Government Chapter Five-- Sections 1-5
Ideological Consensus:
Because Americans agree on fundamental issues, the conditions that could produce several strong rivaling parties does not exist.
Era of Republicans, 1860-1932
Civil War, Reconstruction, Great Depression
Return of the Democrats, 1932-1968
Great Depression, New Deal, World War II, Kennedy assassination
Governing
Helps legislativ and executive branches work together. Most appointments to executive branch are made on basis of partisanship, or the allegiance to a political party.
What type of minor party has been the longest lived?
Ideological Parties
In recent years, there has been a sharp rise in the number of votes who identify themselves as ______.
Independents.
Informing and Activating Supporters
Inform people and activate their interests in public affairs. Parties share this function with media and interest groups.
Tradition:
Once established, the two party system continues because traditions and a reluctance to support minor parties.
Watchdog
Party that is out of power criticizes the party that controls the government. The loyal opposition urges votes to "throw of the rascals out".
Jeffersonian Republicans
Period of Dominance: 1800-1820's Supporters: the Common people Leaders: Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
Jacksonian Democrats
Period of Dominance: 1820's-1830's Supporters: small farmers, debtors, slave-owners, pioneers Leaders: Andrew Jackson
Republicans
Period of Dominance: 1860-1932 Supporters: business, financial, labor, farmers, African-Americans Leaders; Abraham Lincoln, William Taft, Teddy Roosevelt, Fremont, and William McKinley
New Deal Democrats
Period of Dominance: 1932-1968 Supporters: South, small farmers, organized labor, minorities, big cities, popular organizations Leaders: FDR, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson
Whigs
Period of Dominance: Never Dominant (1830's-1850's) Supporters: bankers, merchants, industrialists, planters Leaders: Henry Clay, William Henry Harrison, Daniel Webster, and Zachery Taylor
Federalists
Period of Dominance: Strong before 1800 Supporters: rich, and well-born Leaders: Alexander Hamilton
Post-Civil War Democrats
Period of Dominance: never dominante outside of the South Supporters: the South Leaders: Woodrow Wilson
Nominating
Selecting candidates. The activity that sets political parties apart from other political groups.
Electoral System:
Single-member districts discourage voters from wasting votes on minor party candidates. Election laws are designed to favor large parties/discourage minor ones.
Which type of minor party has been most successful in winning votes?
Splinter Parties
National Chairperson
Term: one year term Role: leader of the National Committee chosen after a convention by the candidate nominated, ratified by National Committee
Congressional Campaign
Term: two year term Role: both parties have one in congress job, is used to reelect incumbent, win back seats of representatives that are retiring
Historical Basis:
The Republic began with two parties-- the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.
That useful functions have minor parties performed in American history?
They draw attentions to problems ignored by major parties, and they have played "spoiler rules" in close elections.
What tends to happen to single-issue parties?
They fade away if they can't get enough votes or their issue doesn't matter. If they get votes, a bigger party adopts their policies.
Bonding agent
Tries to choose candidates who are qualified and of good character. After candidates are elected, the party prods them to do well or suffer in the next election.
National Committee
When it take place: meets between conventions Role: handles the business of the party between conventions (only in presidential election years)
National Convention
When it takes place: summer of presidential election Role: nominates the candidates and presents platform
consensus
a general agreement on fundamental matters among various groups
faction
a group, usually a small part of a larger group, united around some cause; disagreement within an organization
pluralistic society
a society that consists of several distinct cultures and groups
multiparty
a system with several major parties and many smaller ones
ward
a unit into which cities are divided for elections
Era of the Democrats, 1800-1860
conflict over land, second bank of the United States, high tariffs, slavery
A group of angry Midwestern farmers and laborers forms the "Working People's" party, calling for higher tariffs, higher farm subsides, and congressional term limitations.
economic protest party
single-member district
election district in which only one candidate is elected to each office on the ballet
Two factors that contribute to the decentralization of parties are ______ and _______.
federalism, nominating parties
The "Social Justice" party calls for a complete overhaul of the American political, economic, and legal systems.
ideological party
plurality
largest number of votes cast fo office (contrasted to majority, more than half of all votes)
sectionalism
loyalty to a state or section rather than to the whole nation
minor party
one of the less widely supported parties in the U.S.
In the United States, the major _____ are the Democrats and the Republicans.
parties
Single-Issue Parties
parties focused on a single public issue. examples: America "Know Nothing" Party, Free Soil Party, Right-to-Life Party
Economic Protest Parties
parties that protest economy, hard times, blaming perceived enemies and proclaiming disgust with major parties. examples: Greenback Party, and Populist Party
Splinter Parties
parties that split away from a major party. examples: Progressive "Bull Moose" Party, and States' Rights "Dixi-crat" Party
Allegiance to a political party is known as ______.
partisanship
The party that controls the executive branch is known as the _______.
party in power.
All _____ can be defined as groups of persons who join together because they want to gain control of the government through winning elections.
policial parties
two-party system
political system with only two parties with a reasonable chance of winning
The "Equity" party calls for woks for an end to affirmative action programs.
single-issue party
A group of Democrats, dissatisfied with the party's moderate nominee, decides to form a new "People's Rights" party to back their more liberal leader.
splinter party
The party out of power operates at a disadvantage because it has no leader comparable to ______.
the President
electorate
the body of enfranchised citizens
incumbent
the official who holds office
precinct
the smallest unit of election administration; a voting district
Ideological Parties
those based on particular set of beliefs and having a comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters. examples: Communist Party, Socialist Party, and Libertarian Party
one-party system
under dictatorships, a system where only one party is allowed, also when there is only one party dominating regional politics.
split-ticket voting
voting for candidates of different parties for different offices during the same election based on who is considered most qualified for the position in one's opinion