Political Parties

Question 1

what is the 100 party system

Answer 1

a different Rep and Dem party in each state

Question 2

what is the DNC + RNC

Answer 2

DMC: Democratic national committee
RNC: Republican national Committee

• national party organisations (formal structures)

Question 3

function of the DNC + RNC

Answer 3

organise national convention (to nominate parties presidential candidate)

Question 4

3 ways Parties are united today

Answer 4

1. emphasis on unified party platforms
   - Gingrich’s ‘Contract with America’ (1994)
   - Democrats 6 for 06
2. Both parties are increasingly cohesive on policy - e.g hard to find a pro-choice Republican
3. Partisan polarisation

Question 5

3 ways Parties are NOT unified

Answer 5

1. IDeological factions
2. No compulsion for candidates to follow the party’s entire policy platform
3. 100 party system

Question 6

3 factions within the Dems + members

Answer 6

1. The left wing (Progressive) - AOC, pelosi
2. The centrists - Al Gore, Biden
3. The Conservative wing - (DINOs) - Ben Nelson (opposed to Obama healthcare)

Question 7

3 Factions within the Republicans + members

Answer 7

1. TEA party - Sarah Palin
2. Neo-liberal wing - (reductions in gov spending) - Reagan
3. The Religious right - (moral issues) - Rick Santorum

Question 8

2 example of 3rd parties in the USA

Answer 8

1. The Libertarian party -
2. American Independence party

Question 9

what was the combined vote for 3rd parties in 2016 and 2012

Answer 9

2016: 5%
2012: 2%

Question 10

Significance of George Wallace

Answer 10

(American independence party) Took 13% of the vote in 1968 - split democrat vote in the south - Nixon win

Question 11

example of 3rd parties influencing policy

Answer 11

(1988) Green Party took 2.7% of the vote away from dems - resulted in dems adopting greener policy

Question 12

3 difficulties that 3rd parties face

Answer 12

1. electoral system
2. matching funds
3. allegations of extremism - “if you like hitler, you’ll love this guy” - aimed at Wallace in 1968

Question 13

3 ways Parties are in decline

Answer 13

1. Campaigns are candidate focused
2. Lack of unity - 100 party system
3. Decreased voter loyalty

Question 14

3 ways Parties are in renewal

Answer 14

1. Split ticket voting is decreasing
2. Party are becoming increasingly homogeneous in policy
3. Voter turnout increased in 2020 (66%)

Question 15

3 ways 3rd parties are insignificant

Answer 15

1. Campaign funding
2. lack media presence
3. voting system (FPTP) makes them irrelevant