Hershey Chapter 16

Question 1

Nature of electorate/influences on parties

Answer 1

1. Changes in voting rights/political interests and knowledge/characteristics (age, income, etc.) influence parties to change address issues

Question 2

Political institutions/rules that influence parties

Answer 2

1. Federalism- separation of powers, single-member districts
2. Electoral processes- direct primary, non-partisan elections
3. Laws/Regulations- laws governing campaign finances, party structure organization, voter ID laws

Question 3

Social/societal forces that influence parties

Answer 3

1. Nat’l events/conditions- state of economy, war, terrorism
2. Other political intermediaries- types of organized interests, media, independent consultants
3. Political culture- attitudes towards parties/politics

Question 4

Party decline in 1960/70’s, effects on 3 levels of parties (electorate, organizations, in government)

Answer 4

1. Electorate- decreases in loyalty, changes in party demographics, increase ticket-splitting.
2. Organizations- decline of patronage, loss of control of nominations
3. Government- More directly appealed to voters, personal style over party bill.

Question 5

Rise in cohesive parties in gov’t in 1980’s til today

Answer 5

1. Stability in shifting political coalitions

2. Clearly defined agenda/polarized issues

Question 6

How parties intermediary roles are changing

Answer 6

1. Parties guide voters to strengths of party/candidates