Political Parties

Question 1

Examples of factions

Answer 1

Tea Party Republicans, freedom Caucus

Question 2

5 functions of political parties

Answer 2

1) recruit candidates for public office
2) organize and run elections (attract/educate voters)
3) present alternative policies to the electorate, reduce conflict within party
4) accept responsibility for operating the government - appointments based on party lines; develop links b/w elected officials to gain support for policies
5) act as the organized opposition to the party in power - criticize the policies and behavior of the other party by articulating own policies forcing debates on the issues

Question 3

The era of the democrats

Answer 3

1800-1860

Dominate all but two presidential elections

Question 4

The era of the republicans

Answer 4

1860-1932

Republicans dominate all but four presidential elections

Question 5

Return of the democrats

Answer 5

1932-1968

Question 6

For states divided by_____……

Answer 6

Congressional districts divided by wards divided by precincts

Question 7

Types of One-Party Systems

Answer 7

One party system - where only one party is allowed

Modified One Party -
Systems where one party regularly wins most elections

Question 8

Multi Party Systems Advantage

Answer 8

Provides border representation of the people, more responsive to the will of the people, give voters more choices

Question 9

Multi Party Systems Disadvantages

Answer 9

Cause parties to form coalitions, which can dissolve easily, can cause instability in government, no clear majority only plurality

Question 10

Single Member districts

Answer 10

Only one candidate will win an election in each district

Question 11

Why don’t Americans vote for minor parties?

Answer 11

They don’t represent the majority

Question 12

Why a 2 party system?

Answer 12

Historical Basis and Tradition - we’ve always had one

Values - most Americans have a general agreement on fundamental issues

Minor parties lack widespread political support

Question 13

Minor parties formed due to issues of concern to certain individuals

Answer 13

Ideological parties

Question 14

Minor party breaking off from a major party

Answer 14

Splinter Party

Question 15

Ideological Party

Answer 15

Based on social, economic and political ideas

• Libertarian Party
• Constitution Party

Question 16

Economic protest

Answer 16

Formed during economic depressions

• populist Party
• socialist party

Question 17

Single issue party

Answer 17

Single public policy that’s emphasized

• prohibition party
• Green Party

Question 18

Why are minor parties important?

Answer 18

Spoiler: pull decisive votes away from one of the major parties’ candidates, esp. If the minor party candidate is from a splinter party

Critic
Take stands in and draw attention to controversial issues that the major parties would prefer ignore

Innovator
Draw attention to important issues and propose innovative solutions to problems. If these proposals gain popular support, they are often integrated into the platforms of the two major parties.

Question 19

13th amendment

Answer 19

Bans slavery

Question 20

14th amendment

Answer 20

Equal protection, due process, privileges and immunities regardless of race

Question 21

15th amendment

Answer 21

Black men can vote

Question 22

16th amendment

Answer 22

Graduated income tax

Question 23

17th amendment

Answer 23

Direct election of Senators

Question 24

19th amendment

Answer 24

Women can vote

Question 25

Realignment

Answer 25

Major change in the party

Substantial group of voters switch party allegiance

Question 26

Dealignment

Answer 26

Party loses loyal voters as more become independent

• can’t lock in political preferences - lots of split ticket voting

Question 27

Tipping

Answer 27

a group becomes larger over time and changes politics in a district, state or country

Question 28

Right wing reactionary

Answer 28

Refuses to accept the present and think back to the past when these were better. Try’s to solve today’s problems

Question 29

Right wing fascism

Answer 29

One or more group runs govt

• govt should be small and not interfere with people’s rights

Question 30

Cleavages of public opinion

Answer 30

Separation between groups of people:

Social class, race/ethnicity/region

Question 31

Push polls

Answer 31

Rushing you in a direction deliberately misleading questions

Question 32

Problems with the polls

Answer 32

Sampling errors
Poll question
Phrasing
Tone of interviewer

Question 33

National name given to the type of secret ballot used in all American elections

Answer 33

Australian ballot

Question 34

Understanding politics and believing you can make the govt respond to your actions

Answer 34

Efficacy

Question 35

Corrupt organization that traded votes for favors and often put unqualified in office

Answer 35

Political Machines

Question 36

The primary source of political socialization

Answer 36

Your fam

Question 37

Americans who aren’t improverished yet not wealthy who often uphold traditional beliefs

Answer 37

Middle America

Question 38

Though there has been some recent change most college students consider themselves to have this type of political ideology

Answer 38

Liberal

Question 39

The main reason voter turnout in the us is low

Answer 39

People aren’t registered

Question 40

People with common interests who join together to nominate candidates for public office

Answer 40

Political Parties