political party
a group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of political offices
major parties
in American politics, the Republican and the Democratic parties
partisanship
the strong support of their party and its policy stands
party in power
in American politics, the party that controls the executive branch of government
watchdog function
the idea that it is a duty of the media to keep the public informed of political events and to ensure that the rules of government are being followed.
minor party
one of the many political parties without wide voter support in this country.
third party
a political party organized in opposition to the major parties in a two-party system
two-party system
a political system dominated by two major parties
single member district
contests in which only one candidate is elected to each office on the ballot; winner take all elections
plurality
the largest number of votes cast for the office; the winning candidate receives a ~.
bipartisan
the two major parties find common ground and work together.
pluralistic society
one consisting of several distinct cultures & groups; ex. the US.
consensus
a general agreement among various groups
multiparty
a system in which several major and many lesser parties exist, seriously compete for, and actually win, public offices
coalition
a temporary alliance of several groups who come together to form a working majority and so to control a government
one-party system
political party system that has only one official political party; "no-party system
federalists
supporters of the stronger central government and constitution
antifederalists
People who opposed the constitution
american ideological consensus
generally, Americans are in agreement about most issues; all Americans agree on most issues
political spectrum
the range of political views
incumbent
current officeholder
faction
conflicting groups
electorate
the people eligible to vote
sectionalism
loyalty to a state or section rather than to the whole country
era of democrats
Thomas Jefferson's election in 1800 marked the beginning of a period of democratic domination that lasted until the Civil War...
era of republicans
The Civil War signaled the beginning of the second era of one-party domination.
Jeffersonian Democrats
Anti-Federalists in favor of strict limits on national power; liked the Bill of Rights
Jeffersonian Democrats
party established by Thomas Jefferson
Whigs
party that favored a national bank, protective tariffs and eventually the abolition of slavery; against Andrew Jackson
ideological parties
parties that are based on a particular set of beliefs-a comprehensive view of social, economic, & political matters.
single-issue parties
parties that focus on only one public-policy matter; most have faded into history;
economic protest parties
parties that have been rooted in periods of economic discontent; these groups have not had any clear-cut ideological base... usually proclaim their disgust with the major parties.
splinter parties
parties that have split away from one of the major parties; most of the minor parties in US politics have been splinter parties.
Communist Party USA
Radical political party aligned with Soviet Union advocated overthrow of capitalist economic system; Never had a membership larger than 100,000 in U.S.; During the Depression, initially attacked Democrats, then attempted to ally with them (forming a "Popu
Nazi Party
American party that agrees with Hitler's ideas.
Libertarian Party
A minor party that believes in extremely limited government. They call for a free market system, expanded individual liberties such as drug legalization, and a foreign policy of nonintervention, free trade, and open immigration.
green party
A minor party dedicated to the environment, social justice, nonviolence, and a foreign policy of nonintervention. Ralph Nader ran as its nominee in 2000.
Ralph Nader
Presidential Nominee in 2000 for the Green Party; Consumer rights activist who in the 60s and 70s attacked corporate Americas unsafe products. Wrote book about the auto industry called Unsafe at Any Speed
ward
a unit into which cities are often divided for the election of city council
precinct
the smallest unit of election administration; the voters in each ~ report to one polling place.
split ticket
voting for candidates of different parties for different offices at the same election
straight ticket
a ballot cast by a voter who votes for all the candidates of one party
National Convention
the meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party's platform.
National Committee
One of the institutions that keeps the party operating between conventions. The national committee is composed of representatives from the states and territories.
Congressional Campaign Committees
Separate committees in Congress for each political party to help members who are running for reelection or would-be members running for an open seat or challenging a candidate from the opposition party.