Political Parties

Question 1

The political institutions in the Constitution are more respected because the Founders created them, whereas parties are viewed with suspiscion

Answer 1

Parties are misunderstood

Question 2

-Political parties are self-interested in their pursuit of electoral victory
-Political parties are divisive
-Political parties are narrow in their ideology
-Policial party’s petty squabbling hinders the government’s ability to get things done

Answer 2

Public Apprehension

Question 3

-Electoral victory is what animates political parties
-They fund turnout drives, sample ballots, and poll watchers
-Candidates are listed as Democratic or Republican, not as NRA or AIDS activist

Answer 3

Paramount in elections

Question 4

Parties exist solely in the political realm

Answer 4

Full-time committment to political activity

Question 5

-“Big tent” parties thrive on diversity
-A narrow focus on issues would prevent them from attracting enough people to win a majority of votes
Gives the ability to do THIS

Answer 5

Mobilize large numbers of citizens

Question 6

-Party label is a social identity, like ethnicity or religion
-It serves as a cue to guide decisions on candidates and issues

Answer 6

Serve as political symbols

Question 7

-Both parties are over 150 years old
-They longevity provides a comfort level and sense on continuity among citizens

Answer 7

Durable

Question 8

-Oversee the nomination process
-Help nominees win the general elections
-Their metabolism follows the electoral style

Answer 8

Electing candidates

Question 9

-Present issues and try to persuade the public to give these issues priority
-This is the top priority for European parties

Answer 9

Educating citizens

Question 10

-Organize Congress and state legislatures
-Executives choose fellow party members
-Bridge the gap between the separate branches of government

Answer 10

Governing

Question 10

-Party officials
-Party personnel
-Party activists

Answer 10

Party organization

Question 10

-Citizens who see themselves as Democrats or Republicans
-Party identification is a person’s psychological attachment toward a party
-Most partisans signal their allegiance at the time of registration and manifest it through loyalty at the ballot box

Answer 10

Party in the elecorate

Question 10

-Office seekers
-Office holders
-Appointed public officials

Answer 10

Party in government