POSC: Exam 2- Political Parties

8.What is the impact of party identification (PID)?

"Perceptual screen" -Identifies good/bad people/issues -Guides people: knowing who to trust, what to believe, and voting decisions

7.What is the primary reason that explains why the Democrats and Republicans have endured as the two major political parties?

-Ability to adapt to changing circumstances -Selected perception -Public society -Ideologies -Policy desires

1.What are the characteristics of a realigning election?

1. Disruption of existing political power 2. Election shifts support to one party 3. Major change in policy 4. Enduring party coalitions (dem. or rep. dominance)

2.Ideologically speaking, the Democratic and Republican parties are both: radical, reactionary, conservative, or centrist parties?

Centrist parties

4.Organizationally, the U.S. major parties are: centralized, decentralized, state-centered, other?

Decentralized

9.The American tendency toward ________ encourages the two major parties to build broad coalitions.

Moderation

10.If a minor party gains a large following, it is almost certain that?

One or both major parties will absorb its issue, and the minor party will lose support.

3.What are generally the sources of party identification (PID)?

Parents

5.The major reason for the persistence of the American two-party system is?

The existence of single-member election districts.

6.Proportional representation systems encourage the formation of smaller parties by enabling parties to?

Win legislative seats even though they do not receive majority of votes in elections.