social 12- chapter 5 Flashcards
political party
a group of persons who seek to control goverment through the winning of elections and the holding of public office
what are the two major political parties found in america?
republicans and democrats
election-oriented
concerned with winning the election
3 elements of a political party
- the party organization
- the party in government
- the party in the electorate
political spectrum
range of political views
5 functions of political parties
- nominating condidates
- informing and activating supporters
- the bonding agent function
- governing
- the watchdog function
partisanship
the strong support of their party and its policy stands
4 factors to why we have a two party system
- historical basis
- the force of tradition
- the electoral system
- the americal ideological consensus
single member districts
electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office
plurality
largest number of votes cast for the office
bipartisan
supported by two parties
consensus
a general agreement among various groups on matters of fundamental importance
multiparty system
more than two parties
coalition
a temporary alliance of several groups who come together to form a working majority and so to control a government
one party system
only one political party- dictatorship
federalist party
first to appear. formed around alexander hamilton, the party of the rich and well born. supported constitution. Led by hamilton.
anti-federalist party
led by thomas jefferson. more sympathetic to the common man
incumbent
the current office holder
4 major periods and which party dominated?
1800-1860 democrats
1860- 1932 republicans
1932-1968 democrats
1968- now republicans
factions
competing groups within a political party
spoils system
the practive of awarding public offices, contracts, and other governmental favors to those who supported the party in power
electorate
the people eligable to vote
sectionalism
emphasized a devotion to the interests of a particular region
ideological parties
those based on a particular set of beliefs. Socialist, social labor, socialist worker, and communist parties.
single-issue parties
focus on only one public policy matter. most have faded into history. free soil party, american party, right to life party
economic protest parties
proclaimed their disgust with the major parties and demanded better times.
splinter parties
those that have plit away from one of their major parties. form around a strong personality.
bull moose party
roosevelt’s party
anti masons
first used a national convention to nominate a presidental candidate in 1831
been ready, willing, and able to take quite clear cut stands on controversal issues
critic and innovator
ward
a unit into which cities are often divided for the election of city council members
precinct
the smallest unit of election administration