political participation
all the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue. The most common, but not the only, means of it in a democracy is voting.
political party
A group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy
Critical elections
An electoral "earthquake" where new issues emerge, new coalitions replace old ones, and the majority party is often displaced by the minority party. Such periods are sometimes marked by a national crisis and may require more than one election to bring abo
coalition
A group of individuals with a common interest on which every political party depends.
solid south
Term applied to the one-party (Democrat) system of the South following the Civil War. For 100 years after the Civil War, the South voted Democrat in every presidential election.
winner take all system
a system in which the candidate who wins the popular vote in a state usually receives all of the states electoral votes
party identification
An informal and subjective affiliation with a political party that most people acquire in childhood.
independent
People who do not support a particular political party.
patronage
Granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support
national convention
A national meeting of delegates elected in primaries, caucuses, or state conventions who assemble once every four years to nominate candidates for president and vice president, ratify the party platform, elect officers, and adopt rules.
southern strategy
President Nixon's attempt to attract the support of Southern conservative Democrats who were unhappy with federal desegregation policies and the liberal Supreme Court.
party in the electorate
The largest (and least organized) component of a political party, drawn from the public at large: registered members and regular supporters.
two party system
The American political process is characterized, in part, by our two party system. Whereas most democracies welcome multiple parties here in the United States certain institutional rules make it almost imperative that we have only two. One reason we have
single member districts
Many of our political questions can be answered by "single member districts." Why do we have a 2 party system? Single member districts. What prevents 3rd parties from gaining legislative seats? Single member districts. What makes redistricting so difficul
political spectrum
A way of showing tendences for political beliefs, where people who want change are on the left (liberal) and people who want to stay the same are on the right (conservative). Most people are towards the middle.
party eras
extended periods of relative political stability in which one party tends to control both the presidency and Congress
party realignment
The displacement of the majority party by the minority party, usually during a critical election period.
party de-alignment
Refers to the phenomenon in western democracies of fewer and few people's attachment to political parties.
third parties
electoral contenders other than the two major parties. American third parties are not unusual, but they rarely win elections.
role of third parties
Provide an outlet for minorities to voice their grievances; split the vote of the major political parties; and often force the major political parties to adopt their ideas.
proportional representation
An electoral system used throughout most of Europe that awards legislative seats to political parties in proportion to the number of votes won in an election.
ticket-splitting
Voting for candidates of different parties for various offices in the same election
party machines
mass-based party systems in which parties provided services and resources to voters in exchange for votes
decline of parties
The rise of interest groups is draining membership from parties, and voters are moving more toward independent identifications as the electorate increasingly gets political information from a myriad of sources and not just from the political party.
responsible party model
A view favored by some political scientists about how parties should work. According to the model, parties should offer clear choices to the voters, who can then use those choices as cues to their own preferences of candidates. Once in office, parties wou
party in government
the group of officeholders who belong to a specific political party and were elected as candidates of that party
party organization
The formal structure and leadership of a political party, including election committees; local, state, and national executives; and paid professional staff.
multi party system
A system in which multiple political parties have the capacity to gain control of government offices, separately or in coalition
types of primaries
1)Closed- only vote in the primary party that you are an registered member of. 2) Open- voters can vote for either party, but only one. 3) Blanket- split ticket voting in the party on the same ballot.
diminishing role of parties
due largely to media, which replaced parties as a source for information on candidates. Interest groups are another rival to the party. Parties will have a diminished, but still important role in american politics.
effects of winner take all
discourages small parties. Unless a party wins, there is no reward. This forces smaller parties to team up with major parties to raise its bets.
conditions of the responsible party model
1. Parties must present distinct, comprehensive programs for governing the nation.
2. Each party's candidates must be committed to its program and have the discipline to carry out its program.
3. The majority party must implement its programs, and the min
Alexander Hamilton's party?
Federalists
federalists
Supporters of the Constitution that were led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. They firmly believed the national government should be strong. They didn't want the Bill of Rights because they felt citizens' rights were already well protected by the Con
First Party System
Two national parties competing for control of the presidency, congress, and the states: The Federalist party (by Hamilton) and Democratic-Republican Party (Jefferson & Madison)
Importance of the National Committee?
Keep the party operating between conventions.
Why are American political parties decentralized
-Dem/Rep party do not have leaders to fully rule and choose candidates
-parties in the US are weaker ? more independents (on the rise)
Rational Choice Theory
Parties/politicians have pragmatic goals that matter more to the party than ideology (such as winning); and so, they'll pursue goals with mass public appeal.
party competition
the battle between the two dominant parties in the American system.
parties pick candidates
almost no one above local level gets elected to a public office without winning a party's endorsement. Citizens now play a role in picking candidates through primaries etc.
Parties run campaigns
parties organize political campaigns. However, media has made it easier for candidates to campaign on their own.
Parties give cues to voters
knowing whether a candidate is dem or rep provides crucial info for many voters.
Parties articulate policies
each political party advocates specific policy alternatives.
Parties coordinate policymaking
When politicians need support to get something done, they look to their fellow partisans.
Evangelical vs. Mainline Protestant
Evangelical Protestants are more dedicated to Christianity than main-line Protestants. Black churches are even more religious than Evangelical churches. Mainline Protestants tend to be more educated.
sites of political socialization
family, school, etc
one party dominant
multiple parties may legally operate but in which only one particular party has a realistic chance of gaining power
unified government
the same party controls the White House and both houses of Congress
straight ticket voting
practice of voting for candidates of only one party in an election
Liberal consensus
widespread agreement among americans in the decades afte WWII that the pro-government policies of the New Deal were desirable and should be continued
Purpose of political parties
Link between people and the government , win elections to control goverment
party whips
Party leaders who work with the majority leader to count votes beforehand and lean on the waverers whose votes are crucial to a bill favored by the party.
party line voting
casting votes for only candidates of one's party
consequences of polarization
gridlock, lack of trust in gov, poor congressional approval ratings
non partisan gerrymandering
reform proposal for polarization
ban negative campaigning
reform proposal for polarization
blanket primary system
A state may institute a blanket primary system in which all voters participate. However, the First Amendment freedom of expression and association prohibit states from interfering with a political party's endorsement of a candidate or selection of a candi
two party system
two political parties controlling representation in the government. In the United States, the Democrats and Republicans have dominated elections because of the "winner-take-all" electoral system.
ballot access laws
laws that regulate who's name appears on the general election ballot
limited participation in presidential debates
reinforces the two party system
limited public campaign finance
reinforces the two party system
spoiler effect
When a 3rd party candidate takes enough votes away from one of the main party candidates to make him/her lose the election. Ex., Ralph Nader & Green Party may have caused Al Gore to lose 2000 election to George Bush.
the tea party
a political movement in the United States that is against taxation, against a strong central government, and against government spending FACTION WITHIN THE REP PARTY