AP GOV Chapter 8

Party Competition

The struggle between political parties to win elections and control government.

Closed Primaries

Primary elections in which only voters registered with a particular political party can vote in that party’s primary.

New Deal Coalition

A group of voters, including minorities, labor unions, and Southern whites, who supported the Democratic Party during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency.

Political Party

An organized group that seeks to win elections and control government by electing its members to public office.

Open Primaries

Primary elections in which voters can choose which party’s primary to vote in, regardless of their party registration.

Party Dealignment

A decline in voters’ attachment to political parties, causing more people to identify as independents.

Linkage Institutions

Organizations and channels, such as political parties, elections, interest groups, and the media, that connect citizens to government.

National Party Convention

A meeting held by a political party to officially nominate its presidential and vice-presidential candidates and establish its party platform.

Third Parties

Political parties other than the two major parties, the Democrats and Republicans, that compete in elections.

Rational-Choice Theory

The idea that individuals make political decisions by choosing the option they believe will provide them with the greatest benefit.

National Committee

The organization that manages a political party’s activities between national conventions and coordinates its national strategy.

Party Image

The public’s overall perception of a political party, including its values, reputation, and positions on issues.

Winner-Take-All-System

An electoral system in which the candidate who receives the most votes wins all the available electoral votes or seats in that election.

National Chairperson

The leader of a national political party who manages party operations, fundraising, and election strategy.

Coalition

An alliance of different groups or parties that work together to achieve shared political goals.

Proportional Representation

An electoral system in which political parties receive seats in proportion to the percentage of votes they earn.

Party Identification

A person’s psychological attachment to a political party, often influencing their voting behavior and political opinions.

Coalition Government

A government formed when multiple political parties cooperate to govern, usually because no single party has a majority.

Ticket Splitting

Voting for candidates from different political parties in the same election.

Party Eras

Periods in American history characterized by the dominance of one political party and a relatively stable pattern of party support.

Party Machines

Strong local party organizations that use political influence and patronage to maintain power and secure votes.

Responsible Party Model

A model proposing that political parties should offer clear policy choices, follow through on their promises, and be held accountable by voters.

Patronage

The practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs or other benefits.

Party Realignment

A major and lasting shift in voter support that changes the balance of power between political parties.

Blue Dog Democrats

A group of moderate or conservative Democrats, often emphasizing fiscal responsibility and more centrist policies.

Critical Election

An election that produces a major and lasting change in the balance of support between political parties.

Nomination

The formal process through which a political party selects its candidate for an election.

Party in Electorate

The portion of the public that identifies with or supports a political party.

Party in Organization

The formal structure of a political party, including its national committee, state committees, and local organizations.

Party in Government

The elected officials who belong to a political party and serve in government.