Federal Government Chapter 8 Quiz

What is the most important function of minor parties in the United States?

Allow the expression of discontent with the system

A senatorial candidate is running for office as a Republican. However, the candidate disagrees with many of the other elected officials in the Republican Party. Suppose the candidate decides to form a new party to challenge the other Republican candidates who are running. What type of minority party is the senatorial candidate creating?

Bolter Party

What is a closed meeting of the members of a political party to decide questions of policy and the select candidates for office?

Caucus

Which political party claims to be the oldest political party in existence in the United States?

Democratic

To succeed Washington, Thomas Jefferson was the first person to lead the Republicans. What was the name of the group?

Democratic Republicans

Some elections stand out in history due to a noticeable change in party voting patterns. What occurs for subsequent elections following this type of change?

Electoral Realignment

The wording of a party platform can lead to victory or defeat. In analyzing the platforms expressed by the two parties at their 2016 conventions, it was found that Democrats mentioned which words more than three times as often as Republicans?

Equality and Inequality

At the time the Constitution was written, groups that pursued some common political interest were considered dangerous in terms of governmental control. What were these groups called?

Factions

As the American population grew and the electorate expanded by the 1820s, political parties invented a new way to nominate presidential candidates, the first of which was implemented in 1831. What was it called?

National Convention

Which process is used to designate an official candidate for the office of President of the United States?

Nomination

How many political parties existed when the Constitution was written?

None

The Socialist Party has been the most successful party of ideological protest in American history. How many states have been won by Socialist Party candidates for president?

None

What type of meeting is held at the beginning of a session of Congress that is used to select party leaders and determine committee assignments?

Party Conference

As a voter exited the voting booth, a pollster asked whether they are Democrat or Republican. What information was the pollster requesting?

Party Identification

What is the centralized party organization that dominates local politics by controlling elections called?

Party Machine

Which entity functions to reduce the number of candidates on the ballot, thereby structuring the voting choice?

Political Parties

According to the majoritarian model of democracy, what do political parties accomplish?

Political parties increase government responsiveness through public opinion.

What is a set of principles formalizing the ideal role of parties in a majoritarian democracy called?

Responsible Party Government

How are elections decided in a majority representation?

The candidate who collects the most votes will win.

A person has identified as a Republican for most of their adult life. Which belief is the person most likely to possess in terms of government spending?

The government should allocate all funds necessary to strengthen national defense.

Which of the following statements accurately describes the national party committees?

The national party committees are weak for Democrats and Republicans.

Why was the Prohibition Party an example of a single-issue party?

The party opposed the consumption of alcohol

What does democratic theory propose is the best way for citizens to control their government?

Voting in free elections

What criteria can be used to classify President George Washington as a Federalist?

Washington supported the constitution

Which situation would occur during a critical election?

Women, a group that usually votes Democrat, overwhelmingly vote to elect a Republican.