AP Gov Chapter 8

define the term "political party"

"a team of men, and women, seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election"

What is meant by "party machine"?

A type of political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements, such as patronage, to win votes and to govern; depends on rewarding its members in some material fashion.

What are two ways in which third parties can impact have an impact on American politics?

Bring new groups into the electorate and serve as a safety valve for popular discontent

What is the difference between the following types of party primaries?

Closed primaries, open primaries, blanket primaries

Explain "Party in Government"

Consists of elected officials who call themselves a member of a party. Even if they share a label, they do not always agree on policy. Presidents and governors have to convince their own party members to vote for their policy.However, some put personal ambition above loyal to parties leaders. The party lead personify to the public and if the party translates it promises into policy, the job must be done by the party in government.

List 4 elections which are considered critical or realigning

First Party System (Federalists and Anti-Federalists) Democrat-Republicans VS Whigs, The Civil War Era, and New Deal

How does the American party system affect the scope of government?

It is not broad as other established democracies in other countries.

What are the 3 national party organizations?

National convention, national committee, and national chairperson

List the four conditions that advocates of the responsible party model believe the parties should velocity

Parties must present distinct, comprehensive programs for governing the nation, each party candidate must be committed to its program and have the internal cohesion and discipline to carry out its program, the majority must implement its programs and the minority must state what it would do if it were in power, the majority party must accept responsibility for the performance of the government

What are the three heads "three-headed political giant" of the political party?

Party in the electorate, party as an organization, and the party in government

what is the relationship between party promises and party performance?

Party promises are actions that are promised to happen by a candidate/party if elected and party performance reflects how many of these promises were kept when elected. 3/4 of promises are kept and 10% are ignored

What are the 5 tasks political parties should person if they are to serve as effective linkage institutions?

Pick political candidates, run campaigns, give cues to voters, articulate policies, and coordinate policy-making.

What are the 3 basic varieties of third parties?

Promote cause (Extreme ideological and controversial single issue), splinter parties (off-shoots of a major party), extension of a popular individual with presidential aspirations

Explain "Party in the Electorate"

The largest component of an American Political Party. To be a member you do not have to pay dues and can just declare your party. It is also easy to change.

What is the most important consequence of two-party governance in the United States?

The moderation of political conflict. It contributes to political ambiguity

What two clear patterns regarding party identification have been evident in recent elections?

The percentage of Democrats has dropped in the most recent years (used to make up 50% now are just above 30%) and the most frequent response to the party identification question has been the independent option (in 2008, 37% of the population called themselves independents).

What is the key problem of the American political parties today?

They are no longer the main source of political information, attention, and affection.

Explain "Party as an Organization"

They pursue electoral victory. Has a national office, full-time staff, budgets, rules, and bylaws. Party organization includes precincts leaders, county chairpersons, state chairpersons, state delegates to the national committee and officials in the party's Washington office who keep the party running between elections and make its rules.

What is meant by ticket splitting?

Ticket splitting is voting with one party for one office and another party for another office.

Describe open primaries

allow votes to decide on Election day whether they want to participate in the Democratic or Republican contests

what is the function of the national committee?

keep the party operating between conventions; is composed of representatives from the states and territories. Each state has a nation committee man/woman as delegate to the committee. Also includes assorted governors members of congress, and other party officials

Describe blanket primaries

most anti-party: present voters with a list of candidates from all the parties and allow them to pick some Democrats and some Republicans if they want

Describe closed primaries

only people who have registered in advance with the party can vote in its primary; thus encouraging greater party loyalty

what is the function of the national chairperson?

responsible for the day to day activities of the national party. Hires staff, raises money, pays bills, and attends the daily duties of the party controlled by the white house is chosen by the President

what is the function of the national convention?

supreme power; meets every 4 years and its main task is to write the party's platform and the nominate