Chapter 9 Political Parties

Question 0

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 0

Political party

Question 1

The battle of the parties for control of public offices

Answer 1

Party competition

Question 2

The channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the government’s policy agenda. Includes elections, political parties, interest groups and the media

Answer 2

Linkage institutions

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Party image

Question 4

A theory that seeks to explain political processes and outcomes as consequences of purposive behavior, where political actors are assumed to have goals and who pursue those goals rationally. It assumes that individuals act in their own best interest, carefully weighing the costs and benefits of possible alternatives

Answer 4

Rational-choice theory

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, rewarding loyal party members

Answer 7

Party machines

Question 8

One of the key inducements used by party machines whereby jobs are given for political reasons rather than for merit or competence alone

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, thus encouraging 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

Elections to select party nominees in which voters are presented with a list of candidates from all the parties. Voters can then select some Democrats and some Republicans if they like

Answer 11

Blanket primaries

Question 12

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

Answer 12

National convention

Question 13

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

Answer 13

National committee

Question 14

The person responsible for taking care of the day to day activities and daily duties of the party. They are usually hand-picked by the presidential nominee

Answer 14

National chairperson

Question 15

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

Answer 15

Coalition

Question 16

Historical periods in which a majority of voters cling to the party in power, which tends to win a majority of the elections

Answer 16

Party eras

Question 17

An electoral “earthquake” where new issues emerge, new coalitions replace old ones, and the majority party is often displaced by the minority party

Answer 17

Critical election

Question 18

The process whereby the major political parties form new support coalitions that endure for a long period

Answer 18

Party realignment

Question 19

A coalition forged by the Democrats, who dominated American politics from the 1930s to the 1960s. its basic elements were the urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics and Jews, the poor, Southerners, African Americans, and intellectuals

Answer 19

New Deal coalition

Question 20

The gradual disengagement of people and politicians from the parties

Answer 20

Party dealignment

Question 21

A term used to describe the fact that many Americans are indifferent toward to two major political parties

Answer 21

Party neutrality

Question 22

Electoral contenders other than the two major parties

Answer 22

Third parties

Question 23

An electoral system in which legislative seats are awarded only to the candidates who come in first in their constituencies. In American presidential elections, the system in which the winner of the popular vote in a state receives all the electoral votes of that state

Answer 23

Winner-take-all system

Question 24

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 24

Proportional representation

Question 25

When two or more parties join together to form a majority in a national legislature

Answer 25

Coalition government

Question 26

An ideal model of party organization recommending that parties provide distinct programs, encourage candidates to be committed to the party platform, intend to implement their programs, and accept responsibility for the performance of government

Answer 26

Responsible party model