ch 8 political parties quiz review

political party

organization that sponsers candidiates for political office under the organizations name

nomination

process that designates an offical candidiate for a political party

political system

set of related/connected institutions that link people with the government

caucuses

a closed meeting that allows members of a political party to decide questions/select candidates for office

national convention

gatherings of a single political party from across the country to choose a candidate for president and vp

party platform

a statement of policies of a national political party

critical election

an election that produces a sharpe change im the existing patterns of party loyalty amoung groups of voters

electorial realignment

change in voting patterns that happen after a critical election ex: the north vs the south

two way party system

2 major political parties compete for control of the gov (3rd party has to chance of a w)

electorial dealignment

party loyalties become less important to voters

majority representation

2 or more candidates compete to try and win an office. winner is whoever collects the most votes

proportional representation

legislative seats are awarded to a party that wins an election

party identification

a voters sense of psychological attatchment to a party

national committee

a group of one political party composed of party chairpersons and party officials from every state

congressional campaign committee

an organization maintained by a paolitical party to raise funds

party conferences

political parties will have a meeting at the beginning of a session where they will select party leaders

party machine

a centralized party organization that dominates local politics by controlling elections

responsible party government

principles that formaliza the ideal role of parties in a majoritarian democracy

four important functions preformed by political parties

-nominating candidates
-structuring the voting voice
-proposing alt gov programs
-coordinating the activities of gov officials

when was the democratic. conservative, and republic founded

D- 1882
C- 1832
R- 1856

how has our two party system been marked through the four elections

1860- R majority in north and D were majority in south
1896-strengthed the R party with the midwest/northeast
1932-the GD made the D the majority
1868- D dominate politics

why do two-parties dominate AM

single member districts and plurality rule- Am political socialization made AM either identify as D or R

what party is on top?

ppl r leaving D to become Independant.
D still outnumbers R
but D and R outnumber Independants.

what are the principles of responsible party government

-parties should present clear programs to voters
-voters should choose candidiates on the basis of party programs
-the winning party should carry out its programs once in office
-voters should hold governing party responsible for doing so^