Chapter 8: Political Parties Flashcards
Main goal of political parties
Gaining political office
Three roles of political parties
1) electorate (voters)
2) organization (keeps it running)
3) government (elected officials)
Tasks of political parties
Pick candidates
Run campaigns
Cue voters
Explain policies
Downs model
Must have broad appeal to win
Electorate
Voluntary
Ticket-splitting more likely
Ticket-splitting
Vote different parties for each office
Organization
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
Government
Party in control determines who gets what, where, when, and how
Party era
Long periods when one party dominates.
Eras punctuated by critical elections.
Party realignment is rare.
Party Dealignment
Since 1968
Result of government distrust (aka era of divided government)
Reasons for Third Parties
Promote causes Splinter parties Extension of popular person Tip elections New ideas
Winner take all system
2 party system makes it hard to win
Party Era 1: 1796-1824
Issues:
States rights
Less national government
Realignment: with Democratic-Republicans
Party Era 2: 1828-1856
Jacksonian and the Democrats v. the Whigs
Issues:
More government participation
Expand suffrage
Realignment: with Democrats
Party Era 3: 1860-1928
Two Republican Eras
Issues: Anti-slave Industry Laissez-Faire Realignment: with Republicans(G.O.P.)
Party Era 4: 1932-1964
The New Deal and the Great Depression
Issues: Government intervention Minority help Unions Realignment: with Democrats
Party Era 5: Since 1968
Dealignment
Era of Divided Government
The years of 1860-1928 saw the ascendency of which party?
Republicans
What best describes the “party as an organization” of the two major political parties in the United States?
Separate and largely independent party organizations exist at national, state, and local levels.
What is not a function of political parties?
Dictating policies
What must precede a major party realignment?
Critical election
What requires voters to declare party affiliation their voter registration forms?
Closed primary
What major concern did the 2000 presidential election between Gore and Bush highlight regarding the role of third parties?
Third parties spoiler role in elections
Ticket splitting can be an indicator of?
Dealignment
