Chapter 9: Political Parties

Question 1

Proportional Representation

Answer 1

Definition: A party- based election rule in which the number of seats a party receives is a function of the share of votes it receives in an election

Significance:

Example:

Question 2

Third Parties

Answer 2

Definition: Political Parties formed as an alternative to the republican and democratic parties, also known as minor parties

Significance: Sometimes they are slammed for the other political parting losing.

Example: reform party..

Question 3

Two Party System

Answer 3

Definition: A system in which two major parties win all or almost all elections

Significance: Unique to the US, not fundamentally set up for a minority candidate to win

Example: During the 2016 elections we had democrats, republicans and independents run for president. but at the end it was between Clinton (democrat) & Trump (republican) & he ended up winning.

Question 4

Party Polarization

Answer 4

Definition: the shift of party positions from moderate towards ideological extremes

Significance: it becomes a lot harder for both political parties to come into an agreement on any kind of policy

Example: In 2012 the gap between democrats and republicans was at 30% in 2019 it went up to 35%. they are becoming more liberal democrats and more conservative republicans