Chapter 8: Political parties, Candidates and Campaigns

Educational flashcards covering political party history, realignments, minor parties, and campaign finance based on the lecture transcript.

Federalist party

A political party led by Alexander Hamilton that envisioned a nation connected by commerce and a strong central government.

Democratic-Republican party

A political party formed by Thomas Jefferson that sided with farmers and advocates for states rights.

Grassroots party

A political party organized at the level of the voters and dependent on their support for its strength, as seen in Andrew Jackson's 1828 presidency.

The Whigs

A political party that emerged to challenge the Democrats but was disbanded in 1850 over the issue of slavery.

Party realignments

Periods of crisis where the electorate responds strongly to powerful issues, causing a lasting impact on public policy and party coalitions.

Union party

A party stemming from the Civil War where Republicans dominated the North and championed federal power and business growth.

Grover Cleveland

The Democratic president blamed for the banking crisis and severe depression in 1896, which halted Democratic momentum.

New Deal era Liberals

Democrats from 1932–1968 who used federal power to regulate business and assist the economically disadvantaged.

Social issue

A loose set of controversies like crime, abortion, drugs, and school prayer that contributed to gradual party realignment.

Great Society Programs

Initiatives from President Lyndon Johnson in the 1960's that included Medicare and Medicaid and increased federal spending.

Ronald Reagan's 1980 Platform

A campaign vow to cut tax, reduce welfare rolls, trim the federal budget, and devolve power to the states.

Barry Goldwater

A candidate in 1964 whose extreme positions cost him many votes, similar to George McGovern's later experience.

Minor Third parties

Political parties that rarely win office but can influence major parties to adopt their specific issues.

Free Soil Party

A single-issue party that sought the extension of slavery into new territories.

Greenback party

A minor party that sought a currency system based on paper money rather than gold and silver.

Factional parties

Parties that result from a split within one of the major parties, such as the States rights party of 1948.

Bull Moose party

The most electorally successful factional party in 1912, formed by Theodore Roosevelt, which won $27\%$ of the presidential vote.

Progressive party

A reform party that persuaded states and localities to adopt primary elections, recall elections, and popular referendums.

Reform Party

A party created by Texas business executive Ross Perot in 1992 that sought a fiscally responsible government and won $19\%$ of the vote.

Populists

An ideological party in 1892 that called for government takeover of the railroads and won $9\%$ of the national vote.

Libertarian party

An ideological party that calls for less government intervention in the marketplace and people's lives.

Green party

An ideological party that promotes social equality and environmentalism.

Hard Money

Money given directly to political candidates that they can spend however they choose.

Super PACS

Organizations that, in 2024, spent more than $4\text{ Billion}$ on political campaigns.

Political consultants

Specialists such as James Carville and Roger Ailes who provide fundraising, campaign, or media expertise.

Senate Campaign Costs

A US senator must raise an average of $30,000$ per week over a 6 year term to amass a minimum of $10\text{ million}$ for a competitive campaign.

Public funding limit

is a regulatory cap on the amount of government funds that can be allocated to a candidate's campaign, aimed at ensuring fair competition in elections.

Individual contribution limit

The maximum amount an individual contributor can donate to a candidate is $2,900$.

Group contribution limit

The maximum amount a group can contribute per election is $5,000$.

James Madison's view of parties

He likened parties to special interests but believed they were the best way for like-minded citizens to join in pursuit of shared goals.