Political Parties Study Guide

Quiz 9 – Political Parties (Study Sheet)

Question 1

  • George Washington warned about dangers of political parties:

    • Washington cautioned that political parties could lead to divisiveness and factionalism, potentially undermining national unity and public trust in governance.

Question 2

  • Whig Party was not a third-party challenger:

    • The Whig Party, active in the mid-19th century, was one of the two major parties during its time, competing directly with the Democratic Party rather than acting as a third party.

Question 3

  • Early parties formed to win national elections via coalitions in Congress:

    • The early political parties in the United States, such as the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans, were formed to create coalitions that could effectively gain legislative power and influence national politics.

Question 4

  • Democrats gained prominence by focusing on 'common people' and personal politics:

    • The Democratic Party distinguished itself by appealing to the average citizen and emphasizing personal connections and grassroots activism, which helped it gain a substantial following.

Question 5

  • Proportional representation = vote for party, not individual:

    • Proportional representation is an electoral system whereby voters cast their ballots for a political party rather than for individual candidates, which leads to parties gaining seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive.

Question 6

  • NOT a factor in realignment: changes in party strategies:

    • While changes in party strategies can influence elections, they are not typically cited as a significant factor in realignment, which instead often relates more closely to demographic shifts and major social transformations.

Question 7

  • Third parties often act as spoilers in elections:

    • Third parties can disrupt the electoral process by drawing votes away from major parties, potentially altering the outcome of elections (for example, taking votes from a leading candidate).

Question 8

  • Parties restrict ballot access to prevent new parties:

    • Major political parties may implement rules that create barriers for new parties to gain access to ballots, thereby protecting their established positions and diminishing competition.

Question 9

  • National party helps nominee win presidency:

    • The national party plays a critical role in supporting its presidential nominee through funding, organizational support, and strategic campaigning to ensure electoral success.

Question 10

  • Party organization does fundraising, GOTV, recruitment, registration (all):

    • Political party organizations are involved in a broad array of activities including fundraising, "Get Out The Vote" (GOTV) efforts, candidate recruitment, and voter registration initiatives to enhance their electoral impact.

Question 11

  • Polarization gives clear choices AND can cause dysfunction (both true):

    • Political polarization can lead to clearer distinctions among parties and choices for voters; however, it can also result in legislative gridlock and increased conflict, hampering effective governance.

Question 12

  • Sorting thesis = voters shift with party positions, increasing polarization:

    • The sorting thesis suggests that as political parties take more distinct positions on issues, voters tend to realign themselves with parties that more closely match their personal beliefs, contributing to heightened polarization in the electorate.

Question 13

  • Gerrymandering increases polarization (not only cause):

    • Gerrymandering, the practice of redistricting to favor a particular party, can exacerbate political polarization by creating districts that are heavily weighted toward one party, but it is important to note that it is not the only factor contributing to this phenomenon.