Politcal Parties Flashcards
Political Party
An organization that seeks political power by electing people to office so that its positions and philosophy become public policy
Nonpartisan Election
A local or judicial election in which candidates are not selected to endorsed by political parties and party affiliation is not listed on ballots
Patronage
The dispensing of government jobs to persons who belong to the winning political party
Soft Money
Money raised in unlimited amounts by political parties for party-building purposes. Now largely illegal except for limited contributions to state or local parties for voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts
Hard Money
Political contributions given to a party, candidate, or interest group that are limited in amounts and fully disclosed. Raising such limited funds is harder than raising unlimited funds, hence the term, “hard money”
Honeymoon
Period at the beginning of the new president’s term during which the president enjoys generally positive relations with the press and Congress, usually lasting about 6 months
Caucus
A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide te platform
Party Convention
A meeting of party delegates to vote on matters of policy and in some cases to select party candidates for public office
Direct Primary
Election in which voters choose party nominees
Open Primary
Primary election in which any voter, regardless of party, may vote
Crossover Voting
Voting by member of one party for a candidate of another party
Closed Primary
Primary election in which only persons registered in the party holding the primary may vote
Proportional Representation
An election system in which each party running receives the proportion of legislative seats corresponding to its proportion of the vote
Winner-take-all System
Election system in which the candidate with the most votes wins
Minor Party
A small political party that rises and falls with a charismatic candidate or, if composed of ideologies on the right or left, usually persists over time; also called a third party
Libertarian Party
A minor party that believes in extremely limited government. Libertarians call for a free market system, expanded individual liberties such as drug legalization, and a foreign policy of nonintervention, free trade, and open immigration
Green Party
A minor party dedicated to the environment, social justice, nonviolence, and the foreign policy of nonintervention.
Reform Party
A minor party founded by Ross Perot in 1995. It focuses on national government reform, fiscal responsibility, and political accountability. It has recently struggled with internal strife and criticism that it lacks an identity
Realigning Election
An election during periods of expanded suffrage and change in the economy and society that proves to be a turning point, redefining the agenda of politics and the alignment of voters within parties
Laissez-faire Economics
Theory that opposes governmental interferences in economic affairs beyond what is necessary to protect life and property
Keynesian Economics
Theory based on the principles of John Maynard Keynes, stating that government spending should increase during business slumps and the curve during booms
National Party Convention
A national meeting of delegates elected in primaries, caucuses, or state conventions who assemble once every four years to nominate candidates for president and vice president, ratify the party platform, elect officers, and adopt rules
Party Registration
The act of declaring party affiliation; required by some states when one registers to vote
Party Identification
An infromal and subjective affiliation with a political party that most people acquire in childhood
Dealignment
Weakening of partisan preferences that points to a rejection of both major parties and a rise in the number of independents
