Political Parties and Their Impact on US Politics

These flashcards cover key concepts related to political parties, systems, and their implications in U.S. politics.

Political Parties

Organizations that seek to influence government policy and gain political power through elections.

Two-Party System

A political system dominated by two major parties.

Coalition

A temporary alliance between political parties for the purpose of gaining political power.

Federalists

The first political party in the US, formed by Alexander Hamilton, advocating for a strong national government.

Democratic-Republicans

A political party formed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison that opposed the Federalists and favored states' rights.

Ideological Polarization

The divergence of political attitudes to ideological extremes.

Affective Polarization

The growing emotional divide and hostility between political parties.

Proportional Representation

An electoral system where parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive.

Interest Groups

Organizations of people who share common objectives and actively seek to influence policymakers.

Social Movements

Collective efforts by groups to promote or resist change in society.

Economic Inequality

The unequal distribution of wealth and income in a society.

Voting Turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election.

Super PAC

Political Action Committees that can raise unlimited sums of money from individuals, corporations, and unions for political advocacy.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the US Constitution, which formally elects the President and Vice President.

Voter ID Laws

Legislation requiring individuals to show specified forms of identification in order to vote.

Political Accountability

The accountability of government officials to the public for their actions.

Public Opinion

The collective views of individuals on political, social, and economic issues.

Classical Liberalism

A political ideology advocating for individual freedoms, limited government, and free markets.