Political Parties in the United States

Flashcards covering vocabulary and key terms related to political parties in the United States, along with definitions for effective study.

political party

A group that seeks to elect candidates to public office.

mugwumps or progressives

Republican Party faction of the 1890s to the 1910s, comprising reformers who opposed patronage.

critical or realignment periods

A period when a major, lasting shift occurs in the popular coalition supporting one or both parties.

primary elections

A primary election where all voters (regardless of party membership) may vote for the party’s nominee.

closed primary

A primary election where only registered party members may vote for the party’s nominee.

open primary

A primary election where all voters (regardless of party membership) may vote for the party’s nominee.

Super-delegates

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

invisible primary

Process by which candidates try to attract the support of key party leaders before an election begins.

national convention

A meeting of party delegates held every four years, which nominates the party’s candidate for president.

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 chair

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

political machines

A party organization that recruits members by dispensing patronage.

partisan identification

A voter’s long-term, stable attachment to one of the political parties.

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 without receiving a majority.

invisible primary

The process where candidates try to attract the support of key party leaders before an election starts.

partisan loyalty

The stable attachment a voter has to a political party, influencing their voting behavior.

minor parties

Political parties that have less electoral significance compared to the two dominant parties.

factional parties

Parties formed from splits within a major party, usually due to ideological differences.

ideological parties

Parties that have a comprehensive view of society and government that differs radically from mainstream parties.