Political Parties Flashcards
Why does America have a 2 party system?
I.History and Tradition
II. Electoral system
III. Ideological consensus of America
What are the 5 major functions of a political party?
Nominating function
Informer/stimulator function
Bonding Agent function
Governmental Function
Watchdog Function
Why do people choose a party?
I. Family II. Major Events III. Economic Status IV. Age V. Residence VI. Education
3 typical democrat signifiers
Urban areas
Labor Unions
Blacks
3 typical republican notifiers
Rural areas
Small businesses
Evangelicals
6 reasons people dont vote
I.Apathy II.Limitations on Votinf III. They think their vote won't matter IV. People are uninformed V. Weather VI. Its against their principles
How is a national party organized?
President National Chairman National Comittee National convention - 2 jobs; select presidential and vice candidate, write party platform Congressional campaign committee
4 Major purposes of State and Local Parties
I. build an effective organization
II. Promote Unit
III. Find candidates
IV. Provide campaign funds
Minor parties purpose and goals
Purpose: force the major political parties to address controversial issues
Goal: Spoiler rule
- take the majority vote away from ones of the major parties
4 types of minor parties
Ideological
Single issue
Economic protest
Splinter
3 noteable minor parties
Free soil party
Know nothing’s
Greenbacks
Types of nominations
Self announcement
Caucus
Convention
Direct primary election
Held within the party to pick candidates for the general election
Types of primary elections
Closed
Open
Run Off
Non- Partisan
Contested
Federal gov’s role in elections
- set the date
- Garuntee a secret ballot
- Regulate campaign finance
