Chapter 8 Review Flashcards
Ticket-splitting
Voting with one party for one office and with another party for another office (it had become very normal in American voting)
Patronage
One of the key inducements used by party machines. (Job, promotion,contract) rewarding someone for voting for them
National Committee
One of the institutions that keeps the party operating between conventions. The national committee is composed of representatives from the states and territories
National convention
The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose presidential tickets and write parties platforms
Rational choice theory/down model
Explains the actions of voters as well as politicians (it assumes people are being honest in their voting) vote for a candidate that will best benefit you
Advantages for responsible party model
Can use their choice of candidate (carry out campaign promises)
Third Party
Contenders other than the two major parties (rarely win elections)
Five tasks of political parties
Parties pick candidates Parties run campaigns Parties give cues to voters Parties articulate policies Parties coordinate policymaking
Party Machines
Political party organization that relies on material inducements such as patronage to win votes
Benefit of party competition
Battle between democrats and republican without this there would be no democracy
Critical elections
Electoral “earthquake” where new issues emerge (national crisis)
Party realignment
The displacement of the majority party by the minority party usually during critical elections
Party de-alignment
The gradual disengagement of people and politicians from the parties
Open primaries
Elections where on Election Day you pick if you want to vote democratic or republican
Closed primaries
Elections where already registered voters can only vote for party they already registered for
