Chapter 8

Question 0

Linkage Institutions

Answer 0

The political channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the policy agenda. In the United States, linkage institutions include elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media

Question 1

Political Party

Answer 1

According to Anthony Downs, a “team of men and women seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election”

Question 2

Rational-Choice Theory

Answer 2

A popular theory in political science to explain the actions of voters as well as politicians. It assumes that individuals act in their own best interest, carefully weighing the costs and benefits of possible alternatives

Question 3

Ticket Splitting

Answer 3

Voting with one party for one office and with another party for other offices. It has become the norm in America voting behavior

Question 4

Party Machines

Answer 4

A type of political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements, such as patronage, to win votes and to govern

Question 5

Patronage

Answer 5

One of the key inducements used to party machines. A patronage job, promotion, or contract is one that is given for political reasons rather than for merit or competence alone.

Question 6

Closed Primaries

Answer 6

Elections to select party nominees in which only people who have registered in advance with the party can vote for that party’s candidates, thus encouraging greater party loyalty

Question 7

Open Primaries

Answer 7

Elections to select party nominees in which voters can decide on Election Day whether they want to participate in the Democratic or Republican contests

Question 8

National Party Convention

Answer 8

The supreme power within each of the parties. The convention meets every four years to nominate the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates and to write the party’s platform

Question 9

Coalition

Answer 9

A group of individuals with a common interest on which every political party depends

Question 10

Party Realignment

Answer 10

The displacement of the majority party by the minority party, usually during a critical election period

Question 11

Party Dealignment

Answer 11

The gradual disengagement of people from parties are one of the most important elements in American politics

Question 12

Third Parties

Answer 12

Electoral contenders other than the two major parties. American third parties are not unusual, but they rarely win elections

Question 13

Winner-Takes-All System

Answer 13

An electoral system in which legislative seats are awarded only to the candidates who come in first in their constituencies

Question 14

Proportional Representation

Answer 14

An electoral system used throughout most of Europe that awards legislative seats to political parties in proportion to the number of votes won in an election

Question 15

Coalition Government

Answer 15

When two or more parties join together to form a majority in a national legislature. This form of government is quite common in the multiparty systems of Europe

Question 16

Responsible Party Model

Answer 16

A view about how parties should work, held by some political scientists. According to the model, parties should offer clear choices to the voters and once in office, should carry out their campaign promises

Question 17

Grassroots

Answer 17

A movement made by people working at a local level rather than at the center of major political activity