LINKAGE INSTITUTIONS TEST Flashcards
4 Linkage Institutions
Political Parties
Media
Interest Groups
Elections
Political Parties
A group of citizens who organize to win elections, hold public offices, operate governments & determine public policy
3 Parts of Political Parties
Parties in the electorate
Parties in the organization
Parties in the government
Main goal of Political parties
Win elections and seek control of the government
Party in the electorate
Party membership
Party in the organization
party’s national, state, and local offices & staffs, budgets, and rules
Party in the government
elected officials who are members of party & main spokespeople for party
Party Identification
linking oneself to a particular political party
Linkage Institution
The channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the government’s policy agenda.
Tasks of the parties
- Pick Candidates to run for office (recruit and nominate)
- Run campaigns and provide funds and media strategies for campaign
- Give Cues to voters
Most votes lean ____ in the political spectrum
Independent, moderate
Parties seek voter loyalty by…
adopting/enacting policies that maximize chance of winning votes.
Who are more likely to engage in split ticket voting
Independents
Dealignment
A decline in party loyalties that reduces long-term party commitment
Straight ticket voting
vote all one party down-ballot
Split ticket voting
voting for candidates from multiple parties
Why are there only 2 main parties in the US
the Winner Takes All system
What 2 states are the only ones who split their electoral votes
Maine and Nebraska
Winner Takes All System
candidate who receives the most votes wins the seat and the loser gets nothing
Grass Roots
“getting out the vote” connecting with voters on a personal, local level
Party Machines
A type of political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements (rewards) to win votes and to govern
Patronage
A job, promotion or contract given for political reasons rather than merit. Used by party machines to gain votes or contributions
What act ended party patronage
The Civil Service Act
National Convention
The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party’s platform (blue print) and choose national committee and conduct party business
National Committee
One of the institutions that keeps the party operating between conventions
Congressional campaign committee
supports party’s candidates
National Chairperson
Responsible for day-to-day activities of the party & leads the National Committee
Types of Primaries
- open
- closed
- blanket
- runoff
Front Loading
the rush to be one of the first states to hold their primary
Closed primaries
voters must be registered with their party in advance and can only vote for that party
Advantage of closed primaries
Members of one party do not influence the outcomes of another party’s primary. Allows the party maximum control.
Disadvantages of closed primaries
Independents can’t vote
Open primaries
voters decide on election day which party to participate in, and then only that party; allows independents and members of other parties to vote – advantage: more democratic
Blanket Primaries (Louisiana)
voters get a list of all candidates and can vote for one name for each office, regardless of party label – cannot vote in both primaries – must pick one.
Runoff Primary
If no candidate wins these primaries, a second primary election is held b/w the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes in the first primary.
Caucus
A meeting or gathering of members of a political party where members deliberate and choose from the list of those seeking the presidential nomination
Caucus Pros
- Transparent & direct democracy
- Very engaged in political process
- Serious debate before casting vote
- Multiple rounds of voting can help long-shot candidates
Caucus cons
- Must show up at certain time & place to caucus.
- No absentee ballot
- Not all facilities are accessible for disabled.
- No secret ballot may lead to peer pressure/intimidation
Who are more likely to vote in primaries
Partisans and activists
Choices are simplified in the… (general election or primaries)
General Elections
Media converge is greater during… (general election or primaries)
general election
More people vote in general Elections because…
Increased interest in and importance of general elections
Parties are leaning towards ___________ campaigns
Candidate centered
Coalition
A group of individuals with a common interest upon which every political party depends
How do political parties help win elections…
- provide Cues to voters
- provide platform of issues
- recruit candidates for government office
- nominate candidates for government office
- raise funds for their candidates campaign
- support candidates campaign
- mobilize voters and “get out the vote”
Candidate centered politics
Focus on candidates as individuals rather than party identification
Party eras
Historical periods in which a majority of votes cling to the party in power.
Critical election
An electoral “earthquake” where new issues and new coalitions emerge. - An election when significant groups of voters change their traditional patterns of party loyalty
Party realignment
The displacement of the majority party by the minority party, usually as an effect of a critical election
Nixon’s Southern Strategy
Support states rights (anti civil rights), law and order, strong military posture
Party neutrality
people are indifferent towards the two parties or are Independent
