Vocab Chapter

Question 1

Political Party

Answer 1

Organization created for the purpose of winning elections and governing once in office

Question 2

Proportional Representation

Answer 2

System of representation in which seats for office are apportioned according to proportion of votes received by candidates or parties

Question 3

Single-Member District

Answer 3

Electoral system in which the candidates receiving a plurality of votes wins the election to represent the district

Question 4

Plurality

Answer 4

Having more votes than any other single candidate; may or not constitute a majority

Question 5

Duverger’s Law

Answer 5

Principle that asserts single member district elections lead to two party systems

Question 6

Electoral College

Answer 6

The assemblage of state electors constitutionally charged with electing the president

Question 7

Political Machine

Answer 7

A strong party organization that maintained control by giving favors in return for votes

Question 8

Patronage

Answer 8

A practice of providing jobs in exchange for political loyalty

Question 9

Civil Services

Answer 9

A merit based system of employment and personnel management that replaced patronage

Question 10

New Deal Coalition

Answer 10

Constellation of social groups that became the core base of support for the Democratic Party after the election of Roosevelt

Question 11

Realignments

Answer 11

Periodic changes in party strength, composition, and direction

Question 12

Critical Elections

Answer 12

Elections signaling realignments, often sweeping the opposition party into control of the presidency and congress

Question 13

Divided Government

Answer 13

Control of the White House by one party while the opposition party controls one or both houses of Congress

Question 14

Dealignment

Answer 14

A falloff in electoral support for both major political parties

Question 15

Soft Money

Answer 15

Money that is outside the federal regulatory framework but that is raised and spent in a manner suggesting possible intent to affect federal elections

Question 16

Hard Money

Answer 16

Campaign money received by candidates or parties that can be used for any purpose

Question 17

National Convention

Answer 17

Event held every four years by each political party to formally anoint its presidential candidate and to signal the initiation of the general election campaign

Question 18

Platform

Answer 18

Statement of political principles and campaign promises generated by each party at its national convention

Question 19

Safe Seats

Answer 19

Legislative districts that regularly remain in the same candidate or party

Question 20

Precinct

Answer 20

The geographic area served by a polling place and organized by local party units

Question 21

Third Parties

Answer 21

Minor parties that run a slate of their own candidates in opposition to major party organization in an election

Question 22

Splinter Parties

Answer 22

Political parties that are formed as offshoots of major political parties, usually by dissenters

Question 23

Ideological Parties

Answer 23

Minor parties organized around distinct ideological principles

Question 24

Single Issue or Candidates Parties

Answer 24

Minor parties arising in electoral response to important issues not addressed by major party candidates or around a strong personality

Question 25

Primary Election

Answer 25

Election in which voters chose candidates to represent the political parties in the general election

Question 26

Closed primary

Answer 26

Election in which voters can choose from potential nominees only within their own party

Question 27

Open Primary

Answer 27

Election in which voters can choose to vote for potential nominees from their own party or those from the other major political party

Question 28

Blanket Primary

Answer 28

Election in which voters can choose from among potential nominees in both parties; currently outlawed by the U.S Supreme Court

Question 29

Top Two Primary

Answer 29

Primary election in which voters choose from a list of all candidates regardless of party, with the top two facing off in the general election

Question 30

Run Off Election

Answer 30

Second election between top two vote getters in a race that did not produce a majority winner

Question 31

Earned Media

Answer 31

Media attention for which candidates do not pay; associated with major events like debates

Question 32

Paid Media

Answer 32

Media access for which candidates or party must pay a fee; adverstisements

Question 33

Negative or Attack Advertising

Answer 33

Advertising that attacks one’s opponents usually on the basis of issue stance or character