Splinter Parties
breakaway parties
Spoils System
gives government jobs to party supporters
Incumbent
the current office holder
Ideological Parties
parties based on a particular set of beliefs
Electorate
all of the people who are allowed to vote in an election
Partianship
influences appointments at all levels of government
Bipartisan
describes the 2 major parties when they work together
Precinct
the smallest unit where voters go to vote
Coalition
when parties share power to make a majority
Ward
a unit into which cities are divided
What is the purpose of a platform committee?
developing policy statements
Which is a reason the United States has a two-party system?
because of single-member district elections
A new party is formed whose main concern is the environment. What kind of party would this be?
a single-issue party
Which of the following is an example of an ideological party?
the socialist party
What is the reason that the 2 major political parties do not have a strong central structure?
federalism
One function of a political party is to make sure that its candidates are well qualified and of good character. What is this called?
the bonding agent function
Why do Democrats and Republicans take similar stands on many issues?
because the American people share many ideals and beliefs
What is true about splinter parties?
They take away supporters from a major party.
What is on advantage minor parties have over the major parties?
The can take clear-cut stands on controversial issues.
Which of the following is most likely to bring together a political party?
having a member of the party in the white house
Party leaders ask a member of their own party not to run for office. They do not think he is qualified. How are the party leaders acting in this example?
in a bonding agent role
What is one function most clearly sets parties apart from other groups in the political process?
nominating candidates
Multiparty systems:
usually produce a broader, more diverse representation of the electorate
Why did a two-party system emerge in the United States even though the Framers of the Constitution were opposed to political parties?
The Constitutional ratification process produced 2 parties.
The Democratic Party barely survived as a national party after?
the issue of slavery split the party
Since 1968, American government can best be described as an era of:
divided government
Who is the leader of a party's national committee?
the national chairperson
Between presidential elections, the national party of each party:
raises money and recruits new voters
The fact that Democrats and Republicans take similar stands on many issues is a reflection of
the ideological consensus among the American people
In what way is a minor party most likely to influence an election?
by serving as a "spoiler" and denying one or another candidate a victory
What is the main purpose of a major party's national convention?
to select the party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates
Which party system exists in a nation ruled by a dictatorship
one-party system
What was the main political goal of the Federalist party?
to build a stronger government
Which party has dominated the Federal Government in recent decades?
neither of the major parties
Minor parties most often demonstrate their influence by
influencing the major parties' platforms