one party system :: one party exists or controls the government systematically, dominant party often characterized by a person, leaders game the system to get back in power

one party system adv :: easy elections, laws are passed quickly

one party system disadv :: little choice for the people, corruption

multi party system :: used by most countries in the world, diverse viewpoints, coalitions are formed in order to have political power

multi party adv :: wide variety of class, religion, sectional, and political interests

multi party disadv :: coalitions do not last long and often split when the government experiences turbulence

two party system :: major parties platforms are broad, minor parties have narrow agendas, are issue-oriented

two party system adv :: simple, basic choice

two party system disadv :: minor parties typically lose

political party :: a group of people joined together on the basis of certain principles, who seek to control the government in order to bring about the adoption of certain public policy and programs

spoiler votes :: happens when major parties are neck and neck, a minor party candidate who isn’t centrist pulls votes from the side that is most like it

major parties :: broad platforms, either one always wins national elections

minor parties :: issue-oriented, narrow platforms, never win elections, can bring about spoiler votes though

roles of parties :: informer stimulator, government function, watchdog, nominating

informer stimulator :: creates policies and ideologies and finds supporters that agree

government function :: day to day governing operations

watchdog :: party currently out of power, checks the leading party and tells people it isn’t working

nominating :: parties must choose good, capable candidates

bipartisanship :: agreement between two parties, example being legislation

canvassing :: ways politicians connect with their constituents, phone-banking, text-banking, working at polls, canvassing

parties are vehicles :: representatives affiliate with a party so the people can better understand their views

original parties of USA :: federalists and anti-federalists

principles in the constitution :: secularism, due process, freedom, equality