Political Parties

Flashcards to help review key concepts and facts about political parties.

Political parties are groups of people with similar interests who work together to create and implement __.

policies.

The purpose of political parties includes drafting __.

legislation.

Political parties guide proposed laws through __ and inform party members how they should vote.

Congress

Political parties coordinate political campaigns and __ voters.

mobilizing

Interest groups do not exist primarily to elect candidates under a __ label.

party

Political parties work directly to influence public policy through its members while __ work indirectly.

interest groups

Interest group activities are more __, narrowly focused, and often cross party lines.

issue-specific

The Anti-Masonic Party garnered just under __ percent of the popular vote in 1832.

8

The Revolutionary War led to the formation of the two original political parties: the __ and the Anti-Federalists.

Federalists

Andrew Jackson’s loss to John Quincy Adams gave rise to the __ Party.

Democratic

Political parties formed as alternatives to the Republican and Democratic parties are known as __ parties.

third

Most elections at state and national levels are __: the candidate with the greatest number of votes wins.

winner-take-all

To be taken seriously, a candidate must convince voters that they have a real chance of __ the election.

winning

Plurality voting is based on the principle that the candidate with the most votes wins, whether or not they gain a __ of the total votes cast.

majority

In a __ electoral system, legislative seats are awarded to parties based on the proportion of support each party receives.

proportional representation

The candidate with the most votes wins in __ elections, with no reward for second place.

plurality

The Electoral College requires the winning candidate to have a __; this is harder in a multiparty system.

majority

Campaign and election laws are written by members of the two dominant __ and favor those parties.

parties

Divided Government exists when one party holds the presidency, and the other party is in the majority in at least one branch of __.

Congress

A divided government makes fulfilling campaign __ tough because cooperation is needed to pass legislation.

promises

A divided government benefits by forcing parties to work together to solve __ or pass legislation.

problems

Party polarization describes the increasing dissimilarity between and , both organizationally and in government.

Republicans; Democrats

Fewer members of Congress have mixed voting records, leading to voting __ on issues.

consistency

One implication of partisan polarization is that fewer moderate voters are participating in __.

party politics

The role of a political party organization includes coordinating party behavior and supporting party __.

candidates

Local organizations identify and mobilize potential __ and voters for the party.

donors

State organizations focus on statewide candidate recruitment and campaign __.

mobilization

The party-in-the-electorate consists of members of the voting public who consider themselves part of a __ party.

political

Polarization of the U.S. Congress has resulted in a drop in the number of __ since 1973.

moderates

Another possible cause for increased polarization is the sophistication of __ used to favor a candidate.

gerrymandering

For political parties, the need to build coalitions requires them to align with voters' __.

preferences

Problems of a divided government might cause bureaucratic __.

gridlock

Political parties are responsible for __ voters who share similar preferences.

mobilizing

Interest groups might work with members of each party, as they are willing to cross __ lines.

party

The party organization consists of active members responsible for coordinating party __.

behavior

Party realignment might occur if the voters’ preferences are not __.

met

The formal structure of the political party is known as the party __.

organization

Millennials are more likely to identify as or lean towards the __ Party.

Democratic

Political parties exist to win __ and influence public policy.

elections

The flexibility of the American system allows for the development of various __ parties.

third

Political parties often struggle to convince voters that they can make a significant __ in the election process.

impact

The benefits of a divided government might prevent a single party from __ power.

abusing

Voter turnout can be impacted by the perception of a candidate’s __ of winning.

chance

Political parties have the responsibility of selecting and electing candidates for __ office.

public

Party alignment is affected by changes in voter thought processes and __.

preferences

Party organizations are crucial in training potential __ for public office.

candidates

Interest groups tend to be more __ in their focus compared to political parties.

specific

Voter mobilization is critical for increasing participation in political __.

campaigns

The impact of technology has been suggested as a potential cause for increased __.

polarization

Political parties must develop a strong __ to maintain support among voters.

brand

The __ party emerged from Andrew Jackson's political movement.

Democratic

Political parties serve to influence public policy through their __ members.

elected

In a representative system, parties announce who is on their candidate list, and voters pick a __.

party

Political campaigns must coordinate to gather financial resources to compete with established __ parties.

dominant

Interest groups may work to influence legislation while political parties seek to gain __ power.

government

The structure of political party organizations extends from local to national __.

levels

Diverse party platforms are less common due to the challenges posed by __ elections.

winner-take-all

Effective political campaigns often rely on mobilizing __ to participate in voting.

voters

The perception of success or failure can be more complex in a __ government.

divided

Political parties work to form __ to broaden their voter base and appeal to more people.

coalitions

Gerrymandering can create an uneven playing field in __ elections.

political

The term 'political party' refers to a group organized to gain __ power by winning elections.

government

Political participation is critical for maintaining a strong and responsive __ system.

democratic

The party-in-government includes elected officials and those holding __ positions.

government

Voter demographics have shifted, influencing the political landscape and party __.

alignment

Campaign strategies must consider the role of the __ economy in financing candidates.

political

Political debate often revolves around the effectiveness of these parties in achieving __ change.

policy

Party members often share similar __ and values which guide their political beliefs.

interests

Engagement with different voter demographics is essential for political party __.

success