Political Parties, Platforms, and Elections

Vocabulary flashcards covering the U.S. two-party system, major party platforms across four policy areas, and the four key obstacles preventing third parties from winning national elections.

Third party

A political party organized as opposition to existing parties in a two-party system.

Two-party system

A system where two major political parties dominate the government.

Ballot Access Laws

State-level regulations deciding who is on the ballot by requiring a certain number of signatures, making it difficult for third parties to appear as voting options across states.

Presidential Debates (Third Party Barrier)

A barrier to third parties requiring candidates to hold at least $15\%$ of the popularity vote to participate, limiting publicity for third-party candidates.

Electoral System Design / Winner-Take-All Elections

One of the four structural reasons discussed in class explaining why third parties struggle to win in national elections.

Campaign Finance Laws

One of the four factors identified that makes it difficult for third-party candidates to win national elections.

Republican Party

One of the two major political parties in the U.S. that tends to be conservative.

Democratic Party

One of the two major political parties in the U.S. that tends to be liberal.

Platform

A statement or declaration of what a political party stands for.

Economic Policies (Party Platform)

Party platform positions concerning whether welfare spending is reduced or used, taxes are higher for the wealthy or lower for everyone, and businesses are regulated or granted more freedom.

Social Policies (Party Platform)

Party platform positions concerning abortion (pro-life or pro-choice), same-sex marriage, religion in government, gun control strictness, and immigration acceptance or restriction.

Security Policies (Party Platform)

Party platform positions regarding criminal justice (punishment versus rehabilitation), military size (strong or reduced), and foreign policy (peaceful diplomacy versus military force).

Federalism Policies (Party Platform)

Party platform positions addressing the balance between a strong national government with weak state power versus a weak national government with strong state power.