Political Science Chapter 3 Flashcards
Conservatives are generally open/adverse to change and hold ______ values
adverse, traditional
Liberals/Conservatives are willing to respect and accept others’ differing opinions and are open to change
Liberals
Both conservatives and liberals promote _____ ________
free enterprise
One of the many political parties without wide voter support
minor party
A governmental system in which 2 larger parties that dominate elections
two-party system
The 4 reasons the United States has a two-party system
- Historical Basis - America has always had a two-party system since the constitution
- Tradition - Americans are used to a two-party system and have no incentive to change it
- Electoral System - Ensures that the winning candidate receives the majority of votes (>50%); Dem. & Rep. write laws to keep 3rd parties out
- Ideological Consensus - Americans share basic ideas on government; Our major parties are already pretty “middle of the road”
One person holds office/ wins an election
Sing-member districts
Groups of persons who join together because they want to gain control of the government through winning elections
Political parties
Allegiance to a political party
partisanship
In the United States, the major parties are the…
Democrats and Republicans
The party that controls the executive branch is known as the…
party in power
Parties that hold an emphasis on principles & public policy positions
Issue-oriented
Parties that place emphasis on winning elections (specifically presidential)
Election-oriented
The two major parties in the US are ______-oriented
election
What were the “Seeds” of the Two Party system in the United States?
The debate over the ratification of the Constitution (Federalists-Alexander Hamilton vs Anti-Federalists-Thomas Jefferson)
What were the first two parties/two party system in the United States
Federalists (Hamilton) , Democratic Republicans (T. Jefferson)
Beliefs of the Federalists
-Strong central government
-Loose constitution
-For National Bank (Gov. controls economy)
-Fear Anarchy
Beliefs of the Democratic Republicans
-Stronger state governments
-Strict construction of the constitution
-Against National Bank (Gov. does not control economy)
-Fear tyranny
1800-1860; period of time when the democratic party won many elections in a row/dominated the elections
Era of the Democrats (Democrats & Whigs)
Beliefs of the first Democrats, founded by Andrew Jackson
-Expansion
-Increase white male voting rights
-Agree to slavery
-Increase elected offices
-For spoils system (whoever wins the election chooses the entire presidential cabinet & office holders)
Beliefs of the Whigs
-against expansion
-supported high tarif
Split democrats and ex-Whigs joined together to form the ______ party
Republican
(1860-1932); A period of time in which elections were largely dominated by Republicans
Era of the Republicans
Which group of people were a major source of support for the Republican party in the Era of the Republicans
Newly freed African Americans
(and farmers & laborers)
1932-1968; Period in which democrats, once again return to dominate the majority of elections
Return of the Democrats
What major event caused the switch from the Era of the Republicans to the Return of the Democrats
The Great Depression; changed peoples’ views on the role of government in society
Major president in the Return of the Democrats
Franklin Roosevelt:
-served 4 terms (led to term limit)
-Diverse cabinet
-Promoted economic & social welfare programs
-Gained support of Democrats and Minorities
1968-Present; No common Trend (constant switches from D -> R and vise versa); When the President is one party, the House or Senate is likely the other party
Divided Government
The 5 Major Functions of Political Parties
- Nominating Candidates
- Informing and Activating Supporters
- Bonding Agent
- Governing
- Acting as Watchdog
The function of a political party in which parties select candidates that set their party away from other parties
Nominating Candidates
The function of a political party in which parties inform people and activate their interest in pubic affairs
Informing and activating supporters
The function of a political party in which a party chooses candidates who are qualified and of good character
Bonding agent
The function of a political party in which parties help the legislative and executive branches work together
Governing
The function of a political party in which the party that is out of power criticizes the party that is in power to try and get the opposing party out, and their party in
Acting as Watchdog
The function that most clearly sets political parties apart from other political groups operating in the US is ________________ for elective office
Nominating Candidates
Broadly based parties, like those in the US, tend to reduce and moderate political conflict by
encouraging conflicting groups to agree to compromise solutions
Under the system of separation of powers, political parties are usually the agents that prompt cooperation between
the legislative and executive branches
The #1 indicator of personal party choice
Family
The current Democratic voter profile
Minority, Catholic/Jew, Female, Lower income, lower occupation, Urban, Younger
The current Republican voter profile
White, Protestant, Male, Higher income, Higher Occupation, Older, Rural
The 4 types of Minor Parties
Ideological
Single-Issue
Economic Protest
Splinter
Characteristics of an Ideological minor party
-Based on a particular set of beliefs
-Comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters
-Most have been based on some type of Marxist thought
(ex: Socialist, Communist, Libertarian)
Characteristic of a Single-Issue minor party
-Focus on only one public-policy matter
-Primary concern indicated by name
-Fade from history as events change, they fail to attract voters, and major parties adopt their key issues
Characteristics of an Economic Protest minor party
-Rooted in periods of economic distress
-Disgust with major parties, demand better times
-Focus anger on real or imagined enemies (Wall Street, railroads)
-Fade when times get better
Characteristics of a Splinter minor party
-Split away from one of the major parties
-Usually form around a strong personality
-Fade when that leader steps aside
2 Reasons of importance of minor parties
Spoiler Role, Critic/Innovator
What is the Spoiler Role of minor parties?
Even if a minor party does not win any electoral votes, it can pull votes away from one of the major parties
What is the Critic/Innovator role of minor parties?
-Ready, willing, and able to take clear-cut stands on controversial issues
-Draw attention to some issue the major parties choose to ignore
Source of frustration: when their proposals have gained support, the major parties of take over their ideas and present them as their own
