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Political Parties Flashcards

1
Q

What does Politics mean?

A

The job of holding a position of power in the government

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2
Q

What is a Political Ideology?

A

Opinions or beliefs on the role of government in peoples lives

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3
Q

What are the three views of the role of the National Government in peoples’ lives?

A
  1. Conservative: Limited role
  2. Libertarian: Almost no role
  3. Liberal: Large role
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4
Q

What is a Political Party?

A

A group of people who seek to control government by winning elections and holding public office

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5
Q

What is the most important thing to Democrats and Republicans?

A

Winning elections and controlling the government

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6
Q

What is the Purpose of a Political Party?

A

It serves as a vital link between the people and the government (Mediator role)

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7
Q

What are the 5 major duties/functions of the political party?

A
  1. Nominating function
  2. Informer/Stimulator function
  3. Bonding Agent function
  4. Governing function
  5. Watchdog function
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8
Q

What is the Nominating function?

A
  • The most important function of political parties
  • Nominate Candidates to represent their party
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9
Q

What is the Informer/Stimulator function?

A
  • A function of Political Parties
  • Inform people of the issues
  • Stimulate people to vote
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10
Q

What is the Bonding Agent function?

A
  • A function of political parties
  • Party’s responsibility that their condidate is worthy of the office
  • “Seal of approval”
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11
Q

What is the Governing function?

A
  • A function of Political Parties
  • Ensures the cooperation between the legislative and the executive branches
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12
Q

What is the Watchdog function?

A
  • A function of Political Parties
  • The party out of power keeps an eye on the party of power
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13
Q

What are the three systems of governing in the world?

A
  • Two party system
  • Multi-party system
  • One party system
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14
Q

What does a Two-party system mean?

A

There are two major and several minor political parties

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15
Q

What are the 4 reasons the USA chooses the two-party system?

A
  1. Historical basis: Started out with two parties (Federalists and Anti-federalists)
  2. Force of tradition: Always been that way
  3. Electoral system: Our system encourages only two parties
  4. American ideological consensus: We share similar political/economic beliefs (Dem/Republic and Capitalism)
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16
Q

Why does the US’s electoral system encourage only two parties?

A

Our system wants a majority (not a plurality)
You can only get a majority with a two party system

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17
Q

What is the Multi-party system?

A

Several major and minor parties

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18
Q

What are the 3 things parties are based on in the Multi-party system?

A
  • Religion
  • Economic class
  • Political ideology
19
Q

What is the advantage of a Multi-party system? What is the disadvantage?

A

Advantage: More choices
Disadvantage: Less stability

20
Q

Why are Multi-party systems less stable?

A
  • They can’t get a majority easily
  • When they don’t, they have to make a coalition
21
Q

Describe a Coalition

A
  • An alliance of two or more parties to rule/run the government
  • Alliance made between parties with the most votes
  • Extremely unstable/always changing
22
Q

Describe the One Party system

A
  • Only one party
  • Really a no party system
  • No choices
  • Typically Communists/Nazis (dictatorships)
23
Q

What kind of society is the USA?

A

A “pluralistic society”

24
Q

What is a “pluralistic society”?

A
  • Different cultures and ethnic groups but has similar political beliefs
  • Both major parties are similar/Always take a moderate stance on issues to get elected
25
What does Bipartisan mean?
Both parties support
26
What does Consensus mean?
General agreement among groups
27
What are the 7 Factors that cause people to identify with a party?
1. Family/Parents 2. Major events 3. Gender 4. Education 5. Age 6. Type of work 7. Economic status
28
What is a Political Party's Platform?
A public statement of the party's main beliefs and guiding principles
29
What are Democrats?
Left, liberals, progressives, "Open to change"
30
What are 10 General Beliefs of Democrats?
1. Favor Big Federal government 2. Health Care – Support universal healthcare run by government 3. Pro-socialism 4. Favor higher taxes 5. Anti-gun rights – restrictions/reform 6. Increased minimum wage 7. Pro-gay marriage/Pro-LBGT rights 8. Pro-choice 9. Support a small military 10. Pro Open borders – expand immigration
31
What are 10 groups that tend to align with Democrats?
1. African-Americans 2. Hispanics 3. Catholics and Jews 4. “Blue collar” workers 5. Over 60 6. Less educated/lower income 7. Urban 8. Young women 9. College students 10. LGBTQ+
32
Describe Republicans
Right, conservative, "traditional," GOP
33
What is the Republican Plank? (10)
1. Favor small Federal government 2. Favors business – “Free market” 3. Pro-Capitalism 4. Lower taxes 5. Pro individual rights – guns 6. Keep minimum wage low 7. Traditional family – anti-gay marriage 8. Pro-life/anti-abortion 9. Support a large military 10. Closed borders – limit immigration
34
Which groups tend to align with the Republicans? (8)
1. White people 2. Protestants 3. “White collar” workers 4. Private business workers 5. Young adults 6. Higher educated/higher income 7. Rural (country) 8. Asians
35
What are the three components/parts of a political party?
1. Party organization – leaders 2. Party electorate – the members 3. Party government – office holders
36
What is Partisanship?
Allegiance to a particular party
37
Compare safe states vs. swing states
Safe: States that traditionally vote for the same party Swing: (battleground states) states that are up for grabs each election cycle
38
What were the first two parties of the US?
Federalists and Anti-Federalists
39
What are the 4 periods of parties in the US?
1. 1800-1860 (Democrat) 2. 1860-1932 (Republican) 3. 1932- 1968 (Democrat) 4. 1968- 2008 (Republican)
40
What is a Minor Party?
A less widely supported party Focuses on principles/issues rather than winning elections
41
What are the 4 types of Minor Parties?
1. Ideological – Based on a set of political beliefs 2. Single-issue – Based on one issue 3. Economic protest – Based on economic discontent 4. Splinter – When some famous person breaks away from a main party
42
In what 4 ways are minor parties important?
1. Bring about new/fresh ideas 2. Bring important issues to the people 3. Serve as critics to the major parties 4. Play the spoiler role in some elections
43
What are Independents?
People who belong to no particular party Cannot vote in primaries

Government (6 decks)

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