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US Politics > Political Parties > Flashcards

Political Parties Flashcards

1
Q

How has the national party become stronger over time?

A

Because of new campaign finance laws, meaning that money flowed to national parties and presidential candidates more than what was being raised locally.

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2
Q

How have opinion polls changed political parties?

A

Allowed candidates to hear what voters were saying, so systems can recruit and train state and local candidates.

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3
Q

Why may the president not be seen as de facto leader of their party?

A

Because most of their party might not have wanted them, they were elected by people, not their party.

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4
Q

How is the chair of the National committee elected?

A

By members of the committee, Incumbent presidents recommend the chair of their own national committee.

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5
Q

What is the purpose of the national committee?

A

To be responsible for day today operation of the party at the national level, organising the National convention.

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6
Q

Why is it difficult to organise activists at a national level?

A

Because all states are very big, and need individual campaigns.

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7
Q

What has happened to opinions of the parties over time?

A

People didn’t understand the difference between the politics of the two parties. Now, they do.

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8
Q

What are the different types of conservatives in America?

A

Fiscal conservatives, who believe in limited government, and a reduction in government spending, social conservatives.

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9
Q

What does liberal mean/

A

You believe government shouldn’t interfere in your life, freedom is the most important right.

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10
Q

What has happened to democrats’ ideological beliefs over time?

A

Their beliefs have shifted leftwards, as natural attitudes have shifted. This has created a divide with voters.

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11
Q

What does data suggest about voters?

A

There are more conservative voters overall, who are more likely to vote republican than democrat.

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12
Q

What is the ideological soul of the republican party?

A

More conservative on social and moral issues, traditional values, religious choice, restrict government intervention, emphasise personal responsibility, minority groups don’t need special treatment.

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13
Q

What is the ideological soul of the democratic party?

A

Progressive on social and moral issues, greater protection of individual liberty, protection of people, stronger rights of minorities, greater government intervention.

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14
Q

What is the democrats’ position on the death penalty?

A

1972 - Supported abolishing the death penalty. 2012 - Death penalty must not be arbitrary.

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15
Q

What is the democrats’ position on the death penalty?

A

1976 - Opposed a constitutional amendment to extend right of privacy. 2012 - Intensely personal decision, government shouldn’t get in the way.

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16
Q

What is the democrats’ position on LGBT issues?

A

1984 - Dem administration would work vigorously to address acts of bigotry. 2012 - Supported marriage equality.

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17
Q

What is the democrats’ position on the environment?

A

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 80%, 50% of electricity from clean energy.

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18
Q

What is the democrats’ position on crime?

A

Disproportionate effects of crime on communities of colour.

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19
Q

What is the democrats’ position on taxation?

A

Allows Bush tax rises to expire, no millionaire pays less % of tax than family.

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20
Q

What is the democrats’ position on education?

A

Committed to making good public schools available to every child - federal approach.

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21
Q

What is the democrats’ position on immigration?

A

Need some levels of immigration, reduce overall numbers.

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22
Q

What is the Republican position on immigration?

A

Want construction of a border wall to stop immigration from Mexico.

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23
Q

What is the Republican position on abortion?

A

‘Scarcity of human life’

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24
Q

What is the Republican position on Gender?

A

‘Marriage is between one man and one woman’

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25
Q

What is the Republican position on Taxation?

A

Extend Bush tax cuts, stop taxes rising on income interest, capital gains.

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26
Q

What is the Republican position on Crime?

A

Mandatory prison sentences for gang crimes, violence for sexual offences.

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27
Q

What is the Republican position on Education?

A

Federal government shouldn’t be involved in education.

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28
Q

What is the Republican position on Gun control?

A

Support for gun ownership, opposition to assault weapons ban.

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29
Q

What is the Republican position on Healthcare?

A

Repeal affordable care act, no changes to Medicare for ages 55+.

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30
Q

What are the ways in which Republicans are similar to UK Conservatives?

A

Smaller government, lower taxes, large military budget, government intervention in rights such as abortion, rural areas.

31
Q

What are the ways in which Democrats are similar to UK Labour?

A

Liberal, larger government, progressive taxes, more freedom, large cities, gun control.

32
Q

How have women’s votes changed over time?

A

In 1960, 51% of women voted Republican, 38% of women in 1964, 60% in 1972. 2024 - Dems have a 16 point lead.

33
Q

What was the female vote impacted by in 2016?

A

The fact that one of the candidates was a woman, Trump had a history of sexual relations with women.

34
Q

Which issued face the way women vote?

A

Abortion, Defence, Law and order, gun control, women’s rights.

35
Q

How have race voted changed over time?

A

Between 1980 and 2016, black democratic votes never fell below 83%, went up to 95% in 2008. Hispanic voters tend to vote democratic. Republican support was 31% in 2000.

36
Q

What was the impact of race on the 2020 election?

A

White voters voted Trump by 12 points, Biden won Hispanic voters by 21 points. Trump improved Hispanic votes from 2016, when he lost by 38%.

37
Q

Who are Reagan Democrats?

A

White working class voters, living in North East and Midwest. Employed in Blue collar jobs in rust belt. Fed up with economy of Jimmy Carter.

38
Q

What did Reagan Democrats believe in?

A

The old industrial message of American business, low imports. They used to vote Democrat, changed under Reagan, voted for Trump, as he promised American business.

39
Q

How has religion changed the way Americans vote?

A

Mormons - Heavily GOP. Baptists - Heavily Dem. Catholic - Heavily Dem. Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist, Jewish - Dem. Anglican - GOP.

40
Q

Which states are part of red America?

A

Wyoming, Alabama, Kentucky, North, South Dakota.

41
Q

What is Red America?

A

States that have consistently voted GOP since 2000.

42
Q

What is Blue America?

A

States that have consistently voted Dem since 2000.

43
Q

Which states are part of Blue America?

A

California, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Minnesota, Illinois, New York.

44
Q

What is Purple America?

A

States which change depending on the usual winner of the election.

45
Q

Which states are part of Purple America?

A

Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana.

46
Q

In what way does Purple America no longer exist?

A

More counties are becoming uncompetitive, more likely to vote for the same person.

47
Q

What is the evidence of the two party system in popular vote and seats in congress?

A

Two main parties received 98% of the vote in 2020, All seats in congress are D or R.

48
Q

What is the evidence of the two party system in executive control and state government?

A

Only Democrats or Republicans have controlled the presidency since 1857, Only Dems or GOP control state legislature.

49
Q

What does the green party stand for?

A

Peace, ecology, social justice, democracy, cutting military budget, leave fossil fuels, higher living wage.

50
Q

What does the reform party stand for?

A

Moderate, centrist, populist, ethical, better government. Ethics reform, sensible economy.

51
Q

What does the Libertarian party stand for?

A

Small government, socially liberal, non-interventionist, laissez-faire, capitalism.

52
Q

What does the communist party stand for?

A

Radical left wing - Eliminate private wealth, Marxism.

53
Q

What are the reasons third party candidates don’t typically do well?

A

Ballot access laws, lack of resources, lack of media coverage, co-optation.

54
Q

How do ballot access laws affect third party candidates?

A

Some states require a certain amount of signatures to be gained to have their party on the ballot.

55
Q

How does a lack of resources affect third party candidates?

A

You need significant amounts of donations and funding to run a campaign, most independent campaigns don’t reach the threshold.

56
Q

How does a lack of coverage affect third party candidates?

A

Media sometimes don’t cover their campaigns, as it’s impossible for them to win due to electoral college.

57
Q

How does Co-optation affect third party candidates?

A

One of the major parties taking a third party’s policies makes it pointless to vote for them.

58
Q

Why may third parties play a role in US politics?

A

Third parties can influence the overall outcome - Ralph Nader - 2000. If third parties have policies have popular policies, they can be co-opted by main parties.

59
Q

Why may third parties not play a major role in US politics?

A

Third party candidates fail to make an impact in most elections, most states use FPTP, they don’t have a high profile media presence.

60
Q

What are the points which support the decline of the power of parties?

A

Parties have lost control over candidate selection, candidates have their own direct line of communication to voters, parties are pushed by external forces.

61
Q

How have parties declined through candidate selection?

A

Less on control. DT and Vivek Ramaswamy wanted to be POTUS, registered Republicans voted for DT.

62
Q

How have parties declined through communication with voters?

A

Politicians communicate through TV and other media, not really through rallies. Social media has enhanced communication, politicians speak to a specific base.

63
Q

How have parties declined through the emergence of movements?

A

Voters are more likely to join a movement focusing on one aspect of government than a tea party, such as MAGA and BLM.

64
Q

In what ways has party decline been exaggerated?

A

Parties are less important but still important. Candidates still receive money. People will join 2 main parties anyway in order to be elected.

65
Q

How have campaigns been nationalised?

A

Publicity for national campaigns which affect everyone, such as balanced budgets - people vote for the party, not the person.

66
Q

How is there increased partisanship?

A

Increased disagreement by parties in congress - the parties are getting further apart.

67
Q

What were the historical conflicts between the parties on race and immigration?

A

Republican party was founded to stop the expansion of slavery. Northern and Southern democrats were divided. Different convention votes, for presidential and vice presidential nominees.

68
Q

What are the similarities between political parties in campaign finance and party funding and party systems?

A

Both have a mix of big and small donors. Individual campaigns can receive funding. Leaders in both branches of legislature - primary elections are similar to leadership elections.

69
Q

What are the similarities between political parties in internal party unity and party policies?

A

There are different factions of parties in both. There is a left and right party in both countries, and they control different levels of government.

70
Q

What are the similarities between political parties in third and minor parties?

A

Smaller parties don’t receive as many MP’s as they do votes.

71
Q

What are the differences between political parties on campaign funding and party systems?

A

UK has limits on spending per constituency. US elections go over $1 Billion. US parties have no leader - especially is they don’t have the president.

72
Q

What are the differences between political parties on internal party unity and party policies?

A

US parties are much more broad, parties are more right wing in the USA, don’t believe in taxes for the wealthy.

73
Q

What are the differences between political parties on third and minor parties?

A

Third parties control devolved governments, have significant amounts of votes and MP’s in the UK. Only the two main parties have representation in the USA.

US Politics (4 decks)

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