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POL > Political Parties > Flashcards

Political Parties Flashcards

1
Q

What is a political party?

A

A group of citizens united under a commitment to common ideas and policies who want to make those policies happen by controlling government.

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2
Q

What is political gridlock?

A

When a rival party refuses to budge on a topic so no compromise or progress is made.

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3
Q

Which federalist paper talked about political parties/factions? Who wrote it?

A

Federalist No. 10 by James Madison, discussed how factions/parties are a staple of American politics.

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4
Q

Nowadays, do historians believe parties are good or bad for democracy?

A

They believe parties are essential and have provided a framework of rules and institutions for the constitution

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5
Q

Are political parties mentioned in the Constitution?

A

No

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6
Q

What is political linkage in terms of political parties?

A

Parties provide a link between voters and elected officials.

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7
Q

What is unification of a fragmented government in terms of political parties?

A

Provides connection between different parts of government like the president and congress.

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8
Q

How are political parties a voice for the opposition?

A

They provide an articulate opposition to the ideas and policies of those elected to serve in government.

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9
Q

What are the three components of political parties?

A

Party Organization, Party-In-Government, and Party-in-the-Electorate

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10
Q

What is party organization?

A

The different national, state, and local communities that make up the party. Ex: DNC for democrats.

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11
Q

What is Party-In-Government?

A

All candidates for the party who have been elected.

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12
Q

Party-in-the-electorate

A

Ordinary systems who associate with the party.

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13
Q

Have people become more or less attached to a party recently?

A

Less, voter attachment has declined

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14
Q

What does the responsible party propose?

A

that democracy is strengthened when voters are given clear alternatives and hold the parties responsible for keeping their promises.

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15
Q

Why fits the responsible party model better, the US or Great Britain and why?

A

GB because they have more focused and strong parties. US parties shift too much.

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16
Q

What is one reason the American system has fallen short of the idealized responsible party model?

A

American citizens have voted more on candidate experience and personally than party or issues.

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17
Q

What is negative partisanship?

A

When parties are held together by a dislike of the other party. (enemy of enemy )

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18
Q

What is hyperpartisanship? How has it recently effected congress?

A

Placing the party over other interests. Recently has brought congress to a standstill because less compromise can be made.

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19
Q

What is a party platform?

A

A list of policy positions a candidate runs on that aligns with the party

20
Q

How often do parties usually update their platform?

A

Every election cycle

21
Q

Who are party activists?

A

The main players in political parties, people who are especially devoted to the party

22
Q

What pushes parties towards extremism?

A

Extreme party activists is one factor

23
Q

What pushes parties towards moderation?

A

Most voters are more moderate and candidates want their votes.

24
Q

What are strategies for parties to appeal to moderates without changing position?

A

Parties will emphasize partisan issues or reframe issues.

25
Q

What is a party machine?

A

Tightly organized party system that kept control of voters by getting them jobs and doing other stuff

26
Q

What is a party boss?

A

help choose candidates for the general election. Have a lot of influence inside the party.

27
Q

What slowed/ended the dominance of party machines?

A

Reforms like the party primary which ensured the party in the electorate chose amongst party candidates.

28
Q

What is a party era?

A

It refers to the period of stability without drastic party change.

29
Q

What is a critical election?

A

An election in which the majority of people shift their political allegiance from one party to another.

30
Q

What is a realignment?

A

A shift in party dominance.

31
Q

What is an example of an event that caused a realignment?

A

The Civil War and Great Depression.

32
Q

What is dealignment?

A

Slowly re-forming into a new and different party era, usually happens after an impactful event gradually.

33
Q

What electioneering?

A

Recruiting and nominating candidates, defining policy agendas, and getting candidates elected.

34
Q

Who usually wins elections, incumbents? or new candidates?

A

Incumbents because they are a known name.

35
Q

What is a closed primary?

A

Only voters who have registered as a member of a party are allowed to vote in that party’s primary.

36
Q

What is an open primary?

A

voters simply request one party’s ballot on the day of the primary or choose which party primary they with to participate in after tehey enter the polling both

37
Q

Who gets chosen presidential primaries?

A

Delegates

38
Q

Who are the delegates who select the president?

A

Party activists who support a candidate. They run for the opportunity go to to the party national nominating convention and cast a vote for the candidate.

39
Q

What is soft money?

A

A loophole that allowed parties to collect unlimited funds from donors. This money could then be distributed to candidates.

40
Q

What does it mean when a party “controls” government?

A

The party determines who occupies the leadership positions in the branch of government.

41
Q

What is an example of a government following through with its promises?

A

Democrats in 1932 election passed New Deal and in 1924 they passed the Social Security Act.

42
Q

Why is America stuck in a two party system?

A

Strong history throughout parties, and structure is setup to make it hard for a third party to succeed.

43
Q

What is one example in the US system that makes it hard for 3rd parties to win?

A

Winner take all system, third parties need to absolutely win to gain any power. It can also be hard to get a third party on the ballot

44
Q

Even if they don’t win, how can 3rd party candidates effect the election?

A

They can “steal” votes from a primary party. Ex: Green Party stealing fro democrats, can cause democrat to lose

45
Q

What do leadership PAC’s do?

A

collect funds from activists.

46
Q

What is party discipline?

A

The ability of party leaders to keep members voting together in a cohesive way.

POL (2 decks)

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