Chapter 8 - Political Parties Flashcards
an organization that sponsors candidates for political office under the organization’s name
Political Party
designation as an official candidate of a political party
Nomination
a set of interrelated institutions that links people with government
Political System
a body of electors chosen by voters to cast ballots for president and vice president
Electoral College
a closed meeting of the members of a political party to decide questions of policy and the selection of candidates for office
Caucus
a gathering of delegates of a single political party from across the country to choose candidates for president and vice president and to adopt a party platform
National Convention
the statement of policies of a national political party
Party Platform
an election that produces a sharp change in the existing pattern of party loyalties among groups of voters
Critical Election
the change in voting patterns that occurs after a critical election
Electoral Realignment
a political system in which two major political parties compete for control of the government; candidates from a third party have little chance of winning office
Two-Party System
a lessening of the importance of party loyalties in voting decisions
Electoral Dealignment
the system by which one office, contested by two or more candidates, is won by the single candidate who collects the most votes
Majority Representation
the system by which legislative seats are awarded to a party in proportion to the vote that party wins in an election
Proportional Representation
a voter’s sense of psychological attachment to a party
Party Identification
a committee of a political party composed of party chairpersons and party officials from every state
National Committee
