Chapter 8: Political Parties

Question 1

Main goal of political parties

Answer 1

Gaining political office

Question 2

Three roles of political parties

Answer 2

1) electorate (voters)
2) organization (keeps it running)
3) government (elected officials)

Question 3

Tasks of political parties

Answer 3

Pick candidates
Run campaigns
Cue voters
Explain policies

Question 4

Downs model

Answer 4

Must have broad appeal to win

Question 5

Electorate

Answer 5

Voluntary

Ticket-splitting more likely

Question 6

Ticket-splitting

Answer 6

Vote different parties for each office

Question 7

Organization

Answer 7

Local parties once dominated by party machines. Today no state alike in approach (open, closed, blanket primaries)
National committee works between elections to keep party operating.
National chairperson takes care of day-to-day activities

Question 8

Government

Answer 8

Party in control determines who gets what, where, when, and how

Question 9

Party era

Answer 9

Long periods when one party dominates.
Eras punctuated by critical elections.
Party realignment is rare.

Question 10

Party Dealignment

Answer 10

Since 1968

Result of government distrust (aka era of divided government)

Question 11

Reasons for Third Parties

Answer 11

Promote causes
Splinter parties
Extension of popular person
Tip elections
New ideas

Question 12

Winner take all system

Answer 12

2 party system makes it hard to win

Question 13

Party Era 1: 1796-1824

Answer 13

Issues:
States rights
Less national government
Realignment: with Democratic-Republicans

Question 14

Party Era 2: 1828-1856

Jacksonian and the Democrats v. the Whigs

Answer 14

Issues:
More government participation
Expand suffrage
Realignment: with Democrats

Question 15

Party Era 3: 1860-1928

Two Republican Eras

Answer 15

Issues:
Anti-slave
Industry
Laissez-Faire 
Realignment: with Republicans(G.O.P.)

Question 16

Party Era 4: 1932-1964

The New Deal and the Great Depression

Answer 16

Issues:
Government intervention
Minority help
Unions
Realignment: with Democrats

Question 17

Party Era 5: Since 1968

Answer 17

Dealignment

Era of Divided Government

Question 18

The years of 1860-1928 saw the ascendency of which party?

Answer 18

Republicans

Question 19

What best describes the “party as an organization” of the two major political parties in the United States?

Answer 19

Separate and largely independent party organizations exist at national, state, and local levels.

Question 20

What is not a function of political parties?

Answer 20

Dictating policies

Question 21

What must precede a major party realignment?

Answer 21

Critical election

Question 22

What requires voters to declare party affiliation their voter registration forms?

Answer 22

Closed primary

Question 23

What major concern did the 2000 presidential election between Gore and Bush highlight regarding the role of third parties?

Answer 23

Third parties spoiler role in elections

Question 24

Ticket splitting can be an indicator of?

Answer 24

Dealignment