AP Gov Chapter 8 - Political Parties

Party platform

It is a political party's statement of its goals and policies for the next four years. The exhibit on page 235 shows differences in beliefs between the two parties. For example, the Republican Party has included restrictions on abortion in its list whereas the Democrats do not believe the Marriage Act should be defended to restrict gay marriage.

Divided government

It is a situation when one party controls the White House and the other party controls one or both houses of Congress. It prevents one party from controlling the legislative agenda without compromise. In other words, both parties have to work together to pass legislation.

Proportional representation

It is a system used in most European countries, where legislative seats are allocated according to each party's percentage of the nationwide vote. If a party wins 15 percent of the vote then it receives 15 percent of the seats. Used successfully by small groups such as the Greens in Germany who are environmentalists.

Winner take all system

It is an electoral system used in the United States in which legislative seats are awarded only to the candidates who come in first in their elections. Whoever gets the most votes wins, there is no second place. It encourages the existence of two large parties, with smaller parties rarely earning enough votes to win.

Critical election

It is the name of an election where fissures appear ("earthquake") in each party's coalition which begins to fracture, dividing the electorate, often marked by a national crisis and may require more than one election to bring about a new party era.

Party machines

It's a type of political party organization from the late 1800's through the 1930's that rewarded its members in some material fashion to win votes and to govern.

Party in the electorate/rank and file

One of the 3 heads of the political party - regular joe voters, or ordinary voters. Party identification. These voters can vote in primaries and caucuses, have power in the party nominating process, power is to vote and assist fav candidate to win by voting for them.

Party in government

One of the 3 heads of the political party. Elected officials or spokespeople for the party.

Party as an organization

One of the 3 heads of the political party. Unlike Europe, they are decentralized and fragmented, with leaders having little influence and power. Keeps the party running, between elections and writes party rules.

Party unity

Party unity is a sticky term that doesn't have a single, clear definition, but basically, it's when a major political party is in agreement about their politics, their policies, and/or their leadership.

(8.1) Political parties are often called three-headed giants. What are these three heads and how do they relate?

Political parties try and win elections as a team - Sometimes referred to as "three-headed giants" (electorate, organization, government). They generate symbols of identification and loyalty, mobilizing majorities in the electorate and in government, recruiting political leaders, implementing policies, and fostering stability ing government.

Party polarization

Political polarization refers to cases in which an individual's stance on a given issue, policy, or person is more likely to be strictly defined by their identification with a particular political party (e.g., Democrat or Republican) or ideology (e.g., liberal or conservative). (not thinking for one's self)

(8.1) True/False. Successful political parties in the US remain close to the midpoint of public opinion.

Successful political parties in the US DO (True) remain close to the midpoint of public opinion.

Political Party

The definition given by Anthony Downs for the "team of men (and women) seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election." They try and win elections as a team. Sometimes referred to as "three-headed giants" (electorate, organization, government). No fee is required to join nor is membership legally binding.

Party realignment

The displacement of the majority party by the minority party, usually during a critical election period, which is rare and considered a political revolution. Typically associated with a major crisis or trauma in America's history like when the Republican Party emerged during the Civil War or during the Great Depression of the 1930's when the majority Republicans were replaced by the Democrats.

(8.3) The internal organization of political parties in the United States is best characterized as: a) Hierarchical b) Fragmented c) centralized d) rigidly determined e) usually marked by strong leadership

The internal organization of political parties in the United States is best characterized as b) fragmented.

Blue Dog (conservative) Democrats

The name for fiscally conservative Democrats (they don't want the government to spend too much on public programs for the poor, disadvantaged, etc.) who are mostly from the South and/or rural parts of the United States. They often say they have been squeezed so often by the liberals in the Democratic leadership that they have turned blue. Even though they are Democrats, they did not support Obama's health care proposal.

New Deal Coalition

The name of a coalition forged by the Democrats when Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected, that dominated American politics from the 1930s to the 1960s. It included the urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics and Jews, the poor, Southerners, African Americans, and intellectuals. Many of these groups continue to be part of the Democratic Party today.

(8.1) What is a political party's core function? a. to field candidates for elected office b) to provide a voting cue to the electorate c) to try to win elections d) to organize a national office e) to guide policy makers' decisions

The political party's core function is to c) to try and win elections

(8.1) Explain three of the five ways in which political parties act as linkage institutions.

There are five things that linkage institutions perform: pick candidates with an official endorsement or nomination, run campaigns, give cues to voters, articulate policies, coordinate policymaking.

Swing voters

These are people that do not identify with either party can split their votes between different parties. They are most often young and vote as Independents.

Swing states

These are states that typically do not vote for one party or the other. Their vote can be different election to election.

Single member district plurality (SMDP)

They cast a vote for one candidate. The candidate with the most votes wins. Used in the United States. Leads to a 2 party system -- weaker parties want to merge with mainstream ones bc ppl don't want to vote for losers

(8.6) Third parties in American politics typically a) encourage major party candidates to take extreme positions b) win elections in American politics c) promote a broad range of moderate policy ideas d) bring new groups into politics e) replace one of the two major parties during realignment

Third parties in American politics typically d) bring new groups into politics.

Party de-alignment

This happens when people from both parties disengage or move to Independents, as seen by shrinking party identification. It is different from realignment where people change from one party to another.

8.1 Main Idea: Identify the functions that political parties perform in American democracy

This is Main Idea 8.1 that states that political parties are a key LINKAGE between policymakers and the people, operating at THREE LEVELS 1) in the electorate 2) as organizations and 3) in government. They PERFORM MANY FUNCTIONS in our democracy including picking candidates, running campaigns, giving cues to voters, articulating policy, and coordinating policymaking between the branches of government.

8.2 Main Idea: Determine the significance of party identification in America today.

This is Main Idea 8.2 that states that PARTY IDENTIFICATION (one's self-proclaimed general preference for one party or the other) is the most important factor in explaining the political behavior of American voters. Political INDEPENDENTS, however, can be SWING VOTERS and can split their voting. They are most often young adults.

8.3 Main Idea: Describe how political parties are organized in the United States

This is Main Idea 8.3 that states that American political party organizations are DECENTRALIZED and FRAGMENTED, with the NATIONAL PARTY ORGANIZATION having little power over state and local party organizations. The supreme power of each party is the NATIONAL CONVENTION which is held every 4 years and elects the candidates for president and vice president and sets party policy.

8.4 Main Idea: Evaluate how well political parties generally do in carrying out their promises.

This is Main Idea 8.4 that states POLITICAL PARTIES affect policy through their PLATFORMS which serve as roadmaps for elected officials one they come into office. More promises are kept than broken.

8.5 Main Idea: Differentiate the various party eras in American history.

This is Main Idea 8.5 that explains the PARTY ERAS of American history. The Republican Party came to be in 1860 as a bi-product of the Civil War and was dominant until 1928 (they were anti-slavery). The Great Depression and the New Deal reversed the majority to Democrats who were prominent from 1932 until 1964. Since 1968 neither party has been able to be in power for long, and has lead to a DIVIDED GOVERNMENT, with one party controlling the presidency and the other in control of Congress.

8.6 Main Idea: Assess both the impact of third parties on American politics and their limitations

This is Main Idea 8.6 that explains that THIRD PARTIES have brought in new groups into American elections, bringing with them protest messages; however the WINNER-TAKE-ALL electoral system makes it hard for third parties to win elections. European countries use PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION which guarantees that any party has a least a percentage of the legislative seats.

8.7 Main Idea: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of responsible party government.

This is Main Idea 8.7 that explains the theory that in a RESPONSIBLE PARTY GOVERNMENT candidates follow clear policy guidelines to produce predictable outcomes. However, that theory is impractical, because politicians have their own individual agendas that inspire democracy, making a true responsible government impossible.

Party Image

This is the voter's perception of what the Republicans or Democrats stand for, that helps influence their decision to join, such as pro-choice or pro-life.

Linkage Institution

This is what translates inputs from the public into outputs from the policymakers. They sift through all the issues identifying those most important and put them on government agendas. They are necessary to ensure individual voices are heard. In the US there are 4 main linkage institutions: parties, elections, interest groups, media. They perform 5 things: pick candidates, run campaigns, give cues to voters, articulate policies, and coordinate policymaking.

National Convention

This meets every four years with its main task to write the party's platform and then nominate its candidates for president and vice president. It is the supreme power within each of the parties.

National Committee

This organization is responsible for keeping the party operating between conventions and is composed of representatives from the states and territories. The chairperson of this group is picked by the presidential nominee for each party.

(8.4) True/False. By and large, American political parties have kept most of their platform promises and translated them into public policy.

True. American political parties have kept most of their platform promises and translated them into public policy.

Party elites

Up until the late 1960's the vast majority of delegates at the national party convention were the political elite - or elected officials and heads of the local party organizations.

Ticket Splitting

Voting with one party for one office and then the other party for another office is called xxxxxx. It has become very commonplace in America voting behavior recently. It can result in a state never being truly one party.

Party Competition

What is the battle between Democrats and Republicans for the control of public offices called? Since the early 1880's, It is one of the most important elements in American politics because it allows for choice.

(8.7) Which of the following is NOT true about the responsible party model of government? a) both parties present comprehensive and distinct policy programs b) both parties' candidates are committed to carrying out the party's program c) the majority party must accept responsibility for government's performance d) both parties operate much as the major parties do today e) the minority party must state what it would do if it were in power

d) both parties operate much as the major parties do today

Coalition

A group of individuals with a common interest on which every political party depends, that supports the party agenda, and strives to ensure the elected President does what he promised during the election. Presidents often turn against their promises such as George Bush saying "Read my lips-no new taxes."

Party base

A group of voters who almost always support the party's candidate.

(8.5) A party dealignment is considered to be a) the fragmentation of a political party into splinter parties b) the loss of party members as more people identify as Independents c) the loss of party members to the other party d) the shuffling of party coalitions e) the reformulation of a party's platform

A party dealignment is considered to be b) the loss of party members as more people identify as independents.

Party Eras

A term used by political scientists to describe historical periods in which a majority of voters cling to the party in power, which tends to win a majority of the elections.

Candidate centered politics

Because political parties are too decentralized to take a single national position and then enforce it, most candidates are self-selected with their own efforts and agendas. They do not always go along with their parties' platforms especially when that platform conflicts with their own personal opinion and or the desires of their constituents. This term describes this kind of politics.

(8.7) True/False. So called Blue Dog Democrats are an example of the Democratic Party operating according to the principles of responsible party government.

False. Blue Dog Democrats are the name for fiscally conservative Democrats (they don't want the government to spend too much on public programs for the poor, disadvantaged, etc.) who are mostly from the South and/or rural parts of the United States.

(8.6) True/False. The American two-party system encourages parties and candidates to offer clear choices for voters.

False. I'm not sure why!!

(8.3) True/False. Party machines dominate local party organizations today.

False. Party machines do not dominate local party organizations today.

(8.2) True/False. Ticket-splitting ensures that most states are safely Republican or Democrat.

False. Ticket-splitting often causes states to be divided.

Party Identification

It is a citizen's self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other. The American National Election Study uses this data to track changes in voter preferences. The most common answer to this question recently is Independent.

Patronage

It is a key inducement used by party machines, such as a job, a promotion, or contract that is given for political reasons rather than for merit or competence alone. This kind of corruption was not kept secret and was routinely used to raise money for the political party or line the pockets of politicians themselves. New York City's Democratic Party leader, William Tweed, or Boss Tweed, was famous for this. Often used to gain ethnic support such as the Irish like Richard Daley in Chicago. Eventually progressive reforms were put in place to weaken this.