Chapter 8 Terms Flashcards
A group that advances certain political goals and gains power by winning elections
Political Parties
The dominant parties in the political landscape; in American politics, the Republican and Democratic parties
Major Parties
Also called third parties; smaller political parties usually organized around a particular issue
Minor Parties
To name candidates for public office
Nominate
Strong devotion to a political party
Partisanship
A political system dominated by two major parties
Two-Party System
Legislative districts from which only one representative is chosen
Single-Member District
The largest number of votes cast for a candidate or a bill
Plurality
Two major parties working together to support an issue
Bipartisan
Formal statement of a party’s position on current issues; drafted at a party’s national convention
Party Platform
A political philosophy that seeks through government action to change the political, economic, and social status quo and to encourage the development and well-being of the individual.
Liberal
A political philosophy that defends against major changes by the government to the political, economic, and social institutions of society, but rather seeks nonbureaucratic solutions to political issues
Conservative
Political system in which several parties compete for public office and majority support
Multiparty System
A temporary alliance of several groups
Coalition
An assembly of political party representatives at the national, state, or county level for the purpose of establishing a platform, electing party leadership, and nominating candidates
Convention
Political party representatives to the party convention
Delegates
Historically, a small meeting of a political party’s top leaders and legislators in Congress in order to select party nominees
Caucus
Also called spoils system; the practice of giving government jobs to friends and supporters
Patronage
Organized effort by a political party or candidate to attract voter support in an election
Political Campaign
An election prior to the general election in which voters select the candidates who will run on each party’s ticket
Primary
A state-run or state-regulated election for the purpose of selecting the party nominee for most local, state, and national offices
Nominating Primary
A primary election in which voters indicate their preference for their party’s presidential candidate and elect state party delegates to represent their choice at the national convention.
Presidential Primary
Government system in which only one political party is allowed and a select few from that party rule the country using a centralized bureaucracy and an effective police force
One Party System
Has a much larger membership. Also includes all state chairmen and vice-chairmen as well as a number of mayors, governors, and members of Congress. Placed more emphasis on presidential politics and has been less effective at building strong state organizations
Democratic National Committee (DNC)
Units into which cities are often divided for city council elections and then further divided into precincts
Wards
Smallest units of election districts and party administration
Precincts
Also called pressure groups; a group of individuals that share like opinions on a political issue or group of issues and that unite in some organization to influence government officials and further their views
Interest Groups
Voters who have no party affiliation
Independent Voters
Voting for candidates of both parties for different offices
Ticket Splitting
Includes several state party chairman. Generally concentrates on strength ending national ties to the state organizations and thereby building a more unified party.
Republican National Committee (RNC)
