Chapter 7: Political Parties

Party organization

A specific political party’s leaders and workers at the national, state, and local levels

Party in government

The group of officeholders who belong to a specific political party and were elected as candidates of that party

Party in the electorate

The group of citizens who identify with a specific political party

Party system

Periods in which the names of the major political parties, their supporters, and the issues dividing them have remained relatively stable

Party principle

The idea that a political party exists as an organization distinct from its elected officials or party leaders

Spoils system

The practice of rewarding party supporters with benefits like federal government positions

Realignment

A change in the size or composition of the party coalitions or in the nature of the issues that divide the parties. Realignments typically occur within an election cycle or two, but they can also occur gradually over the course of a decade or longer

National committee

An American political party’s principal organization, comprising party representatives from each state

527 organization

A tax-exempt group formed primarily to influence elections through voter mobilization efforts and issue ads that do not directly endorse or oppose a candidate. Unlike PACs, they are not subject to contribution limits and spending caps

Caucus

A local meeting in which party members select a party’s nominee for the general election (D)

Conference

The organization of Republicans within the House and Senate that meets to discuss and debate the party’s positions on various issues in order to reach a consensus and to assign leadership positions.

Unified government

A situation in which one party holds a majority of seats in the House and Senate and the president is a member of that same party

Divided government

A situation in which the House, Senate, and presidency are not controlled by the same party—for example, when Democrats hold the majority of House and Senate seats and the president is a Republican

Party identification (party ID)

A citizen’s loyalty to a specific political party

Party coalitions

The groups that identify with a political party, usually described in demographic terms such as Black Democrats or Evangelical Republicans

Issue ownership

The theory that voters associate certain issues or issue positions with certain parties (like Democrats and support for government-provided health insurance)

Political Action Committee (PAC)

An interest group or a division of an interest group that can raise money to contribute to campaigns or to spend on ads in support of candidates. The amount a PAC can receive from each of its donors and the amount it can spend on federal electioneering are strictly limited.

Primary election

A ballot vote in which citizens select a party’s nominee for the general election

Nominating convention

A meeting held by each party every four years at which states’ delegates select the party’s presidential and vice-presidential nominees and approve the party platform

Party platform

A set of objectives outlining the party’s issue positions and priorities. Candidates are not required to support their party’s platform.