Chapter 8 Terms

Question 1

A group that advances certain political goals and gains power by winning elections

Answer 1

Political Parties

Question 2

The dominant parties in the political landscape; in American politics, the Republican and Democratic parties

Answer 2

Major Parties

Question 3

Also called third parties; smaller political parties usually organized around a particular issue

Answer 3

Minor Parties

Question 4

To name candidates for public office

Answer 4

Nominate

Question 5

Strong devotion to a political party

Answer 5

Partisanship

Question 6

A political system dominated by two major parties

Answer 6

Two-Party System

Question 7

Legislative districts from which only one representative is chosen

Answer 7

Single-Member District

Question 8

The largest number of votes cast for a candidate or a bill

Answer 8

Plurality

Question 9

Two major parties working together to support an issue

Answer 9

Bipartisan

Question 10

Formal statement of a party’s position on current issues; drafted at a party’s national convention

Answer 10

Party Platform

Question 11

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.

Answer 11

Liberal

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Conservative

Question 13

Political system in which several parties compete for public office and majority support

Answer 13

Multiparty System

Question 14

A temporary alliance of several groups

Answer 14

Coalition

Question 15

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

Answer 15

Convention

Question 16

Political party representatives to the party convention

Answer 16

Delegates

Question 17

Historically, a small meeting of a political party’s top leaders and legislators in Congress in order to select party nominees

Answer 17

Caucus

Question 18

Also called spoils system; the practice of giving government jobs to friends and supporters

Answer 18

Patronage

Question 19

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

Answer 19

Political Campaign

Question 20

An election prior to the general election in which voters select the candidates who will run on each party’s ticket

Answer 20

Primary

Question 21

A state-run or state-regulated election for the purpose of selecting the party nominee for most local, state, and national offices

Answer 21

Nominating Primary

Question 22

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.

Answer 22

Presidential Primary

Question 23

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

Answer 23

One Party System

Question 24

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

Answer 24

Democratic National Committee (DNC)

Question 25

Units into which cities are often divided for city council elections and then further divided into precincts

Answer 25

Wards

Question 26

Smallest units of election districts and party administration

Answer 26

Precincts

Question 27

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

Answer 27

Interest Groups

Question 28

Voters who have no party affiliation

Answer 28

Independent Voters

Question 29

Voting for candidates of both parties for different offices

Answer 29

Ticket Splitting

Question 30

Includes several state party chairman. Generally concentrates on strength ending national ties to the state organizations and thereby building a more unified party.

Answer 30

Republican National Committee (RNC)