Ch 9 Vocab

Mugwumps

Mugwumps

A Republican party faction from the 1890s to the 1910s composed of reformers opposing patronage.

Party convention

a political convention where delegates of a political party come from across the nation to nominate their party candidates and decide on a party platform

National committee

Delegates who run party affairs between national conventions.

Congressional campaign Committee

A party committee in Congress that provides funds to members and would be members

National chairman

Day-to-day party manager elected by the national committee.

Superdelegates

Party leaders and elected officials who become delegates to the national convention without having to run in primaries or caucuses

Solidarity incentives

The social rewards (Sense of pleasure, status, or companionship) that lead people to join political organizations.

Sponsored party

A local or state political party largely supported by another organization in the community.

Two-party system

An electoral system with two dominant parties that compete in national elections.

Plurality system

An electoral system in which the winner is the person who gets the most votes, even if he or she does not receive a majority; used in almost all American elections.

Caucus

Closed meetings of party members to select candidates or decide on policies.

Democratic Party

A major political party generally aligned with liberal ideological positions.

Republican Party

A major political party generally aligned with conservative ideological positions.

Electorate

The body of people eligible to vote in an election.

Candidate-centered campaign

where the public focus is on the characteristics of the candidate and not on the party

Critical elections / Realignments

Elections that result in significant shifts in party ideology, leadership, or demographic support.

Political party

functions and impact of political parties on the electorate and government are represented by: i. Mobilization and education of voters ii. Party platforms iii. Candidate recruitment iv. Campaign management, including fundraising and media strategy v. The committee and party leadership systems in legislatures ; structure of parties has been influenced by: i. Critical elections (elections in which there is a realignment of political party support among voters) ii. Campaign finance law iii. Changes in communication and data management technology ;  use communication technology and voter data management to disseminate, control, and clarify political messages and enhance outreach and mobilization efforts

Party platform

formal set of principal goals of a political party to appeal to the public / electorate

Third party

incorporation of third-party agendas into platforms of major political parties serves as a barrier to third-party and independent candidate success