political party established to direct and coordinate party activities between national party conventions.

Question 8

National Convention

Answer 8

The meeting held every four years by each major party to select presidential and vice-presidential candidates, write a platform, choose a national committee, and to conduct party business.

Question 9

Park Identification

Answer 9

Linking oneself to a particular political party.

Question 10

Party Organization

Answer 10

The formal structure and leadership of a political party, including election committees; local, state, and national executives; and paid professional staff.

Question 11

Party Platform

Answer 11

A document drawn up at each national convention, outlining the policies, positions, and principles of the party.

Question 12

Party-in-Government

Answer 12

All of the elected and appointed officials who identify with a political party.

Question 13

Party-in-the-electorate

Answer 13

Those members of the general public who identify with a political party or who express a preference for one party over another.

Question 14

Patronage

Answer 14

Rewarding faithful party workers and followers with government employment and contracts.

Question 15

Plurality

Answer 15

A number of votes cast for a candidate that is greater than the number of votes for any other candidate but not necessarily a majority.

Question 16

Political Party

Answer 16

A group of political activists who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy.

Question 17

Realignment

Answer 17

A process in which a substantial group of voters switches party allegiance, producing a long-term change in the political landscape.

Question 18

Republican Party

Answer 18

One of the two major American political parties. It emerged in the 1850s as an antislavery party. It consisted of former northern Whigs and antislavery Democrats.

Question 19

Reverse-income Effect

Answer 19

A tendency for wealthier states or regions to favor the Democrats and for less wealthy states or regions to favor the Republicans. The effect appears paradoxical because it reverses traditional patterns of support.

Question 20

Splinter Party

Answer 20

A new party formed by a dissident faction within a major political party. Often, splinter parties have emerged when a particular personality was at odds with the major party.

Question 21

Split Ticket Voting

Answer 21

Voting for candidates of two or more parties for different offices, such as voting for a Republican presidential candidate and for a Democratic congressional candidate.

Question 22

Straight-Ticket Voting

Answer 22

straight-ticket voting

Voting exclusively for the candidates of one party.

Question 23

Swing Voters

Answer 23

swing voters

Voters who frequently swing their support from one party to another.

Question 24

Tipping

Answer 24

A phenomenon that occurs when a group that is becoming more numerous over time grows large enough to change the political balance in a district, state, or country.

Question 25

Whig Party

Answer 25

Whig Party
A major party in the United States during the first half of the nineteenth century, formally established in 1836. The Whig Party was anti-Jackson and represented a variety of regional interests.

Question 26

Safe Seat

Answer 26

A district that returns the legislator with 55 percent of the vote or more.