Chapter 8 Vocab

Question 1

According to Anthony Downs, a
"team of men [and women] seeking
to control the governing apparatus by
gaining office in a duly constituted
election."

Answer 1

Political Party

Question 2

The channels through which people's
concerns become political issues on
the government's policy agenda. 
- they include elections, political parties,
interest groups, and the media.

Answer 2

Linkage Institutions

Question 3

A popular theory in political science
to explain the actions of voters as well
as politicians. It assumes that individuals act in their own best interest, carefully weighing the costs and benefits of possible alternatives.

Answer 3

Rational-choice theory

Question 4

The voter’s perception of what the
Republicans or Democrats stand for,
such as conservatism or liberalism.

Answer 4

Party Image

Question 5

A citizen’s self-proclaimed preference

for one party or the other.

Answer 5

Party Identification

Question 6

Voting with one party for one office
and with another party for other
offices.

Answer 6

ticket splitting

Question 7

A type of political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements, such as patronage, to win votes and to govern.

Answer 7

Party machines

Question 8

A ___ job, pro-
motion, or contract is one that is given for political reasons rather than for merit or competence alone.
-One of the key inducements used by party machines.

Answer 8

Patronage

Question 9

Elections to select party nominees in which only people who have registered in advance with the party can vote for that party’s candidates
-encourages greater party loyalty.

Answer 9

Closed Primaries

Question 10

Elections to select party nominees in

which voters can decide on Election Day whether they want to participate in the Democratic or Republican contests

Answer 10

Open Primaries

Question 11

The meeting of party delegates every
four years to choose a presidential
ticket and write the party’s platform.

Answer 11

National Party Convention

Question 12

One of the institutions that keeps the
party operating between conventions.
- composed of representatives from the states and
territories.

Answer 12

National Committee

Question 13

The person responsible for the

day-to-day activities of the party.

Answer 13

National Chairperson

Question 14

A group of individuals with a common interest on which every political party depends.

Answer 14

Coalition

Question 15

Often marked by a national crisis and in these elections new
issues emerge, new coalitions replace
old ones, and the majority party is
often displaced by the minority party.

Answer 15

Critical Election

Question 16

The displacement of the majority
party by the minority party, usually
during a critical election period.

Answer 16

Party Realignment

Question 17

A coalition forged by the Democrats,
who dominated American politics
from the 1930s to the 1960s.

Answer 17

New Deal Coalition

Question 18

The gradual disengagement of people from the parties, as seen in part by shrinking party identification

Answer 18

Party Dealignment

Question 19

Electoral contenders other than the
two major parties.
- not unusual in America, but they rarely
win elections.

Answer 19

Third parties

Question 20

An electoral system in which legislative seats are awarded only to the candidates who come in first in their constituencies.

Answer 20

Winner-take-all-system / Plurality

Question 21

An electoral system used throughout most of Europe that awards legislative seats to political parties in proportion to the number of votes won in an election.

Answer 21

Proportional Representation

Question 22

When two or more parties join
together to form a majority in a national legislature. This form of government is quite common in the multiparty systems of Europe.

Answer 22

Coalitional Government

Question 23

A view about how parties should work, held by some political scientists. According to the model, parties should offer clear choices to the voters and once in office, should carry out their campaign promises.

Answer 23

Responsible Party Model

Question 24

Fiscally conservative Democrats who
are mostly from the South and/or
rural parts of the United States.

Answer 24

Blue Dog Democrats