Chapter 16 gov. vocab.

Democratic National Committee

furthers the goals of the democratic party; composed of many democratic employees

Republican National Committee

furthers the goals of the republican party; composed of many republican employees

Democratic party

support aggressive efforts for minority rights and stronger protections of the environment

Republican party

advocate for strong national defense, reduction of government spending, and conservative doctrine

linkage institutions

channels that connect people with the government

robocalls

pre-recorded phone messages delivered automatically to large numbers of people reminding them to vote for their candidate; also discourage voting for other candidates

national chairperson

chief strategist and spokesperson; nongovernmental

social media

powerful tools for candidates to spread messages and build their brands

national convention

gathering of party leaders that established a tradition and necessary function

war chest

funds to spend for candidates that move from one level of government to the next

platform

a written list of beliefs and political goals

critical elections

reveal lasting changes to loyalties to political parties

Mcgovern-Fraser Commission

examine and rewrite convention rules; ensured minorities, women, and young voter representation

Democratic- Republicans

The First Alignment or Jeffersonians; enjoyed 2 decades of dominance with decline of the Federalists

New- Deal Coalition

FDR; Democratic state and local party organizations, minorities, farmers and immigrants

party dealignment

citizens becoming independents and turning away from politics

divided government

a situation in which one party controls Congress and the other controls the White House

party realignment

a change in underlying electoral forces due to changes in party identification

Grand Old Party (GOP)

the Republican party; dominated national politics with their pro-growth, pro-business agenda from 1860-1932

super delegates

high ranking delegates not beholden to any state primary vote

Jacksonian Democracy

the shift toward greater democracy for the common man and away from the aristocracy that previously had the power

Whig Party

opponents of Jackson party, advocated for strong national government, infrastructure and strong national bank

Jeffersonians

another name for the Democratic Republicans

ballot access

fees and signatures that are required to vote in every state; independents have a difficult time

splinter parties

3rd parties; form when large factions of members break off from a major party

economic- protest parties

form to oppose other parties

swing states

states that could vote either way in an election

ideological parties

Liberatarians; subscribe to consistent ideology across multiple issues

third parties (minor parties)

structural barriers in the political system have limited their impact and influence

single-issue parties

based off of specific topics; often rise and fall

two- party system

discourages third party and independent candidates; has generally dominated the political scene

single-member districts

the candidate who wins the most votes or publicity; wins office

winner take all voting

all states award their electoral votes to the candidate who wings the plurality of the popular vote