Lecture Notes on Political Parties and Elections

Flashcards on political parties, elections, and related concepts.

How do political institutions link citizens to politics in a representative democracy?

Through political parties, elections, and interest groups.

Role of a political party

A political party helps nominate candidates, organize elections, inform voters, shape policy, and coordinate actions of government officials to implement a shared agenda.

Significance of party competition

Party competition ensures accountability, gives voters choices, encourages policy debate, and keeps elected officials responsive to the public. Competitive elections push parties to address public concerns and improve governance.

Main functions of political parties

• Nominating candidates

• Structuring voter choice

• Proposing alternative government programs

• Coordinating the actions of government officials

What is an institutional mechanism?

Procedures that control human behavior - rules of the game

What were America’s first political parties?

The Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republican Party.

What characterized Jefferson's Democratic-Republican Party?

Focused on small farmers and states’ rights advocates.

What characterized Hamilton's Federalist Party?

Focused on strengthening the federal government through national commerce.

Grassroots party

A party organized at the local level and open to all citizens

Party realignments

Periods of extraordinary change in the political landscape where voters shift their partisan support.

Straight-ticket voting

When a voter selects all candidates from one political party with a single mark or choice.

Split-ticket voting

Supporting candidates from both parties

Multi-party system

Three or more parties have the capacity to gain control of the government

What event prompted Southern states to withdraw from the Union?

The election of Abraham Lincoln, who had called for the end of slavery.

When did the two-party system become the main system?

Since the Civil War

Key indication of a weakening party identification

Political dealignment.

Duverger's Law

In a system with single-member districts and plurality (winner-takes-all) voting, only two major political parties tend to survive.

Median Voter Theorem

In a majority-rule voting system, the candidate or policy that aligns with the preferences of the median voter will likely win.

What is nomination in the context of the parties?

The selection of the individual who will run as the party’s candidate

What does SMDP stand for and how does it affect the democracy?

Single Member Districts System - leads to a 2 party democracy.

What does PR stand for and how does it affect the democracy?

Proportional Representation - leads to a multiparty democracy.

Overriding goal of a major American party

To gain power by getting its candidates elected.

Types of the Third Parties

• Single-issue parties

• Factional parties

• Reform parties

• Ideological parties.

Party organizations role

Party organizations help recruit candidates, fund campaigns, and mobilize voters.

Hard money

Money given directly to the candidate that can be used as he or she chooses

Hired guns

Professional political consultants who are the key operators in today’s campaigns.

What is packaging in the context of elections?

Presenting a candidate like a product using marketing to shape their image and appeal to voters.

Prospective voting

choosing a candidate based on their future plans and promises.

Retrospective voting

Choosing a candidate based on past performance

Direct Democracy

• Initiative

• Recall

• Referendum

Direct primary

Election where voters choose a party’s candidate for the general election.

No party preference (NPP)

Refers to those who decline to affiliate with a political party but are registered to vote

Party identification

A person’s attachment to a party influencing voting behavior and political perceptions.

Challenges in political parties

• Declining party loyalty among voters

• The rise of independent voters and candidate-centered campaigns

• The influence of media and technology changing traditional party roles.

What does party polarization lead to?

Gridlock and decreased bipartisan cooperation.