Chapter 8 Terms

Question 1

Democratic and Republican

Answer 1

Major parties

Question 2

Smaller parties that are usually organized around a particular issue

Answer 2

Minor parties (or third parties)

Question 3

To name candidates for a public office

Answer 3

Nominate

Question 4

A strong devotion to a political party

Answer 4

Partisanship

Question 5

The dominant feature of American politics with which most of the electorate identifies

Answer 5

Two-party system

Question 6

Legislative districts from which only one representative is chosen

Answer 6

Single-member district

Question 7

The largest number of votes cast for the office

Answer 7

Plurality

Question 8

A spirit of two-party cooperation

Answer 8

Bipartisan

Question 9

A formal statement of a party’s position on current issues

Answer 9

Party platform

Question 10

One whose political view seeks to change the political, economic, and social status quo to encourage the development and well-being of the individual

Answer 10

Liberal

Question 11

One whose political view defends the status quo against major changes in the political, economic, and social institutions of society

Answer 11

Conservative

Question 12

Several parties compete for majority support

Answer 12

Multiparty system

Question 13

A temporary alliance of several groups

Answer 13

Coalition

Question 14

Party representatives elected from each state to nominate candidates for president and vice president

Answer 14

Delegates

Question 15

A small meeting of a party’s top leaders and legislators in Congress

Answer 15

Caucus

Question 16

The practice of giving jobs to friends and supporters

Answer 16

Patronage (or spoils system)

Question 17

An organized effort by a political party or candidate to attract voter support in an election

Answer 17

Political campaign

Question 18

A state election in which voters select the candidates who will run on each party’s ticket in the general election

Answer 18

Primary

Question 19

Voters elect the state party’s delegates that will go to their political party’s national convention to select the party’s candidate

Answer 19

Presidential primary

Question 20

System of government in which only one political party is allowed

Answer 20

One-party system

Question 21

Organized to gain power by winning elections

Answer 21

Political parties

Question 22

Generally concentrates on strengthening national ties to the state organizations and thereby building a more unified party

Answer 22

Republican National Committee

Question 23

Traditionally placed more emphasis on presidential politics and has been less effective at building strong state organizations

Answer 23

Democratic National Committee

Question 24

What city districts are divided into for the purpose of city council elections

Answer 24

Wards

Question 25

The smallest units of election districts and party administration

Answer 25

Precincts

Question 26

Groups formed around a particular issue or agenda

Answer 26

Interest groups

Question 27

Voters who have no party affiliation

Answer 27

Independent voters

Question 28

Voting for candidates of both parties for different offices

Answer 28

Ticket splitting