Chapter 8 Terms

Question 1

Smallest unit of election districts and party administration

Answer 1

precincts

Question 2

Temporary alliance of several groups to form a majority in order to gain control of the government

Answer 2

coalition

Question 3

Person who defends the status quo against political, social, and economic institutions of society

Answer 3

conservative

Question 4

Term that describes two-party cooperation

Answer 4

bipartisan

Question 5

When a candidate receives the largest number of votes

Answer 5

plurality

Question 6

An assembly of party representatives who nominate candidates for president and vice president

Answer 6

caucus

Question 7

The dominant parties in the political landscape

Answer 7

major parties

Question 8

Government system in which only one political party is allowed and a select few from the party rule the country

Answer 8

one-party system

Question 9

Name the candidate for public office

Answer 9

nominate

Question 10

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

Answer 10

political parties

Question 11

Strong devotion to one’s political party

Answer 11

partisanship

Question 12

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

Answer 12

party platforms

Question 13

The practice of giving government jobs to friends and supporters; also known as spoils system

Answer 13

patronage

Question 14

Legislative district from which only one representative is chosen

Answer 14

single-member district

Question 15

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

Answer 15

primary

Question 16

A primary election in which voters indicate their preferences for their party’s presidential candidate and elect state party delegates to represent their choice at the national convention

Answer 16

presidential primary

Question 17

Smaller political parties, usually organized around a particular issue; also called third parties

Answer 17

minor parties

Question 18

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

Answer 18

political campaign

Question 19

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

Answer 19

interest groups

Question 20

Voters who have no party affiliation

Answer 20

independent voters

Question 21

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 21

liberal

Question 22

Political party representatives to the party convention

Answer 22

delegates

Question 23

An assembly of political party representatives at national, state, or country level for the purpose of establishing a platform, electing party and nominating candidates

Answer 23

convention

Question 24

This party has won most presidential elections, animal representative is the elephant

Answer 24

Republican National Committee (RNC)

Question 25

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

Answer 25

multiparty system

Question 26

Political system dominated by two major parties

Answer 26

two-party system

Question 27

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

Answer 27

wards

Question 28

Smaller political parties, usually organized around a particular issue; also called minor parties

Answer 28

third parties

Question 29

The practice of giving government jobs to friends and supporters; also known as patronage

Answer 29

spoils system

Question 30

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

Answer 30

nominating primary

Question 31

Voting for candidates of both parties for different offices

Answer 31

ticket splitting

Question 32

Anti-Federalist party, became the Republican-Democratic Party which was the forerunner of this group

Answer 32

Democratic National Committee (DNC)