Unit 8 Flashcards
What is a political party?
A coalition of people seeking to control the government by contesting elections.
Where can elections occur?
On all levels—local, state, and national.
Who can you elect on the state level?
Judges, senators, governors.
Who can you elect on the national level?
President, state representatives (for the House of Representatives).
Who can you elect on the local level?
Local officials such as the mayor, town/city council members, council commissioners, etc.
Party Electorate
The largest component of an American political party; represents and constitutes the voters or the people who identify with a party.
Party Polarization
The growing gap between the stands of the parties on policy issues.
What is the positive effect of party polarization?
Polarization makes clear differences between the parties, which makes politics easier to understand for voters.
What is the negative effect of party polarization?
Polarization makes compromise more difficult, as it brews conflict.
Who were wary of the effects of political parties on the United States?
Thomas Jefferson and George Washington; both were against the formation of political parties, believing it would lead to corruption and national divisiveness.
What is Federalist #10?
An essay written by James Madison for the Federalist Papers, which addresses concerns about factions and how a Republican form of government is an effective way to maintain factions while still promoting freedom of thought.
Party in the Organization
Has a national office, full-time staff, rules and bylaws (self-regulatory laws), and budgets. It is made up of people who organize party elections and makes rules.
Examples include: state chairpersons, precinct leaders, officials in the party’s Washington office.
Party in Government
Consists of elected officials who claim to be members of the party. Leaders are the main spokespersons for the party; they must convince their own party members to vote for their policies.
Examples include: presidents, members of Congress, governors, and lesser officeholders.
What are the functions of linkage institutions?
It translates input from public opinion to outputs from policymakers. Are channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the government’s policy agenda.
What are the four main linkage institutions?
- Parties
- Elections
- Interest Groups
- Media
What functions should political parties perform in order to become effective linkage institutions?
- Nominates/Recruits candidates (seeks party leader)
- Run campaigns
- Give cues to voters (symbolic and psychological)
- Articulate/Simplifies policies
- Coordinate policymaking/Help organize the government
- Links people to the government
- Strategic mobilization; develops emotional bonds between voters
- Provide alternatives for policy issues/”Loyal opposition”
- Provide accountability (side with policies that align with their party label)
What is rational-choice theory?
A theory developed by Anthony Downs that explains the actions of voters and politicians. Assumes that individuals act on their own best interest, carefully weighing the costs and benefits of possible alternatives.
What is a party image?
The voter’s perception of what Republicans or Democrats stand for, such as Conservatism or Liberalism.
What is party identification?
A citizen’s self-proclaimed preference for one party over another.
Define bipartisanship.
Cooperation between the people and government, or cooperation between different parts of government.
ie. Democrats and Republicans have to work together in the House of Congress in order to pass legislation.
Define gridlock.
Where no progress is being made because rival parties are controlling different parts of government.
What is split-ticket voting?
Where a voter votes for a member contrary to one’s political party into office, as well as voting for their own respective party member into another office.
What is the national committee?
An institution that keeps the party operating between each National Convention (a meeting of party delegates every four years) and is composed of representatives from each state/territory.
What is a coalition?
A group of individuals with a common interest on which every political party depends on.