Unit 2: Linkage Institutions

Dealignment

a general decline in party identification and loyalty in the electorate

proportional representation

An election system in which each party running receives the proportion of legislative seats corresponding to its proportion of the vote.

retrospective voting

Holding incumbents, usually the president's party, responsible for their records on issues, such as the economy or foreign policy.

Prospective issue voting

Voting based on what a candidate pledges to do in the future about an issue if elected.

Minor Party (Third Party)

Any political party other than democratic or republican; they can make a difference but rarely win elections

cross over voting

Voting by member of one party for a candidate of another party

National Party Convention

The supreme power within each of the parties. The convention meets every four years to nominate the party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates and to write the party's platform.

winner-take-all system

an electoral system in which the party/person that receives at least one more vote than any other party/person wins the election

political socialization

The process by which we develop our political attitudes, values, and beliefs.

political ideology

the coherent set of values and beliefs about the purpose and scope of government held by groups and individuals

political party

A group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy

single-member district

An electoral district in which voters choose one representative or official.

Electoral College

A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president

Realigning Election (Critical Election)

An election which signifies that there has been a long term change to voter preference and party alignment

liberal

Political ideology that generally supports the idea that the federal government should take an active role in solving the nation's domestic problems. This ideology is more open to change.

conservative

A political ideology marked by the belief in a limited role for government in taxation, economic regulation, and providing social services; conservatives support traditional values and lifestyles, and are cautious in response to social change.

Libertarian

One who believes in limited government interference in personal and economic liberties

Populist

a member or adherent of a political party seeking to represent the interests of ordinary people.

political efficacy

The belief that one's political participation really matters - that one's vote can actually make a difference

candidate-centered politics

politics that focuses directly on the candidates, their particular issues, and character, rather than on party affiliation

coalition

a group of individuals with a common interest on which every political party depends

Democratic Party

One of the two major American political parties evolving out of the Republican Party of Thomas Jefferson.

Republican Party

Political party that believed in the non-expansion of slavery & consisted of Whigs, N. Democrats, & Free-Soilers in defiance to the Slave Powers

Redistricting

The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population.

Reapportionment

The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years on the basis of the results of the census.

Gerrymandering

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting a particular party

linkage institutions

Institutions that connect citizens to government. The mass media, interest groups, and political parties are the three main linkage institutions.

party-line voting

process in which voters select candidates by their party affiliation

Voter Demographics

Likelihood of voting impacted by education, age, income & mobility (tie to community). Not race or gender.

political participation

actions of private citizens by which they seek to influence or support government and politics