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Political Parties Flashcards

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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
Q

What does Bipartisan mean?

A

Both parties support

26
Q

What does Consensus mean?

A

General agreement among groups

27
Q

What are the 7 Factors that cause people to identify with a party?

A
  1. Family/Parents
  2. Major events
  3. Gender
  4. Education
  5. Age
  6. Type of work
  7. Economic status
28
Q

What is a Political Party’s Platform?

A

A public statement of the party’s main beliefs and guiding principles

29
Q

What are Democrats?

A

Left, liberals, progressives, “Open to change”

30
Q

What are 10 General Beliefs of Democrats?

A
  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
Q

What are 10 groups that tend to align with Democrats?

A
  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
Q

Describe Republicans

A

Right, conservative, “traditional,” GOP

33
Q

What is the Republican Plank? (10)

A
  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
Q

Which groups tend to align with the Republicans? (8)

A
  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
Q

What are the three components/parts of a political party?

A
  1. Party organization – leaders
  2. Party electorate – the members
  3. Party government – office holders
36
Q

What is Partisanship?

A

Allegiance to a particular party

37
Q

Compare safe states vs. swing states

A

Safe: States that traditionally vote for the same party
Swing: (battleground states) states that are up for grabs each election cycle

38
Q

What were the first two parties of the US?

A

Federalists and Anti-Federalists

39
Q

What are the 4 periods of parties in the US?

A
  1. 1800-1860 (Democrat)
  2. 1860-1932 (Republican)
  3. 1932- 1968 (Democrat)
  4. 1968- 2008 (Republican)
40
Q

What is a Minor Party?

A

A less widely supported party
Focuses on principles/issues rather than winning elections

41
Q

What are the 4 types of Minor Parties?

A
  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
Q

In what 4 ways are minor parties important?

A
  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
Q

What are Independents?

A

People who belong to no particular party
Cannot vote in primaries

Government (6 decks)

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