Political Parties Flashcards
How has the national party become stronger over time?
Because of new campaign finance laws, meaning that money flowed to national parties and presidential candidates more than what was being raised locally.
How have opinion polls changed political parties?
Allowed candidates to hear what voters were saying, so systems can recruit and train state and local candidates.
Why may the president not be seen as de facto leader of their party?
Because most of their party might not have wanted them, they were elected by people, not their party.
How is the chair of the National committee elected?
By members of the committee, Incumbent presidents recommend the chair of their own national committee.
What is the purpose of the national committee?
To be responsible for day today operation of the party at the national level, organising the National convention.
Why is it difficult to organise activists at a national level?
Because all states are very big, and need individual campaigns.
What has happened to opinions of the parties over time?
People didn’t understand the difference between the politics of the two parties. Now, they do.
What are the different types of conservatives in America?
Fiscal conservatives, who believe in limited government, and a reduction in government spending, social conservatives.
What does liberal mean/
You believe government shouldn’t interfere in your life, freedom is the most important right.
What has happened to democrats’ ideological beliefs over time?
Their beliefs have shifted leftwards, as natural attitudes have shifted. This has created a divide with voters.
What does data suggest about voters?
There are more conservative voters overall, who are more likely to vote republican than democrat.
What is the ideological soul of the republican party?
More conservative on social and moral issues, traditional values, religious choice, restrict government intervention, emphasise personal responsibility, minority groups don’t need special treatment.
What is the ideological soul of the democratic party?
Progressive on social and moral issues, greater protection of individual liberty, protection of people, stronger rights of minorities, greater government intervention.
What is the democrats’ position on the death penalty?
1972 - Supported abolishing the death penalty. 2012 - Death penalty must not be arbitrary.
What is the democrats’ position on the death penalty?
1976 - Opposed a constitutional amendment to extend right of privacy. 2012 - Intensely personal decision, government shouldn’t get in the way.
What is the democrats’ position on LGBT issues?
1984 - Dem administration would work vigorously to address acts of bigotry. 2012 - Supported marriage equality.
What is the democrats’ position on the environment?
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 80%, 50% of electricity from clean energy.
What is the democrats’ position on crime?
Disproportionate effects of crime on communities of colour.
What is the democrats’ position on taxation?
Allows Bush tax rises to expire, no millionaire pays less % of tax than family.
What is the democrats’ position on education?
Committed to making good public schools available to every child - federal approach.
What is the democrats’ position on immigration?
Need some levels of immigration, reduce overall numbers.
What is the Republican position on immigration?
Want construction of a border wall to stop immigration from Mexico.
What is the Republican position on abortion?
‘Scarcity of human life’
What is the Republican position on Gender?
‘Marriage is between one man and one woman’
What is the Republican position on Taxation?
Extend Bush tax cuts, stop taxes rising on income interest, capital gains.
What is the Republican position on Crime?
Mandatory prison sentences for gang crimes, violence for sexual offences.
What is the Republican position on Education?
Federal government shouldn’t be involved in education.
What is the Republican position on Gun control?
Support for gun ownership, opposition to assault weapons ban.
What is the Republican position on Healthcare?
Repeal affordable care act, no changes to Medicare for ages 55+.
What are the ways in which Republicans are similar to UK Conservatives?
Smaller government, lower taxes, large military budget, government intervention in rights such as abortion, rural areas.
What are the ways in which Democrats are similar to UK Labour?
Liberal, larger government, progressive taxes, more freedom, large cities, gun control.
How have women’s votes changed over time?
In 1960, 51% of women voted Republican, 38% of women in 1964, 60% in 1972. 2024 - Dems have a 16 point lead.
What was the female vote impacted by in 2016?
The fact that one of the candidates was a woman, Trump had a history of sexual relations with women.
Which issued face the way women vote?
Abortion, Defence, Law and order, gun control, women’s rights.
How have race voted changed over time?
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.
What was the impact of race on the 2020 election?
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%.
Who are Reagan Democrats?
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.
What did Reagan Democrats believe in?
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.
How has religion changed the way Americans vote?
Mormons - Heavily GOP. Baptists - Heavily Dem. Catholic - Heavily Dem. Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist, Jewish - Dem. Anglican - GOP.
Which states are part of red America?
Wyoming, Alabama, Kentucky, North, South Dakota.
What is Red America?
States that have consistently voted GOP since 2000.
What is Blue America?
States that have consistently voted Dem since 2000.
Which states are part of Blue America?
California, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Minnesota, Illinois, New York.
What is Purple America?
States which change depending on the usual winner of the election.
Which states are part of Purple America?
Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana.
In what way does Purple America no longer exist?
More counties are becoming uncompetitive, more likely to vote for the same person.
What is the evidence of the two party system in popular vote and seats in congress?
Two main parties received 98% of the vote in 2020, All seats in congress are D or R.
What is the evidence of the two party system in executive control and state government?
Only Democrats or Republicans have controlled the presidency since 1857, Only Dems or GOP control state legislature.
What does the green party stand for?
Peace, ecology, social justice, democracy, cutting military budget, leave fossil fuels, higher living wage.
What does the reform party stand for?
Moderate, centrist, populist, ethical, better government. Ethics reform, sensible economy.
What does the Libertarian party stand for?
Small government, socially liberal, non-interventionist, laissez-faire, capitalism.
What does the communist party stand for?
Radical left wing - Eliminate private wealth, Marxism.
What are the reasons third party candidates don’t typically do well?
Ballot access laws, lack of resources, lack of media coverage, co-optation.
How do ballot access laws affect third party candidates?
Some states require a certain amount of signatures to be gained to have their party on the ballot.
How does a lack of resources affect third party candidates?
You need significant amounts of donations and funding to run a campaign, most independent campaigns don’t reach the threshold.
How does a lack of coverage affect third party candidates?
Media sometimes don’t cover their campaigns, as it’s impossible for them to win due to electoral college.
How does Co-optation affect third party candidates?
One of the major parties taking a third party’s policies makes it pointless to vote for them.
Why may third parties play a role in US politics?
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.
Why may third parties not play a major role in US politics?
Third party candidates fail to make an impact in most elections, most states use FPTP, they don’t have a high profile media presence.
What are the points which support the decline of the power of parties?
Parties have lost control over candidate selection, candidates have their own direct line of communication to voters, parties are pushed by external forces.
How have parties declined through candidate selection?
Less on control. DT and Vivek Ramaswamy wanted to be POTUS, registered Republicans voted for DT.
How have parties declined through communication with voters?
Politicians communicate through TV and other media, not really through rallies. Social media has enhanced communication, politicians speak to a specific base.
How have parties declined through the emergence of movements?
Voters are more likely to join a movement focusing on one aspect of government than a tea party, such as MAGA and BLM.
In what ways has party decline been exaggerated?
Parties are less important but still important. Candidates still receive money. People will join 2 main parties anyway in order to be elected.
How have campaigns been nationalised?
Publicity for national campaigns which affect everyone, such as balanced budgets - people vote for the party, not the person.
How is there increased partisanship?
Increased disagreement by parties in congress - the parties are getting further apart.
What were the historical conflicts between the parties on race and immigration?
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.
What are the similarities between political parties in campaign finance and party funding and party systems?
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.
What are the similarities between political parties in internal party unity and party policies?
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.
What are the similarities between political parties in third and minor parties?
Smaller parties don’t receive as many MP’s as they do votes.
What are the differences between political parties on campaign funding and party systems?
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.
What are the differences between political parties on internal party unity and party policies?
US parties are much more broad, parties are more right wing in the USA, don’t believe in taxes for the wealthy.
What are the differences between political parties on third and minor parties?
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.
