Chapter 8, Week 8 APT Ch.8,9 TED ch.10,11, Practice quiz 3 questions: POLSC 115, PLS 105 EXAM 3 CHAPTERS 8,9,10
Nicol Rae
"American national parties appear very healthy in all aspects compared to their condition 30 years ago" but have not been as beneficial for democracy. Rae argues that the parties have increasingly become defined by interests that attach themselves to one party or the other rather than truly straddling the 2 parties (they've become more interested in raising themselves up than balancing). The parties thus have become more interested in defending the interests that attach to them rather than working w the other party to solve problems (less compromise). -While voter positions are not polarized, voter choices are polarized.
Fifth party system (1933-1968)
-Democrats, Republicans (Democrats were dominant) -born out of the Great Depression
What are the consequences of the Decline in Collective Responsibility? (Fiorina)
-Immobilism: If responsibility can be shifted to another level or to another officeholder, there is less incentive to stick one's neck out in an attempt to solve a given problem. -Single-Issue Politics -Proper Alienation from Government: The public is overall cynical and distrusting of the government. Leadership becomes more difficult if citizens do not trust their leaders, policy failure becomes more likely if citizens expect the policy to fail.
Louis Menand
-informed citizens vote on a candidate based on issues -uninformed vote based on names and packaging
Move from fifth party system to sixth party system
-marked by an issue of expansion: the intro of new political questions and debates that divided the parties -people coming out against the "separate but equal system" -White Southerners/Catholics became Republicans, minorities particularly blacks became Democrats.
What are the 2 ways that strong political parties have traditionally clarified politics?(Fiorina)
1) they allow citizens to assess responsibility easily, 2) When citizens assess responsibility on the party as a whole, party members have personal incentives to see the party evaluated favorably (a personal stake in their collective performance).
split ticket
A ballot on which a voter selects candidates from more than one political party
split ticket
A ballot on which a voter selects candidates from more than one political party.
straight ticket
A ballot on which a voter selects candidates from only one political party
straight ticket
A ballot on which a voter selects candidates from only one political party.
primary
A ballot vote in which citizens select a party's nominee for the general election
primary
A ballot vote in which citizens select a party's nominee for the general election.
primary election
A ballot vote in which citizens select a party's nominee for the general election...similar to a caucus (electoral)
GOTV ("get out the vote") or the ground game
A campaign's efforts to "get out the vote" or make sure their supporters vote on Election Day.
GOTV ("get out the vote")/ground game
A campaign's efforts to "get out the vote" or make sure their supporters vote on election day.
realignment
A change in one or more of the factors that define the party system. Realignment typically occur within an election cycle or two, but they can also occur gradually over he course of a decade or longer.
Party Identification (party ID)
A citizen's loyalty to a specific political party.
political action committee
A committee set up by and representing a corporation, labor union, or special interest group that raises and gives campaign donations.
credentials committee
A committee used by political parties at their national conventions to determine which delegates may participate. The committee inspects the claim of each prospective delegate to be seated as a legitimate representative of his or her state.
dealignment
A decline in party loyalties that reduces long-term party commitment.
Referendum
A direct vote by citizens on a policy change proposed by a legislature or another government body. Referenda are common in state and local elections, but there is no mechanism for a national-level referendum.
Initiative
A direct vote by citizens on a policy change proposed by fellow citizens or organized groups outside government. Getting a question on the ballot typically requires collecting collecting a set number of signatures from registered voters in support of the proposal. There is no mechanism for national-level initiative.
safe seat
A district that returns a legislator with 55 percent of the vote or more.
party platform
A document drawn up at each national convention, outlining the policies, positions, and principles of the party.
office-block, or massachusetts, ballot
A form a general election ballot in which candidate for elective office are grouped together under the title of each office; emphasizes voting for the office and the individual candidate, rather than for the party.
party-column, or Indiana, ballot
A form of general election ballot in which all of a party's candidates for elective office are arranged in one column under the party's label and symbol. It emphasizes voting for the party, rather than the office or individual.
Interest Group State
A government in which most policy decisions are determined by the influence of interest groups.
electoral college
A group of persons, called electors, who are selected by the voters in each state. This group officially elects the president and the vice president of the United States.
political party
A group of political activists who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy.
faction
A group or bloc in a legislature or political party acting in pursuit of some special interest or position.
Grassroots Lobbying
A lobbying strategy that relies on participation by group members, such as a protest or a letter-writing campaign.
caucus
A local meeting in which party members select a party's nominee for the general election
caucus
A local meeting in which party members select a party's nominee for the general election.
caucus (electoral)
A local meeting in which party members select a party's nominee for the general election...similar to a primary election
Whig party
A major party in the United States during the first half of the nineteenth century, formally established in 1836. The _______was anti-Jackson and represented a variety of regional interests.
nominating convention
A meeting held by each party every 4 years at which states' delegates select the party's presidential and vice-presidential nominees and approve the party platform.
caucus
A meeting of party members designed to select candidates and propose policies.
elector
A member of the electoral college, which selects the president and vice president. Each state's ______ are chosen in each presidential election year according to state laws.
Coercion
A method of eliminating non participation or free riding by potential group members by requiring participation, as in many labor unions.
splinter party
A new party formed by a dissident faction within a major political party. Often, __________ have emerged when a particular personality was at odds with the major party.
plurality
A number of votes cast for a candidate that is greater than the number of votes for any other candidate but not necessarily a majority.
political consultant
A paid professional hired to devise a campaign strategy and manage a campaign.
superdelegate
A party leader or elected official who is given the right to vote at the party's national convention
tipping
A phenomenon that occurs when a group that is becoming more numerous over time grows large enough to change the political balance in the district, state, or country.
Super PAC
A political organization that aggregates unlimited contributions by individuals and organizations to be spent independently of candidate committees
third party
A political party other than the two major political parties (Republican and Democratic).
two-party system
A political system in which only two parties have a reasonable chance of winning.
incumbents
A politician running for re-election to the office he or she currently holds.
incumbent
A politician running for reelection to the office her or she currently holds
tracking poll
A poll taken for the candidate on a nearly daily basis as election day approaches.
beauty contest
A presidential primary in which contending candidates compete for popular votes but the results do not control the selection of delegates to the national convention
open primary
A primary election in which any registered voter can participate in the contest, regard- less of party affiliation.
open primary
A primary election in which any registered voter can participate in the contest, regardless of party affiliation
closed primary
A primary election in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote
closed primary
A primary election in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote.
Open "crossover" primary
A primary election system in which any registered voter can participate in either party's primary, regardless of the voter's party affiliation
Nonpartisan primary
A primary election system in which candidates from both parties are listed on the same primary ballot. Following a nonpartisan primary, the 2 candidates who receive the most votes in the primary compete in the general election, even if they are from the same party
closed primary
A primary election system in which only registered party members can vote in their party's primary.
Semi-closed primary
A primary election system where voters registered as party members must vote in their party's primary, but registered independents can vote in either party's primary.
open primary
A primary in which any registered voter can vote (but must vote for candidates of only one party).
realignment
A process in which a substantial group of voters switches party allegiance, producing a long-term change in the political landscape.
communications director
A professional specialist who plans the communications strategy and advertising campaign for the candidate
unit rule
A rule by which all of a state's electoral votes are cast for the presidential candidate receiving a plurality of the popular vote in that state.
Australian ballot
A secret ballot prepared, distributed, and tabulated by government officials at public expense.
corrupt practices act
A series of acts passed by Congress in an attempt to limit and regulate the size and sources of contributions and expenditures in political campaigns.
party platform
A set of objectives outlining the party's issue positions and priorities. Candidates are not required to support their party's platform. -Tend to reveal the conflicts in American politics by the differences in platforms between political parties.
divided government
A situation in which one major political party controls the presidency and the other controls the chambers of Congress, or in which one party controls a state governorship and the other controls the state legislature.
unified government
A situation in which one party holds a majority of seats in the House and Senate and the president is a member of that same party
Divided government
A situation in which the House, Senate, and presidency are not controlled by the same party---for example, when Democrats hold the majority of the House and Senate seats, and the president is a Republican
Collective Action Problem
A situation in which the members of a group would benefit by working together to produce some outcome, but each individual is better off refusing to cooperation and reaping benefits from those who do the work.
focus group
A small group of individuals who are led in discussion by a professional consultant in order to gather opinions on and responses to candidates and issues.
political organization
A specific political party's leaders and workers at the national state, and local levels
national committee
A standing committee of a national political party established to direct and coordinate party activities between national party conventions.
battleground state
A state likely to be so closely fought that the campaigns devote exceptional effort to winning the popular and electoral vote there
presidential primary
A statewide primary election of delegates to a political party's national convention, held to determine a party's presidential nominee.
501(c)(3) Organization
A tax code classifications that applies to most interest groups; this designation makes donation to the group tax deductible but limits the group's political activities.
527 organization
A tax-exempt group formed primarily to influence elections through voter mobilization efforts and issue ads that do not directly endorse or oppose a candidate. Unlike political action committees, they are not subject to contribution limits and spending caps
527 Organization
A tax-exempt group formed primarily to influence elections through voter mobilizations efforts and issue ads that do not directly endorse or oppose a candidate. Unlike political action committees, 527s are not subject to contribution limits and spending caps.
closed primary
A type of primary in which the voter is limited to choosing candidates of the party of which he or she is a member.
independent
A voter or candidate who does not identify with a political party.
majority voting
A voting system in which a candidate must win more than 50 percent of votes to win the election. If no candidate wins enough votes to take office, a runoff election is held between the top two vote-getters
majority voting
A voting system in which a candidate must win more than 50 percent of votes to win the election. If no candidate wins enough votes to take office, a runoff election is held between the top two vote-getters.
plurality voting
A voting system in which the candidate who receives the most votes wins..But they dont necessarily have to win a majority
plurality voting
A voting system in which the candidate who receives the most votes within a geographic area wins the election, regardless of whether that candidate wins a majority (more than half) of the votes.
The eleventh amendment's protections of state sovereign immunity guarantee that ______________________
A) residents of one state cannot sue the government of another state
issue advocacy advertising
Advertising paid for by interest groups that support or oppose a candidate or a candidate's position on an issue without mentioning voting or elections.
Edward Foley
Agrees with both Davidson and Spakovsky arguments. Suggests a solution could be to delink the photo ID from voting and instead potential voters would be able to get free digital photos from government offices if they do not have one.
party-in-government
All of the elected and appointed officials who identify with a political party.
national committee
An American political party's principal organization, comprising party representatives from each state (usually one man and one woman per state).
hatch act
An act passed in 1939 that restricted the political activities of government employees. It also prohibited political group spending more than $3 million in any campaign and limited individual contributions to a campaign committee to $5,000.
rational ignorance effect
An effect produced when people purposely and rationally decide not to become informed on an issue because they believe that their vote on the issue is not likely to be a deciding one
open seat
An elected position for which there is no incumbent
General Election
An election open to all eligible voters, normally hled on the first tuesday in November
single-member districts
An electoral system in which every elected official represents a geographically defined area, such as a state or congressional district, and each area elects one representative.
Trade Association
An interest group composed of companies in the same business or industry (the same "trade") that lobbies for policies that benefit members of the group.
Political Action Committee (PAC)
An interest group or a division of an interest group that can raise money to contribute to campaigns or to spend on ads in support of candidates. The amount a PAC can receive from each of its donors and the amount it can spend on federal campaigning are strictly limited.
Political Action Committee (PAC)
An interest group or a division of an interest group that can raise money to contribute to campaigns or to spend on ads in support of candidates. The amount a PAC can receive from each of its donors and the amount it can spend on federal electioneering (working actively) are strictly limited.
Interest Group
An organization of people who share common political interests and aim to influence public policy by electioneering and lobbying.
Astroturf Lobbying
Any lobbying method initiated by an interest group that is designed to look like the spontaneous, independent participation of many individuals.
V.O. Key Jr.
Argued that the voice of the people is manipulated by the candidates and parties scrambling for support but he believes voters are not fools and they behave about as rationally as we should expect.
Chandler Davidson
Argues that voter ID laws are part of a strategy to discourage or scare away potential voters and are most likely to restrict turnout among minorities, and the elderly, and the threat of fraud is minimal.
Hans von Spakovsky
Argues that voter fraud is a reality
political business cycle
Attempts by elected officials to manipulate the economy before elections by increasing economic growth and reducing unemployment and inflation, with the goal of improving evaluations of their performance in office.
Direct Lobbying
Attempts by interest group staff to influence policy by speaking with elected officials or bureaucrats.
A state would usually challenge the constitutionality of a federal law under which of the amendments listed below?
B) 10th amendment
When did the federal government begin cooperating with the states on policy goals?
B) 1930s
Which case bolstered federal government's power over the states?
B) McCulloch v. Marlyland
State's rights are protected in which of the following constitutional provisions?
B) The tenth amendment
Which is an example of a concurrent power?
B) building roads
Which form of revenue sharing is given to the states by the federal government with explicit conditions on how it is to be allocated?
B) categorical grants
Why do most candidates support their party platform?
Because most candidates and their constituents generally agree with the platform
Philip Converse
Believes Most Americans couldn't be ideal because most had minimal and inconsistent political belief systems.
Selective Incentives
Benefits that can motivate participation in a group effort because they are available only to those who participate, such as member services offered by interest groups.
Which analogy best describes the federalism arrangement today?
C) Picket fence federalism
What system of government did the Articles of Confederation establish?
C) confederal
Conservatives favor strong ______________ rights on same-sex marriage, and strong ___________ rights on providing healthcare
C) federal government; states'
Richard Nixon's plan to increase states' rights led to the increase in _______________
C) general revenue sharing
soft money
Campaign contributions unregulated by federal or state law, usually given to parties and party committees to help fund general party activities.
Which statement best characterizes the American Political Parties?
Candidates are generally autonomous of the party organization, although they do not receive support from the party organization
What characterizes the American political parties?
Candidates are generally autonomous of the party organization, although they do receive support from the party organization
William Galston
Considers the idea of mandatory voting 3 advantages: it would strengthen the concept of citizenship by reminding citizens that there are responsibilities that go along with rights; it would reduce the skews in turnout across groups, so that the electorate on Election day better reflected the composition of the population, and it would reduce the polarization in American politics by enticing middle-of-the-road voters back to the voting booth.
soft money
Contributions that can be used for voter mobilization or to promote a policy proposal or point of view as long as these efforts are not tied to supporting or opposing a particular candidate.
Contemporary conflict over same-sex marriage falls under which constitutional provision?
D) Establishment clause
The imposition of national priorities on the states through congressional legislation and imposition of the national supremacy clause is called ____________
D) Federal reemption
Which of the following is a drawback to strong state power?
D) State governments give different civil rights protections to their citizens
The Court has recently overturned a number of congressional laws rooted in the ___________
D) commerce clause
convention delegates
Delegates are individuals chosen to represent their states at their party conventions prior to a presidential election
What are superdelegates?
Democratic party officials who are free to support any candidate for nomination
How did the electoral map favor Republican candidates in 2014?
Democrats had to defend a disproportionate number of Senate seats, and many of these seats were in states where Republicans outnumbered Democrats
constituency groups
Democrats term for organizations within the party that work to attract the support of demographic groups--such as African Americans, Hispanics, people w strong religious beliefs, senior citizens, women etc.
Sixth party system (1969-present)
Democrats, Republicans (neither party dominant)
hard money
Donations that are used to help elect or defeat a specific candidate.
Winner-take-all
During the presidential primaries, the practice of assigning all of a given state's delegates to the candidate who receives the most popular votes. Some states' Republican primaries and caucuses use this system.
winner-take-all
During the presidential primaries, the practice of assigning all of a given state's delegates to the candidate who receives the most popular votes. Some states' Republican primaries and caucuses use this system.
proportional allocation
During the presidential primaries, the practice of determining the number of convention delegates allotted to each candidate based on the percentage of the popular vote cast for each candidate. All Democratic primaries and caucuses use this system, as do some states' Republican primaries and caucuses.
The principle that single-member districts and plurality voting will support only two political parties is ________.
Duverger's Law
The principle that single-member districts and plurality voting will support only two political parties is_____
Duverger's Law
Lobbying
Efforts to influence public policy through contact with public officials on behalf of an interest group.
Federal Election Commission
Federal regulatory agency with the task of enforcing federal campaign laws
Which was the first well-known parties in the United States?
Federalists and Democratic Republicans
Which were the first well-known parties in the US
Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans
"Collective Responsibility"(Fiorina)
Fiorina thinks that political parties are essential because they provide "collective responsibility." A strong political party can generate collective responsibility by creating incentive for leaders, followers, and popular supporters to think and act in collective terms.
Which best defines the theory of conditional party government? "As policy differences are between the parties in government ________, the parties in government will be ______ important in helping legislators develop policy plans and strategies."
Increase; more
What has recent analysis of political independents concluded?
Independents are not better informed on candidates, parties, or policy
What has the recent analysis of political independence conclude?
Independents are not better informed on candidates, parties, or policy
Confederations
Interest groups made up several independent, local organizations that provide much of their funding and hold most of the power.
Centralized Groups
Interest groups that have a headquarters, usually in Washington D.C., as well as members and field offices throughout the country. In general, these groups' lobbying decisions are made at headquarters by the group leaders.
Mass Associations
Interest groups that have a large number of dues-paying individuals as members.
Peak Associations
Interest groups whose members are businesses or other organizations rather than individuals.
What effect does fund-raising have for incumbents
It ensures the potential for an aggressive campaign, and it deters opposition
What effect does fund-raising have for incumbents?
It ensures the potential for an aggressive campaign, and it deters opposition.
Voters who rely on voting cues to determine their voting choice are ________
Likely to cast a reasonable vote, and less so if they are informed
party identification
Linking oneself to a particular political party.
What is the most accurate statement about the role of economic conditions in the 2012 election?
Looking across the entire nation, economic conditions did not strong favor either candidate
What is the most accurate statement about the role of economic conditions in the 2012 election?
Looking across the entire nation, economic conditions did not strongly favor either candidate.
What does Fiorina argue about polarization in America?
Most people are moderates but what has become polarized is the elite.
Why was congressional turnover so low in 2012?
Most vulnerable House members and senators had already lost in 2008 and 2010.
What role did the question of marriage rights for gays and lesbians play in the 2012 election?
Neither campaign emphasized this issue.
Do political party organizations support candidates by controlling who runs in House and Senate races?
No
independent expenditures
Nonregulated contributions from PACs, organizations, and individuals. The funds may be spent on advertising or other campaign activities so long as those expenditures are not coordinated with those of a candidate.
Democratic Party
One of the two major American political parties evolving out of the Republican Party of Thomas Jefferson.
Republican Party
One of the two major American political parties. It emerged in the 1850s as an antislavery party and consisted of former northern Whigs and antislavery Democrats.
The idea that a party is not just a group but an organization that exists apart from its candidate is called the ________?
Party Principle
issue voters
People who are well informed about their own policy preferences and knowledgeable about the candidates, and who use all of this info. when they decide how to vote
issue voters
People who are well informed about their own policy preferences and knowledgeable about the candidates, and who use all of this information when they decide how to vote.
party system
Periods in which the names of the major political partiers, their supporters, and the issues dividing them have remained relatively stable
voting cues
Pieces of info. about a candidate that are readily available, easy to interpret, and lead a citizen to decide to vote for a particular candidate. incumbency: vote for the incumbent candidate partisanship: Vote for the candidate whose party affiliation matches your own personal vote: vote for the incumbent if he or she has helped you get assistance from a gov. agency or has helped your community benefit from desirable gov projects etc.
voting cues
Pieces of information about a candidate that are readily available, easy to interpret, and lead a citizen to decide to vote for a particular candidate.
Coordiantion
Political parties play an important role in coordinating the actions taken in different branches of gov. -The President needs the support of his party to enact proposals -Such coordination efforts require real work and compromise since party leaders in the House and Senate do not have authority over each other or over the elected members of their party.
Team
Republicans term within the party that work to attract the support of demographic groups--such as African Americans, Hispanics, people w strong religious beliefs, senior citizens, women etc.
patronage
Rewarding faithful party workers and followers with government employment and contracts.
Purposive Benefits
Satisfaction derived from the experience of working toward a desired policy goal, even if the goal is not achieved.
Solidary Benefits
Satisfaction derived from the experience of working with like-minded people, even if the group's efforts do not achieve the desired impact.
Morris P. Fiorina
Suggests that political parties provide many benefits for American democracy, in particular by clarifying policy alternatives and letting citizens know whom to hold accountable when they are dissatisfied with government performance.
"ideologues"
The 10 percent of the population that has a political belief system
John B. Judis
The Tea Party is becoming a more prominent party Members of the Tea Party are becoming more conservative: they are obsessed with decline, are fixated on individual groups they feel are destroying the country, and they reject liberal legislation.
electoral college
The body that votes to select America's president and vice president based on the popular vote in each state. Each candidate nominates a slate of electors who are selected to attend the meeting of the college if their candidate wins the most votes in a state or district.
finance chairperson
The campaign professional who directs fundraising, campaign spending, and compliance with campaign finance laws and reporting requirements
general election
The election in which voters cast ballots for House members, senators, and (every four years) a president and vice president
general elections
The election in which voters cast ballots for House members, senators, and (every four years) a president and vice president.
promoting accountability
The election process creates a way to hold incumbents accountable based off how well theyve done in the past
registration
The entry of a person's name onto the list of registered voters for elections. To register, a person must meet certain legal requirements for age, citizenship, and residency.
party organization
The formal structure and leadership of a political party, including election committees; local, state, and national executives; and paid professional staff.
federal election commission
The government agency that enforces and regulates election laws; made up of six presidential appointees, of whom no more than three can be members of the same party.
party in the electorate
The group of citizens who identify with a specific political party
Party in government
The group of officeholders who belong to a specific political party and were elected as candidates of that party
party coalitions
The groups that identify w a specific political party, usually described in demographic terms such as African-American Democrats or evangelical Republicans.
Party Principle
The idea that a party is not just a group, but an organization that exists apart from its candidate
coattails
The idea that a popular president can generate additional support for candidates affiliated w his party. Coattails are weak or nonexistent in most American elections
coattails
The idea that a popular president can generate additional support for candidates affiliated with his party. Coattails are weak or nonexistent in most American elections.
press secretary
The individual who interacts directly with the journalists covering the campaign
coattail effect
The influence of a popular candidate on the electoral success of other candidates on the same party ticket. The effect is increased by the party-column ballot, which encourages straight-ticket voting.
Salience
The level of familiarity with an interest group's goals among the general population.
national convention
The meeting held every four years by each major party to select presidential and vice presidential candidates, to write a platform, to choose a national committee, and to conduct party business.
Revolving Door
The movement of individuals from government positions to jobs with interest groups, lobbying firms, and vice versa.
caucus (congressional)
The organization of Democrats within the House and the Senate that meets to discuss and debate the party's positions on various issues in order to reach a consensus and to assign leadership positions
conference
The organization of Republicans within the House and the Senate that meets to discuss and debate the party's position on various issues in order to reach a consensus and to assign leadership positions.
Members of a party in government might find it difficult to work together to enact a new government programs except:
The party's National Committee might fail to write an acceptable party platform.
voter turnout
The percentage of citizens taking part in the election process; the number of eligible voters that actually "turn out" on election day to cast their ballots.
Pollster
The person or firm who conducts public opinion polls for the campaign.
get out the vote
The phrase describes the multiple efforts expended by campaigns to get voters out to the polls on election day
front-loading
The practice of moving presidential primary elections to the early part of the campaign to maximize the impact of these primaries on the nomination.
spoils system
The practice of rewarding party supporters w benefits like federal government positions
front-runner
The presidential candidate who appears to be ahead at a given time in the primary season.
state central committee
The principal organized structure of each political party within each state. This committee is responsible for carrying out policy decisions of the party's state convention.
Duverger's Law
The principle that in a democracy with single-member districts and plurality voting, only 2 parties' candidates will have a realistic chance of winning political office, as in the US.
What is the most important factor that explains Jeanne Shaheen's victory in New Hampshire's Senate race compared to Mark Pryor's defeat in Arkansas?
The proportion of Democrats in new Hampshire is much higher than in Arkansas.
paradox of voting
The question of why citizens vote even though their individual votes stand little chance of changing the election outcome.
paradox voting
The question of why citizens vote even though their individual votes stand little change of changing the election outcome
Free Riding
The result of relying on others to contribute to a collective effort while failing to participate on one's own behalf, yet still benefiting from the group's successes.
Outside Strategies
The tactics employed outside Washington D.C., by interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goals.
Inside Strategies
The tactics employed within Washington, D.C., by interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goals.
election cycle
The two-year period between general elections
popular vote
The votes cast by citizens in an election
era of good feelings
The years from 1817 to 1825, when James Monroe was president and there was, in effect, no political opposition.
Tea Party
They are unified around the goal of significantly reducing the size of the federal government and its regulations. They generally hold more extreme views and are less willing to compromise, even with other Republicans.
hard money
This refers to political contributions and campaign spending that is recorded under the regulations set forth in law and by the Federal Elections Commission
party-in-the-electorate
Those members of the general public who identify with a political party or who express a preference for one party over another.
Agenda Setting
Throughout the year, the parties in gov meet to devise strategies for legislative action--that is, to set agendas.
Cross-cutting
To spur a realignment, there has to be cross-cutting meaning that within each party, there are people who disagree on what the government should do.
Runoff election
Under a majority voting system, a second election held only if no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first general election. Only the top two vote-getters in the first election compete in the runoff
runoff election
Under a majority voting system, a second election held only if no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first general election. Only the top two vote-getters in the first election compete in the runoff.
swing voters
Voters who frequently swing their support from one party to another.
electoral votes
Votes cast by members of the electoral college, after a presidential candidate wins the popular vote in a given state, that candidate's slate of electors casts electoral votes for the candidate on behalf of that state.
electoral votes
Votes cast by members of the electoral college; after a presidential candidate wins the popular vote in a given state, that candidate's slate of electors cast electoral votes for the candidate on behalf of that state.
electoral vote
Votes cast by members of the electoral college; after a presidential candidate wins the popular vote in a given state, that candidate's slate of electors casts electoral votes for the candidate on behalf of that state.
straight-ticket voting
Voting exclusively for the candidates of one party.
ticket splitting
Voting for candidates of two or more parties for different offices. For example, a voter splits her ticket if she votes for a Republican presidential candidate and for a Democratic congressional candidate.
What is the paradox of voting?
Voting is costly and the chances of affecting the election outcome are small.
Indirect primary
a primary election in which voters choose convention delegates, and the delegates determine the party's candidate in the general election
Direct primary
a primary election in which voters decide party noinations by voting directly for candidates
open seat
an elected position for which there is no incumbent
political machine
an unofficial patronage system within a political party that seeks to gain political power and government contracts, jobs, and other benefits for party leaders, workers and supporters.
The Democratic and Republican party organizations _____ hierarchical; they are ________ to force state and local parties to share their positions on issues
are not; unable
The Democratic and Republican party organizations ______ hierarchical; they are _______ to force state and local parties to share their positions on issues
are not; unable
The Democratic and Republican party organizations __________ hierarchical; they are __________ to force state and local parties to share their positions on issues.
are not; unable
Recent increased fragmentation of parties is a good or bad thing according to Fiorina?
bad thing
Why do most candidates support their party platforms?
bc most candidates and their constituents generally agree w the platform
What are some ways that political party organizations support candidates?
by contributing money to campaign activities, by offering advice on how to deal w the press, by organizing get-out-the-vote activities, and by offering advice on which issues to emphasize
A group of elected officials of the same party who come together to organize and strategize is called a _____
caucus
A group of elected officials of the same party who come together to organize and strategize is called a __________.
caucus
A group of elected officials of the same party who come together to organize and strategize is called a______
caucus
How do political parties support their candidates?
contributing money to campaign activities, offering advice on how to deal with the press, organizing get-out-the-vote activities , offering advice on which issues to emphasize
What best defines the theory of conditional party government? "As policy differences between the parties in gov ______, the parties in gov will be ________ important in helping legislators develop policy plans and strategies."
decrease; less
undervotes
happen when a voter casts an unmarked ballot, votes in some races on the ballot but not others, or casts a ballot that cannot be counted for some reason. -shows that there are complexities in the way that ballots are carried out
Research shows that modern campaign ads are likely to .
have beneficial effects, such as informing voters
Research shows that modern campaign ads are likely to _______
have beneficial effects, such as informing voters
The winner-take-all method of allocating most states' electoral votes results in candidates focusing on _______ states and _______ states
high population; swing
The winner-take-all method of allocating most states' electoral votes results in candidates focusing on states and states.
high population; swing
Voters who rely on voting cues to determine their vote choice are .
likely to cast a reasonable vote, and more so if they are informed
Runoff election occur only in states that use _______
majority voting
Runoff elections only occur in states that use .
majority voting
GOTV and "ground game" refer to a candidate's attempts to .
mobilize supporters
GOTV and "ground game" refer to candidate's attempts to _______
mobilize supporters
What is soft money
money that is not tied to a specific candidate
What is soft money?
money that is not tied to a specific candidate
Weak coattails and split tickets serve as indicators that .
most elections are determined by local issues
Weak coattails and split tickets serve as indicators that ________
most elections are determined by local issues
Louis Menand's theories
one: elections are more or less random events in which a large bloc of voters responds to "slogans, misinformation, sensational news, last minute sensational news, random personal associations and 'gotchas' two: Voter decisions are guided not simply by random events and info., but by elite opinion. three: voters use info. shortcuts, especially but not only political party labels, to render verdicts that are substantively meaningful.
The idea that a party is not just a group, but an organization that exists apart from its candidate, is called the______
party principle
The modern Congress is ______; the distance between the parties has _____ over the past 60 years
polarized; increased
The modern Congress is _______; the distance between the parties has ______ over the past 60 years
polarized; increased
The modern congress is ___________; the distance between the parties has ______ over the past 60 years.
polarized; increased
When the president,House, and Senate are controlled by the same party, this is called:
responsible party government
The recent trend in the presidential nomination process has been to .
schedule primary elections earlier in the process
The recent trend in the presidential nomination process has been to _______
schedule primary elections earlier in the process
Heuristics
short cuts that people use to reach judgements about political candidates -usually pick the candidate they would have if they had fully done their research -principal short-cut people use is political party
Which feature of political parties is undermined by legislators who build a reputation w voters independent of the party label?
the provision of electoral accountability
Which feature of political parties is undermined by legislators who build a reputation with voters independent of the party label?
the provision of electoral accountability
election cycle
the two year period between general elections
popular vote
the votes cast by citizens in an election
An open-seat election is one where .
there is no incumbent in the race
An open-seat election is one where_____
there is no incumbent in the race
John Q. Wilson
this is the most polarized public AND Congress have ever been and it's dangerous: interest groups, media, and a divided House all cause polarization increase. Interest groups are more politically influenced and focus on swaying other's opinions Media provides so many different options people can choose what opinions and views they want to see and follow Divided House: the opinions of members of Congress have a large affect on the people's opinion and when the House is divided the people follow
When the president, House, and Senate are controlled by the same party, this is called:
unified government
What is paradox voting
voting is costly, and the chances of affecting the election outcome are small