unit 2 flashcard

governments with multiparty systems often need to form these

coalitions

when minor parties are successful their ideas are adopted by who

major parties

the main purpose of political parties is to control government by doing this

winning elections

type of minor party that fade away after an economic crisis is over

economic protest parties

raises money and recruits new voters for each party between presidential elections

national committee

much of american election law is written to discourage minor party candidates is a main reason the united states has this

two-party system

parties that concentrate on only one public policy matter

single issue party

form around a strong personality and tend to fade when the leader steps aside

splinter parties

party system that exists in a nation ruled by a dictatorship

one-party system

a group of people with shared ideas who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office

political party

lowered the voting age to 18

26th amendment

even after the passage of this many african americans in the south did not vote because it was not enforced

15th amendment

people who may want to vote but are prevented for some reason

cannot voters

the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions

political socialization

family members voting for the same political party is an example of this

political socialization

a policy designed to reduce the barriers to voting for those suffering discrimination

voting rights act of 1965

unmarried, young, and unskilled

characteristics of a nonvoter

tend to vote more than men

women

women gain the right to vote

19th amendment

amendment to the u.s constitution (1964) eliminated the poll tax as a prerequisite to vote in national elections

24th amendment

bad weather, long lines, lack of interest

typical reasons for nonvoting

evidence that the “solid south” is a thing of the past

republican presidential candidates now carry most southern states

a voting requirement of all states

secret ballots

reason voters have only 2 choices for most political offices on election day

two-party system

buying the office and corruption are

concerns of the high cost of elections

responsible for nominating those who will run for public office

political parties

major argument against the closed primary

independent voters cannot vote

the constitution provides little in terms of election laws except for the regulation of the election of the president and

congress

voters within a precinct/district go here to cast their vote

polling place

secret ballot printed at the expense of the state

australian ballot

which candidate usually has the biggest advantage in a national election?

the candidate who raises the most money

all federal law dealing with campaign finance is administered by this agency

federal election commission

political contributions given directly to a candidate that are limited in amount and fully disclosed.

hard money

today, the principal nominating method in most states is this

direct primary

to elect a president the consititution established that these would be chosen in each state as directed by the state legislatures and would be equal to the number of congressmen from that state

electors

chosen on a winner-take-all basis in every state but maine and nebraska

electors

number of times the winner of the popular vote has not won the presidency?

5

how many electoral votes does it take to win the presidency?

270

the best way to measure public opinion

opinion polls

the mass media influences politics by helping shape this

public agenda

in a scientific poll it is the whole group that the poll wants to measure

universe

aspects of public opinion that are difficult to measure

intensity and stability

schools play an important role in forming opinions in children to be this

good citizens

people who have an unusually strong influence on the views of others

opinion leaders

have the greatest influence on reinforcing the opinions a person already has

peer groups

a main concern of an interest group in contrast to a political party is to influence this

public policy

immediate face to face contact with policy makers is considered this

direct approach

most interest groups are formed on the basis of this

economic interests

lobbyists promote the ideas of interest groups in the courts by filing these

lawsuits

a positive of interest groups is that provide a way to take part in this

government

an interest group that seeks to institute certain public policies of benefit to all or most people in this country, whether or not they belong to or support that organization

public interest group

legislators are not allowed to accept these from lobbyists

gifts

a friend of the court brief filed by an interest group or interested party to influence a supreme court decision

amicus curiae brief

issue-oriented interest group that fights in and out of court to protect individual rights

american civil liberties union